LIFESTYLE Archives - Page 27 of 66

Forgiveness

Tomorrow is a day known to Jewish people as Yom Kippur- the holiest, most religious day of the year. Tonight kicks off the day where we repent our sins, and ask G-d for forgiveness. Tomorrow is also a day of fasting. (Confession here- I’m not that strong in the fasting department).

Tomorrow night will mark my favorite synagogue service of the year. We will stand for one hour at a service called Nilah. Nilah marks the end of the 24 hour Yom Kippur fast. It is a very special hour (which I will miss because I am hosting 14 people at my house for the break fast), but what resonates for me, is the symbolism of Nilah. I think it very much parallels life. After you have fasted for 24 hours, it is customary at the Nilah service to stand the entire last hour when you are hungry, tired and dizzy. It is the ultimate test of your endurance. To be able to stand when you think you cannot.

This reminds me so much of womanhood, and our strength and endurance to go the distance in life. Women are the true definition of resilience and fortitude. We fight for what’s right. We go without so that our children won’t have to. We hide our tears to protect our loved ones. We are strength in the face of adversity. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best– Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.

WomenOnTheFence.com Celebrates Its 9th Blogiversary and a Rebranded Erica-Diamond.com!

9 years ago yesterday, I became a blogger. I really didn’t know what a blogger was, just that it would be the place I would try and get unstuck and off the fence, and so would you. I was working shit out at the time, and writing seemed to be a way to process it and work through it. We would vent, and help each other, and share our disappointments and frustrations. We would cheer each other on, and support one another. We would also listen to other stories of people who have overcome too. We believed vulnerability is strength, not weakness. And it changed my life.

I no longer write about my children because when the diaper and poop and bottle phase ended and real life took over, it suddenly felt like a betrayal of their privacy. But we have grown and evolved as a Brand. I’ve had some incredible highs, some life-learning lows, and I wouldn’t change a thing. This women’s lifestyle blog, ‘Real Inspiration for the Modern Woman’ will always be my safe place to work things out.

I LOVE YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER, AND FOR ME.

WHAT DO I WANT?

Have you ever lost sight of why you started or WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT FOR YOURSELF? Do you ever try and gain inspiration and motivation by looking around, and instead, get more confused? Ever feel pulled in a few directions and don’t feel crystal clear on where you’re going and what you’re doing?

I’ve felt that way before.

In the past, I’ve gone through times where I asked myself the question, WHAT DO I REALLT WANT, BECAUSE IT SEEMS I’VE LOST SIGHT.

I think when you feel like this, it’s important to pause. There’s a great saying, “When you’re tired or uninspired, learn to rest, not quit.” I think it’s normal that the routine gets us all after a while and we fall a little flat.

What Women’s Equality Day Means To Me

My boys have all left for golf. I just finished making the beds. I’m sipping coffee, and instead of going to the gym, or for a walk, I really feel like I have something to say today.

So, sitting surrounded by inspirational sayings in my sweet new office and calm space, here goes.

You may or many not know that today is Womens’ Equality Day. To give you a point of reference, this is it:

I’m Back! Sorta…

Hello my incredible ladies! It’s been a while…

I missed you.

So… I am working all my jobs (life coaching, weekly Global TV, preparing for fall talks, teaching yoga, brand work).

But I’m not quite back here… yet.

Why?

Because I don’t feel like I can give you what would meet my standards for a lifestyle blog, until school starts.

So, I’m working in my city, but will to come back to you in written form when the kids are off summer break, and when I can declutter my space, my life, and then my brain.

July Blogging Break

Girls, I am taking my annual July blogging break. As you have come to know, I do this every year for my mental wellbeing, and for the quality of this blog. It has become my gift to myself.

But this year is a little different.

Canada, Get Ready For Lisette L Online July 1st!

If you recall, last month I was thrilled to announce I am the brand ambassador for Lisette L, AKA named “The world’s most flattering pants.”

But don’t take my word for it! You can take Oprah, Martha, Eugenie Bouchard, Venus Williams and many other’s word. 😉

When I met Lisette Limoges at a charity fashion show in Montreal, and was assigned her brand to grace the runway, it was an instant hit for me. I couldn’t understand why I felt so long and lean, stylish and yet felt SO COMFORTABLE! It sucked everything in and smoothed everything out, and in all the right ways.

Are Post-Millennials The Loneliest Generation?

I am coming off a pretty busy few weeks. I spoke a couple of weeks ago at the I Am Her Conference, last week as the keynote speaker here in Montreal for WXN (Women’s Executive Network), and in Toronto yesterday at a health and wellness retreat for women. When I work, and especially when I am speaking to women, I forget the every day chaos that can sometimes keeps me stuck, and I stop dwelling on nonsense and bullshit. In fact, I kind of feel like Sasha Fierce… you know Beyonce’s alter ego when she takes the stage and transforms into something non-questioning, something confident, something fierce and in her own power?

Yah, that’s kind of how I feel when I work. Working keeps me out of trouble.

Wordless Wednesday: No Working Mom Guilt

Heels are packed. Gotta love cozy shoes for travel. Heading to #The6 for the day, home ce soir. Speaking on work life balance and I absolutely love my job. I’m proud my boys see me working at something I’m passionate about.

One time-management life hack I’ll share here: The Ideal Work-To-Break Ratio is 52 minutes of work, followed by 17 minutes of rest. Have you mastered this scientific brain productivity ratio?

People who have mastered this ratio will thrive more because the brain functions well in spurts of approximately one hour of high energy, followed by 15-20 minutes of rest or lower energy expenditure. Share it with your kids too entering the exam period.

Celebrating Motherhood

This is our 9th Mother’s Day together on WomenOnTheFence.com. I have paid tribute to my incredible mother and mother-in law and to my two beautiful sons (that I owe my mother title to). I have also paid tribute to the many stories of mothers who have endured and overcome, who have experienced tragedy and triumph, and who have come out on the other side with grace and resilience.

For this year’s post, I have decided to pay tribute to women everywhere, and merge Mental Health Awareness Week with Mother’s Day.

So, let’s start with mental health awareness, shall we?

Here is a photo of my health and wellness panel from last weekend’s I Am: A Conference For Her.

This week especially, during #MentalHealthAwareness week, it felt relevant to stop and pause and do a few things:

LIFESTYLE