We, at Kuel Life, are excited that Java Love Coffee will be available in our Shopping section. And, the Kuel Kids who are members of the Kuel Life Community will enjoy the Java Love Coffee experience along with a discount. And, we are thrilled to welcome her to the Kuel Life Community.
There is power in story telling. There is power in community. There is power in sharing. The more we know about one another; the more we understand; the more powerful we become.
This is Kristine’s:
KUEL LIFE: What are you pursuing now, after 50, that surprises you or might appear to others as if it’s come out of left field?
KRISTINE: Like many, I find myself on the unending pursuit of myself, and it turns out “finding” yourself is more difficult than those pesky ABC After School specials and Hallmark movies make it look.
My latest effort of creating an external manifestation of my internal beliefs is embracing my “teacher/trainer” self. While always having a passion for teaching, it has taken a backseat to more prominent career paths like journalism and marketing.
KUEL LIFE: What’s a typical day like for you?
KRISTINE: Sorry, I do not understand the question. Can you please define typical?
KUEL LIFE: With what do you struggle?
KRISTINE: As with most, I admittedly have many struggles. With some humility, I admit my biggest struggle is with those f’n hard plastic packages many seemingly handy items are sealed in; scissors, knifes, lighters … WHY? Why must they be sealed in a plastic shield only bomb squads and super heroes can penetrate?
KUEL LIFE: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
KRISTINE: Coffee and wine.
Yes, the blessing of owning a coffee roasting company AND being a certified sommellier – WHOO HOO me!
I know it would be more acceptable, and certainly more PC to say I am motivated by working with a great team of millennials, working in an industry that values women owned and run companies, getting to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs … blah, blah, blah. Actually, that all does trump everything else. And, there are still times coffee and wine MAY be more powerful motivators.
KUEL LIFE: What advice would you give fellow women about aging?
KRISTINE: JUST DO IT! You are amazing, beautiful and brilliant!
Be wise and wonderful!
Be brave and brilliant!
Be gray and great!
Be authentic and awesome!
KUEL LIFE: What does vulnerability mean to you? What has the ability to make you vulnerable?
KRISTINE: Vulnerability is a super power. Vulnerability is being open, raw, and available. It is not about what has the ability to make me vulnerable, it is about what being vulnerable has the ability to provide/teach me.
KUEL LIFE: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
KRISTINE: 1. Meeting my birth parents when I was 21-years-old; providing me the gift of seeing what characteristics of my being were nurture and which were nature – turns out it is a delicate balance.
2. Finding the UNEXPECTED love of my life. She is a gift of harsh reflection, unrelenting challenge and unbelievable love.
3. Being a parent.
KUEL LIFE: Who influenced you the most in life and why?
KRISTINE: Lucero, Mollie, Madre, Teri, Justin, Parker, Steve, Scot, Drew, Jodie, Julia, Gabi … Vulnerability, transparency, risk, truth, love …
KUEL LIFE: What is the best advice you’ve been given from another woman?
KRISTINE: “It’s okay, they simply don’t understand you.”
– Wise words from my Nanny (grandmother).
KUEL LIFE: What woman inspires you and why?
KRISTINE: Authentic women inspire me. Eleanor Roosevelt, Madonna, Mother Theresa, Jodie Dawson, Malala, RBG ..
KUEL LIFE: Are you grown-up?
KRISTINE: Yes. Grown-up enough to take care of my very playful and innately curious kid.
KUEL LIFE: What do you do for self-care?
KRISTINE: Dream. Meditate. Play.
KUEL LIFE: And last but definitely NOT least: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
KRISTINE: 1. Go to Israel with my wife and daughters.
2. Perform improve and/or stand-up at Second City in Chicago.
3. Make my Mom proud..
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Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say
great blog!