Episode: 2022.8.49

The Living Full Out show with Nancy Solari encourages you to seek out ways to pay it forward in life. As we go through our high and low moments, it can be hard pushing ourselves to give it away when we don’t feel our best. Remember that we’re stronger when we work as a team, it’s okay to accept a friend’s kindness while striving to aid others.

Our first caller Donna wonders how to adjust to a changing work environment when feeling frustrated. Nancy advised her to use her voice and share her opinions with members of leadership. When there are transitions within the office, your coworkers may be experiencing the same mix of emotions. It can be intimidating to express our concerns and feedback with those in a higher position but taking the initiative to speak out can create the change we’re looking for in life.

Our inspirational guest Eric Christiansen vowed to give it away by lending a helping hand and supporting others through their struggles. He was raised by his grandmother while his mother battled breast cancer and his father was focusing on his career. Although surrounded by love, it was around the young age of ten that Eric found himself escaping from the world through alcohol and drugs. Despite his means of avoiding hurdles in life, he had always been a creative child and although he was accepted into his father’s alma mater, USC, he followed his heart and attended the California Institute of Art for Film. It turned out that living with his mother while attending college would be crucial to change his path in life. While in California he endured a tragic 2-day fire where he lost all his possessions and fell deeper into his alcohol addiction. With a nudge from his significant other to visit an outpatient center, he found a community of people who gave their time to assist him with getting back on his feet. Starting his journey to sobriety and reconnecting with his faith, allowed him to uncover his purpose in life. Tune in to hear how Eric is utilizing his experience and love for film to lead others as they heal from trauma.

Perhaps you feel stuck in your current situation and searching for a way to change your course in life. Try shifting your attention away from where you are to where you want to be. When we use the knowledge, we’ve gained in life by giving it away to others, we propel ourselves closer to living full out.