Archives for the month of: December, 2020

Wow. Here are all the new words (in date order) I wrote to you over the past 12 months!

It’s far more than the last few years (i.e. 18 entries as opposed to 6 in 2018 and only 2 in 2019!) — which says a lot about how I process things and how I felt called to help people move through these unprecedented and transformative times.

In keeping with the anomaly that was 2020, however, not all of these are straight “PGGs” — meaning they were not the usual stand alone essays you would receive with a title in the subject line, but rather I went to town with my thoughts in the “A Note from Kristina” portion of the eNewsletter. I decided they were worthy of their own article/essay, so I made them such here on Medium, which is where all of these links go to (click on each title).

Either way, I hope this provides a helpful review and/or additional inspiration that you can refer back to at any time or check out ones you might have missed along the way.

Thank you to all my readers, and especially to those of you who let me know that these little essays have been meaningful or have inspired you in some way — I put A LOT of time, energy and effort into them, and knowing they resonate with you is a big reward. (And should you like to show your appreciation via a tip/donation you can always send that here 🙂

Please let me know what your favorites were, and/or if there are any topics or anything else you’d like to see me do in 2021!

PGG Turns 10

Because of our consumer, materialistic society, especially here in NYC, the majority of folks operate out of harmony with the flow of nature and give in to the pressure and/or blind credence to an arbitrary calendar and overall commercial hoopla to their detriment. For some reason, that year it pushed me over the edge!

Take Aim

…we need to be realistic about what we can and can’t control; we need to be knowledgeable and aware but not be drawn into a drama that is not ours or be distracted from our own lives.

How to cope with (and benefit from) what you can’t see during the time of corona

This pandemic is more internal, elusive and global, not only via the microscopic pathogens we cannot see that affect us physically within our body, but also mentally within our psyche.

Quality Control

You will start to understand more profoundly what you do and do not value, then act accordingly.

United We Stand

By having the courage to evolve or change our mindset and perspective and have more respect for ourselves and each other, we will be better off in every way, in every area of our life, in our country and the world at large.

Anatomy of Awareness

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.

Monday Musings in the Metropolis

Will the saying “it was as crowded as Grand Central Station at rush hour” ever mean anything again?

The Pain of Being

…what we are currently experiencing is part of the deep transformational process we are in the midst of — a death of unjust systems and a detoxification of unresolved trauma and anguish that have needed to be addressed for centuries.

The Sum of Our Unhealed Parts

The only way we are going to move forward in a healthy way, individually and collectively, is if everyone takes responsibility for healing their own life.

Freedom Fighter

We must learn how to think, not what to think. To be a truly independent country, we need to be a country of truly independent thinkers.

Set Yourself Straight with Self-Care

…when you are able to see everything as an act of self-love and self-care, it takes some of the edge off the very uncomfortable actions of doing what you know is right for yourself but might be difficult in the moment.

Bridging the Divide

…it’s important not to get sucked into the polarity, the absolutism of everything, the duality of good vs. evil and us vs. them.

The Gifts of Trees

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.

The Big Squeeze

In other words, instead of suffering under or trying to avoid the squeeze, EMBRACE it by seeing what it’s trying to get out of you…

We The People

Understanding, connection, shared humanity, and unity are qualities and “states” of being we each have to manifest within ourselves and among the people in our lives and our communities.

Don’t Just Pout, Hug it Out

We need more humanity and connection in the midst of this political health crisis — both the health of our body politic, and the politics of our bodies — not less.

Your 2020 Season Finale

…it’s important to see what part you have played in 2020: What were your plot twists and character development? What do you want next season to look like, or is it a series finale for you in a relationship, job or living situation, or in your persona?

Holiday Hindsight

It’s our perspective and how we respond that make the difference, trusting that as long as we are doing our best at any given moment, ultimately the Universe will sort everything out as it should be.

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL PGG eNEWSLETTER WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Get essays like this delivered every Friday to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter by texting CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to join my mailing list.

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

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ME AS A COACH

Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Click here for some testimonials from past clients 

Click here for a video that explains some ways I can help you as a coach

**CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST-STYLE INTERVIEW WITH RICK YOUNG OF WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND RADIO SHOW**

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts.  Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!

