Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!
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💡Aha! Moment
When life throws a curveball, you hope family pulls together. But sometimes, it reveals the cracks that were already there. I’ve been reminded of that lately — and it’s been a painful, powerful lesson in what it means to love without losing yourself.
Families are supposed to pull together when life gets hard. But sometimes, the opposite happens.
One person faces a devastating diagnosis, and instead of unity, the cracks start to show. The worry, grief, and helplessness don’t bring people closer — they bring blame.
And in every family, there’s often that one person who can’t or won’t cope in healthy ways.
Instead of helping, they lash out. They point fingers. They rewrite the story to make someone else responsible for the pain they can’t face in themselves.
When mental health issues, addiction, or denial are in play, reason doesn’t work. Conversations become landmines.
The person in the middle — often the spouse or the parent — is torn between love and survival, while everyone else tries to hold their ground.
It’s heartbreaking to watch — to see someone you love trying to hold everyone together while one person keeps pulling things apart.
You want to shake sense into the situation, to make everyone remember what really matters.
But you can’t reason with pain that refuses to heal.
All you can do is stand steady.
Love from where you are.
And choose peace, even when it feels like surrender.
Because you can’t carry another person’s bitterness.
You can’t save someone who refuses to take responsibility for their own healing.
You can love them, pray for them, and still keep your distance.
Because love isn’t just about staying — sometimes it’s about stepping back.
It’s realizing that peace isn’t found by winning the argument, but by walking away from the chaos.
And as I watched it unfold, I was reminded of something I wrote in The Cost of Staying:
“There comes a point when holding on costs more than letting go — when staying starts to break pieces of you that no longer grow back.”
That truth doesn’t just apply to careers or leadership.
It applies to family, too.
Sometimes the hardest act of love isn’t rescuing — it’s releasing.
Not fighting to hold it all together, but giving yourself permission to stop holding on so tightly.
Because that’s when healing finally has a chance to begin.
One Thing to Know
🏨 Event Essentials - Every destination plays by its own rules when it comes to event taxes — and they can add up fast. Beyond room rates, you may see occupancy taxes, city taxes, resort fees, travel or tourism fees, and even event-specific charges that aren’t always spelled out clearly. These line items can easily shift your budget by thousands if you’re not asking the right questions up front.
Pro tip: Before you sign a contract, ask your hotel or DMO to break down every tax and fee that applies to rooms, F&B, and meeting space. Transparency early saves headaches later — and helps you compare apples to apples when evaluating proposals.
🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - The Walt Disney Company is gearing up for a star-spangled bash honoring our nation's 250th birthday with a dazzling extravaganza called “Disney Celebrating America.” Kicking off on Veterans Day 2025 and rolling through the July 4, 2026 weekend, this magical celebration will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and platforms to salute America's past, toast its present, and dream up a bright future. Check out more information here!
🏫 Learned - The Joy of the Unexpected. While handing out Halloween candy this year, I noticed a few surprises in the trick-or-treaters’ bags — ramen noodles, a whole potato, and even tiny 3D-printed animals. And the best part? The kids were thrilled.
It reminded me that sometimes, it’s the unexpected things that create the biggest smiles. We get so used to giving (and doing) what’s expected that we forget how much delight lives in surprise. Next year, I’m thinking about what unusual, memorable thing I might give out — because a little creativity can make an ordinary moment unforgettable.
✔️ Accomplished - I did it! Over the summer, my “virtual diet coke” networking calls took a backseat to travel, family, and client work — but those connections are the heartbeat of my business (and a huge source of energy for me). So, I set a goal for October: at least one virtual coffee a day.
Thirty-one days later, I logged 36 calls — each one sparking new ideas, introductions, and momentum. The lesson? Growth doesn’t always come from the big leaps; sometimes it’s the steady rhythm of showing up, one conversation at a time, that keeps everything moving forward.
And honestly, it’s the same in business and leadership. The unexpected personal touch, thoughtful follow-up, or small gesture of appreciation is what people remember most. Surprise builds connection — whether it’s at the front door on Halloween night or in the middle of a busy workday.
🤔 Insight for the Week
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. — Dr. Seuss
❓A Question Worth Asking
Every week, I’ll leave you with one question—something I’m asking myself or my clients. Take it into your next team meeting, journaling session, or just a quiet moment.
🟡 This week’s question: What could I release this week that’s weighing me down — and what small, unexpected joy could I create instead?
💬 Let’s Connect! Whether you’re planning an event, looking for leadership coaching, or dreaming up your next adventure, let’s chat. Hit reply, or find Kristen on LinkedIn and Katy on Facebook/Instagram.
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