Take 5: Nelson Mandela Edition

It’s amazing, isn’t it–how a single life can be an inspiration that carries on and makes a difference long after death.

In honor of Nelson Mandela, who died yesterday at the age of 95 (but will surely live on), here are five quotes of his wise words, with questions they can inspire us to ask ourselves–to make the most of our own single, precious lives. …

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Need Advice? Kristin and Dannielle Tell You How to Be Vulnerable, Love Yourself, Laugh More, and Be Who You Are

Carrie, Kristin, and Dannielle

“You are not the only person feeling the feelings that you’re feeling. You’re not the only person struggling with [these] issues…you’re not alone.” —Kristin Russo

“You have to learn to love yourself for a million different reasons.” —Dannielle Owens-Reid

 

I know that lot of you are asking yourselves one or more of these HUGE questions:

I get that vulnerability is important—but it’s so hard!! How do I make myself vulnerable enough to connect to people and be honest about who I am—even when it’s scary to be my real self?

How do I cheer up and find laughter and happiness, even when everything sucks?

How do I learn to love and accept myself?

How can I get help with questions I’m too embarrassed or afraid to ask?

How do I quit my day job to follow my purpose and forge my own path?

How do I come out or transition when I’m already in my thirties?

My kid just came out to me…OMG. What do I do?!?

You are in major luck: I have some amazing answers to every single one of these questions for you. …

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Are You Coming Out to Your Family? You Need to Know About This.

K and D with puppetsFor many people, Thanksgiving is a chance to spend time with family.

That means laughter at old family stories, the joy of reunion…and often, a lot of awkwardness.

And if you or someone in your family is coming out, or struggling with gender identity or sexual orientation, a whoooole nother layer of family dynamics is involved.

Is your heart pounding as you pack your bags to go home for the holidays, as you imagine telling your mom, dad, or sibling that you’re gay or trans?

Are you gearing up to come out to your family and the others in your life?

Or did you already come out or transition, and you’re struggling in the aftermath, dreading sitting at the dinner table with parents who won’t accept or even acknowledge your sexual orientation or gender identity?

So many people use the holiday season to come out to their parents and families, and this time of year can be full of family tension. I’m thrilled to share an amazing resource with you to make it easier. …

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Why You Need to Share Your Scary Goals

Who’s cheering you on?

I’m gearing up for an opportunity I never imagined I’d have, and it got me thinking:

How do we take care of ourselves when we’re venturing into new territory?

When we’re going for something that we really want?

If you are doing something a little scary that really matters to you (and I hope you are—because that means you’re growing!!), tell at least one person what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and that you are scared.

Here’s why: …

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Who Are You Going to Be for Halloween?

Who are you going to be?
Who are you going to be?

From the time we are children, each October brings up a crucial question for many of us.

That question gets passed around the playground, fills our dinner conversations, and dances in our minds as we fall asleep at night.

Who are you going to be for Halloween??

As a grown-ass woman, I have a number of thirtysomething friends who are obsessed with Halloween.

For weeks leading up to the last day of October, the conversation grows more and more feverish: Who are we going to be?!?

At this time of year when it’s a common question to ask others, “Who are you going to be?” I invite you to ask yourself that question in a new way. …

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Recommended Reading: Thich Nhat Hanh

Are you always re-resolving to “be more present” and “enjoy life more,” only to get knocked down by the bumps in the road of your life?

Do you struggle to handle emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, jealousy, and loneliness?

Do you feel like you suck at meditating, because you just can’t stop your always-working mind?

Do you try to engage in a mindfulness or centering practice, but you feel like you’re doing it all wrong? Like you can’t breathe the way you’re “supposed” to?

Get thee to a bookstore or library, STAT.

This book changed my life. …

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My iPhone, Myself

Baby's first Instagram...
Baby’s first Instagram

This may shock you, and it’s a little hard for me to admit…

…because I don’t think of myself as a tech dinosaur.

But here’s why there was no article yesterday:

I left my house to meet a new friend for coffee in the morning, and ended up finally—unexpectedly—completing a project that has been incomplete for over a year.

When you can feel in your gut that you’re on the verge of completing a long-procrastinated task, sometimes it’s good to accept the gift of inspiration and allow your day’s plans to change.

Though I had different plans for my day (including writing to you), I knew that I should ride the wave of motivation to complete this epic (hey, one gal’s mountain is another’s molehill) task: …

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How to Get Lucky

Are you ready to get lucky?

“Some people have all the luck.”

“I’m just unlucky in love.”

“She just got lucky.”

Is luck a story you tell yourself?

How empowering is that story?

Yes: some things come down to the luck of the draw.

You can’t control what you started out with.

Sometimes good (or bad) things happen to you that could have just as easily not happened to happen.

You can’t control certain aspects of who you are, even if you wanted to.

Right now, though, I want to focus on the things you can control.

If you “get” these 9 things that are totally within your control, chances are you’ll get lucky, too. …

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