KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE |
Greetings!
It's so important for us to learn how to use our voice, not only how I talk about in today's PGG essay, but also in our everyday situations and relationships in order to have more honest, authentic conversations expressing whatever is our understanding, feelings and truth, without harming others.
Communication has gotten both easier and more complicated by technology and social media - which often loses tone, context and/or meaning when not spoken. And especially with social media and podcasts, the noise of so many voices, when gone unchecked and unbalanced, can block us from hearing our own internal voice so that we can tune into what we need, want or think at any given moment, not what has overtly or subconsciously gotten into our consciousness.
There are also so many issues and current events that require more people to be brave and speak out, but the phenomena of cancel culture coupled with extreme censorship makes it even more intimidating to do so, especially if an opinion or perspective is or is perceived to be out of the mainstream or offensive to others. But we need to learn how to hear all voices without shutting each other down.
Another use of your voice is therapeutically, to help ground you and process any emotions or energetic static within or around you. Simply allowing your breath to move through your body and out through your vocal chords to make all sorts of sounds, tones, hums, and/or exaggerated versions of vowels can help release stress, frustration, sadness, grief and/or anxiety just as much or even more than a xanax or a run. It's easy, feels good and has no side effects - try it, you'll like it!
The PGG Video of the Week is a full-length talk on being authentic (it's not great video quality, so think of it more like listening to a podcast ;). The Instagram post is some "OM"s you can om along with and feel the calming effect on the nervous system. And for the PGG Vibe of the Week, enjoy the movie Fame's I Sing the Body Electric.
Also, it's been a hot minute since I did a Zoom anything; I plan on doing one towards the end of the month so please let me know what you would like me to offer and stay tuned for announcements. For now, let's SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 27th in the evening ET.
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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V
Originally published May 10, 2011
I will continue to use my voice, the one I was told is important and matters. ~ Rosario Dawson
I’m not a huge fan of American Idol but have watched it here and there, and the theme I noticed this season has to do with contestants “finding their voice” and being artists who are true to themselves. Now there’s a new kid on the block called The Voice, and the X-Factor coming around the corner as well.
Although on one hand we are attracted to the idea of being plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight, I think our more subconscious obsession with these shows stems from how powerful that little box in our throat really is, because not enough of us use it to its fullest potential.
I have a client who feels she is not heard by her boyfriend, another who is trying to find his voice in his job, another who gets stuck when trying to articulate anything about herself. Shania Twain, who made a living and a fortune living by her voice, lost it after the devastating news of her husband’s betrayal and coming to terms with a traumatic childhood. Nothing is more effective to show us just how essential our voice is to who we are than when it is not there.
I recently had the privilege of meeting one of the most distinctive and profound voices in our society today, Dr.Cornel West, who was being honored, along with Rosario Dawson and former Mayor David Dinkins, at the very aptly named Voices, the annual gala for The Brotherhood Sister Sol, an organization that empowers low-income Black and Latino youths to become agents of social change through education, activism and spoken word. West, a frequent guest on mainstream TV talk shows, always has an intelligent and entertaining discourse with his host and speaks my kinda language about love, courage and shared humanity; he is an extremely unique voice of reason in a sea of media madness.
At the end of the event, the students’ poem said you “can’t sing when your guard is up and your mouth is closed…..The consequences of silence are intolerable.” No matter who you are, without your voice and your Voice, you are lost.
The logo and ads for The Voice show two fingers up in a V; I realized it’s no small coincidence that this is also the sign of peace and victory, as they are all intertwined. Because when you find your Voice and use it, you feel at peace with yourself and can be Victorious in overcoming any obstacle – and that is Vital.
Whether you want to sing like Christina or Shania, speak out like Rosario and Cornel, or are from Madonna’s generation or Gaga’s, it’s up to each of us to use what we’ve got, so give me a buzz and I’ll make you see how wonderful it is that you were Born this Way and then help you Express Yourself hey hey…
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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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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.
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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:
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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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INTERVIEWS WITH KRISTINA
CLICK HERE FOR MY INSTAGRAM LIVE WITH ZANADE MANN
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Click link for this week's video of Fame's
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