Text CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to be added to my mailing list and be in the loop with my coaching and workshops as well as have these essays delivered to your inbox!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Check out this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)” In this excerpt covering the final seven minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life, maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.

Click here to watch video

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Join Mailing List

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Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express

Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind. ~Douglas MacArthur

There are no rules here — we’re trying to accomplish something. ~ Thomas Alva Edison

One of my all-time favorite films is Strictly Ballroom for a variety of reasons, one of which is how the main character, a world class ballroom dancer wants to use his own steps in competition and the outrage and, ultimately, delight this causes. I’ve always loved to dance but hated formal exercise. Since I’m not out at the clubs much these days, Zumba and cardio salsa at the gym have filled the gap; but I never was into doing exactly what was presented — I generally stand in the back enjoying the music and sort of go along with the group.

I recently found a new class called Nia, which is perfect for me — it includes sections for “free dance” and encourages you to “dance it your way.” It kind of looks like hippie dancing, or what you might do if you were in your room when no one was watching; it’s a great workout that speaks to my body in a way that makes me feel good.

This time of year especially is filled with many traditions and routines, along with thoughts about the changes we want to make in the New Year. My mom has always made the holidays extra-special with borderline excessive (but not at all tacky) decorations around her home, and this year she just wasn’t feeling it. When I suggested she could put up the tree up with a few accent pieces instead of doing the whole Winter Wonderland/Santa’s Workshop, she thought it was impossible — it had to be all or nothing.

I insisted it could be done and took some of the items she put in the same place every year and used them differently. She fought with me tooth and nail, until I proved they would indeed fit in spots she said they wouldn’t. The house looks festive and the mission was accomplished; it feels like a maximum amount of decor with minimal amount of effort! But it was her resistance to change and incredulity that several options and alternatives existed that were the hardest parts to tackle — she simply couldn’t see any other way than how she’s done it year after year.

Tradition can be a good thing, but it’s important to know when those traditions and routines are serving or restricting us. Sometimes you just gotta break the rules, think out of the box, do it “your way”. Where we would we be without the hundreds and thousands of rule-breakers both known and unknown, in every field — especially the arts, science, fashion and civil rights?

But the truth is that often our most fervent rules and regulations have been totally self-imposed, and/or are no longer necessary. It’s easy to get caught up in doing the same old thing just because that’s the way we’ve always done it. Sometimes we need a fresh eye, another brain, to look at the same situation and come up with a new solution, a new way of doing things that we couldn’t see because you were too close or it was too engrained in our psyche.

Wondering if change will serve you better than reinforcing the “rules” you have in place right now, or which walls need to come Tumblin Downand be replaced with some new Moves Like Jagger? Give me a buzz and I’ll be the law enforcement that looks the other way and the instructor that helps you create the right combination of funky steps you can dance to the beat of your own drum!

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Today’s PGG was originally published on November 29, 2011

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PGG eNEWSLETTER WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTE ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS

Get essays like this delivered every Friday to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter by texting CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to join my mailing list.

Click here to learn more about Kristina Leonardi coaching and other services. *Now through 12/20/20 use coupon code HOLIDAY2020 for 20% off all services*

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ME AS A COACH

Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Click here for some testimonials from past clients 

Click here for a video that explains some ways I can help you as a coach

**CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST-STYLE INTERVIEW WITH RICK YOUNG OF WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND RADIO SHOW**

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts.  Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!

Text CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to be added to my mailing list and be in the loop with my coaching and workshops as well as have these essays delivered to your inbox!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Check out this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)” In this excerpt covering the final seven minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life, maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.

Click here to watch video

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Read over 100 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express

In every life we have some trouble / But when you worry you make it double.~ Bobby McFerrin

As the saying goes, three things are certain in life: death, taxes and change. Change comes in all shapes and sizes, some scarier than others: climate change, career change, graduations, marriages, relationships, TV changes, sex changes, change of residences and regime change to name a few — and right now seems chock full of them!

