Make it to Friday...

When someone asks where do you see yourself in 10 years...

Buddy, I’m just trying to make it to Friday.

— Unknown

Lol ;) I hear that. Maybe there really is something to “One day at a time”.... particularly right now, in this groundhog, but very demanding time. Just sayin’ :) Hugs, XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Locked and loaded...

I slept 9 hours last night.
Absolutely locked and loaded for another big day
of hand washing and looking out the window.

— Unknown

Ha ha ha. ;) Thank goodness for a little comic relief in these crazy times. Just sayin’ ;) Stay safe and sane. Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

“I’m not ashamed of my pain”...

I’m not ashamed of my pain... Amidst all the joy and success I had so much emptiness and sadness... And my journey of healing helped me not only survive — but thrive.

— LeAnne Rimes (At 13 had the third-highest-selling album in America. The album earned her two Grammy’s for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, making her the youngest artist to win in these two categories... but behind the scenes, overworked, exhausted and struggling).

Thank you Leanne Rimes for sharing with the public. My favourite therapist says that acknowledging and dealing with our pain has the power to save us and our important relationships (which are likely struggling as well). He says this is very much the road less travelled, so clearly not an easy (or quick, or low cost) journey potentially. From personally experience, I know that the rewards are hugely worth it. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Can help you cope...

In these surreal, unnerving, uncertain and stressful times, some advice from Jack Kornfield (Clinical Psychologist and one of America’s true pioneers, who helped popularize practices he learned while training as a Buddhist monk).

“The first step is acknowledgement and the willingness to be present. You could almost whisper to yourself, ‘Sadness fear, anxiety, grief, longing,’ as if to bow to that feeling and hold it with respect. That allows the feeling to open — and maybe even intensify for a bit — but eventually to soften. The next step is to bring in a sense of compassion for all the fears and confusion and helplessness. These feelings are all part of the fight-flight-or-freeze instinct in the body and the mind. If I make space for the feelings and they have time to be felt, it’s as if my awareness gets bigger and I can hold all of this with greater ease and compassion and presence and steadiness...Your feelings are your organism trying to handle things... You don’t have to sit and do some formal meditation. In that moment when you’re about to snap, take a breath, turn away. Bring that quality of loving awareness, and name the feeling gently — upset, worried, frightened or whatever it might be — and then, almost as if you could put your hand on your heart, say: ‘ Thank you for trying to protect me. I’m OK.’ That can take 10 seconds and it allows us to reset our consciousness. All the good neuroscience on trauma and its release is based on this kind of caring attention. “

Thank you Jack Kornfield. This is some of the best stress management advice/guidance/how-to I’ve ever read. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Bet on yourself?...

I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on,
it’s myself.

— Beyoncé (One of the most influential artists of our time. She was on Time’s list of 100 most influential people in the world two years in a row and Forbes listed her as the most powerful female in entertainment in 2015. She has become a symbol of female empowerment and hope. Beyoncé’s net worth is $350 million, earning her a spot on America’s Richest Self-Made Women list).

It wasn’t until I fully invested in myself and my life that privately held (and pie in the sky, I thought) dreams began to come true. I remember reading that when we wish for certain things, we are not granted the rewards instantly per se, but rather we are given the opportunity to cultivate the skills necessary to manifest our vision. I faced a yucky relationship break up and career/financial melt down during the 2008 financial crisis, which left me at me at a personal ground zero. Fortunately, I had trusted coaches to turn to. My favourite therapist, in particular, said “You need to have your own back, all the way.” By this he meant, identifying and writing out what I wanted and needed/what my deal breakers are and standing by that list 100 %, no exceptions. Beyond that, I also decided to work harder than I ever have (one extra work phone call/email per day or goal to learn something new, even if it’s just research on LinkedIn or chatting with a colleague to share ideas). I also stepped up my health game and began limiting sugar/booze/junk food intake. I’ve always been a pretty healthy eater, but felt that sugar was a bit of a crutch. I also had no choice but to closely manage my funds. It took about a year to see real progress, but a transformation was clearly occurring. More than anything, it just felt good. I was proud of my ability to set up a plan, stick to it and see some cool results. I felt even more motivated and now, after some years, the routine is automatic and natural. What I didn’t expect was ending up needing less. Now that I am with the perfect love of my life (even when it isn’t perfect, Lol), I’m in a dream job and I can afford a very comfortable life with trips/entertainment/shopping, I don’t seem to need much. Don’t get my wrong, I love clothes, eating out and warm vacations and I do treat myself. I just seem to pre-plan, pre-pay and enjoy watching my savings account grow as well. Life is peaceful and rewarding even without the extra’s. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Will get you 100% respect...

10 Things that take 0 talent, but will get you 100 % respect:

1. Being on time
2. Work ethic
3. Effort
4. Body language
5. Energy
6. Attitude
7. Passion
8. Being coachable
9. Doing extra
10. Being prepared

— Unknown

I was one of those hardest hit by the 2008 financial crisis. Jobs were scarce in my field for a few years and the positions I was able to get paid less than half what I was accustomed to. Yikes. Scary times and I never expected the silver lining that followed. I managed to inadvertently cultivate a truck load of habits; maintain a daily ritual (coffee, check for important business updates, write out goals,  create plan of action), maintain fitness for physical/mental/emotional well being, be productive as though still employed, when job arrives do everything humanly possible to be indispensable. I finally landed my dream job and carried on with my daily rituals. Needless to say, I’ve enjoyed my highest earning years and more fulfillment than I thought possible. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Lockdown’s got talent! ;) ...

This lockdown got people thinking they are chefs, bakers, gym instructors... etc...
Like we’re watching Lockdown’s Got Talent 

— Mindy Bansal

That’s funny and so true. Being a silver lining girl, I can’t help but think that brilliant discoveries and breakthroughs will move us forward and onto better times. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl