The gifts that keep on giving, time after time after time…

Pina De Rosa — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:28:01 +0000

For today’s blog on work-life balance, I had prepped another message from Fiji – a “happy December” video wish.

I promise to load it up by next week as I want to give priority to this message:

My mom’s brother passed away this past Tuesday and on Thanksgiving day his ashes were brought to the family plot.

On Monday evening my uncle told my aunt “let’s go for a walk” and surprised her with a Christmas present: they ordered the stove she had wanted for a long time.

That same night my aunt’s sister was visiting and my uncle said to them ”I’ll sleep on the couch so you ladies can stay up chatting and catching up”. Tuesday morning, when my aunt went to wake him up with a morning coffee, she realized he had passed away in his sleep.

On Thanksgiving day, the store called - they were ready to deliver the stove.

My aunt wanted to cancel the order, but my mom managed to convince her to keep that loving present, and when she shared the story with me I could not help but think of what a kind and great provider my uncle was in his life and beyond… and how every meal that will be cooked on that stove will have an even deeper sweet memory now…

The question I am left pondering is who are the people around us who are providing a sense of balance in our lives and deepen the quality of our lives just by their simple presence, whether it’s a friend sending a sweet text from far away or a loved one sharing hug when they come home…

With Grace And Passion,

Pina

From Fiji With Love..

Pina De Rosa — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:19:02 +0000

Click on the pix to watch this 2 minute video I recorded for you ”From Fiji With Love..”

After burning out a couple years back, and after focusing on rebuilding, my work-life balance goal has been to take one week off every month in 2009… which has been a big stretch, considering I used to “feel guilty” taking even just an afternoon off… I’m thinking I inherited the gotta “work hard” mentality from my sweet grandma Anna, bless her, she went through WWI and WWII, no wonder…

As I have shifted to “working smart..or wise”, I have been pondering my definition of work-life balance and I thought of shooting a short video while in Fiji, with the hope to inspire you to a new level of work-life balance in your life.

I’d love love LOVE to hear what work-life balance is for you…as well as what is your biggest challenge with work-life balance? ..Reaching it? ..Maintaining it?

The more you share your challanges, the more I will be able to support you to an even deeper experience of both reaching *and maintaining* your work-life balance.

PS: in this video I’m wearing no makeup and sporting “poufy cwazy hair” – part of the joy of drying in the sun after dipping in the ocean..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Having it all without feeling exhausted?

Pina De Rosa — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:01:45 +0000

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

Hello world!

Pina De Rosa — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:12:08 +0000

Launching from Fiji on November 14th, which happens to be the International Day of Gratitude - stay tuned

Unique work-life balance tools designed for busy women worldwide who are the next generation of feminine, powerful leaders. When you want the secrets to having it all without feeling exhausted, then is for you!

Launching from Fiji on November 14th – stay tuned