KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE
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Greetings!
Welcome everyone new to this list who came out to attend my
Stepping Stones for Success Talk
on Wednesday (if you missed it you can catch the
FB live
recording here)! I think the stormy weather was a perfect metaphor for all that's happened this past week; it was an interesting experience delivering this talk at this particular time, as it felt like we are all struggling, trying to
reclaim what it means to be human
and get back
to some sort of mental and emotional grasp on our realities despite the insanity of the world around us
.
It's such a delicate balance to focus on our individual lives in the midst of the serious and often sad times we find ourselves, but we must, as
we all are contributing on some level to the collective, which is why we need to take responsibility for our own healing and happiness.
If the vibe of this week's PGG (which I originally wrote back in 2012 after a mass shooting) seems a little more somber I guess that's just what I feel is appropriate for the moment. In this week's
PGG Video of the week
I remind you to
be kind and compassionate and why it's important,
and in my
Instagram post
to
take responsibility for the choices you make.
As always, please feel free to
let me know
y
our feedback about any and all that I'm doing :) 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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Validation Nation
Originally published July 24, 2012
Last month a
white buffalo was born
in Goshen, CT and its naming ceremony is taking place this week. This is a sacred and rare event in the Native American tradition, the significance of which varies in interpretation, but it’s auspicious nonetheless, and at the very least is yet another sign of the extraordinary times in which we live.
We’re at a point where we can no longer ignore the problems that on some level we’ve known all along we must address – whether climate change; the economy and our government; our physical, mental or emotional health; our relationships with ourselves, our family and our friends; or the gap between the fantasy of how we perceive our lives to be versus the reality of what they truly are.
We must bring to light what is holding us back, stop living in denial or distraction, and take responsibility for our own happiness.
For many of us, our limitations are rooted in the infinite search for approval and the pain we feel when we don’t get it, especially from those closest to us. Our culture seems to have exploited this, whether you are singing in front of millions of people, walking on a red carpet, living in a literal or metaphoric glass house, or deemed worthy of receiving a rose from a bachelor or bachelorette – or more perversely, and often magnified by mental illness, strapping a bomb to yourself in a crowded area, becoming a despotic ruler or embodying a pseudo-character in a movie and committing mass murder, knowing the attention and infamy such an action will bring.
In this
Time of the Season
,
who’s your daddy? Are you seeking approval from parents, friends, partners, bosses, the opposite sex, the same sex, Facebook likes, Twitter followers or the public at large? As comedienne Margaret Cho
reminds us,
we have to be ones that we want.
We cannot be defined by others so let’s get honest, let’s get real with ourselves. Because when we choose to avoid delving into the deepest parts of ourselves, we turn to indulging or over-indulging in unhealthy relationships, food, TV, work, the Internet, gossip and bullying, drugs, sex, alcohol, video games, gambling, movies and so many other things to numb us.
Instead of masking whatever feelings may be lurking beneath the surface, we need walk through the fire; there are no shortcuts.
And remember, if you can’t feel the bad, that means you can’t feel the good either!
We are the only ones who can give meaning to our own lives, and we are constantly reminded of just how brief that life can be.
We must dig deep within our souls to find the stuff we are made of and the things we must release in order to move forward, to heal our lives.
We need to discover and then liberate ourselves from who or what is owning us by making us feel validated. That process may be uncomfortable, and yes, even painful. But in allowing yourself to go there, we can then leave there once and for all. Our country and the world are depending on it.
Need a little help
Digging in the Dirt
t
o open up the places you got hurt?
Give me a buzz
and I’ll be the support you need to
tear up those roots and replant the seeds of healthy self-esteem that bloom just for you
. Should you by chance attract an admirer or two, that’s simply a byproduct of bringing your own special brand of beauty to a world that so desperately needs it...
Remember, you can always see PGGs from any month or year going back to 2010 on my website at
www.kristinaleonardi.com
and visit my social media pages for more inspiration throughout the week! Want to share my PGG? Use my
Medium
page for friendliest posting version.
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WORK WITH KRISTINA
Next Talk September 18th 6pm
Who Are You & What Are You Supposed to Be Doing with Your Life?
Click back for more info
Video from week's talk on Facebook:
Kristina's Books:
Read Kristina's Career & Personal Growth Articles:
"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.
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PGG VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
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Looking for more PGG inspiration and tips?
Stay tuned for a
PGG TV
video series coming soon!
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kristina leonardi - Medium
Looking for more good reads? Check out and follow me on Medium, where you can easily like and share the PGG's that really click. Share the love <3
Read more
medium.com
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