I quit my corporate job that was filled with toxic vibes and negative energy all around. I stood up for myself. I was not willing to allow others to dim my light. As my colleagues called it, I made a "boss move." It was one of the most difficult decisions and one I could not have made without the love and support from my husband. I used to be grateful for the stability that comes with having a good job title and a steady income. I've worked since I was 15 years old.
My husband planned the trip of a lifetime to the Greek islands for our 3rd wedding anniversary. Then I pestered him to take several (he would probably use a different word here) pictures of me because I had to capture it all!
We took time to get to know everyone who was kind to us. Did you know people travel to the popular islands to work the tourist season 7 days a week, 12-14 hours a day with no days off, ever? We had no clue. A "season" is not a couple months during summer. They refer to a season from as long as April through September. Maria, one of our absolute favorites at Nissaki Boutique Hotel would serve us dinner late at night and was the same person to greet us for breakfast early in the morning with the warmest smile you've ever seen and the friendliest "Kaliméra!" you've ever heard. That's Greek for Good Morning. We learned Maria is studying to be a lawyer. How she finds the time to study, I do not understand. In her words, "it's hard, I'm trying, but my battery is running low." Yet given the economy in Greece, she's grateful to have work.
We also met my brother-in-law's cousin, Kelli, a waiter at Elia Beach. He had never met us before and offered us beach chairs with an umbrella in the first row (this is a big deal!), got us drinks, and as if that wasn't enough, treated us to dinner in the cute Mykonos town. Keep in mind, he drove into town after working a 14 hour shift, and as his wife mentioned he had not had a single day off since April 1st. It was now August 21st. We were grateful for the opportunity to get to know him and his wife. I will never forget his wise words, "The key in life is to be good to yourself, and of course to others too, then everything will be perfect."
Staying in fabulous resorts in Mykonos and Santorini, we loved the vibrant colors of the sea, the beautiful beaches, and the picturesque scenery, but it was the kind and sweet workers who felt like family during our stay who captured our hearts and made it so hard to leave. Of course we did not want our vacation to end, but we were also sad to leave our new Greek friends. I suppose this post could also be about kindness. When you are grateful, kindness naturally circulates.
Every day when I practice yoga, as I get into my tree pose, I remind myself of all the things I am grateful for - big and small. When I started this habit, I had a small list. Each day during my tree pose, I added to my list and eventually discovered an abundance of gratefulness in my heart.
Inner Intelligence Tip: What are you grateful for? Make a list and keep adding to it. The more you are grateful for, the more you will attract into your life.
Your job is not a measure of your worth. I've had the vision for Inner Intelligence for quite some time. It was just an idea. I am grateful for taking a much needed break from corporate life as it has given me the time and flexibility to serve my higher purpose, to help others tap into their inner intelligence.
Efcharistó for reading! That's Greek for thank you :)