All articles written by: Jenn Piorkowski

self love, personal growth
Rockstar Awesomesauce

Becoming A Fire-Walker

Personal growth can be somewhat tricky. In order to grow, we have to take a hard look at old perspectives and beliefs about yourself that are no longer working for you and change them. Getting to the root of these beliefs can be painful and unpleasant. We have to walk through fire before you can rise from the ashes.

Becoming A Fire-Walker

Recently, I had the privilege and honor of volunteering at a Tony Robbins event called Unleash the Power Within. A 3 ½ day seminar that helps attendees unlock and unleash the forces inside them to break through limitations and take control of your life. It is life-changing! If you have not attended and are not living the life you want…I highly recommend it.

My first introduction to Tony Robbins was in 2016. My partner-in-self-love, Amy Carpentieri was attending UPW (Unleash the Power Within) in Dallas. She asked me if I wanted to attend with her. I had read Awaken the Giant Within and have a natural thirst for personal growth, but what made me say “Yes” was the title…Unleash the Power Within…YES! I want that!

I had no idea what I was getting myself into and how my life would be propelled forward. As I previously mentioned,  my childhood and development years were pretty much stagnant. With a mother suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness, I was ignored and abandoned. My mom would not begin to get the right help until I was a sophomore in High School. The only thing worse than an ignored child is an abused child. I endured both.

When I was 19 years old, I read a magazine article titled, “30 Things to Do by the Age of 30.” One item on the list was “forgive your parents.” It said, “You are now an adult, take accountability for your actions. Your parents did their best they could with what they know.” (As a parent myself, this is very true). So…after reading the article, I forgave my mom. Unbeknownst to me, I still carried the pain. Can any of you relate? I would go on to make terrible decisions with dreadful, self-sabotaging results.

UPW showed the way to release this pain and begin to become the Self Love Rockstar I want to be (and have always been inside), and to live the life I want and deserve on my terms. I have overcome fears, gained self-confidence, and self-worth. Priceless!

When volunteering at UPW, you are given the opportunity to help others go through this transformative process. There are not many things in life that are more gratifying than helping others improve and change their lives. (This is also the reason Amy and I write, market, and share our experiences with you, Rockstars!)

Applying What We’ve Learned into Daily Life

It has only been a few weeks since volunteering at UPW, but I have agreed to speak at a professional conference before 200 attendees, asked for a pay raise, and shared my own vulnerabilities with you. I would have never have attempted these things that are propelling me both professionally and personally had I not attended UPW, and done the work on myself.

I am not perfect, and no better than you are. Anyone can make changes to live their best life. Learning and growing are what make us Human. If you are unhappy or even just living humdrum life, make a change! Live your life with Passion, and pursue the things that you love and bring you joy.

Life is too short to be scared and not take risks. I’d rather be the person that’s like, ‘I messed up,’ than, ‘I wish I did that.’ Justine Skye – Singer Songwriter

This weeks challenge, Rockstars: Find one thing you have wanted to change for awhile and make a plan to change it today or in the next week. Tell us about your experience, what it is and how this change has impacted your life. Giddy Up!

self love, personal growth
Rockstar Awesomesauce

Rockstars Don’t Have to Figure it Out

In adult life, we all have to “figure it out.” We need to figure out how to pay bills, get a loan for a home, and if you are a parent, how to keep another human being alive and thriving.

This practice of “figuring it out” has strengthened the rockstar in me but has also hindered me at times, too. Recently, my husband and I have been set back 10 years financially. So, in true” figure it out” fashion, I leap into action. We come up with a plan. I research and research, analyze and reanalyze…to the point of having trouble turning it off at the end of the day to sleep.

During my first bout of restlessness (3 nights or so)…I cannot “figure it out.” I research and research, analyze and reanalyze, and I still cannot “figure it out.” I begin feeling gloomy, mad, and frustrated…probably due to lack of sleep 😉 So, I set it aside.

But, I Cannot Let it Go

I have to make something happen. I have to figure it out. So, again the following night, I research and research, analyze and reanalyze, and still I cannot figure it out. I feel a myriad of emotions. The betrayal of been taken advantage of. The sadness and loss of the money. The raw anger.  The frustration of still no conclusion.

Let Go and Let Change Happen

Then, at 3’oclock am…through the myriad of emotions…a breakthrough! The serenity prayer comes to me. You know it…

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.”

