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Donna Highfill
Is a Vibrant Nation Blog Circle User

Donna Highfill

My Blog Circle:

50+ Change consultant and coach Own my own company for 12 years (www.highfillperformancegroup.com) Wrote a book about my change work (Published several other articles) Two wonderful, grown kids (son and daughter) Advocate of hot yoga (at least today) Studier of diet approaches (though I don't actually DO them)
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my VN interview

How did you get to where you are now?
I love to laugh, just like the guy in Mary Poppins. Yes, that much. However, as menopause crawled into my life I began to laugh less. Therefore, I began moving away from my professional job as a corporate change consultant and began dipping my toe into a humorous blog for woman called damenationblog.com. I've so enjoyed that experience that I'm now moving into coaching women who are experiencing major life change. I've spent 25 years coaching executives, but my desire is to help women who are going through what I've been going through.
How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I had kids in middle school and my identity was all mixed in with them. What did they need for the day? When was I supposed to pick them up? How could I work this in with all of the work I had to do as I kicked off my own business? I was also in the midst of a divorce, which kind of complicated things. I was worried about the kids, my weight, my work, and my business. Today, I have a husband whom I adore. My kids are grown and happy. And I'm rebuilding my identity now that it is being slowly unwound from the kids. It's been an interesting, sometimes really sad journey. But I've learned that sad isn't so bad. And now I'm thinking about being a poet.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will be the author of five books (not sure where that came from, but I like it). I will be a speaker known for encouraging women to strive towards their dreams and laugh along the way. I will be helping people find their stories first, and write them later. I will be active, living somewhere near the water. I will be less about ego and more about spirit. I will teach workshops that people will fight each other to get into. Oh, yeah, the ego thing. I will lead peaceful workshops that will be very popular, though that won't be so important to me.

a postcard to my younger self

Dear Donna: Don't worry -- those aren't varicose veins, you just have really big veins. Thought you'd like to know. And that mole you hate on your stomach is the least of your worries. Flaunt that flat stomach and firm boobs. Some cute little babies will take those away some day. Climbing the ladder? Not as important as you think right now. The people you love are what matter. And those you don't know can still become people you love. Everybody is in a little pain, so be kind to them. And stop flipping people off in traffic and cursing. These two habits will cause you to say "I'm sorry" more times than you'll be able to count. And, by the way, you're going to LOVE your kids. And neither one of them will go to jail in their teen years.

my role models

Helen Keller Georgia O'Keeffe Pippi Longstocking Katharine Hepburn Lucille Ball Susan B. Anthony Mary Magdalene My grandmother My mother My father

my posts

How To Handle a “Downer”

Posted in DameNation, don't miss, family & relationships, other topics on May 22, 2013

Menopause is tough, and my solution is laughter. I think that laughter is a mini-vacation, a great motivator, and the shortest point between two people. And maybe it’s my edginess that has…

read more »

My Mom and Her Gift of Laughter

Posted in DameNation, family & relationships on May 09, 2013

In a recent article I wrote for Mother’s Day, I mentioned that my mom has always been a catalyst for laughter.

She filled our home with her boisterous laugh that…

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Why Laughter Saves Us

Posted in DameNation, spirituality on April 16, 2013

I told my then 12 year-old daughter to go upstairs and show her cousin her guinea pig. Baby was Samantha’s pride and joy. She was a black lump of fur that never…

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Why Dieting Is Not My Thing

Posted in DameNation, health & fitness on April 08, 2013

Yes, I am trying to diet and I am horrible at it. If Richard Simmons called me tomorrow and said, “Don’t call it a Die – it, call it a Live-it,” I…

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Should Women Lean In or Wrap Up?

Posted in DameNation, work & money on April 01, 2013

I have watched multiple interviews and read numerous reviews about Sheryl Sandberg’s book,  Lean In. What interests me are the responses by women.

Personally, I’m glad it’s not another book…

read more »

my comments

Response to: How To Handle a "Downer"

Comment posted on May 23, 2013 at 9:43 am:
"Darcy09 - excellent advice!! Thanks for sharing a viable solution that we can all use. I love it...." (read comment)

Response to: How To Handle a "Downer"

Comment posted on May 23, 2013 at 9:42 am:
"Linda - Thanks for getting it . . . and laugh your heart out. Every day. If nothing else, you'll be much happier than those telling you to stop...." (read comment)

Response to: Yoga-Ready or Not

Comment posted on May 23, 2013 at 9:35 am:
"My husband and I are facing a tough situation right now, and we are both practicing yoga breathing to bring us into the moment. Thanks for the reminder that the simplest things in life can bring us tremendous peace...." (read comment)

Response to: My Mom and Her Gift of Laughter

Comment posted on May 13, 2013 at 11:36 am:
"Thanks Helen, we laughed and laughed on our Mother's Day outing. It was great!..." (read comment)

Response to: My Mom and Her Gift of Laughter

Comment posted on May 13, 2013 at 11:36 am:
"Marian: You are always such an encourager -- every time I see a comment from you I know that I am going to leave it feeling a little more joyful. Than you!..." (read comment)