I enjoyed meeting Nina in Alaska, Denali National Park, and I found she was a deeper connection than just a hiking buddy to see Mount Denali, which was spectacular in its own right. Nina is from New York and as a Financial Advisor she runs her own Financial Planning Company. She balances her numbers cruncher side with a deep caring about her clients’ well-being.
Nina is passionate about living fully. In her spare time she likes to be outdoors, doing almost any activity that ends in “…ing”…hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, star gazing, hot tubing, etc. She loves reading biographies of successful people and listening to almost any type of music. Her favorite expression is, “Live and let live.” …as in live your own life fully and let others live to their potential, trusting that all of our paths are good, joyful and full of love.
WHAT DOES ‘FREEDOM’ MEAN TO YOU?
Freedom means being able to do what you enjoy doing. Being able to use your talents and work with people you enjoy. Getting paid to work at something that means a lot to you. Being able to go where you want to, when you want to and be friends with whomever you want to. We have so many freedoms. Also, freedom means not regretting what has happened in the past. To look forward to a new day and all that can happen in that day.
WHAT DOES ‘FRIENDSHIP’ MEAN TO YOU?
Friendship means being there for each other. Not trying to solve the other person’s problems or worries…just being open to sharing their experience from their point of view. Friendship is about learning about myself and the other person as we experience our lives.
WHAT DOES ‘SUCCESS’ MEAN TO YOU?
Success means being able to hold your head high about your life. Success isn’t about material things…it’s about the joy you feel when you have accomplished something, helped someone, or overcome a challenge you’ve had in your life.
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST IN THE WORLD?
This is really tough! I don’t really admire people. I admire, maybe something they are doing…like a US Doctor volunteering in a Haiti hospital for a month. I may admire their words of wisdom. I think this is like the “who is your hero?” question. I don’t want to look up to someone, because they are human, just like me and we are all imperfect in some way…hopefully we are working on that in this life time. I have found that when you hold someone up too high in your esteem, you are often disappointed at their humanness. So I guess I admire what some people do…how some people think and express themselves.
WHAT GIVES YOU ENERGY?
Being out in nature. Soaking in sunshine. Having a new idea. A long relaxing soak in a hot bath! Singing at the top of my lungs while hiking and exploring!!
DO YOU HAVE A DREAM THAT YOU HOPE ONE DAY TO BE FULFILLED?
I am pretty content with my life as it is…
IN WHAT ARE YOU A TALENT BY NATURE?
I am socially flexible. I understand people. I am good with numbers and planning. I am patient.
WHO DO YOU RESPECT THE MOST IN THE WORLD?
That there is a higher power who leads us to our ultimate happy selves.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GROW AS A PERSON?
A better understanding of myself and why I do what I do (that hurts me) and how to do more of the things that help me.
WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER THEY SAY. DID YOU EXPERIENCE THIS?
I love that phrase, but I would say it more gently…all of your experiences have brought you to where you are right now. I believe you can’t polish a stone without some grinding!!
DID YOU ONCE TAKE A LEAP AHEAD BY TAKING A SMALL STEP BACKWARDS? HOW?
Every day! Or at least I hope to…every day!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE IN THE WORLD?
I don’t know. I think the world is the way it is and I can only change my attitude about my experiences…
WHAT IS THE MOST PRECIOUS FOR YOU?
Health and vibrancy.
IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO, BUT NEVER DARED TO?
If I want to do it, I usually find a way to do it!
WHAT DRIVES YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES? WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
Lately, my freedom and values have been around letting go of foolishly thinking I have control over people, places or things. I really only have control over myself, my thoughts and how I respond to what’s going on around me. This is not easy. The serenity prayer is very simple. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference.” I think I might be working on these three ideas forever!! It makes me laugh every day to know I have this secret challenge to myself. As you can imagine, I am never bored and I am always finding new insights to it from the people, places and things I encounter.