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
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Thank you! Beautiful post!!!
Gratitude:
1) For my 20 year old cat, who is precious to me.
2) For my parents’ lives and deaths, and who they helped me to be.
3) For my sisters and brothers, who support me every day.
Work / Life Challenges:
1) Making sure I get filled up enough with rest + play, so I’m not constantly running out of juice
2) Saying no to projects when work is only “sort of” busy
3) Staying light when everyone around me is tense and heavy
Congrats Pina! Good to see you out here in blog world.
1. I’m grateful for my incredibly amazing, supportive friends that are like family to me.
2. I’m grateful for getting kicked out of our rental unit, as it’s bringing a massive jump out of our comfort zone and propulsion to move forward.
3. I’m grateful for my baby, Robbie’s, giggles. They light up my life and bring joy in a way that is indescribable. When my hubby is laughing with him, it’s even more amazing!
Thank you Pina… I’m grateful to have you in my life.
Hi, Pina –
I LOVE your message, How to have it all without feeling exhausted – that sure gets to the heart of the matter, doesn’t it! And you are such a great model of how to do that, I mean, look at you! Launching your blog from Fiji, creating awesome products and workshops, helping people create such huge breakthroughs and transformation in their lives.
Rock on, you, I am proud to know and work with you!! Looking forward to speaking in a couple of days…enjoy that sand and beauty for me!
I am grateful for YOU and all the like minded people with whom we share the world, holding the space for things to just keep getting better and better, as we take responsibility for adding something great to the whole, by shifting our own consciousness.
Thank you.
Hi Pina,
Looking great sister! Well done.
Love to you
jo xx
Congratulations Pina on your new blog! I love it.
Gratitude:
1-I’m grateful for the love of my husband, dog children, parents, siblings, and friends.
2-I’m grateful for my flexible work schedule, and our many website businesses.
3-I’m grateful for my health, well being, and relatively stress-free life.
Challenges:
1-I love working on my laptop, but my chiropractor says I need to change my work habits in regards to how I’m positioning my neck. I have not found a solution I can stick with yet, though I am trying a neck pillow that might work.
2-Sometimes I get so engrossed in work on the computer that I forget to move enough or even go to bed! Trying to add yoga and walks into my life, but often find I do not prioritize it as I probably “should” for increased health and well-being. Minor glitches.
Thank you for the support, sistah!
More to come
Dear Pina:
We personally met few months back in LA and never really knew your many talents and gifts – super brilliant and full of wisdom until I stumbled upon you again in FB. (which I am a newbie)
Am so grateful for your presence in my life and we re-connected. I do have lots to be grateful for –
- for re-claiming my life
- for who I am and who I become today and in the future
- for all the gifts i continue to receive every moment, every hour, every day.
Jhet aka Juliet van Ruyven
Living in a life of gratitude, abundance and purpose