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When We’re Off Our A-Game

Today, I’d like to share some great advice written by a friend and role model of mine, Molli Surowiec. Last month, Molli wrote a blog post entitled “When We’re Off Our A-Game.” I stumbled upon her post this past week, at a time when I was feeling derailed and off my A-game.

Molli begins her post by saying that various things, like an especially busy workweek or a negative interaction, can throw us off.

“We all have those days, or even weeks. Knowing that, how can we return to a place of love more quickly – both with ourselves and others?” Asks Molli.

She provides three tips for “gettin’ back on track and back in the flow”:

  1. Stop. Breathe. Feel.
  2. Drop an F-bomb.
  3. Recommit.

“Drop an F-bomb”?! Molli challenges her reader to “make forgiveness your new favorite F-word” and “forgive choices that haven’t been serving you or uplifting you.” This really resonated with me.

Molli explains that forgiveness “is about releasing the past so we can return to love – and living – in the present.” It is easy to get wrapped up in negative emotions and fail to see a way to move forward. When you’re off your A-game, show yourself the compassion you deserve, be forgiving, and follow through with practices that make you feel happier and stronger.

Thank you to Molli for helping me get back on my A-game and reminding me that challenges are “really just opportunities for growth.”

Check out Molli’s website here, where you find also find awesome fitness and food inspiration!

 

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Take the Lead

by Carolyn Twersky

Most sophomores in college have no clue what they want to do this weekend, let alone for the next 20 years. In the age of millennials and indecision, it’s rare to find a student who is ready to break into the workplace and has been since she was a sophomore in high school.

That was me. And for all of you out there who are struggling to find a major or even an interest, I’m not trying to brag. I know that finding your passion at such a young age is a blessing, so I took advantage of it.

At 15, I found myself enamored with journalism. Constantly reading newspapers, scanning magazines. I knew I wanted to be a part of it and I knew I had to start my journey to the editor’s desk.

I hit many obstacles on the way. My high school didn’t even have a newspaper, let alone a journalism class. I took two steps to get passed this. I emailed the editor of my town newspaper and my school principal. Within a week I was writing an article for the Easton Courier and starting an online journalism class financed by Joel Barlow High School.

I still remember picking up a copy of the Courier and seeing my name in print for the first time. At that moment, I knew I was on the right path.

That article lead to another, and then another. Finally I asked Nancy, the editor of the Courier, to get coffee. A short conversation ended in an internship with a weekly column. I was seeing my name in print almost every week, and I still got butterflies every time.

Unfortunately, the online journalism class I enrolled in was not as fulfilling as I hoped. This led me to seek out a more expansive education, so in the summer of 2013, as my friends laid on the beach and traveled the world, I applied to and attended the Medill-Northwestern Summer Institute where I spent five weeks in an intensive journalism program honing my skills. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, it was one of the best summers of my life. As I sat in class for hours everyday, writing leads and practicing interviews, I knew I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Now, it’s 2016, I’m 19 and I sit at the library, at Northwestern University, right after my journalism class at the Medill School of Journalism. Not a five-week summer intensive, but a four-year bachelors program. Since I was 15 I dreamed of sitting in this library and I made it happen. Don’t ever think it is too early to start preparing for the future. If you’re lucky enough to find your passion at a young age, get that head start. While I may not be the editor of Entertainment Weekly or Time Magazine yet, I’m a hell of a lot closer than I was four years ago.

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^ There’s Carolyn on the right, sporting NU with pride!

Find out more about Carolyn (and read her work!) here.

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Radio Show Appearances

Happy Monday! My mom and I had a great time talking on a few radio shows this past week. Listen below to learn more about the book!

^ Relationships 2.0 with Dr. Michelle Skeen

^ The Real Side with Joe Messina

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Welcome to my blog!

Hi, and welcome to my blog! My name is Kelly and I co-authored a book called Communication Skills for Teens: How to Listen, Express & Connect for Success. I believe our book is an awesome resource for teens to improve our communication skills in every area of our lives. However, the work doesn’t stop there! I’ll be sharing posts on my blog covering a wide range of topics that impact our lives as teens. And these posts won’t just be written by me—I am looking forward to sharing stories and advice from great guest bloggers! At first, these stories will come from my friends, but my goal is to receive submissions from anyone who would like to contribute. It’s important to recognize that while we all struggle, we can help each other through difficult times by sharing our experiences. Let’s go on this adventure together!  

 

Communication Skills for Teens - Kelly Skeen

 

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