Simone Knego/// Shifting Perspectives /// Season5:E119

The experiences that come with aging are some of life's greatest lessons.  As we go about life creating new experiences, we are constantly guided by the past, influencing current decision making, perspective, and how we view ourselves. Our guest Simone Knego, discusses how her age and experiences have taught her important lessons which have changed her perspective of the world. Her experience of adopting three multicultural children has helped her acknowledge the importance of recognizing “we see color”.  This acknowledgment has taught her to honor diversity within her home, as not a means of disadvantage, but what makes us who we are.   Not only has she learned the power of acknowledging diversity, but the power of self-confidence. Looking back on her personal life experiences with self-confidence, she comments a noteworthy perspective, “Comparisons rob the joy out of life”.  Her past struggle with self-confidence encourages us to end comparisons and start embracing the person you are.    “You're not honoring that person if you don’t acknowledge who they are” -  Simone Knego   Simone Knego is a wife, a mother of 6 children and 3 dogs, a serial entrepreneur, a keynote speaker, and an author who is making major strides in the world. She began her professional life as a Certified Public Accountant in 1995 and in 2000, after settling in Sarasota, Florida, she went back to school to become a teacher, medical device sales, climbed Kilimanjaro. Being a teacher opened her eyes even further to the role schools can play in providing children with stability, especially those who may not experience the comfort of constancy at home.  She started getting involved with the Jewish Federation and after witnessing the difference that Jewish Federations can make locally across the globe, she was inspired to play a greater role and became a board member in 2016 of the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation.  This journey helped her realize that she had the ability to inspire others to dedicate time and resources to projects, both personal and charitable, that can make a difference in people's lives.  Finding a love for public speaking, and having written the book, "The Extraordinary, unordinary, You…She motivates others to see themselves differently so they can impact the world the way they were created to.   Topics we discuss: o   Embracing Diversity ·         Diversity within her family by adopting children; creating a multi-cultural family. ·         Embracing that “we see color.” ·         We’re all different in so many ways, and we need to embrace that. ·         It’s okay to ask questions and make mistakes, if your heart is true. o   Her family & Raising children.  ·         Six children, three adopted; one child from South Korea and two from Ethiopia ·         Raising her children to be good people ·         The importance of children knowing their loved. o   Not being hard on yourself ·         We look at life like what's the finish line not the journey. ·         We are our worst critic. ·         Alot of self-projections of what others would want. ·         Choose what you love and don't look back, these things change. o   Her experience with teaching ·         Valuable experiences ·         Ended up with a foster child for nine months. o   Self-confidence ·         You're not meant to be another person, therefore there should be no comparison. ·         Changing the way, you see yourself, not who you are. ·         Don't use the word “can’t” means you won't try. ·         Choosing to not put yourself down, for something that even isn't in the realm of your desire. ·         Don’t put limits on yourself; know your capable of all things.   References: ·   Simone Knego   ·   Her Book ·   James Baldwin Conversation Scooter Sent us ·   Adoption   Credits: Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes   Music: Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive. Guest theme:  “Lunch Notes and O’s” by DJ Rufbeats created as a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.