First name / Hi!,

 

Is it just me, or are we still reeling ourselves in from Rihanna's concert on Sunday? ;-)

I went to a party at my friend Hitha’s with heart and football-shaped pizzas in hand – and she greeted us fully dressed in an Eagles mascot. We left during the first quarter (read: school night!), and then arrived home right in time for halftime –  where my 5-year old Sydney proceeded to rock out to all of Rihanna's hits.

 

Personally, my favorite part of the show was when Rihanna paused to powder her nose with makeup from her billion-dollar company.  

 

Traveling across town was a trek, but it was important to me that I got to see my friend and celebrate her team making it to the Super Bowl…

 

Speaking of friendships, last week we talked about wanting to be friends with someone and them not showing the same interest back. (Take away: don't take it personally!) This week’s topic is similar but different: 

 

 

The more you put yourself out there, the more people will have opinions about you…Some of these opinions will be glowing! You’ll get a lot of business, 5 star-reviews, and various invites to cool places and fun circles. 

 

But…

 

You’ll also get some feedback that can be downright hurtful and discouraging. You might hear people talking behind your back too — from peers in your outer circles to complete strangers.

 

So, while it’s wise to correct a mistake or misstep if you’ve made one, you can also choose to keep it going and allow folks to be wrong about you… Because their opinion does NOT define you.

 

Remember: They don’t know you, or the real you. They may have seen what you’ve written, posted, or said in an article you were interviewed for. But they don’t know what your inner thoughts and struggles are. The history and intricacies of your story, all of these things are what makes you YOU.

 

On one of our weekly walks, another friend Joanna reminded me that half of the country initially hated Michelle Obama. And, at least in my opinion, she’s one of the brightest and best. People eventually caught on.

 

Which then tells us: if someone has a less than the highest opinion of you, just keep your head up, First name / friend, and KEEP GOING. Because as cliché as it may sound, just like Michelle (and Rihanna), you shine bright like a diamond. 

PS: Having a hard time finding like-minded friends? My group coaching program just ended and had so many warm fuzzies wrapping it up. I invite you to join the next one – click here to make sure you’re at the top of the list. 

 

PPS. Have you seen Lucky Girl Syndrome on TikTok?  Some people say it’s a thing, some say it’s a symptom of privilege. (I see both sides.)

 

When I was a little kid, we’d always go to Super Bowl parties and play Squares. In a nutshell, Squares is a game where you randomly write your initials in box(es) within a grid and then, numbers are assigned to each box AFTER everyone's made their pick. A person wins based on matching the scores in every quarter.

 

Anyway – I am particularly GOOD AT SQUARES. How? I have no idea, but I just am! If you ask me if I go into each game convinced I’m going to win some, my answer is: absolutely! And does it usually happen? YES.

 

Does this make me lucky or a person who makes luck? Who knows. But I do see how my optimism leads me into taking actions towards my goal. Because the truth is, if you don't play, you can't win ;-). 

 

PPPS. Whatever you do, please don't follow my gambling advice today…