Passion Squared 2022 gratefulAF challenge hd

Join The 2022 gratefulAF challenge

October 31, 2022Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW, MY TRUTH

           There is always something to be grateful for.

Six years ago we kicked off our annual gratefulAF challenge and had no idea the impact it would make. Like, WOW. Each day I saw you, our passionate community, light up the world. A big shout-out of gratitude to all of you who participated over the years. You have sparked so much fucking joy for those you serve.

We are doing the challenge again because let’s be honest, we need this and the world needs this.

Below is my personal story and why gratitude is the center of all that we do at Passion Squared and how it can help you with perspective, awareness and even possibly help change the chemistry in your brain (here’s a study!)

In early 2007 I was in the darkest place I have ever been in my life (until late 2019 which you can hear about here). So much so, that I was planning my suicide. But here we are, it’s 2022 and even with all the heaviness, confusion, grief, and stress, I’m still alive, living my purpose and empowering others to live theirs too. How did this happen? It all began with gratitude.

Of course, there is so much more to the story which I share in my book Follow Your Heart, but it was learning about the power of daily gratitude that made me realize that I had more to do on this planet (and so do you!) and that no matter how dark my head became, there was always something to be grateful for.

From there, I was able to find perspective, and perspective allows me to get through just about any hardship, sadness, or loss. It was this quote that changed it all for me, which is tattooed on my left arm to be sure I never forget that gratitude saved my fucking life.

         “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  Melody Beattie

We created a simple challenge for you and one I hope you invite your community and teams to join in too. It’s called the gratefulAF challenge.

Each day in the month of November we invite you to practice a little piece of gratitude and kindness. There are so many folks to share our gratitude for and many people to help, particularly small businesses. It truly is the little things. You never know who is in desperate need of your light, love, and support.

Passion Squared 2022 gratefulAF challenge square final

 

 

How To Participate

Start date: November 1, 2022 (however you can begin anywhere, anytime!)

1. Capture your gratitude
2. Share your gratitude to your Instagram or Facebook page or Stories (only if you feel inspired to do so)
3. Use #passionsquared
4. Tag @passionsquared /@ mention passionsquared if posting in Stories
5. Follow @passionsquared if you see value in what we share

Click here for the Instagram or Facebook Stories Challenge graphic
Click here for the Instagram/Facebook Stories or Reels/TikTok 30-second quote video
Click here for the Instagram Reels or TikTok cover image
Click here for the Instagram/Facebook Stories size weekly gratitude list template
Click here for the Instagram/Facebook square size weekly gratitude list template
Click here for the Facebook/Instagram/Blog square-size Challenge graphic

To use our gratitude gif’s for your Instagram or Facebook Stories or anywhere, search the term PASSION SQUARED under GIFS in Insta/Facebook Stories or on giphy.com
Passion Squared_GiphySticker_1_GRATEFUL_BK_GLITTER

Our intention is that after 30 days you will feel how much gratitude can change your perspective, your energy, your brain, your biz, and your LIFE and you see the value of a daily gratitude practice.

How will you incorporate this challenge into your business and life? We would love to hear your gratitude ideas!

With love + a fuck ton of gratitude-
Nina @passionsquared

BTS of this blog + challenge
Total Time: 6 hours

Building the challenge
Developing the idea and daily themes 2.5 hours
Designing graphics on Canva.com 1 hour
Editing 1 hour

Building the blog
Writing 30 min.
Editing/SEO stuff 30 min.
Proofreading 15 min.
Designing graphics on Canva.com 15 min.

Passion Squared Fifty Six Wisdoms at 56(1)

Fifty Six Wisdoms at 56

October 7, 2022Nina KovnerGROW, MY TRUTH

              Be where your feet are

On October 9th, I turn 56 and per usual, I am deep in my feelings. You see, I should not have made it this far, and honestly, I never imagined I would. However, I believe in a higher power and purpose and do not take lightly that there’s a reason. Whatever the reason is, I do my best each day to wake up with gratitude and continue to love, support, and serve those in my care.

Last year, I wrote a list of 55 Wisdoms (and recorded a podcast with my bestie!), and this year, while I attempted to write a new list for 56, the truth is, the new list sounded much like last year’s so I’ve added one more and am sharing this list with you, again.

My intention in sharing this is for you to feel seen, understood, and loved. And just maybe, something on this list will help you feel more joy.

Take what resonates, and leave the rest. And if you feel someone would find value in this list too, please share.

Fifty Six Wisdoms at 56

1.  Be where your feet are.
2. The power is in the pause.
3. Perfectionism is a myth. So is balance.
4. Find your rhythm.
5. Your rhythm will change like the tides. Surrender to it.
6. Cherish folks while they’re still here.
7. Make time for the shit that matters. Everything doesn’t matter equally.
8. The journey is short and quick.
9. Do the inside work as early as you can so you can feel more joy while you’re here.
10. Prioritize your “someday I’ll…”
11. Real confidence comes with self-awareness and experience.
12. People are complicated.
13. Allow others to have their own experience.
14. Give yourself and others grace.
15. Love is the foundation and compassion, and empathy are the walls.
16. Some days, weeks, months, years and decades are gonna be rough, hold on.
17. Release the resentment yet hold on to the lesson.
18. Compassionately honest has a more positive influence and impact than brutally honest.
19. Never stop caring.
20. Integrity can get lonely at times. Have it anyways.
21. Remind yourself often why you get up in the morning.
22. You are worthy of feeling joy.
23. Listen more than you talk.
24. You can be humble and also confident.
25. Blaming and shaming affect your own self-esteem.
26. Try to stay out of judgment. And when you go there, ask yourself why.
27. Lead with love.
28. Healthy boundaries build confidence and save a fuck ton of time and angst.
29. If you’re angry, take a time out, go within, and sort it out.
30. Most folks are scared.
31. You don’t know everything and you never will.
32. It’s ok to say I don’t know.
33. People will break your heart. Don’t let it harden you.
34. Tell people you love them, often.
35. You are not broken, you are a perfectly imperfect human.
36. You can’t un-ring a bell. Think before you speak.
37.  Self-awareness comes with desire, curiosity, and time.
38. Stop waiting for the apology, it likely will never come.
39. Do the work upstream and spend less time fixing shit downstream.
40. It’s almost never about you.
41. Humans are inherently selfish.
42. Be generous with your gifts.
43. Your journey is yours to travel, design accordingly.
44. Not everyone is gonna understand you.
45. Some people are mean. Be kind anyway.
46. Life is hard. Business is hard. It’s all hard.
47. Managing your own expectations is the hardest.
48. You have no control over experiences outside of yourself.
49. Focus on what you can control (YOU!)
50. Daily gratitude lists help us with perspective
51. You can be grateful and also sad, angry, depressed
52. Do everything possible to retain a beginner’s mind
53. Your purpose + value are not tied to your productivity
54. Slow down enough to catch the magical moments
55. All folks really want is to be seen, heard, and loved. And that is not hard to do.
56. You can change your mind and perspective when you get new information, however, only if you care enough to do so.

I would never have made it here without you. It is an honor and privilege of a lifetime to empower you to make more aligned decisions and feel more joy in your journey. Thank you for your trust, support, and love.

With love, a fuck ton of gratitude, and in service to you-
Nina (they/them) @passionsquared

PS: One wish that I do have this year is that give generously, through your time, actions, or money, to support vulnerable and marginalized communities. They need us. They need our compassion, empathy, and understanding now more than ever. Thank you.