PKW – Page 8 – Pamela Klier-Weidner (PKW)

Not that you’ve asked, but for me, the typical Thanksgiving greeting, reeks of a lack of inclusion of all people. It’s downright platitudinous.

This original post is from several years ago. It’s been edited to reflect this year’s extra weirdness.

A typical greeting on Thanksgiving is, “Happy Thanksgiving,” but I much prefer,

“I wish you a MEANINGFUL Thanksgiving.”

I actually take this tack with most holidays and even just plain old days. This hope for “meaning,” applies this year as much as any other. Many of us are about to embark on a Thanksgiving like no other one in the past. We may be missing our parents, kids, extended family and friends. Still, how many people have felt totally alone even when a pandemic isn’t spiking? Lots and lots.

Not that you’ve asked, but for me, the typical Thanksgiving greeting, reeks of a lack of inclusion of all people. It’s downright platitudinous. Do you really want to say, “Happy Thanksgiving,” to indigenous people? Many Native Americans observe this day, as a day of mourning or “UnThanksgiving.” Continue reading “An Authentic, Invested, Thanksgiving That May Not be “Happy.””

Doing What I Loathe Out of Love

I hate to even mention this, but since I’ve written a few articles about it and I sort of never shut up, there has been A LOT I haven’t liked about #GivingTuesday.

I don’t mean to be the cranky Jewish “Scrooge” of philanthropy, (Scrooge-stein?), but for me, unless #GivingTuesday is implemented in a uniquely creative manner that sets an organization apart, most nonprofits appear like they’re standing in line, waiting for a #GivingTuesday number at a busy deli, I kind of can’t stand it. Continue reading “Doing What I Loathe Out of Love”

I am Woman, Hear Me…

Roar? No. Just hear me.

Sometimes, I have a mighty roar, and other times, like now, my roar is dormant. It’s not dead, but I can scarcely meow at this moment, let alone voice an empowered, roar.

This will pass, it always does but only with practice.

I am writing this blog post on my phone. My computer died last night and unlike the charming, “mostly dead,” of The Princess Bride, or my sleeping roar, I’m pretty sure my computer is totally dead.

My girls and I live pretty lean, but I will need to buy a computer. Shit happens. It sucks, but it isn’t war, poverty or abuse. Things can always be worse.

And speaking of worse,

I have been painfully triggered lately, so much of my time is spent practicing mindfulness and other estimable actions that help keep me centered.

So, I am posting this truth, to state in a public way, that sometimes, difficult personal histories come up, and can even frighten us,

BUT,

the roar… our roar… the one that isn’t really about anger, but packs a loving punch of empowerment, returns with the practice of estimable action.

Be your own advocate. Ask for help from people who are safe, and practice your ass off. It works. I am a living testament that it works and being external facing about it has no shame attached to it, period.

And now, I feel a “meow” coming on and when it’s ready, my roar will reappear.

Yours will too.

In the meantime, if you have to negotiate a terrific price on a new computer, and your empowered roar is still snoozing, ask for help from one of your safe people. Pick the best negotiator.

WE are not alone and roar or not, I hear you. I always will.

I love you.

Not Being in Love: A Love Story

When I find myself questioning my decision to open myself up on such an external level, (and I question it with great frequency), someone ALWAYS approaches me about how something I’ve shared helped them in some way. Sometimes, a reader simply feels less alone, and breathes a sigh of relief that the committee that lives in their head, (and has way too many meetings), isn’t much different from mine. Continue reading “Not Being in Love: A Love Story”

Boxing Gloves & Kid Gloves

Dukes up.

Boxing gloves on.

Ready for the big fight, flight, or, freeze. Continue reading “Boxing Gloves & Kid Gloves”

Jewish or Bust: Who Will Make the Cut?

You’d think through my many years of working professionally to combat anti-Semitism in the nonprofit sector and Jewish philanthropy, I’d have come to certain realizations much sooner than I have. Continue reading “Jewish or Bust: Who Will Make the Cut?”

It’s Motherhood, NOT Mother-should

For the past several days, it’s been challenging to show up as an enthusiastic mother of my almost 14 and almost 11 year old daughters. I don’t feel this way very often, but when I do, I feel it and hard. Whenever I get like this, I try to remember them as my beautiful little babies before I became COE. (Chief of Embarrassment.)

Continue reading “It’s Motherhood, NOT Mother-should”

Mirrors, Photos, & a Reality Touch

Ever since social media took flight, I have posted a slew of photos of myself in various states of being. This act has garnered a mixed response from my family, friends, acquaintances and virtual strangers. Some people see it as incredibly vain while others perceive an exceedingly confident woman who finds her physical appearance and its twists and turns, interesting.

It’s really neither of those things, I think. Continue reading “Mirrors, Photos, & a Reality Touch”

My Love Shack(les): Break Free.

Ever since my divorce and especially lately, I’ve been thinking about what being “in love,” actually looks and feels like. I’m pretty sure it’s a terrible idea to carry these thoughts on for too long in one’s head, especially with the committee that resides in my noggin. Still, for several weeks, I’ve been extra “think-y” about the qualities I’ve spotted in the men I tend to fancy the most. Continue reading “My Love Shack(les): Break Free.”