My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.
Compelling or cringe?
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Reader, are you feeling bombarded? I've never been big on New Year's resolutions, but in the past few years, I've found this tradition especially cringe. Part of this response is having enough decades on the earth to know that I have never once followed through on my previous New Year's resolutions in a sustained way. The other part is the proliferation of marketing messages exploiting this tradition to reinforce messages of scarcity and insufficiency. Who needs more of that sh!t in your head? Losing my Dad so suddenly in September was a blessing and a curse. In the moment I had peace letting him go and focus as I prepared to honor him as we celebrated his life. The time after has proved a greater challenge. During this time of grieving, I've given myself permission to step back, which also created space to assess. My husband is retiring in the spring. My younger daughter is heading to college in the fall. My older daughter is pursuing her post-college life in a new city. My life is entering a new season that I didn't understand until I stepped into this moment. I thought this would feel like a season of harvesting and yet it feels like a season of planting. I find myself on the folcrum of mourning and anticipating, seeking to balance the emotional rollercoaster. I'm not ready to lean in, make bold plans, or conquer. 2024 was my best and toughest year all in one and the turning of the calendar to 2025 isn't a magical reset button. So my word for 2025 is CHANGE. My #ShowUpPositive message has never been more true for me. I am the master of what is next because I am choosing to embrace this reality that mourning and anticipating are the natural response to change and making room for both is the path to wellbeing. My plans for 2025 are to
My dad grew up poor. His family had a farm that provided 90% of their food. He farmed all through my childhood. Farmers know that soil doesn't endlessly produce. It requires fallow period and restorative cover crops to refresh the vital nutrients that maximize yield. This year isn't about high yield for me because doing more of the same no longer excites me. Instead of a new book I'm launching a video podcast with conversations about breaking free from these internal stories holding us back and I'd love to speak about having you as my guest. You'll still find me Monday-Friday offering tips to inspire on Insta and LI and greeting you each Monday here in your inbox. I have a lot of ideas and few solid plans for 2025. So I am just starting. I am embracing the imperfect and messy and telling my inner Polly Perfect to hush. So if you are like me, know that you are in good company. Choose progress over perfection and be the change. You are enough and you got this. And if I can cheer you on, I'd love to do so. Drop me a line or connect with me. 🥰New Keynotes for the New Year 🥰Reader, have an event in mind for one of these talks?As a special thank you, please allow me to gift you a 90 minutes coaching or strategic consultation session for each speaking event introduction you make. |
Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer
My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.
Reader I couldn't believe I was hearing these words: There's an abnormal spot. I'm going to refer you to a specialist. I try not to panic. I think of my sister's cancer diagnosis. Is it my turn? I think of my Dad, subcumbing to cancer on his third battle. Is that my fate? I get in my car. Anxiety has me in it's grasp. Cancer is the drumbeat pounding in my head. Stop, I think. This isn't going to help. If it is cancer, stress won't help. You feel fine. You play pickleball five times a week....
Reader I am my harshest critic. Or, the Miranda that lives inside my head is. You might recognize her Her constant refrain is "still not good enough." Reader, I'm curious. What challenge of your worthiness does your inner critic play constantly in your head? Shame Rejection Unworthiness I have considered myself a strong, confident, and accomplished person throughout my life. Yet, the smallest glimmer of negative feedback can unleash the look from Miranda and I am in a spiral of shame,...
Reader I had a profound moment over Thanksgiving thanks to my eldest daughter. It's after 8 PM on Thanksgiving. I'm in the front passenger seat. My husband is driving, and my daughters are in the back seat. We are in an upscale neighborhood where we've been enjoying our Thanksgiving feast at a friend's home. Many homes are already lit with Christmas lights. We turn onto the main thoroughfare and there are four houses in a row with the same commercial style lights outlining the front of the...