KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE |
Greetings!
Today's note is short and sweet, with warm wishes for you to enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and a reminder to be gentle, compassionate and forgiving with yourself and others. <3 We've all been and are continuing to go through a lot on many levels, so keep this adage in mind: Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
Deep breaths and have gratitude for all you are moving through and how the Universe is asking you to grow and evolve as a result (as I mention in this Bored Panda article). And if you'd like to show your appreciation for any of the work or content I've provided scroll down for some ways to do so ;)
Also in your reflection this upcoming week, remember that you have more power than you think you do, including the power you have to ask for help. We had a really great discussion about the many aspects of what "power" means to us at this month's CONNECTING WITH KRISTINA online gathering; you can see some clips here. We'll be talking about HUMOR next month, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 13th, so hope to see some of you then for more meaningful conversation! Check back for details and registration...
Today's PGG Video of the Week is about how to be grateful at a meal, this week's Instagram post is an artsy reel I made this summer to reflect on and have gratitude for the beauty all around us or this one where I talk about Iyanla Vanzant's prayer mentioned in the essay. Today's PGG Vibe of the Week is the powerful live version of Alison Morissette's Thank You.
Lastly, THANK YOU for being here and for being part of my community! If any of my essays, coaching, talks, videos or posts have helped you along your career/life journey, here are a few ways you can show your appreciation and support my work:
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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What are people saying about Kristina's new book
I LOVE this book and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little boost of positivity in their lives. ~ Margaret H.
This is more of a "working" book – not something you'll pick up once and read cover to cover, but it'll become more of a tool to help you see yourself differently and will return to over and over again, which is priceless. ~ Cherise R.
The intro pages guided me on how the affirmations can be used, and I love how she speaks of having “anchor times” in my day. ~ Alex I.
I absolutely love these affirmations and the way the book was put together with such thought and creativity. Say them, post them, paste them! Affirmations have helped me tremendously and I love that these are made easily accessible. ~ Tina R.
The colors and fonts are bold and energizing... I’ve started opening the book to any page throughout the day and spending a few minutes with that singular page letting it imprint on my brain body, and being. This book is a gift from a great wise teacher. ~ Karen M.
It’s such a perfect bite-sized book of inspiration and happiness… everyone should have it! ~ Melissa F.
It can be as simple as a jump-start or as deep as an entire rewiring of your inner thoughts.
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UPCOMING EVENT:
CONNECTING WITH KRISTINA
Monthly topic, online group chat, support and Q & A
Connect with like-minded folks on a personal growth & career journey
Next month's topic:
HUMOR
Tuesday, December 13th
7pm-8:30pmET via Zoom
Check back for info and registration
Zoom link sent upon registration & prior to event.
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Attitude of Gratitude
Originally published on July 8, 2014
When author and self-help/relationship guru Iyanla Vanzant was asked what her prayer is, she answered that she had three. The first one is “Help!” The second is “Help Now!” And the third is: “Thank you.”
Especially during stressful times, it’s good to keep that superpower (as I described it to my ninth-graders in Life Class) in your back pocket to use throughout the day and cultivate and attitude of gratitude as part of your overall MO. Many studies and notable folks have promoted the benefits and magic that the energy of gratitude unleashes; whether writing a daily list, speaking it to others in your life, or silently acknowledging everything you are thankful for as they arise in and around you, gratitude opens your heart and is the best way to celebrate your life, stay grounded and reduce your stress no matter what.
Yes, we all know that Oprah keeps a gratitude journal, but even tough guy media mogul and bison king Ted Turner, in some of his darkest hours in the midst of a huge corporate mess and painful divorce, said that’s what kept him going. Every night before he went to sleep he would think about everything in life he was grateful for, and that helped get him through to another day.
Of course it’s easy to be grateful when things are going your way, got lucky or you prayers were answered, but what about in the midst of a difficult situation or for the things we take for granted and hardly even notice anymore?
