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Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/29/20 at 2:10PM UTC
in
Career

Gift and opportunity in every circumstance

Hi remarkable women! I've been reading a lot of your posts here and I sense a lot of anxiety, stress, regret, fear. So I wanted to share a thought and story with you. Perhaps this might shift you in some way. One of the greatest things I learned in 2020: There's a gift and opportunity in EVERY circumstance even if it's not obvious right off the bat For context: In January, I left my job at Google, sold everything in my NYC apartment and took a 1-way flight out to Ghana to volunteer at a breast cancer non-profit. The plan was to volunteer until May then travel the world (a dream I've had for nearly a decade). Then COVID came along. Borders in Ghana shut and I ended up getting stuck there for 7 months The gifts? ? I was able to take on more coaching clients (I coach women to let go of the 'shoulds' and confidently be the author of their own life story) ? I rolled out the Own Your Worth Inner Circle (a group program for women to build mental fitness and gain clarity, confidence and courage while being a part of a small tribe of remarkable women) ? I connected more deeply with my husband, my parents, my friends and even strangers from LinkedIn to Fairygodboss to the Female Lead! ? I did a lot of inner work on myself ? I (re)discovered my love for writing and have published lots of blog posts / articles to share my voice ? I left Ghana with a dozen aunties, uncles, mums, and wonderful friends! What gifts and opportunities have you received from the circumstances of 2020? Though it might not be obvious in the moment, there's a gift and opportunity in every circumstance. I promise you that. It might show up a week later, a month later or perhaps years later, but it'll be there and it'll all make sense. Big hugs to you.

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Veena Sathya
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23
Sr. IT Architect
10/05/20 at 9:19PM UTC (Edited)
Thank you for sharing Amy, this is inspiring! Well put that it is a wait game to see it might show up a week later, a month later or perhaps years later, but it'll be there and it'll all make sense.
Alicia Mason
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60
Retailer!
09/29/20 at 12:47PM UTC
Great share Amy - you are 100% correct!
Mothra Moon
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154
09/28/20 at 2:58PM UTC
I guess I am not of the opinion that I need to do A TON OF WORK on myself. I was pretty good the way I was until I hit 40 and that is when I got tossed into the garbage heap of life. Don't worry, you will get there too and all that positivity will disappear.
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 4:08PM UTC (Edited)
Hi Mothra. I would ask: "What's the assumption you're holding?" I don't think there's a specific age, gender, geographic location, etc. that will trigger the 'garbage heap of life' to be thrown on you. Doesn't matter if you're 40 or 20. I'd also venture to say, everyone has their story, everyone goes through pain, everyone suffers in their own way even if it's not outwardly seen. There's a difference between "positivity" and "optimism". Positivity means all you see are rainbows and butterflies. Optimism means you see the gray clouds and the trash, but you know there will be better and a way out. I'm an optimist. The other way to live is as a pessimist. And if you live life as a pessimist you basically assume there isn't any better in which case, it's pretty much like giving up on life. That's not a good way to live. I get you're in pain. At the same time, does it make you feel better to try to put others down and pull them into your train of thought and perspective? Big hugs to you Amy
Tammy Wever
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178
09/28/20 at 1:52PM UTC (Edited)
Sometimes we need to take a chance and join the adventure of living a life we didn't know we were called to! Love it!
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 4:01PM UTC
Thanks T Wever! So true. Life would be boring if we didn't live it with some sense of adventure and curiosity!
EmpoweredGirl180418
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145
09/28/20 at 1:48PM UTC
I call it the silver lining in the storm cloud. There is always something positive about a situation, as you said it sometimes takes a bit of time and patience to reveal itself but it’s there.
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 4PM UTC
Indeed! I've had circumstances where it took years for me to figure out what the gift was. But then I look back and wouldn't want it any other way.
Loubna Erraji, PhD, ACC
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69
GET UNSTUCK & UNLOCK YOUR DREAM CAREER.
09/28/20 at 1:05PM UTC
Amazing Amy! Thank you for sharing! You’re so right: with every life challenge come many opportunities. It’s so important to keep an open mind and keep exploring how to make shifts.
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 3:59PM UTC
Thank you Loubna. Every rejection and change of plans means the availability for another door! We'll see what is on the other side of this door here in Belgrade. :)
Melissa Gerdes-Leonard
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75
09/28/20 at 12:47PM UTC
Thank you so much for sharing! Love the positivity and faith.
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 3:58PM UTC
Thank you Melissa. Without faith, we'd all live in stress and anxiety all the time. Big hugs
Antonia Calzetti
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876
09/28/20 at 12:42PM UTC
There is always a rainbow if you look for it! That sounds like a pretty incredible opportunity even though it may have seemed a little questionable at first. Congratulations on your new gigs!
Amy Yip
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63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 3:57PM UTC
Thank you Antonia. I love rainbows. Who knows what's at the end of this rainbow! Big hugs (sanitized ones of course) from Belgrade.
Susan Smoter
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1.46k
Burning desire to make the working world better
09/28/20 at 12:42PM UTC
Thank you, Amy - this is such an uplifting and timely story to tell! There are opportunities surrounding us at all times, but this slow-down period is one that offers much if we just embrace it. Sounds like you've done amazing things that will help others long after you left. Bravo!
Amy Yip
star-svg
63
Igniting women to boldly author their story.
09/28/20 at 3:57PM UTC
Thank you Susan! Life is a journey indeed. I won't say I don't have my ups and downs, but that's the journey of life. It'd be boring otherwise! :) Big hugs to you from Belgrade!

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