KRISTINA'S WEEKLY EMAIL OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS & VIDEOS TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF ON THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE |
Greetings!
This time of the year here in the Northeast, trees get a lot of attention for the vivid colors and gorgeous glamour they show off as part of their Fall Fashion.
In addition to being justifiably dazzled by the spectacular cosmetics that Mother Nature applies to her leafy children to display on your social media, make sure you pause for a few moments to feel gratitude and reverence - because basically we wouldn't be able to breathe without them - and pay your respects as they grieve the loss of so many of their cousins on the opposite side of our country.
Over the past several years, I've felt more and more appreciation for and connection to these gentle giants of our our world (I always think of the Ents in Lord of the Rings) and have used them in my own healing, either by hugging, standing with my back against them, or simply being in their presence and absorbing all the negative ions and grounding vibes they provide us humanfolk. One recently even gave me the childlike joy of letting me swing on it!
This is also when, here in 2020, we are being required to be internally and externally stronger than ever. How do you become strong? By exercising metaphoric or literal muscles you haven't had to use for a while, if ever, or perhaps didn't even realize you had - over time, under stressful conditions.
With today's PGG I just wanted to remind you that life - like the acorn that becomes an oak tree - is truly about the journey, not the destination - and that things will look an feel differently along the arduous way: It's how you confront, adapt, heal and grow from the inevitable challenges and wounds (new or old) that arise. That is what strengthens our "trunk" and allows us to weather the next storm.
And yes, we are in the midst, or perhaps still at the beginning, of the biggest collective storm ever, so make sure you find the right balance of being detached from the winds and lightening, yet connected enough to yourself and others to do what you can to make the best of it. I realize this is much easier said than done!
It takes awareness, courage and practice. And just like those mighty oak trees, the older we get and more experiences we withstand and move through, the wiser and more impenetrable we become to adversity, and thus can provide a serene shelter within ourselves, and thus to all those who need it.
Lastly, 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,
Kristina
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From Tiny to Mighty
Originally published on May 31, 2019
An oak tree is just a small nut that persevered against the taunts of doubt and fear.~ Matshona Dhliwayo
Giant oak trees… have deep root systems that can extend two-and-one-half times their height. Such trees rarely are blown down regardless of how violent the storms may be. ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin
The Universe works in mysterious ways. I shot this video in August 2018. Exactly nine months later (oh, just the normal gestation period for a human), who knew I’d be standing in the shade of a 500-year-old oak, one of the oldest trees of its kind in our country!
The first half of 2018 was a season of doubt and fear for me in a way that I had not previously experienced. By allowing myself to be patient with the cycle, to process whatever thoughts and emotions I was presented with, and confront my fears, I ultimately became more sure of and secure in myself.
As a result of those growing pains, I now feel (most of the time!) as if I am rooted in the center of the Earth — and grounded in myself and my connection to humanity more than ever. This has given me a renewed inner strength and confidence in who I am and what I do, despite outer circumstances.
I’m always saying “the acorn doesn’t become an oak tree overnight,” but I never really thought about what it takes for that oak tree to continue to grow and withstand the multitude of external forces once it becomes a tree.
Can you imagine what it has required for any living thing to be alive for almost half a millennium? What it has survived and been witness to?
I believe in the soul’s evolution through many lifetimes, so perhaps we don’t live that long biologically, but it can be interesting to think about our lives as part of a broader trajectory and understand the big-picture journey we are on, the lessons we need to learn, and the past experiences we need to heal.
Thank you Angel Oak for being a tangible reminder of it all.
Looking for a little support and fertilizer for your inner acorn? Give me a buzz and I’ll help you find the meaningful mojo to persist and withstand whatever nature brings your way!
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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
Looking for some quality content while social distancing?
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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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.
Now is a great time to use this time to take stock of and get on track with your career and life with clarity, balance and direction.
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PGG VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK |
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Click on the link for this week's video where I remind you to
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