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5 Awesome Life Lessons From My Dad

June 6, 2016Nina KovnerHEROES, MY TRUTH

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway. -Mother Teresa

The above passage from Mother Teresa was my Dad’s favorite. With Father’s Day around the corner, the loss of my Dad almost 5 years ago feels just as painful as the day we said goodbye to him. I think of him every single day. There is always something there to remind me (cue Naked Eyes song).

There are so many mentors and heroes in our lives that we have all learned something from, and as this world moves faster and faster, it feels good to create space and reflect on those lessons. As the wisdom that had been gifted to us can help continue to guide our journeys, even when those people have left us.

Dads Awesome Life Lessons

  1. Stand up for what you believe in, even when it’s unpopular.
  2. Humor is an awesome way to connect + make people feel more comfortable.
  3. It’s OK to keep your circle small; spend your time with those you love.
  4. We can agree to disagree. Where there is mutual respect, there is always love.
  5. Compassion above all else. Always.

My Dad was one of the most compassionate humans I have ever known. And it all makes sense, he chose being a doctor as his life’s work. He healed people, using both his brain, his wisdom and most importantly his heart.

And here’s the thing, we had our moments, really tough ones in fact, as all families and relationships do. But I do not regret a second of it. And most importantly, I spent every waking moment with him I could. Each one of those moments is forever tattooed on my heart. And while I wish to God he was here right now, I can say, with my whole heart, that I am the person I am today because of the gifts my Dad gave me.

No matter what is happening with your family relationships at this moment, ask yourself this one thing… If they were gone tomorrow, would you wish you would have said or done something differently? If the answer is yes, please, I beg you, go do that thing. Then, when the time comes that they move into the other world, you will be able to smile, like I am right now, through all the tears, knowing you did not let a moment pass or a word left unsaid.

To all the awesome Dads reading this, Happy Fathers Day. For all those who have lost their Dad, I am sending you an extra dose of love.

Miss you Daddy. Happy Fathers Day in heaven.

Love + Gratitude-

Nina

PS: If you want to read more about my awesome Dad, you can Google Dr. Victor L. Kovner. He was quite a bad ass on so many levels.

Eden Sassoon Seth Maxwell

A Thirst For Change

July 21, 2014Nina KovnerGIVE BACK, HEROES

“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”

Lily Tomlin

 

Thirst Project logoHere is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.

There are a few times in our lives where we meet someone who touches our soul so deeply. This happened to me when I met Eden Sassoon, and shortly after, Eden introduced me to The Thirst Project. When the Universe speaks, I have learned to listen, and there is no doubt in my mind the Universe brought Eden and I together. That, and Instagram, and our dear friend Winn Claybaugh.

I am not one to jump on bandwagons, so to speak, and I know there are a gazillion humans in need, but Eden and The Thirst Project spoke to my heart so I decided to join my heart and hands with them along with some other awesome humans such as Kaz Amor, Tony Beckerman, Marylle Koken, Anthony Cress, Carrie Balion-McDonald, Erin Short, and Amy Gammon.

Eden Sassoon Seth Maxwell

“As an industry, we use a lot of water.  As an industry, it’s time to give some of it back.”

Eden Sassoon

 

Thirst Project Las Vegas July 2014
A few things that I love about The Thirst Project and why I think you may want to love & support them too…

1. It is one of the most practical efforts to solve a world issue; access to clean, safe drinking water. They build freshwater wells in counties of need. I know for me, I have always taken fresh water for granted. Not anymore.
The Thirst Project well

2. It is lead by some of the most passionate young humans I have ever met. I mean, Seth Maxwell, Founder & CEO of The Thirst Project, was only 19 years old when we was moved to action, only 6 short years ago. I had the honor of meeting Seth, along with Lucas Romick, Ops Manager of The Thirst Project, who is ONLY 20 years old!!! These guys are making shit happen, and are wise beyond their years.

Seth MaxwellEden Sassoon Lucas Romick

3. It is empowered by our youth. This maybe is what inspired me the most. So many people complain about our youth. About laziness, entitlement, you know, you have heard it before. I am one that feels the absolute opposite. Young people today give me hope.

I am inspired daily by the passion and belief that they do not have to accept the status quo. Their rebel with a cause attitude makes my heart smile. And The Thirst Project is fed through these passionate young souls, in middle schools, high schools and colleges around the country. My motto is do not hate that which you do not understand. Take a moment to understand how powerful our youth is. As a business leader, it’s your responsibility to.

What Passion Squared Is Doing…
1. Sharing The Thirst Project story through this blog, The Weekly Dose of Awesome newsletter, Facebook and Instagram.

2. Hosting a live Facebook chat with Eden and Seth on August 7th (time TBD), so you can connect with them, ask questions and learn more about The Thirst Project.

