KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE |
Greetings!
In this rapidly-changing-instant-everything-distraction-galore world we live in, it's often hard to track our life's progress in a realistic way. And on top of that, looking at and comparing yourself to everyone else's life on social media is yet another way to distort your reality and what accomplishments and experiences make sense for YOU.
But as long as you are in action in some way, shape or form - which includes rest, self-reflection and play - the Universe will conspire to help move you along in the right direction on your unique path. It just has it's own timeline! Today's PGG essay reflects some of these themes, and I hope that it helps you be accepting of where you are and trust the process of your own life is unfolding exactly as it should.
And 'tis the season to be jolly, but we should make this a goal all year long! No matter how stressful things are, laughter is a powerful tool to help get us through. So let's discuss all things funny and celebrate the holidays at this month's CONNECTING WITH KRISTINA online gathering where we'll be talking about HUMOR on Tuesday, December 13th at 7pmET via Zoom. Hope to see some of you then for meaningful and merry conversation! Click here for details and registration.
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
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS OF PAST GATHERINGS:
Zoom link sent upon registration & prior to event.
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The Patience of Patients
Originally published on September 11, 2012
Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength. ~ Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I find it curious that the word patient has two distinct meanings, yet both encompass bearing some level of discomfort over a period of time (even if it’s just being in the waiting room of a doctor’s office!).
We all have individual and collective anniversaries, memories and milestones that we share to some degree or another; regardless if they were positive or negative, hopefully you are able to see the growth and healing that has since transpired. Tomorrow [Sept. 12, 2012] will mark three months to the day my mom underwent open-heart surgery, and after minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, week-by-week attention, care and rest, she was back out at her clubs (yes plural, and yes, as in nightclubs/dancing) this past weekend.
It’s truly amazing what time can do when you give it a chance to work its magic. But in this action-oriented, left -brained, results-demanding, pill -for-everything, instant-information, fast-food society, time gets a bad rap. Faster is perceived to always be better and action trumps rest in the eyes of others. With almost everything available to us on demand and bottles of 5-hour energy at our disposal, we’ve grown impatient beyond reasonable expectations.
“Patience is a virtue” and “Time heals all wounds” are two of my favorite adages because they express the type of ‘muscles” I’ve exercised and “tools” I’ve developed — you guessed it, over time — as they become realities when you see the proof in the pudding. In my coaching and speaking work, I am constantly trying to get folks to understand that although we are living in a 24/7 instant access technological wonderland, Nature does not work that way — the acorn does not become an oak tree overnight!
Clients are often frustrated with me when I advise them not to do anything that they consider as “doing” or will have a direct and immediate impact on their job search or life’s path. What I suggest doesn’t mean they should sit around twiddling their thumbs; it’s about understanding that there is a process, and it’s inner work through activities that don’t seem “productive” or results-producing, when in fact they are the true heavy lifting of personal growth.
We all have wounds that need to be healed, and not addressing them or allowing them the time and space to do so is often what blocks us from moving forward; therefore, that is where time and energy needs to be spent.
I am always planting seeds when I work with clients, giving them ideas and suggestions they may not necessarily be ready to implement immediately, but should think about, pay attention to and consider down the road. I also guide them towards the many stepping stones they need to take on the path to their ultimate goal, whether or not they are aware of that goal.
The philosopher Kierkegaard said, “Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.” I have had the pleasure of finding out recently how many of my clients are beginning to reap what they have sown, with projects, jobs and opportunities that are only now coming to fruition, one, two and even four years after we met, which is extremely rewarding and only reinforces the “method to my madness.”
The paradox and balancing trick, of course, is that time doesn’t stop; it can pass us by quickly, so we need to be in motion with it and “make hay while the sun shines.” But on the other hand, we need to accept and be comfortable with what is realistic in terms of how long things take to change and develop. Just like we are all students in this school called Life, we are all patients in the healing of our lives which is part of what growing means — healing the wounds of our past so we can move forward ever more healthy and strong.
Need a little help on your journey from acorn to oak tree, or from wounded to well? Give me a buzz and I’ll take a look to see how you can use the gift of time to speed things up or slow them down, keeping in mind, that might just be the opposite of what you think…
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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
Want to share my PGG? Use my Medium page for friendliest posting version.
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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
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:
Watch FULL-LENGTH Talks:
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 Tame Impala's
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