Talk to Strangers
In my most recent posting, I mentioned how if things had been a little crunchy and you were feeling “off” that “you are not alone.” Well I feel like that might have applied even more since then — especially in the wake of the recent full-moon lunar eclipse.
As we move more and more into the digital era, we are learning how to navigate and expand our feelings and experiences of connection both online and off, and we need to find the balance — apropos of this Fall Equinox — between the two.
There has been an epidemic of loneliness within our culture for a variety of reasons, and our now heavily virtual existence certainly plays a big part. And even within our current relationships we can feel lonely and crave new connections that open our eyes to new vistas and expand our horizons. Like neural networks firing in our brain, each new person we meet can light us up in various ways and myriad directions — be it a meaningful moment or someone who becomes a lifelong friend or partner, and everything in between.
So nowadays how do you meet new people IRL, whether platonic or romantic? Yes, there are apps, which lean to the digital aspect of connection … but can lead to offline connection. I’ve also seen lots of companies/organizations where you pay someone to create opportunities to meet new people (like Reading Rhythms, speed dating, pickleball leagues, choirs, various Meetup groups, a variety of classes, in addition to traditional business-type networking groups and conferences).
But I am living proof that both kinds of relationships can happen without the use of an electronic device, membership or admission fee. I have met several people over the past few years by doing all sorts of things and being more open and friendly, even just around my neighborhood. I made four new friends in the past month alone (and even played matchmaker between two of them, stay tuned)! How deep or what label these relationships become is irrelevant; there are four new people who I now know in my world and am connected to, even if just in our social media apps — which is another way to get to know each other. It works both ways.
Besides the aforementioned activities, when you make a conscious decision to connect, beautiful moments can happen. Offer to take photos for people, ask where they’re from; notice what someone is reading, strike up a conversation about the weather or full moon and see where it goes — all ways I have met folks. And of course, dancing (you can see my latest video here ;), where you see familiar faces on the scene on a regular basis and connect without even talking. In any of these cases they can become friends IRL and/or on social media. The bottom line is that once you interact, you are no longer “strangers.”
The human race can’t evolve and we can’t learn or grow if we don’t talk to each other. Especially with the US election season heating up, it’s more important than ever to find points of connection rather than discord. There is plenty of divide-and-conquer energy in the air we need to counteract, so why not #bethechange. If you don’t want to engage with conversation, at least smile at another person on the street or in line at the store; even the most seemingly superficial interaction is interaction and counts for cultivating connection and acknowledging our being alive.
As humans we need this to survive, and you never know how much someone else might need to be reminded of this.
Talking to “strangers” can also apply to the estranged or unknown parts of yourself. What parts of you need to be encountered and have their time of day? What new or dormant aspects of yourself can be developed and expressed? You can also acquaint or reacquaint yourself with that greater force outside/inside yourself. How can you deepen the relationship you have with your Higher Self/Source/Nature/God/Universe and/or guides and folks who have passed over to the other side who I believe support us?
And speaking of talking to strangers, a lovely fellow on the other side of the world reached out and had me as a guest on his podcast, and we totally connected beyond just an interview. You can hear how what I shared with him explained what he has been experiencing, along with discussing a few client success stories, how dancing will save the world, why you are important and more. This is one of the beauties of technology — and now my words will have a global reach through his platform, as almost half their listeners are on the Indian subcontinent. Check it out on Spotify or Apple.
And with the official start of Fall, it’s a good time to make adjustments, focus on how you want to finish this year and set yourself up for the future. If you are feeling stuck, out of balance, looking for new direction and/or you need help discerning next steps in your career and life, my work as a holistic career coach and personal growth expert can help.
This month I am offering my annual Autumn Alignment Session to provide guidance, support and some equilibrium and/or serve as a check-in to confirm you’re on the right track. Book now through 10/31; see below for more info and feel free to share with anyone you think could benefit, and for more in-depth engagements visit my website with current options.
It’s always been easier for my clients to describe what I do, and this review, which you can find along with others on my LinkedIn profile, seems to capture it well:
Kristina is more than a career coach. She changed my life. She made me realize how disconnected I was with my inner-self and how that was a root cause of many issues I faced, including my career. I have spoken to a number of professionals and career coaches, but Kristina is the one who truly helped me get unstuck and re-evaluate my values. Her recommendations were vital and enabled me to reorient my life. I am so grateful that I had a chance to work with Kristina — book a session with her to rediscover your life and career! ~ Esther J.
I also offer a little inspiration and positive vibes throughout the week, so be sure to follow me on social media. You can watch many video clips and talks on my YouTube channel and Instagram. (Follow my IG stories for what I’m sharing and experiencing on a regular basis and be sure to subscribe, like and follow ‘cuz #algorithms.)
And if you or someone you know is in the NYC area, I offer a cool opportunity to meet folks IRL on a weekly basis. See below for my collaboration with The Greats of Craft and come on down!
(Originally published as a PGG newsletter on September 22, 2024)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for one-on-one help? I can identify your patterns and provide unique perspectives to find your current “why,” so you can live with more purpose, joy and peace. Book a coaching session with me via my website, with current options.
Need a tool to create a positive mindset through any challenges at work or in life? It was so thrilling to find out how a client uses my book Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower Your Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul. He let me video him talking about it, which you can watch here, and you can purchase your copy here :)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kristina Leonardi is a nationally recognized career and life coach, speaker and author who for over 17 years has empowered individuals to make lasting professional and personal changes aligned with their true passions and talents while fulfilling their role in the world at large.
With a holistic and personal growth-oriented approach, she has helped hundreds of men and women improve their job performance, enter or re-enter the job force, change careers, better manage their time and stress, and live happier, more meaningful, balanced lives.
Her specialty is working with people who feel stuck or are in transition and can help you clarify exactly what you want to do, identify blocks, issues, and patterns in your way, and offer proven ideas, resources, and action steps to get you there.
CLICK HERE FOR KRISTINA’S LINKTREE
Get essays like this delivered to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter
Click here for info about Kristina’s coaching and speaking services
Follow on Instagram for creative, positive content, as well as Facebook and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for inspiring, motivational and informative videos and full length talks.
Check out my books Personal Growth Gab:Personal Growth Gab (PGG) Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected to yourself and make sense of this journey called Life and Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul both available on Amazon.
If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!
Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services
Click here for some testimonials from past clients
Click here for a video that explains some ways in which I can help you
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Read over 100-star “Yelp” style reviews here
Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:
15 Candles |All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express Yourself