It’s not always easy when you’re in the moment, but just try breaking out some appreciation when dealing with serious challenges and/or their aftermath (i.e. taking care of a sick/aging parent, being laid off from your job, breaking up with a longtime partner, facing a debilitating illness or physical disaster), and focus on whatever good the situation is allowing you to experience right then and there. Remember to think about other hard times you’ve gone through in the past — in hindsight you were always glad they happened, right?
There are so many ways and moments that we can use gratitude, not the least of which is in our everyday interactions — whether with friends, family, foe or stranger, the common courtesies of “please” and “thank you” go a long way and are indeed deposits in the gratitude account. And the little things and everyday surroundings we take for granted are not to be overlooked; this truly is the stuff of life: “Thank you for the roof over my head, my functioning brain, my ability to dance and listen to music, all the work I’ve done on myself to get to this point. The fresh air, sunshine and easy access to the ocean as well as to the mountains; the rain that makes the leaves green and the air that those leaves create so I can breathe; for the good friends and people who support me and make me laugh…” you get the idea.
It’s even become automatic now that when I sit down to eat a meal, I briefly pause to silently give thanks for the fact that I have food before me and appreciate the nourishment it provides, the miracle of Nature, the variety of options available to me; for all the hard work it took to get it here; the people at the farmer’s market and grocery store; the fact that I had the money buy it and my ability to cook, see, smell, taste and digest it; for the pleasure it gives me. It takes only a few seconds to encompass that recognition and all of those thoughts into one acknowledging feeling, because when you really think about it, it truly is a blessing. (P.S. I LOVE food.)
And, as a professional coach, I am beyond grateful to all my clients, who trust me with your time, energy, journey and dollars, and allow me the opportunity to do something I truly love that helps you grow and heal your lives, which in turn has helped me to grow and heal mine. And for my PGG readers who allow me to express myself in a creative way that you find beneficial and entertaining: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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If you like what I write, you'll love what I have to say in person!
"Many times job searching and navigating your professional career can actually be soul searching as well. Kristina combines both career and soul, which is extremely rare. Thank you, Kristina!" ~ C. Loridas
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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If you've heard about affirmations but never knew what they were or how to create or use them, this potent little book is just the tool you need!
This colorful guide’s straightforward, actionable advice and 30 bold affirmations can help you to shift your mindset and feel better about yourself no matter who you are or what your circumstances.
Keep this handy, pocket-size book at your bedside or in your backpack so you’re never far from information about:
- What affirmations are and why they are important
- How and when to use affirmations so they are most effective
- 10 ways to use the specific affirmations in the book.
Use as part of a daily routine or while on the go to strengthen your connection to yourself and maintain a positive, uplifting outlook on who you are and what you can accomplish in every area of your life!
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WORK WITH KRISTINA
If you're looking for some compassionate candor and a dose of tough love, Kristina is the coach for you.... I came into this really lacking clarity and walked away with a sense of relief. Can't recommend her enough. ~ Kevin R.
Find clarity, balance and direction in your career and life.
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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.
Kristina patiently helped me to discover and embrace my true north. I was stuck in a past identity that blocked me from the person I wanted to become. ~ Pascal D.
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.
I can honestly say that speaking to you was one of the most important events in my life. It is almost unbelievable how a 2-hour conversation can have that effect. ~ Bozhanka V.
Thank you again for opening my eyes to a new future! ~ K. Handa
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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:
VIRTUAL GROUP COACHING
Heart & Soul: The Key to Success in 2021 and Beyond
SELF-CARE IN THE MIDST OF SEA CHANGE:
Watch FULL-LENGTH Talks Here:
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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INTERVIEWS WITH KRISTINA
CLICK HERE FOR MY INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH ZANADE MANN
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Kristina's Books:
(on Amazon)
(on Amazon)
(work in progress)
Archive of PGG essays can be found on
Read Kristina's Career & Personal Growth Articles:
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Click link for this week's video of Alanis Morissete's
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