Find Your Strengthening Medicine with Pj Schott

You know, sometimes even the biggest of extroverts (yes, that’s me), needs some down time.  This week, I wanted to extend that to my dearest Pj Schott, yet she turned her overwhelming moments into something for us all to learn from.  Yet another reason I adore her and her spirit.    Pj Schott has lived in several U.S. port cities, Europe, Greece, and the Middle East. A marketing professional, mystery writer, and futurist, Pj is known to those with whom she works as a problem-solver, an innovative thinker, a top-notch communicator, a visionary, and the soul of a group. She is the owner of the Boston, Massachusetts based company GENIUS and is the woman behind the new Facebook page and blog, Survival for Blondes, where Pj is entirely surrounded by imagined disasters and learns to rise above.

Find Your Strengthening Medicine

In which Pj is dragged to the depths of despair and is saved by a virtual hug

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.

"Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you.”

Researching dire global situations and imagining how to prepare for them should they hit home is part of what I do on a daily basis. Most of us know the world is a mess. Who wouldn't get depressed and overwhelmed by the daily bombardment of seemingly hopeless images from around the globe. All of us have experienced the occasional feeling of powerlessness. But we take it in stride. We count our blessings, say a prayer or two, and carry on.

Last week, when calamity struck my home town of New York City, and its surrounding area, I suddenly had nothing but trouble on my mind. That I was nearly in the direct path of Hurricane Sandy made me thankful disaster preparedness is a passion of mine. But my heart still ached for those who were not prepared. And when a Nor'easter suddenly landed on these folks, compounding their suffering, I found myself searching for a reason to get out of bed.

Even people who know me extremely well would find this hard to believe. But the most capable and intelligent of humans sometimes find it difficult to cope with anxiety and depression. Count my legs. My reaction was completely normal.

My turning point came this morning when our beloved Jen Tucker told me not to worry about coming to visit you all this month. Her kindness and compassion humbled me and gave me the gentle prodding I needed. "Now is the time to ask the obvious question … What Would Pooh Do?"

A master of the art of living in the Here-and-Now, Pooh didn't dwell on the past or worry about the future. Even in the face of disaster, he would have remained relaxed, balanced, and focused. When faced with thoughts of despair, the Zen-like bear would no doubt remind himself that "Some people care too much … it's called love."

Winnie and his friends were always there for each other. When little Piglet's worst case scenario – a bath – had him sprawled on the floor sobbing with his head in his arms, Rabbit said, "There, there, Piglet." And Owl added "Baths don't last forever." Little Piglet sat up, dried his eyes, and replied, "But afterward comes … the Strengthening Medicine."

One thing that triggers anxiety and depression is not feeling "connected." The problems in the world, and all the news that plays on our fears, makes us feel isolated, and distanced from each other. But by the miracle of technology, we have been given the gift of what I call our Astral Family. People we have never actually met, but with whom we feel a tremendous bond.

My Strengthening Medicine, the kindness of someone, who in the not-too-distant past would have remained a total stranger my entire life, suddenly bridged a gap in time and space and made me feel connected again. Now filled with inspiration rather than hopelessness, before this day is over I resolve to reach out to another person and urge them to take a small step in the direction of healing.

I recall something Charlie Brown (no doubt inspired by Winnie the Pooh) once said:

Listen, Linus, friendship isn't about who you've known the longest. It's all about the friend who comes and stands by your side in bad times.

And this group hug is dedicated to all my dear friends in Cyberspace. May the Pooh force be with you all.

Does Pj know how to make me tear up, or what?!  I love you Pj, and am so thankful you are a part of my life.  

Bless and be blessed!

XOXO

Jen

The Blustery Day of the Soul with Pj Schott

Happy May everyone!  I love the birth of a new month here at Princess With a Pen.  It means that the fabulous, Pj Schott is stopping by to spend time with us.  Pj has lived in several U.S. port cities, Europe, Greece, and the Middle East. A marketing professional, mystery writer, and futurist, Pj is known to those with whom she works as a problem-solver, an innovative thinker, a top-notch communicator, a visionary, and the soul of a group. She is the owner of the Boston, Massachusetts based company GENIUS and is the woman behind the new Facebook page and blog, Survival for Blondes, where Pj is entirely surrounded by imagined disasters and learns to rise above.

 Let the fabulous queen of blonde survival be heard!

Pj Schott

Jen Tucker asked me to talk about my passion for starting my blog, Survival for Blondes, how it came to be, and why blondes need to have survival skills. Always something provocative from our Jen!!

CUE THE MUSIC … “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel.

Don’t give up, ‘cause you have friends.

While preparing disaster recovery material for corporate clients, I became aware of the fragile state of our beautiful planet. Rather than letting the required exercise of imagining Worst Case Scenario keep me up at night, I began to think how I could let all my friends and loved ones know what they needed to be aware of and how they would need to prepare.

Not wanting to diminish the seriousness of such an important subject or frighten people about something that might never happen, I decided to use humor and a sense of camaraderie. I also wanted to keep it simple, so even I could understand it. Blondes are not dumb, we just have so much going on in our heads, it is sometimes hard for us to focus on the seemingly mundane. And since simple isn’t easy, much of the information that reaches us, goes right on past us.

I grew up with 1950s cartoon characters to teach me much of what I know about survival. No matter what happened, they not only overcame every mishap, they bounced back more feisty than ever. Steam‑rollered? Not to worry … just peel yourself up off the pavement and carry on truckin’.

Don’t give up, I know you can make it good.

In the 1968 Disney film, “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day,” Pooh shows initiative during a flood by making his way back to Christopher Robin by riding on a honey pot, then uses Christopher Robin’s umbrella to take the two of them to Piglet’s house. Talk about teamwork, innovation and ingenuity!!

I talk a lot about Universal Law, which teaches us that the Universe itself serves as a mutual support system for all beings. An example would be the Internet and Social Media, which have given us a brave new world of people who reflect back wonderful things to us and show us who we really are. Writers, parents, dancers, political activists … there is no one we can’t learn from and interact with now.

Don’t give up, you still have us … we’re proud of who you are.

I met Jen Tucker through the wonderful folks at The Writer’s Guide to ePublishing on Facebook. As author extraordinare and fellow writer, DeeDee Scott, described the purpose of such a group: “That’s exactly what [it’s] all about … we are your ‘net.’ We’re here for all you …. We share our journeys … and serve as each other’s nets.”

When times get rough, you can fall back on us, don’t give up.

No matter what your purpose in life, your vocation, or your goals, you will meet the people you need to meet when you need to meet them. Learn to trust your own process, trust the Universe, and trust those who have your back. And the best part is being there for them when they need support in return.

And, just like the characters in the A.A. Milne stories had each other’s backs, there is an Astral Family waiting for us in Cyberspace. So have some honey and leave the sticky part behind. Play Pooh sticks when we cross the bridge over a creek. And, above all, let’s be ready for anything … the pot of gold at the end of a proverbial rainbow or a Blustery Day of the Soul.

Thanks Pj for stopping by!  I appreciate your heart for serving others.

XOXO

Jen