The reality is that time keeps on slippin’ into the future, so we have no choice in the matter of change, because like Kevin James dancing in Hitch, “You can’t stop this, you cannnoottt stop it…”

Most folks have a hard time with change. We’d rather stay comfy and/or miserable rather than letting go of our crutches and seeing what else life might have in store us. We cannot control things but we can control how we respond to them: we can resist and go kicking and screaming or we can accept that change happens, and just go with the flow.

Going with the flow means listening to yourself, and giving yourself what you need at any particular moment. The best way to deal with change is to trust in yourself and be your own best counsel, so it’s important to have that “muscle” in place as you navigate the white water rapids of feelings that come with this thing called life.

Change is not always fun, but it’s almost always for the better because change forces growth and growth is good. And once the change happens, we can’t be like a goldfish that lived in a fishbowl its whole life and then when put into the ocean swims around in a little circle as if he were still in a bowl!

David Bowie tells us time may change you but you can’t trace time. So if you feel you are ready to be hatched, then fly, be free! Not quite like Mork’s egg, but more like Steve Miller’s Eagle or with the help of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds and the wonder of that other Stevie who sings, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing

But if you’re not quite ready to fly the coop, walk without those crutches, or swim in the big blue ocean, give me a buzz and you can Lean on Me until you get strong and carry on!

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Today’s PGG was originally published on June 7, 2011

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PGG eNEWSLETTER WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTE ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS

Get essays like this delivered every Friday to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter by texting CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to join my mailing list.

Click here to learn more about Kristina Leonardi coaching and other services. *Now through 12/20/20 use coupon code HOLIDAY2020 for 20% off all services*

Join my for my interactive talk on 12/15/20 The Year that was 2020:Review, Revel & Recalibrate Learning and letting go in order to make the most of 2021 Click here for more info & to register

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ME AS A COACH

Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Click here for some testimonials from past clients 

Click here for a video that explains some ways I can help you as a coach

**CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST-STYLE INTERVIEW WITH RICK YOUNG OF WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND RADIO SHOW**

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts.  Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!

Text CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to be added to my mailing list and be in the loop with my coaching and workshops as well as have these essays delivered to your inbox!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Check out this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)” In this excerpt covering the final seven minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life, maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.

Click here to watch video

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Read over 100 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express

I never watched an episode of this much beloved recently departed TV series, but I learned that a lot of you out there have dedicated the past six-plus years to figuring out what it all means, and wondering what you are going to do now that it’s over.

Instead of trying to sort out what happened to the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815, why not spend as much time and energy making sense of the who, what, when, where and why of your own life, work and relationships, or perhaps even the world. After all, fact is often stranger (and more interesting!) than fiction.

I’m always recommending that you spend more quality time with yourself, but a lack of hours in the day is often the excuse. So why not set aside at least half the time you devoted to watching, chatting about, and/or analyzing what was happening on the show — plus a little grace — and then, as the famous hymn notes, if you once were lost, you can now be found. Amazing how that works!

But if you’re feeling a little less than amazing or even blind, give me a buzz so I can help you see how everything and everyone connects in your life, and what you can do to make your own personal season and series finale one to be proud of!

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Today’s PGG was originally published on May 25, 2011

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PGG eNEWSLETTER WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTE ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS

Get essays like this delivered every Friday to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter by texting CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to join my mailing list.

Click here to learn more about Kristina Leonardi coaching and other services. *Now through 12/20/20 use coupon code HOLIDAY2020 for 20% off all services*

Join my for my interactive talk on 12/15/20 The Year that was 2020:Review, Revel & Recalibrate Learning and letting go in order to make the most of 2021 Click here for more info & to register

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ME AS A COACH

Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services and contact me today. 

Click here for some testimonials from past clients 

Click here for a video that explains some ways I can help you as a coach

**CLICK HERE FOR MY PODCAST-STYLE INTERVIEW WITH RICK YOUNG OF WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND RADIO SHOW**

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts.  Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!

Text CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to be added to my mailing list and be in the loop with my coaching and workshops as well as have these essays delivered to your inbox!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Check out this very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop “Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!)” In this excerpt covering the final seven minutes, I summarize my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life, maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful.

Click here to watch video

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Read over 100 5-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express Yourself