KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE
A NOTE FROM KRISTINA:
Greetings!

Sometimes when I get inspiration for a new essay, I find out after the fact about information and/or relevant events which illustrate or confirm the theme or point I was trying to make was a timely one. That is exactly what happened this morning, when I already had a full draft completed and found out today was the 75th anniversary of VE Day ?! I honestly had no idea. (You'll see why that was uncanny when you read the PGG...)

Most of you on here are familiar with my work for a while now, and know that I am always looking through the lens and belief that personal transformation is the key to social transformation. This requires an awareness and understanding of what is going on in the world. And sometimes I address that directly, like now, when we are living through such extraordinary times, in order to give you another way to look at things. (Also, for example, you might have read my PGG from a couple of weeks ago United We Stand ).

This week I comment further on the current state of our affairs, and explain myself there. If it's not your cuppa tea or you're not in the mood for this kind of PGG today, feel free to visit my Medium page with many other topics to enjoy....

For today's PGG Video of the week I talk about the importance of nurses and nursing (I gave a leadership talk to over 50 nurses from around the country in January '19) and this week's Instagram post reminds us of the types of people we need in the world right now .

As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments about anything I'm doing.
Big hug <3 Kristina

P.S. Need a little guidance and one-on-one support at this time? For info about working with me check out the website for my coaching services .

And as a reminder, I've been posting messages on my Instagram/IGTV and YouTube channel, so if you need a little digital human interaction, please be sure to follow or subscribe so you know when they're posted (fyi this is the dedicated YouTube playlist and here's Part One and Part Two of my IG Live interview about resetting your mind during this time.

And in case you missed these, you can read my PGG's that specifically address the current crisis: Quality Control: How to make the best of these times of quarantine and questioning, How to cope with (and benefit from) what you can't see during the time of corona and United We Stand . Feel free to share those links (or any others) with anyone who could benefit <3
Follow me on social media for article links, motivational videos & inspirational posts!
" 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 .
Anatomy of Awareness

A s a holistic coach, speaker and writer, I look at the big picture and connect dots for a living, observing things from many vantage points to get to the root of whatever is at hand . My coaching and speaking helps get folks unstuck, find their paths in career and life, and trust that if they do that, the world will be better off as a result. My writing takes into consideration the current events and zeitgeist of the day and attempts to make sense of it in a way that acknowledges you are not alone, advances our individual and collective evolution, and encourages positive change in the world.

My degree is in International Relations (a combination of history, political science, economics and geography), so I have always had a global interest, outlook and understanding. (For more about me, read All Roads Same Place ) My intention with all my PGG essays is to be thought-provoking and allow you to see things from a different perspective. I want to empower you in how to think, not what to think.

Much of my work also has to do with getting you out of your head and into your heart and gut – where real wisdom lies – so you can know what feels right, what RESONATES, which bypasses any external programming fed directly into your noggin.

All of which is to say, it is in this spirit that I share this PGG with you today.

For over two months now I have watched, observed, researched and looked at our current situation from many different angles, using a variety of primary and secondary sources as well as my own ability – both innate and developed over years of doing this work – to recognize patterns and read between the lines. SO, as I write this on May 7, 2020, I offer this conclusion as food for thought to ponder, and to use to draw your own:

Operation COVID-19

At the beginning of this crisis, officials often used the rallying call of a “wartime effort” to “rally the troops” and get us in line – without physical force – with shutting down the economy and implementing social distancing. Our President even authorized the Defense Production Act and NYC saw the National Guard and a Navy ship called in. The speed and compliance with which everything happened on a national and global level was not only bizarre, but eerily smooth with very few questions, and enacted on an unprecedented scale. Many solutions seemed to be fast-tracked, as if they had already been in the works.

OK, so let’s think about this entire situation in a broader context :
How many times in our history, and the history of the world, have wars been declared or justified under false pretenses?

What role has propaganda played to gain public support and keep the effort going? Are nice, neat narratives being used to keep everyone on the same page and muster enthusiasm for any sacrifices and, most importantly, the control of behavior?

How many times have we hailed and honored our soldiers as heroes, even as they serve in unjust or illegitimate wars? What have we done to conscientious objectors? 

How many times have those same heroes come back from war with severe PTSD and other psychological and physical traumas they must process, often exacerbated by unethical actions they may have been ordered to take?

How are whistleblowers and defectors treated?

Other factors that describe components of or are a corollary to war:

  • Divide and conquer.
  • Shock and awe.
  • Fear tactics and bullying.
  • Regardless of knowing the underlying hows and whys of a war, many people sincerely enlist in the effort to do what they feel is the right thing in their hearts and are genuine about their service. Others might not have a choice.
  • The majority of casualties are poor people, mostly poor people of color.
  • Morals either go out the window, are reinforced to a toxic extreme, or tested to the max.
  • People start to brand each other, scapegoating is rampant, anything “other” is the enemy.
  • The mainstream media use the same or doctored images repeatedly. They are the eyes and ears for anyone who is not on the front lines, and therefore in some ways serve as a proxy for the war itself.
  • Human interest stories, real or fabricated, are used to manipulate the populace’s emotions.
  • Dissenting views or anyone who doesn’t toe the party line or official narrative are not allowed; they are censored heavily, completely banned and/or worse.
  • Persecution with no due process.
  • Spies/ special ops/ agents/ covert operations
  • Unusual alliances and strange bedfellows.
  • Human and/or constitutional rights are suspended, abused, revoked or freely relinquished
  • Political prisoners/ house arrest.
  • Surveillance of civilians using a variety of methods, including each other.
  • War profiteers.
  • Psychological warfare and torture.
  • Biological and chemical warfare.
  • Development of new technologies and/or weaponizing of current technology.
  • Crimes against humanity.

