Cynthia’sIdentity-ShiftStory

“For many years, I was a TV news anchor People stopped me on the street They felt like they knew me, and that they were my friends I was inside their homes. Then, very suddenly, after so many years, I was not.” Because of the life transitions women experience, Cynthia Good said she felt like she was nobody. She wondered, “What do I have to contribute to the world?” Her uncertainty and not-so-great feelings about herself lasted, “too long of a time” she said. “When 9/11 hit, I remember wondering what I could do to be of use, because this is the kind of big story I would cover ” She felt useless However, Cynthia was able to pull herself through by shifting her identity from TV news anchor to print magazine publisher Later she shifted again to become a digital magazine publisher of Little PINK Book, a digital and events resource for working women

Cynthia says, “Yet again, years later, which happens, my grown children left home I've struggled to reconsider who I am and what my role in the world is now Then again, I had to make a huge shift from being a wife, a supportive spouse, a married woman, after twenty-seven years of marriage, two days in court, and suddenly again I had to become a much different kind of person. I was a woman who overnight had to become 100 percent independent, financially and in all ways. It rocked my world, turned it upside down. And now, five years later, I am still evolving into this new person. ” Cynthia goes on to say, “If we can address these sorts of often anticipated changes before they hit us so hard, that would be a good thing ”

The need for identity shifts favors no particular gender, person, group or location Anyone and everyone could greatly benefit from being proactive in assessing where they are now and asking themselves a few important questions Why? Because things, situations and people change We all change

Start by asking and deeply considering these questions: Who am I now? What do I like best about myself now? What makes me giggle and laugh, now? How do I want to show up in my life now? What do I need to release and let go of, now? What new traits, characteristics, and skills do I need to acquire to be who I want to be now? What do I sincerely want to contribute to myself, to my community, and to the world, now?

WorkingWomen

For working women, professionals, corporate executives, and even women leaders of nations, such as Jacinda Arden, now former Prime Minister of New Zealand there are no special exceptions when it comes to life transitions. When a big change occurs, we all have a desire to shift to transcend who we are now, to how we want to show up in a new way. Frequently, women will level up to almost every challenge But if a crisis or burnout ensues or something worse there can be a complete identity crash This can be brought on by any number of reasons, such as: being fired; being promoted, and suffering from imposter syndrome; getting married; having a baby; dealing with aging parents; experiencing the death of a loved one; enduring a beloved pet’s passing; retiring; re-entering the workplace; facing emptynest syndrome; or going through a divorce Women are often expected to keep it together and perform like super women by juggling multiple responsibilities at work and at home simultaneously. >

We start the shift by accepting and acknowledging that we are not perfect, and we never will be That’s an illusion Nor can we do everything at the same time at a wonderfully high level of excellence, when we ’ re fragmenting and dispersing our energy depleting our excellence into too many small, insignificant things So, be clear about what you ’ re working toward accomplishing now that’s your vision, your goal, what you are intending Do regular “vibe checks” to make sure your attitude reflects who you really are and where you ’ re headed now

We all know that terrible things can and do happen, and that we can get through them easier and with less stress with a good attitude, and with the realization that these transitions are not only normal, but they are an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, self-empowerment and even complete transformation

WhereToStart

If you sincerely want to regain your power, then this is where you can actually start by visualizing and reframing your narrative, or simply by deciding and choosing where you want to go from here. After deciding and choosing what you want to shift into, find out what new skills, talents, characteristics and traits you will need to sharpen, as well as what you'll need to acquire in order to start shifting and stepping into who you want to be now.

In starting over, know that shifting your identity requires a new enhanced mindset that will produce new feelings and actions, which will help you rebuild your self-value, and elevate your ability to perceive and thus to make good decisions You will know how to communicate these decisions with energy, which will give you the ability to start aligning yourself with your new ideal and how you want to show up now Your relationships will start to improve

Why? Because you are being true to yourself you are being more authentic and honest with yourself and in your relationships which helps you build stronger, more meaningful interactions with others. Shifting your identity can be a powerful inner tool that can help you align with your true self and achieve your goals, navigate life transitions, and lead a more fulfilling life and enjoyable lifestyle.

As professional and corporate women, know that shifting your identity requires not only a new enhanced mindset but also a shift in your image and visual appearance It's important to align your outer appearance with your inner shift in order to create a cohesive, authentic representation of yourself Indeed, this whole-life shift will guide you in manifesting the right people, opportunities, and experiences that will align with your new identity <

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Ana Megrelishvili, a beacon of inspiration and resilience, started her journey in the nonprofit realm back in 2007. Her aim was to enhance computer literacy and education in her home country, Georgia, in Eastern Europe. Her passion for impacting lives positively continued even when she came to live in the United States, serving in fundraising roles for various organizations such as the Berea Arts Council, Berea College, and the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.

Having ventured into the corporate world, Ana honed her skills in B2B sales across various business fields, playing a pivotal role in growth and business development at each juncture. However, the yearning to contribute to the world drove her back to the nonprofit sector, leading her to serve as a Board Member for Gift-Wrapping Stars for Children and as Gala Committee Chair for Saprea [see page 31]. In 2023, she founded Christian Professionals of Atlanta, a networking organization designed to unite Atlanta's leaders and create a lasting positive impact on the community.

