Journey With Nikole

Okay, Storytime! See, I have a love-hate relationship with cold showers. I’ll get on a roll for a while, feeling energized and accomplished. Then, bam! The cozy allure of a hot shower wins me over, and I fall out of the cold shower routine. This morning was no different. Standing there, about to turn the knob, my mind went into full-on negotiation mode. “Nikole,” it said, in the most loving voice possible, “why the cold showers? Why not just stick with warm water or even cool water? It feels good, it gets you clean, and your mission accomplished. Cold showers are just pain you inflict on yourself and do you even know why? How about some gentle self-care instead?” See, I talk to myself a lot. Maybe a little too much sometimes. It can lead to some interesting breakthroughs, though! This time, a light bulb flickered on. “Because I don’t belong in the comfort zone,” I shot back, both to myself and the imaginary voice of warm-water bliss. Sure, comfort is nice to recharge, but I thrive on p...

Honestly, vocabulary wasn't exactly my strong suit in school. In fact, I pretty much coasted along, getting by with the bare minimum. Fun activities? Totally down! Boring memorization? No thanks! Looking back, I realize I was shortchanging myself. Who knew a bigger vocabulary could be such a game-changer? It wasn't until I was 40 that I finally decided to tackle reading a whole book. Full disclosure: before then, if I needed information from a book, I'd grab the Cliff Notes (remember those?) or, nowadays, just Google it. Reading the whole thing? Why bother, right? Wrong! Expanding my vocabulary was exactly the push I needed to open up a new world. Turning the Page on My Learning Journey So, how did I actually do it? It all started with a simple habit: taking notes while I read. Every time I stumbled upon a word I didn't know, I'd jot it down. Once I finished the book, it was dictionary time! Understanding the meaning wasn't enough – I wanted to use ...

Hey everyone! Buckle up for a story about how a 6th grade agenda book totally transformed my life (in the best way possible!). Who knew a 6th-grade agenda book could be a life-changer? ‍That was definitely the case for me! Back in the day (think awkward middle school phase!), homework was my nemesis. It would magically disappear from my memory as soon as the school bell rang. This, unsurprisingly, led to some less-than-stellar grades.12-year-old me was a total scatterbrain. Homework? More like "home-wait-what-was-assigned?" To say the least, my grades weren't exactly brag-worthy. This is where it all began with the legendary agenda book. I'll explain... My teacher introduced this system where I had to fill out a daily planner with all my assignments for the day. Not only that, but I had to get it signed by them as proof I knew what needed to be done. Then, after conquering those assignments (woot!), Mom had to sign off too. Talk about double-checking, right?...

Spring bursts onto the scene with a vibrant display of colors and fragrances. It's a symphony for the senses. But beyond their undeniable beauty, spring flowers hold a secret language, rich with symbolism passed down through cultures and centuries. Whether you're crafting a thoughtful bouquet or simply appreciating a floral display in the park, understanding these meanings can add a deeper layer to your experience. Spring has always held a special place in my heart, maybe because I grew up in the Midwest where it truly feels like a rebirth after a long winter. The blooming flowers, the fresh scents in the air, the vibrant colors everywhere – it's all like a giant "WELCOME BACK!" from nature. It fills me with a sense of hope and renewal, like the world is hitting restart and anything is possible. Seeing all the flowers push through the ground and bloom beautifully makes me want to do the same thing! Spring is a natural motivator, reminding us to blossom and embra...

Ok, so I’m at a lost place in life. I’m sure a lot of people get lost from time to time, and we have to find the way through our path for that time and season in our lives. I got married and started having children young, and I decided to commit and dedicate my life to the people and situations that needed me the most. I made sacrifice after sacrifice and somehow forgot about myself in the process. My children (all but one) are grown and out of the house. Now, I am left to figure out the direction of my life, and I must say, I just feel lost sometimes. I have come to realize through my optimistic beliefs that lost is not a bad thing. This can happen to anyone who takes their eyes off of their prior goals and commitments for the greater good for an unselfish sacrifice. The beautiful part of being lost means you are in charge of the direction of your growth. You are also in charge of the speed at which you go in pursuit of finding your personal path. When I first realized I was feeling l...

  As the days grow longer and the world bursts forth with vibrant colors, a natural urge arises to declutter and refresh our physical spaces. But what about our mental well-being? Just like our homes, our minds can accumulate clutter over time – negative thought patterns, lingering anxieties, and the weight of unaddressed stress. These "mental weeds" can choke out our happiness and hinder our potential. Spring, with its symbolism of renewal and growth, presents the perfect opportunity to embark on a mental spring cleaning. Imagine clearing away the cobwebs of negativity to make room for a more positive and balanced mind. This transformative journey doesn't require drastic changes; by incorporating simple yet powerful strategies into your daily routine, you can cultivate a garden of mental well-being that blooms with resilience, positivity, and a sense of thriving all year long. Just like the fresh air and blooming flowers signal a new season, spring is also the perfec...

Today, intelligence is no longer defined by a single test score. Success, both personally and professionally, hinges on our ability to navigate the complexities of human emotions. This is where Emotional Intelligence (EQ) comes in. It’s about understanding, using, and constructively managing your own emotions. It’s about recognizing and empathizing with the emotions of others, fostering genuine connections, and building strong relationships. Ultimately, EQ empowers you to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life. Here are the key components of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness: Being aware of your own emotions as they arise and understanding how they influence your thoughts and behaviors. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. It’s like the control center for all the other aspects of EQ. Self-awareness starts with being able to recognize your emotions as they arise. Are you feeling happy, sad, angry, frustrated, or something else? Sometimes our emoti...