BELLSPIRATION CLUB - Katherine Meneses, Venezuela/Hungary: Self-discovery and self-awareness are antidotes to frustration and meaningless life (Part 2/4)

1. Dear Kath, you mentioned in a previous interview that you would like to be a change-maker :) You explained that you would like to help other people. Can you explain it a little bit deeper here? What do you exactly mean by helping them to discover themselves? Is it a sort of motivational work area or a life coach?

Sure! There are two approaches I would like to apply when encouraging people to start their self-discovering path. Firstly, becoming a Motivational Speaker which, I am currently working on through the education program of the Toastmasters International Public Speaking Club. This education program is helping me to build skills as a mindful listener, powerful and effective communicator by working on projects focus on learning strategies for building connections with the people around me and connecting with audiences while giving a motivational talk, as well as, understanding motivation to deliver thought-provoking, inspirational and call to action speeches. Learning how to master the power of communication will allow me to evolve the ability to empower and inspire others. Motivation is a subject that has always fascinated me because it has as many faces as there are human desires – maybe because I love the diversity of all kinds. I strongly believe that motivation comes from vision, goal setting, and strong willpower, but there is more to it – there is a science behind motivation, Psychology. This is my second approach, becoming a psychologist is my long-term professional goal. I want to go deeper into studying what drives human behavior, what constitutes human motivation, and how motivational processes work. There are many cognitive theories that relate to motivation and explain how our way of thinking and perceiving ourselves and the world around us can influence our motives. The study of motivation in psychology revolves around how biological, psychological, and environmental variables contribute to motivation. That is, what do the body and brain contribute to motivation; what mental processes contribute; and finally, how material incentives, goals, and mental representations motivate individuals, to me this is fascinating! From my point of view, the simplest definition of motivation boils down to wanting. We want a change in behavior, thoughts, feelings, self-concept, environment, and relationships. We want to be accepted for who we are, but we fear judgment, therefore, we become people-pleasers; we want to be seen and appreciated but we fear speaking up and getting out of our comfort zones; we want to be successful and recognized but we fear failure. I want to provide people the emotional, psychological, and motivational support and tools to pursue their dreams, passionately, and from the bottom of their hearts. Live the life they want to live, work the job they want to work, and do not let the fear of other opinions dictate their actions. Life comes with its twist and turns. It is never a straight line. If it is, you are not living or fulfilling your personal legend. As to pursue your personal legend you will have obstacles. Each obstacle is an opportunity to learn from and about yourself 😊

2. Why do you feel such a strong passion towards the topic I asked about above? And when did that passion start? What did trigger you to start thinking about that motivational and encouraging work area?

As I grew older, I decided to study Human Resources because of its connection with psychology regarding Human Behavior (back then, I did not know that my real passion was psychology). I have always had a strong attraction for the unknown, less common, and singularity that every specimen can offer. However, believe me, or not what triggered the deepest need of understanding humans, their behaviors and motives was my marriage LOL. It really changed my life. Firstly, because I never imagined being married instead, I imagined living like a wild hummingbird with boundless energy and an appetite for learning about new things, meeting new people, no strings attached, and chasing new adventures without never hesitating to step out of my comfort zone to do so. Secondly, I felt so overwhelmed and scared because I did not know how to create a balance between having a healthy marriage without losing my identity or trying to change my husband’s personality in the attempt. Therefore - and again - lead by my curiosity and preoccupied with discovering the deeper meaning of my own ideas, feelings emotions, and certain behaviors, I decided to go to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CTB) which not only helped me to get a better understanding of myself, how to face my fears and to learn new strategies to overcome emotional challenges but also inspired me to live the purpose of my life. Something you need to know is that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CTB) focuses on the person's capacity to change themselves (their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors). It aims to teach people that it is possible to have control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by using practical strategies which in turn lead to positively changing disruptive patterns that hold you back from becoming the person you want to be and living a more fulfilling life. I was impressed with all that I learned during my self-discovering journey- I am still a work in progress 😊 – how my own beliefs, thought patterns, cultural and family background shaped my personality, behaviors, and approach to life when facing challenging situations. This is how I discovered that having goals and using positive reinforcement as strategies are my major motivators, for instance. Then, I thought about all the people that are not aware of themselves and what motivates them, what would happen if they had the same “aha” moment, how the quality of their lives would improve, and how the society would change if all of them could reach a higher level of happiness and satisfaction. I became a strong believer that self-discovery and self-awareness are antidotes to frustration and meaningless life😊 3. Helping others always, I think, makes a “giver” happier than the one who receives the help. What do you think about this one?

I would not say “Happier” because happiness can be defined differently for many people but in the way I have experienced it, helping others or giving provide you the strongest feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction, that is for sure! Choosing to use the power of giving is one of the most important things you can do to transform your life and the life of others. In my opinion, it is a vital part of your personal growth, and giving does not necessarily mean giving out money or material items, you can give your time, knowledge, talents, encouragement, acknowledgment, thoughts, compliments, kindness, smiles, love, active and empathetic listening. When you give without expecting anything in return, you start living a meaningful life. You get to realize your true calling in a life and world full of challenges. If you find meaning in the lives of those in need and do something about it, you will also find meaning in your own life. You find yourself in better health and peace and you will be unlocking your own potential of self-fulfillment. That is the magic of selfless giving. If there is anything that I want us to remember is “No one has ever become poor by giving." - Anne Frank. So, give generously, cheerfully, and often! 😊 4. You are a very warm soul person, honestly, because I know you personally. So if somebody would like to contact you for a motivational conversation, where can my Bellspiration readers find you for that particular purpose? Oh, I am glad you ask this one 😊 I am always open and eager to empathically listen to people’s stories and their emotional challenges. If I can be of any help and somebody needs an open, honest, and meaningful self-discovery session or brainstorming solutions for their concerns or just need a pair of empathic ears they can contact me on LinkedIn and Facebook.

CONTACT:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kathymene/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.meneses1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-meneses-50695a22/

Previous parts of  Kath's interview:

Interview PART 1/4: https://bellspiration.blogspot.com/2021/05/bellspiration-club-katherine-meneses.html