Ana's own life experiences have molded her into the woman she is today. As a survivor of childhood abuse, she has embarked on a journey to educate those around her about her path to healing, hoping to instill hope and courage in others who have endured similar experiences. Ana's odyssey to healing is documented in her upcoming book, Blossom: Finding Courage to Change. Through her coaching business, she strives to guide individuals toward a path of positive change in their lives.

Ana holds a BS in Business Management from Berea College and an MBA from the University of Kentucky. In her spare time, she enjoys Latin dancing, volunteering and experimenting with new recipes.

Chloé: Ana, tell me about Christian Professionals of Atlanta. Why did you create this organization, and how does your book fit into this at the perfect time?

Ana: It all started when I had a supernatural experience. I was very far from believing in God or any Higher Power. But one night, I woke up, and started praying for the first time in my life and I heard a voice. It shook me to my core. My life turned upside down. I used to have a successful corporate career in sales, but I grew dissatisfied and unhappy, feeling there had to be more to life than just the acquisition of wealth. So, I quit my job and decided to take a year-long sabbatical to find my authentic self and my true voice, and to heal from past childhood trauma. I started this journey by traveling to different countries.

I went to Israel and Jordan to visit all the holy places. I went back to my home country, Georgia, to heal the relationship I have with my country, my family and my friends. I also went to a monastery for a silent retreat. During that retreat, I wrote a book in two days. It's a memoir about my healing journey.

Chloé: How did you write a book in two days?

Ana: Well, I guess I had a lot to say and I had to put it all down on paper. It's a memoir, about 150 pages, neither too big nor too small. It talks a lot about generational trauma, which is really difficult to escape. I documented four generations on my mother's side and three generations on my father's side, describing how trauma gets passed down through generations, and why it causes certain behaviors. It's rare for any person to escape it and break that cycle. >

Chloé: How did you know your family trauma had gone back so far?

Ana: I had a lot of triggers, especially as a young adult. So, I went through years of therapy. I tried different types of therapy regular psychologists as well as hypnotherapists. The more I did it, the deeper I went, especially into subconscious work with hypnotherapy. Many memories came to light in this process, revealing a lot of hidden pain and trauma. Writing the book was part of the healing journey. It allowed me to forgive people who had hurt me the most, and to release that pain.

Chloé: From when you w anticipating moment?

Ana: When first time in asked God, purpose is That night directions a make some to go down struggling w and give th last stop I m people sitti my lunches little clay b God's hands realized Go It was 2020 during that soon as the "best churc with the be of Atlanta.

And for the longest time, I went there by myself every Sunday. I didn't know about Bible study groups. I just knew I needed to learn more. And so, I had this craving to learn who God is, and what's our purpose. And that's what led to me taking my Sabbatical year.

Chloé: This is fascinating. So, you take the Sabbatical, go on your international trips, your spiritual retreat, and you write your book. And now, let's fast forward to today. Where are you right now?

Ana: The book is about to come out. It is being released about mid-July, and it's going to be available from Amazon and from Barnes and Noble. The title, Blossom: Finding Courage to Change, came to me during a prayer. My hope for this book is that people who read it will find encouragement: that your past trauma doesn't have to define you. You can blossom, flourish as an adult and break the cycle.

Chloé: And what do you want your book to do for you?

Ana: Really, my biggest aspiration is for it to change every reader for the best. It gives me credibility to speak about this topic. The fact that I myself have gone through this level of trauma, and then I've experienced healing afterwards it allows me to help others to heal.

I am also a Life Change Leader; I am completing a Life Coach Certification Program. With my personal experiences, the book, coaching certification, and the formation of Christian Professionals of Atlanta, this is a huge transformation. >

Chloé: Let's go back to the group you started, Christian Professionals of Atlanta. How did you come up with the idea of this monthly Christian networking group?

Ana: During my Sabbatical year, I attended another retreat. During that one, I had a vision of transforming society in the United States, of really fight issues like homelessness. I felt overwhelmed by that mission. But then, I thought, what if I started by building a strong community of Christians in this city as step one? That's how Christian Professionals of Atlanta was born. So far, we've had four meetings. It's growing fast, by word of mouth, which tells me this is something that's wanted and needed.

The biggest thing that I want people to have is courage. If you're dissatisfied or unhappy with where you are in your life, it is in your power to change it. So, I ask, what are you doing now to change your circumstances? If the answer is nothing, then maybe you should start doing something.

Chloé: I like that. "If the answer is nothing, then maybe you should start doing something." Well, I have one more question. What if someone actually doesn't know what they want?

Ana: The biggest mistake that a lot of people make is thinking they can figure it out all on their own.

Chloé: So that's where you come in as a Life Change Leader and Life Coach, right?

Ana: Exactly. But even if you can't afford a coach at the moment, there is surely at least one person in your life who cares enough about you, where you can go to them and say, "This is what's not working. What should I do?" Building that community—a circle of support—is important for many reasons.

Chloé: And you're doing that, Ana.

Ana: Absolutely. Thank you, Chloé. <