Welcome Sonia Korn-Grimani and a Guest Post On the Power of Determination and Positive Thinking

Welcome Sonia Korn-Grimani

  

Please enjoy today’s guest post by author and singer, Sonia Korn-Grimani.  Prepare to be inspired and encouraged!

On the Power of Determination and Positive thinking

For the creative person who wants to do great things, for anyone with goals and dreams, accomplishing your goals can often seem like an uphill battle, and it is. I wanted to share some simple practices of cultivating positive thoughts that will help you in your noble struggle. These things I have learned over time and through life experience, and they have helped me get through the toughest times.

I don’t profess to be a guru of positive thinking; I frequently fall victim to bouts of depression and anxiety, as do so many wonderfully creative people I know. But when I see myself falling into a pessimistic rut, I think of a long-term goal; and even though it may seem futile at that moment, I focus on the next small step towards it. That is always something I can do, even if it is small thing, a menial task even, and working on it gets me out of my rut. It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Well, take the step, even if it is a baby step. Then take another. It will help you get back on track. It’s a simple idea—perhaps so simple that it shouldn’t even need be said—but you can only achieve what you set out to do. And you need to think “yes I can” to start.

When you set out to do great things, accept that you’re going to have setbacks. It’s guaranteed! But the key is to not let the setbacks deter you! I’ve never been one to give up easily—a trait I learned from my mother, who never gave up, and in doing so, saved the lives of so many…But when you hit a setback, focus on the good that is happening around you to help put things in perspective. You may have worked yourself into a dead end, lost something important, faced rejection, have to completely change direction or start all over…but instead on concentrating on what is going wrong, focus on something that is going right. Concentrate on that. Feel solace in that small nugget of positive thought, of beauty, of love. Do not become stuck in criticism! Acknowledge the missteps and learn from them, and discover new paths to move forward on.

And what about when we face problems beyond our control? This is perhaps the most overwhelming challenge for me when I am trying move forward and stay positive. It is important to have hope, and perhaps this is the most important message I wish to convey here, and in my writing and in my music. I am not saying to simply shrug your worries off with “it will get better”—that is not positive thinking—that is “positive” without the “thinking!” But it can be helpful to start with those words of encouragement, even if you don’t believe it at first. When you have the faith that you will be out of your predicament, use all your faculties to find your way. Within each of us, we all have the power to do great things, to overcome the most formidable of obstacles! Believe in that, and in yourself, and the rest will come in time.

 

  

More About Today’s Guest Post Writer, Sonia Korn-Grimani:

Sonia was born in Wuppertal, Germany in 1931, as Hitler began his rise to power and the world became increasingly horrific. Being from a Jewish family, Sonia, who at the time was seven years of age, was declared an enemy of the state.

In postwar world, the few survivors of Sonia's family were refused citizenship status, and told that they must leave the country. Sonia immigrated to Australia where she worked in radio, television, and in film, making full use of both her linguistic and her musical talents. She organized interpreting and translating services for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, began to travel the world, translating for the United Nations in the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Sonia’s television and radio programs made her a sensation, and by the 1960s, she was called upon by the Queen of Malaysia to tutor her in French. While French tutor to the Queen of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, Sonia continued to appear regularly on television and radio, singing, edifying viewers on classical music and speaking on women’s rights.

Sonia Korn-Grimani earned her doctorate in French literature and the teaching of foreign languages, and directed a multi-cultural language program at UNESCO. With her husband John, and their children Anthony and Renee, Sonia traveled and lived all over the world. She taught foreign languages at the university level, and performed frequently to the delight of audiences worldwide. In her album Cantos al Amor, Sonia sings in 16 languages.

In 1989, Dr. Korn-Grimani was knighted Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and in 1996 she was decorated Officier des Palmes Académiques. These decorations were awarded in recognition of her lifelong dedication to and promotion of French culture and language.

Sonia continues to sing regularly at UNESCO events in France, and is also frequently invited to share her Holocaust experiences as a guest speaker in high schools, universities, synagogues and churches. 

Author’s Websites: http://soniassong.claygrouse.com/

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Thank you, Sonia, for a truly inspiring post.  Your attitude towards positive thinking is one I hope to adopt and make a part of my everyday.  Sometimes it is difficult to stay positive when chasing dreams, especially if you dream big.  I will return to this post whenever I need a lift in spirit!

And speaking of positive thinking, I invite you to check out my novels:

Secrets, Lies and Apple Pies

available for KINDLE and NOOK

&

 Going Barefoot in Greener Grass
Also, available for KINDLE and NOOK

Thank you!