3. Getting my clients involved.

4. Donating $1 from each book (printed, audio book, ebook) I sell on my website.

What You Can Do If You Feel Inspired…
1. Visit The Thirst Project to learn more.

2. Like & follow The Thirst Project on Facebook and Instagram.

3. Donate $1 and ask your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.

4. Spread the word.

It is such an honor & I am so grateful to join with Eden and her amazing team, Seth, Lucas and The Thirst Project to solve a simple yet devastating issue. Click here to join us!

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

Photo credits: The Thirst Project, Salon Today, Eden Sassoon, Google

Molly Deimeke

Social Good

June 16, 2014Nina KovnerENGAGE, GIVE BACK, HEROES

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”

Herman Melville

 

Molly Deimeke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.

This is a story about social good. And about a beautiful hairdresser I know named Molly. And how some awesome heroes, and Facebook, saved her life.

We have become so jaded it seems, complaining about the platforms we choose to be on, about the ugliness that is shared, about the political rants. But while all of that is going on, something awesome happened. A life was saved.

Molly decided to follow her heart and travel the world. Something many dream of, but she had the courage to do it. I have been following her adventures via Facebook, as her family and friends had been too. To watch her have so much joy and freedom, so much adventure and happiness was so inspiring.

Then something happened. She had an accident. In Laos. She had no ID on her. She was going to die.

A few brave and selfless heroes saved her life. They needed to find her family. Find out her last name. Find her belongings. Find treatment. And it was done via Facebook.

Dianna Sholomon

You see, the social web is what we make it. Just like anything. We can find it empowering, for ourselves, our communities and our businesses, or we can be mad at it. We can choose to add value to the conversation, or muddy it up with ugliness and TMI. We can choose to let it connect us, or push us away. It’s a choice. I am so grateful Molly, her family, her friends and the heroes that saved her life chose to use Facebook as a way to connect and share. As a way to stay in touch. A way in which it is meant to be used.

Molly has a long road to recovery ahead of her. If you feel inspired to share this story, share. If you feel inspired to donate to Molly’s recovery, click here Molly Deimeke GoFundMe.

To learn more about Molly’s story and the heroes who saved her life, click here. And bring the tissues. You will need it.

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

Look for the helpers

Look For The Helpers

April 16, 2013Nina KovnerGIVE BACK, GROW, HEROES

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King Jr

 Look for the helpers

Here is the audio version of the post. Thank you for listening. <3
Look For The Helpers

It is so interesting to me how this world works sometimes. How in the blink of an eye, everything changes. That is what happened as I was boarding my plane yesterday afternoon. My heart was full, after spending the weekend in San Jose at the Spring Style Show, sharing my passion with the people that I love. Then I saw the heartbreaking news. And everything changed.

My Love + Prayers for Boston
I had another blog planned for this week, and normally I post it on Monday mornings. But this week, I chose to wait till this morning. As I turned on my computer, my heart told me my previous blog could wait. There was something more important I needed to share.

So today, I dedicate this post to the people of Boston, to the precious lives that were lost, to the beautiful souls injured, to their families and friends, to this community of Passionistas who choose light over darkness, and love over hate.

Look For The Helpers
You see, no matter what happens in this world, in our lives or in our business, what matters is how we respond. And over the last 12 hours, we have all been witness to so much love both online and offline, but we have also seen so much hate. I choose love. I choose to “look for the helpers”, as Mister Rogers so awesomely said.

Within moments of the tragedy, helpers were everywhere. Google Person Finder helped people locate their loved ones. Over 1000 residents opened their homes to those affected. Southwest Airlines stepped up to help people get home safely. Airbnb immediately took action to help those in need.

Here are some ways you can help.

Choose Love
We have a choice everyday when we wake up, a choice about the energy we bring to our world. In the salon, in our community, and our family, both online and off. We have a choice to be hateful or loving. Our world needs more love. Our businesses need more love. Our families need more love.

As my hero John Lennon said; “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Love is the answer, it always has been. And today, I choose to do my part to bring more loving energy to myself, my family, my friends, my business and my world. Will you join me?

(shared with LOVE + PRAYERS for Boston from Nina)

Change for a Dollar

November 10, 2012Nina KovnerGIVE BACK, HEROES

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very un-dramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost.”

Arthur Ashe

This short film by Sharon Wright gave us goose bumps.  We know there are many everyday heroes amongst us who are truly changing the world for the better.  If each of us would simply slow down and take the time to be present (and really see all that surrounds us), we are sure to see and be inspired by more of these quiet heroes who are making the world for a better place for us all.

For more information on this filmmaker and her life changing projects, visit My Next Inspirational Film. Amazing!

(shared with love from your passionistas Nina+Gordon)

PS:  The victims of Hurricane Sandy still need our help.  If you can, please donate your time, money or by sharing information on how to help.  To donate money, please visit the NCA Disaster Relief Fund or the Red Cross.  Thank you.