I am so grateful for this life and for you in it!! Here’s a view of my office in Fiji this week.
This has been a long time coming..I even caught myself saying “an elephant pregnancy”.. and finally today, on November 14th, ”International Day of Gratitude”, I I speak from/with/through the passion I have for women to having it all without feeling exhausted…
You might have noticed that, as women, our society pulls us towards perfectionism: being a great friend, a wonderful daughter, a loving wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, lover, business partner…and if we manage to get 8 out of 9 right, well, the committee of voices in our heads is focusing on number 9 that we did not get – which is disempowering at best… Ever done that, or is it just me?
It gives us the feeling that we *have* the potential, yet we can’t live up to it.. Eventually we decide that we can’t win at everything, and often what we end up self-sacrificing is ourselves…
If you had told me 4 years ago that I’d be working for myself, making my own schedule, travelling the world and taking a week off every month I would have said, “that sounds lovely, but I’ve got so much stuff to do, gotta go..”
At that time I had a f/t job that fulfilled every fiber of my being, a boss I adored like a sister, and a relationship and friends that I was so grateful for. I was so passionate about my wonderful life that I got so busy with it, I didn’t celebrate my birthday until April 6th (my actual birthday is January 29th…oy!!)
Three years ago today, I burned out, watched everything crumble and I remember my mother telling me “I am so glad it happened to you at 34 and not 54″. Since then, I began rebuilding – rebuilding with the focus on quality of life first and foremost. What good was a 6-figure income if I had no time to spend and enjoy it?
We’ll get to the how and the what ifs, oh yes we will!!
…before then, as today is “International Day of Gratitude”, I’d like to open a heart-felt dialogue with you… In my experience and humble opinion, gratitude is a key pillar for work-life balance.
Would you please share with me three top things you are most grateful for today?
I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…
1) I am grateful for all the experiences in life that have made me who I am today, even (especially) the ones that broke my heart — as my dearest friend Kathryn would say “your heart gets bigger every time it heals.”
2) I am grateful for my talented brother Carlo, my sweet sister Serena, my baby sis Gioia and my furry baby Wellington – they are the embodiment of unconditional love and bringing out my passion (remind me to share with you about “The Promise” in the next coupla days… but only if you are ready to be inspired to bring out the best in you..).
3) I am grateful for the cancer-scare I had this Summer – what a profound reminder to be living life fully now and how that’s shifted me.
3b) I am grateful I get to eat fresh papaya for breakfast in Fiji
…as my dear friend Kevin would say, when we get butterflies in our stomach and our heart is laughing, it’s time to hit send… well, here it is…
Oh, one last thing: what are you biggest work-life balance challenges??
Please do share them in your comments as, knowing your challenges, will help me make this blog more personalized to you, your needs, your heart, your life — I know it takes a lot of strength to share.. I am grateful for you sharing – so SO grateful 
(to leave a comment, click under the title of this post, and you will be able to comment there)
..send
Click on the pix to watch this 2 minute video I recorded for you ”From Fiji With Love..”
