Are you kind to yourself?
It’s good for your metabolism
She wasn't sure what to talk about, and I didn't know what to expect from our conversation. Once she warmed up, the words rolled out from within — logical, emotional, clear, and intense.
The little girl among grown-ups
She would be the little girl who would seek the company of people who are older than her. She didn't know why, but the conversation with them was more interesting. She enjoyed time alone to reflect, write, and listen to music when not in talks.
The middle girl among two boys in a traditional family had to be strong and prove herself. She made a mark at home and in life. Sometimes, roles in families play musical chairs. One day, a boy who causes trouble may play the peacemaker brother between his siblings or parents. Other times, the stubborn daughter assumes a parent's role. Her schooling, reflections, and family experiences were no different and got her to mature early. It shaped who she is — a fighter, full of emotions, who blows up as quickly as she calms down.
“I’m a person who’s fascinated with human behavior.”
Magdalena is a deep thinker, driven by learning, forgives, refuses that people accept being the victim in any relationship, and embraces life's challenges. When faced with pain, we have a choice. We can self-destruct or act to live fully. Faith supports her living abundantly.
From the classroom to the hospital
After graduating from a parochial school, she enrolled at the American University of Beirut. She always loved math, the sciences, and philosophy and wondered why she picked nutrition as a major. The first two years could have been more exciting, yet she studied through. Her fascination with human behavior kept nagging at her. So, she tried a psychology course and ended up with a minor degree to complement her nutrition and dietetics. This was when everything started to make sense. Her passion and gift of sitting with people, listening, and giving advice may happen around food.
She designed a senior project that required nutrition and psychology — emotional eating. Her first internship was at Hotel Dieu de France as a clinical dietitian. Then, she lectured at three other local universities on emotional eating to pharmacy, psychology, and nutrition students.
It started with kitchen plans
At 22, she gets a call to help a gentleman with an idea for a new venture. He was searching for a consultant and a business partner. She remembers him showing up with kitchen plans. The young, independent woman thought she was too young to be a consultant and definitely did not want to start a new venture. Her goals were set on a graduate degree in counseling and nutrition in the US as a prelude to opening her own clinic.
True to her spirit and how much she likes a good challenge, she went for it. She started her clinic, built a kitchen, and picked a name for the business. Yes, she also married the business partner. She started with him at 22 and got married at 25. At 38, they're raising a beautiful family; she's working on herself, professionally and personally. On the way, she's acquired new certifications and an executive MBA.
Magdalena’s little big pearls of wisdom
On a personal level, she wants to dedicate more time to herself.
This is where she got on a roll and shared her life experiences and the lessons she picked up with me. As she shared them with me, she also reminded herself and recited to keep them close to her heart and mind.
Happiness only exists in the now.
Be at peace with your past.
You cannot live in the anxiety of the future.
Give. Keep just enough for yourself to keep giving.
Take care of yourself. Love yourself. It will boost your self-esteem.
Get comfortable with yourself; you will stop seeking approval, feel more complete, have fewer struggles, and get sick less often.
Working hard to achieve is normal.
The key to your life is in your hands. You are the creator of your reality.
Luck and coincidence do not exist.
If you're passionate about your work, it won't be work.
Mind, body, and spirit
She believes that when they work together, you'll be in a better spot. At an early age, she had three physical conditions that she had to take regular medications. When she became aware, and her mind got involved, it stopped. She healed herself.
Your vibrations do a lot. Miracles do happen. You can make and invite them to happen. When you have faith in yourself and submit, it happens. She learned the meaning of surrender from one lecture.
As a teenager, a priest came to their school and gave his life testimonial. That lecture deeply impacted her when she was a rebel against everything, including religion and its systems. It was one of her life trigger events. Being a control freak by nature, she started to learn to surrender to her faith.
“When you put faith and intention, miracles happen.”
Spirituality and science are very intertwined. They are married with intensity. She learned that when focused intention meets faith, energies will flow in that direction to your advantage. When you put your heart in, it has already happened.
When we think that God is somewhere else in the heavens, He's actually inside every one of us. He is with us, guiding our lives if we let Him. When you love yourself, you love God. Unconditional love for God, who's within us, is the only way to invite love into our lives.
“There’s a lighter side of me”
She grew up as a serious person who protected her reputation by being a perfectionist. It got her to be harsh on herself and eventually exhausted.
“When you talk to yourself, be gentle.”
She wants to visit her other true self — the extrovert and the people person. “Two drinks, and you’ll see another person.”
It's time for Magdalena to give work what work needs, just enough. It's time for her to experience more Mediterranean sunsets. Freedom on horseback, as she used to. Listen more often to music that takes her to another dimension. Find the people who love a good conversation over a glass of Pinot Noir or two.
I hear her other self surfacing — relaxed, live-and-let-live, and laughing until it hurt. :-)