I cannot change the fact that the money is gone. The only thing I can do is to let it go, and be grateful. I know, sounds ridiculous. Grateful? WTF?! Grateful for what? I get to start over?

Yes. And, I am grateful. There is a solution. We will use the equity we have built in our home over the last 10 years to get us out of debt. We have the opportunity to start over. We are wiser. We are stronger. And, in my experience, in tough times likes these…what’s behind the next door is better than we could have ever imagined. We are guided. Find the good in difficult terrain, and be grateful for it. Embrace change.  And, never give up!

This week’s challenge Rockstars: Let’s get real and raw with ourselves. What are you “figuring out?” Then practice letting go and letting change happen. Take time each day to be grateful (even if it is just 5 minutes). After the week is over, share your experience with us. Do you feel relief? How is this simple exercise changing your life? Giddy up!

Giving and Receiving

I had an amazing opportunity to volunteer or “crew” at a recent Tony Robbins event, Unleash the Power Within. The experience was profound in many ways.

First of all, I didn’t know anyone there. I got to step out of my comfort zone and just show up with almost 600 other strangers (to me) that wanted to help support the attendees of the event. Instead of planning and controlling everything, my motto for those 5 days was to “be flexible.” what a refreshing experience!

When I got there we were waiting to find out which entrance we were allowed in due to security. We walked from one end of the building to another. I laughed about it. Was going with the flow. I got to meet several people while we walked. It was actually fun. From one activity to another, we all went with the flow, going with what was needed and what would happen next.

I wasn’t sure what it would feel like to give so fully of myself for several days. IT WAS AMAZING! I was able to take care of my own needs just fine and had plenty overflowing to give. My energy was high, and really loved smiling at others and helping with whatever they needed. Much of the time I simply walked around answered any questions asked of me, handing out items when needed and things like that. Small, simple acts of giving. Giving love essentially. For the first time, I didn’t think, “What about me?” at all and that was really refreshing and fulfilling.

I know there are others out there that have the opposite pattern of giving so much they are depleted, but for me this was perfect. Being able to serve others and be spontaneous actually was giving ot myself in the end.

Self Love and Compassion in a Country Divided | Self Love Resources
Rockstar Awesomesauce

Compassion and Self Love in a Divided Country

I recently was given the opportunity to travel to New York City for a conference. My friend and I decided to fly in a day early to take in all the city has to offer. Visiting NYC was on my bucket list and I am very grateful of the timing of my visit. The election had ended a week earlier and protests were erupting all over the city. I was apprehensive, but never back down from a challenge (being the rockstar that I am). Traveling to a big city…the largest city in the US…well if I’m honest, it did make me a little nervous.

I grew up in the suburbs of a small coastal city in Texas. Population 200,000-250,000, and the suburban area I grew up in…is even smaller. Traveling was a privilege in our family, but by the time I was 16 years old I had 10+ stamps on my passport and visited handful of states in the US. I was hooked. I love to travel! I grow and learn from each destination and the local communities within them.

Typically, when I travel I am a Planner. I like to have a rough plan of stops I would like to see and then if a surprise arises, cool. This trip was different. I totally surrendered and wandered through NYC from the 911 Memorial to Central Park with my friend. Experiencing the city in this way, we  were fortunate to get a feel for the people and the heartbeat of the city. The people of NYC were the biggest surprise to me- they are welcoming, friendly, and courteous. People of all backgrounds, income status, and careers, were so nice. I had heard that the people of New York are rude and in a hurry, but this was just not my experience.

NYC taught me that we can come together as a Nation. I saw that no matter the color of our skin, our religious background, or income status we can live, work, and respect each other. We can have different political views, and discussions about our political views. As long as we respect and speak from our hearts, I believe we can come together.

NYC is a melting pot of this beautiful world as is our nation. Instead of yelling at each other or dismissing each other’s views, we can instead hold everyone in this beautiful nation and its people in our hearts. We can pray for peace and safety for everyone- democrats, republicans, independent political officials, and police officers. We can be compassionate with everyone.

Giving people the opportunity to be heard and really listening to them is the best way to provide compassion. Then, above all, is to be compassionate with ourselves. When we really listen to ourselves and accept our feelings without judgment, self love becomes easy. Compassion is the medicine for ourselves and others. The election, like every experience in the “Earth school,” offers us opportunities to give and receive this medicine. Giddy up!