Monika Kimmel
Lawyer
Born and raised in Hungary; educated in Quebec and in New Brunswick. Currently living in Moncton.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
My greatest achievement so far is completing my Bar exam in French. Not many people know it, but my first language is Hungarian. In primary school, I learned Russian and in high school German. Later on, I finally took some English classes and I came to Kirkland, Quebec to practice. To tell you the truth, I never intended to learn French.
Going to Court and to be able to communicate in both official languages is also something I am very proud of. Today, there are still not many allophone lawyers out there, and to work my way up to this point didn’t come without challenges.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Atlantic Canada is expanding. I imagine that there will be many exciting things to do and many opportunities for people who chose to live here. I can see a small and diversified place where you will find everything you need, just like in big cities.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
My greatest stage of growth was self-acceptance; and being my authentic self.
When I was younger, I always wanted to be loved, to fit in and belong to a group. Fortunately, these needs slowly disappeared and I’ve learned to love, value, trust myself and my decisions.
Today, I’ve reached a stage where I know who I am and what my values are. Also, I’ve embraced the fact that my value is not determined by how liked and accepted I am.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
The Ancestor Syndrome from Anne Ancelin Schutzenberger. This book explains that we may have no choice in having the events and traumas experienced by our ancestors visited upon us in our own lifetime. The theory of '’invisible loyalty'’ owed to previous generations, which may make us unwittingly re-enact their life events.
Since I’ve read this book, I discovered some of those ‘’life events’’ and I am more aware of the fact that things are happening for a reason.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
No one experiences loneliness the same way during this pandemic. Some days you are ok, the next day it weighs you down. We do not know when we can expect an improvement in the current situation. So, I’ve learned to be patient and take my time. I try to set small goals rather than making big plans for my future.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
Actually, I am inspired by people who feel enthusiastic about their life and who convey their enthusiasm and good energy to me. Being with people who are passionate about what they do, who they are makes me feel good, and they are an example to me.
My sister Olga is also a true inspiration to me, because she has chosen to live a very healthy lifestyle. She is a certified yoga instructor; a vegetarian and a raw food nutrition specialist.
I want to mention my brother Jozsef as well, who lives wherever he finds a job within the European Union despite the language barriers. At one point in my life I was there, I know how hard this can be.
What would you have done differently?
Hmm… as a non-francophone, it was not the best move to settle down in Quebec, but at the time, I was still very naive and adventurous. Immigrating as an adult and to learn both official languages at once wasn't a simple task and slowed me down a lot.
What are the principles you live by?
1. Nothing that has happened in your past can stop you from creating a better FUTURE.
2. See Inconveniences as Adventures.
3. Wherever we come from is who we are, but we choose every day who we become.
How have you recovered from fractured professional relationships? What uncomfortable truths have you learned about yourself in those experiences?
The saying "you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" should be expanded to include coworkers.
There is a question I ask before I embark on restoration of a relationship: "Is the person and relationship worth the emotional effort"? I usually try to separate the personal from the professional and not to dwell on the problems.
Something I have learned over the years is the importance of maintaining good relationships. Try to stay on good terms with people, especially, when you live in a small community like Moncton because it's a small world and you never know when professional paths will cross again.
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Love, purpose, self-growth, trust, gratitude