Going Forward With Meaningful Conversations

7/30/2020

My KBB completion certification

Hi Friends,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  Our world has turned topsy-turvy since I sent out my last blog.  The coronavirus hasn’t slowed down.  The horrific killing of George Floyd set off a worldwide protest against police brutality.  Political leaders are bad-mouthing our scientists and healthcare professionals which, in turn, is creating political havoc out of a virus.

Businesses are floundering, the world economy is failing, people are dying, and there is no end to the crazy conspiracy theories on the worldwide web.  Every day, we are saturated with a stream of bad news.  Corona virus statistics feel like a steady rain of bedraggled cats and dogs.

The question is how can you and I block it out?  Serendipitously, I stumbled upon a way to counteract the fear and worry from seeping into my consciousness during the lockdown.

In March, I started an online marketing program called KBB which promotes learning about how to market your skills, knowledge, and create a mastermind group on the internet. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what behooved me to sign up for the program (read: it wasn’t cheap).

Every day during shutdown, I watched the pre-recorded videos by the overly excited marketing guru, Dean Graziosi.  I did the lessons and joined in on the weekly live Facebook chats.  During my daily walks, I put on my headphones and listened to exuberant bigger-than-life coach Tony Robbins’ Ultimate Edge self-improvement program to find out what I really desire in life and how to get it. (Hint: it’s chocolate and other edibles I usually crave.)

I got hooked on the uplifting marketing hyperbole that was part and parcel of the program.  I envisioned a future of profitable online marketing opportunities in the face of a faltering global economy.

At the same time, many people wanted to talk to me about their disapproval of Trump politics and all the other troubling problems happening in the US.

I get it. I am the American expat they know and trust.  Many wanted to vent their frustrations about the way the US is handling the pandemic.  Those who spoke me used to admire the US for its leadership.  Now they feel confused like crestfallen tourists. It’s cheap fodder for generating conversation, to say the least.  Even better for classroom debate.

But it is being me down like a slow sinking ship.  I don’t want to hear everyone’s opinion on why America is going to pot.  During my birthday brunch celebration and cocktail party that I held in June (to be sure, we social distanced ourselves properly), I requested no political table talk.  Just happy chatter, please.

I’ve since completed all the modules in the marketing program. Thanks to the KBB program, I’ve decided I want to combine my teaching and coaching skills to bring about more meaningful conversations.

I’ve also discovered that I am addicted to this positive pop psychology.  It is my way of cancelling out the bad news.  Going forward, I want to delve into dialogues that inspire, inform, and discover what connects us to the deeper world we live in.

I also want to continue my letter writing with you, my dear reader, updating you on my life, family, and experiences as living as an expat.  I also want to add some positive thoughts, whether it be articles, books, or quotes that I’ve read and have inspired me.  As a life coach, I definitely will write about techniques I’ve learned to help me organize my life and live more fully.

I will even add some English writing skills that I hope can help you improve your discourse whether it is in written or spoken English.  I am not sure in which order these themes will appear.  Please yield me your support and love while I journey through this process.

I’d like this to be a meaningful conversation that brings something positive to our lives.  For whatever reason, I often feel the need for a bigger conversation, therefore, I will start with this blog.

One thing corona has taught me is that life is short.  I want to spend less time entertaining people and thoughts which don’t bring me joy.  I want to focus on conversations that are important to our personal and spiritual growth.  It might even be painful for me to express my thoughts, but vulnerability is part of growth.  No pain, no gain.

Over to you

How are you handling this pandemic?  What is your strategy for keeping your mind free from worry?  I’d love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below.  Keep safe and well.

Love, Paula

6 Comments

Shelley A. Wilson

7/31/2020 03:54:48 am

Hi Paula,

I enjoy reading your blogs. They are inspiring and every word shows the genuine person that you are.

You asked how am I handling the pandemic? I have mostly good days and maybe a bad episode once a week. I also feel at times like it's a never ending Groundhog Day with no end in sight, especially first thing in the morning when I wake up and realize I have the whole day in front of me, and what am I going to get up to today? But we are staying home, being safe the last 5 months. I am not a home body, so staying home hasn't exactly been easy, but I also understand that we must do our part in making this virus go away, even though the cases are increasing rapidly in Florida! I always look to the positive, and we are very fortunate because we have our health, Ed has a job, Tristan is taking his University courses online, and somehow I've had another filled day pottering around our home.

I am not one for worrying, I don't see the point. What if this happens, what if that happens? My logic is: What happens happens, whether I worry about it or not, so why waste my time worrying about something that may or may not? I feel worrying takes away happiness from within. I also believe worrying leads to stress and health issues.

I am glad that you and your family are healthy and I can hope one day too, like Germany, the US can get back to living "normal" again.

Paula Schnackenberg

7/31/2020 01:09:01 pm

Hi Shelley, So glad to hear you have such positive mindset towards this lockdown and pandemic. You are right: worrieng does not bring us closer to fixing the problem. I love your attidtude about keeping busy and doing your part as a good citizen to be mindful of others. Glad to hear Tristen is doing welll and your hubby too. Keep safe and well. Love, Paula

Christine Jung

7/31/2020 03:42:35 pm

Hi Paula, thank you for another beautifully written and inspiring article. You touched on your German contacts venting their frustrations to you, the American, about American politics. I went through the same thing when I lived in Berlin 2002-2004. This was the immediate post 9/11 years and most Germans disapproved of then President
George Bush’s response to 9/11. I was advised by someone more experienced than me never to argue a political point because that is what they expect from Americans. I was never
political, but I found myself being shunned by the German mom’s at my daughter’s small German KITA, just for being American at that time. My husband and I, although we both speak fluent German, found it uncomfortable to speak our native English language, when seated at restaurants, and my dog walker astounded me when she said “you are really nice for an American.” I have a special affinity for Germany and Germans, as Germany has always played a role in my life, and am just noting this as it relates to your article. I do admit that of the German moms from the KITA never waivered in her friendship with me and we still have a strong friendship to this day! As for the pandemic, personally, it has afforded me the opportunity and time to be fully present in every interaction I have with another person, spend longer, quality time with family members. The world needs a reset, but hopefully not dependent upon the enormous cost of ongoing human and animal consequence.

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Hi I'm Paula Schnackenberg
Coach, Writer, English Teacher, Expat