Why are wars fought in the first place?
FOR THE TRANSFER OF RESOURCES, WEALTH AND/OR POWER. It’s never for humanitarian reasons or even ideological ones. Those are only cover stories to gain the buy-in for the transfer of resources, wealth and/or power.

Now apply that to Spring 2020:
This is not an analogy for war; it is one.

Mother Nature has not played a cruel trick on us. Whether man-made, naturally occurring, or some combination of both, the misuse/manipulation of this virus has been intentional. Who the players are on any given “side” varies depending on the lens and bias you bring to the table, which is part of the current problem. As long as “they” keep a smoke screen and campaign of fear, disinformation, censorship, confusion, and/or brainwashing and pitting factions against each other, this will continue to be one of the most heart-wrenching and dangerous aspects of the “operation.”

The most important, and most challenging, thing you can do is leave your politics and labels at the door, because this is bigger than all of that. Have an open mind to make informed decisions based on your own discernment and seek out multiple sources of information. (I am aware that if I took a survey of people reading this and asked what blanks they filled in about who is doing what to whom, we would have many different versions projected here, yet each person, including me, would be sure they were right.) This is the crux of the current climate, which is so disturbing and seems even more intense than in 2016! We must find a way to compare notes calmly, dialogue and listen to and respect each other, even when we disagree.

In other words, based on everything I have observed, researched and experienced, war has been declared – the complexity of the who, what, where, when, how and why may never be fully known – but regardless of the various factions engaged, we are the ones who are pawns in the game .

But we don’t have to be …

Change, in whatever form it might be forced upon us, is not always a bad thing in the end – but transformation is no joke. The caterpillar must disintegrate into complete goop and go through quite the struggle before it reforms itself into a butterfly. It would take a massive event – like war – to do that for an entire society.

We can think of this as our Reformation and Revolutionary/Civil/WWII/Iraq War rolled into one, and we must begin to understand and approach it as such so we can proceed knowing the bigger picture of what we are really dealing with, and stand to lose or gain in the process . We can avoid history repeating itself.

The good news:

This, like in any crisis, means we have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and muster the Highest and Best of who we are individually and collectively . We must strengthen ourselves in Mind, Body and Spirit and be empowered to stand for TRUTH, JUSTICE and FREEDOM in reforming the community, country and world we want – even if that means simply holding that vision with clarity and conviction.

We each have a role to play both in getting through this transformation , with as little harm and suffering as possible, and building the future we desire.

We must know that it is possible and strive to come together in UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY, which includes diversity of thought.

We must know that we have the power to do so and are required to participate however we feel called.

We must have the courage to speak out to protect our sovereign rights , and uphold them for those who cannot speak for themselves.

We must pursue, express and maximize whatever talents, interests and passions we possess and integrate all of our life experiences that have led us to the “job” we are meant to do right now. By doing so, we will each contribute to getting us through this profoundly pivotal time in human history.

And remember, there are always silver linings. Life, like Nature, happens in cycles. There is a purpose and meaning in everything, should we choose to find it. And it is always darkest before dawn.

Know that you are who you are on this planet, at this extraordinary moment, for us to triumph victoriously in evolving our society to the next, more enlightened level.

Not sure what your orders are for this particular mission? Give me a buzz and I can help your work and life become the most aligned it can be, so you can conquer whatever battle you confront, and march on with Patience, Peace and Love in your heart, for yourself and your fellow humans . Because we are all #InThisTogether.

Looking for some quality content while social distancing?
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to my YouTube channel :)

* * * * * * * * *
If you like what I write, you'll love what I have to say in person!

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.


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.

The world is going a little cuckoo, but you don't have to! I can help you find the clarity, balance and direction you need right now.

Now is a great time to use this pause to take stock of your career and life so contact me to schedule your session today!

WORK WITH KRISTINA

"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."


CANCELLED/STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE
Spring Cleaning for the Soul

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?

and more... (click on titles)

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.

Thank you again for opening my eyes to a new future ! ~ K. Handa
 

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.

    Read more
PGG VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
Click on the image for this week's video where I talk to over 50 nurses about the importance of nurses and nursing.

Looking for more PGG inspiration and tips?
KRISTINA IN ACTION

Click here for a link to full-length clips of Kristina in action or visit and/or subscribe to her YouTube Channel
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
If you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in and have signed up directly for or agreed to be added to this list for mailings and updates related to the work of Kristina Leonardi, PGG/Personal Growth Gab and/or TWM/The Women's Mosaic. Your privacy is paramount, and your email will only be used for communicating with you about topics, essays, events and announcements related to these entities. Please note you can change your profile preferences or simply unsubscribe at anytime using the " Update Profile " or "SafeUnsubscribe" links at the bottom of every email. Thanks for being part of this community and feel free to contact kleonardi@mindspring.com should you have any questions, comments or concerns. 
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.