KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE |
Greetings!
September is a time of many new beginnings, be it a new academic year, the Jewish New Year, a new Fall season, and in 2021, a work scenario for many that is invoking back-to-school jitters after being out of the office for so long!
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, when so much changed in our city, country and world; if you were more directly impacted please make sure to be extra gentle with yourself around this time as so much has and will be brought up about it.
Two decades after such a life-altering event, and because we are at this accelerated transformational period in our history, it's a good time to reflect on what have we learned since then and how we want to live going forward. Are we repeating the same mistakes now, individually or collectively, 20 years later? In other words are we doing the "same boyfriend, different clothes" routine, as the saying goes, in our jobs, relationships, health, current events? Where in your life might you still be stuck in unhealthy or inauthentic patterns? Whether you are an official student or not, what do you want your new "school year" to feel like, how do you want it to end? Think about how you have grown both in the past year and the past 20 as it seems we are living in a different world (i.e. just think about all the technology and social media that was born since then and how it has changed your daily life, relationships. work, etc. and then all the 2020 changes by themselves....#mindblowing).
We are living in the School of Life, so it behooves us to become more aware of and appreciate the many classrooms we find ourselves. With the innate trials and tribulations inherent in such a set-up, instead of getting upset or being totally reactive - which is not always easy, especially these past several years - take a deep breath and try to see any given situation as the teacher, homework, quiz or exam that it is, and perhaps make a different or better choice. And trust there is no failure, only learning, even if we have to repeat grades until we finally graduate! Big lessons and massive growth abound in these extraordinary times, so let's all be the lifelong learners we are meant to be.
The PGG Video of the Week is a reminder to learn from your past and break the pattern; this week's Instagram post about how life is your teacher. And for the PGG Vibe of the Week, since she was mentioned in the essay, and over 20 years later the sentiment is even more apropos to these times, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Last but not least, if you look forward to and benefit from these weekly missives and PGG essays and want to show your gratitude, any donations for my efforts are welcome and appreciated here: Paypal.me/kristinaleonardi. And as always, please feel free to contact me with any comments about anything.
Big hug <3
Kristina
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"I love your PGG newsletters - one of the only ones I actually read in its entirety. They are excellently written, and spot on. Thanks for being so inspirational and reflective!" ~ Tom D.
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An Apple for the Teacher
Originally published September 6, 2011
It’s that time of year when notebooks and knapsacks abound and all sorts of new beginnings and nerves are in the air, bringing the possibilities and excitement that arrive with the start of an academic year. Whether or not we find ourselves in an actual classroom this Fall, we are all students in this school called Life, which means that anyone and any situation can be our teacher, and education can come in all shapes and forms.
It is often those who are closest to us who teach us the exact lessons we never knew we needed (or wanted) to learn — either directly, like my six year old niece, who in her own words very calmly told my brother she wished he hadn’t found the prescription sunglasses he lost for the umpteenth time because he needed to learn to pay better attention to his personal possessions and the harsher consequences of their non-recovery; or indirectly, like a co-worker, friend or family member who likes to talk a lot forces you to be a better listener, have more patience and/or set boundaries.
And whatever “class” you are in, sometimes you must first fail miserably in order to then pass with flying colors, because you can’t learn anything without making a few mistakes, a little trial and error to perfect that which we need to master…. Hopefully you can figure out that the experience itself was the teacher, or have someone around to help glean what you need to learn and grow as a result. The good news is that you will never repeat a class when you’ve truly learned a lesson the hard way, and if you’re lucky, sometimes you can even have a teacher who helps you skip several grades.
Whether you think like Pink Floyd or feel like Lauryn Hill, learning is a lifelong process and everything serves its purpose in the bigger picture for you to graduate at the end of your life with honors.
So this September, be grateful for all those amazing teachers you’ve had both inside the classroom and out. Thank the role models, mentors and instructors who serve as great examples of achievement and inspiration as well as the challenging bosses, employees and clients, the bullies and mean girls, the tough coach, your current or ex-boy/girlfriend/partner/spouse, your pain in the neck big or little brother/sister, anyone who gave you a hard time, and especially those difficult “tests” you endured because they too helped form your character and are all opportunities to make you a better you.
Need to repeat (or stop repeating) a few classes or get a little tutoring to bring you closer to the grade you deserve? Give me a buzz and I’ll be sure you get a gold star or A+ on that project, because you can make your life much closer to a 4.0 than you could ever imagine!
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If you like what I write, you'll love what I have to say in person!
If you look forward to and benefit from these weekly essays and want to show your gratitude, any donations for my efforts are welcomed and appreciated here: Paypal.me/kristinaleonardi
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KRISTINA'S COACHING:
Kristina’s coaching expertise is phenomenal — all-encompassing, inclusive of the mind, body & spirit, nonjudgmental, insightful and deeply involved in providing solutions and tools to be a better version of yourself. ~ Audrey N.
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Since I last spoke with you, I've had some pretty dramatic changes - New Job, a Big Move, Healthy Dating Relationship. It's been pretty awesome. Emotionally, I've done a 180, and my life is certainly a reflection of that. My last session with you spurred a lot of wonderful life changes." ~ Palanda B.
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GET MORE OF KRISTINA
There are no upcoming events at this time. You will receive separate emails for group coaching, speaking appearances, Zoom talks or interviews but in the meantime you can check out past ones here:
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Heart & Soul: The Key to Success in 2021 and Beyond
SELF-CARE IN THE MIDST OF SEA CHANGE:
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Using the Great Pause for Personal & Professional Development
Staying Motivated Throughout the Job Search Process
Authentic Branding: Letting the Real You Shine in Any Situation
Who Are You & What Are You Supposed to Be Doing with Your Life?
Stepping Stones for Success
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CLICK HERE FOR MY INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH ZANADE MANN
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