BELLWETHER 2ND Quarter 2023 THE Issue 1
ALIKI KARAYAN JULIE DUCHARME COMBAT BOOTS TO HEELS
CRAIG HANDLEY
TEMPLE GRANDIN
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
LIVING YOUR PASSION
Editor’s Letter THE BELLWETHER MAGAZINE
Our promise is to deliver added value, without the ads. In today's business climate, many companies big and small have lost their way when it comes to upholding a high standard of core values and ethics. We believe that in order to create a more honest business society and to promote trust between corporations and consumers, we cannot simply rely on society’s laws to dictate how we should behave and conduct business. We must seek out and develop the habit of doing what is right, not just what is legal. This is a great first step in reforming our business culture and can result in an action that can truly change the world. Please review our Credo and join us in helping the world live well and prosper fairly. We hope you enjoy the Bellwether Magazine.
Our Belief
We live in a world that is full of content, much of which is geared towards entrepreneurs, fashion lovers and lifestyle enthusiasts. However, the majority of even the most established magazines have become overrun with ads and provide little value. Our vision is to provide a high value magazine and resource that is geared towards entrepreneurs and business leaders who enjoy fashion, travel and a diversity of culture. Our Mission One of the main objectives of The Bellwether Magazine is to not only provide extreme value to our readers, but to promote our Credo. Our hopes are to attain the eventual goal of 10,000 companies adopting it as the framework by which they operate and do business on a daily basis.
Executive Editor
How Does Corporate and Business Ethics Effect You?
Despite rapid advancement in science and technology, we also see many of the world's conditions deteriorating rapidly. While there is evidence that dramatic efforts will be made to improve conditions by governments to provide a better, safer, and more stable world, the question we have to ask ourselves is, are these changes possible? No doubt we all have our own opinions of what humans are capable of and when we look at tackling challenges such as eradicating poverty, solving world hunger, creating a world free of crime and injustice, or achieving true peace, some feel that these problems are too broad in scope for mankind to solve and look to a higher source. Others may still have the utmost confidence in our leaders today, since they confidently assure us that we are entering into the best of times and that major obstacles to a truly better life for all people have finally been removed. Time will tell if our leaders can lead us to better conditions and times of more certainty. seeing the There is a large problem that many people are unaware of or at least fail to understand the full magnitude of. This problem is in the grasp of mankind to drastically improve and the result will alleviate much of man's problems, affecting our businesses and personal lives dramatically. The problem is business ethics. Our common understanding of business ethics is related to implementing appropriate business policies and practices with
regard to basic issues. These issues include corporate governance, discrimination, social respons- ibilities, bribery, insider trading, and fiduciary responsibilities. However, the effects of this problem run much deeper in scope. Most professionals know that there is a great need for heightened ethics in the workplace and the signs of change are everywhere. According to the Harvard Business Review, over 500 business ethics courses currently top America's campuses, and over 90% of the nation's business schools now provide some kind of training in the area of ethics. There are also more than 25 textbooks in the field and three academic journals dedicated to the topic. At least 16 business ethics research centers are now in operation and endowed chairs in business ethics have been established within several prominent business schools including Georgetown, Virginia, Minnesota, and others. Recent surveys suggest that over three-quarters of America's major corporations are actively trying to build ethics into their organizations, yet they are facing two kinds of challenges: first, is the identifying of ethical courses of action in difficult gray area situations (the kind that Harvard business school lecturer Joseph L. Badaracco, Jr. has described as, "not issues of right versus wrong, but conflicts of right versus right").
The second issue is navigating these situations towards perimeters to better establish where the right course or higher moral decision is. Without clear parameters to help establish high moral ground and better value exchange, corporations, and professional managers will continue to dismiss the enterprise of business ethics, resulting in the continued trend of the steady decline in ethical practices. Such trends are all the more disappointing in contrast to the success that ethicists in other professions experience such as Medicine and Law. These fields have experienced steady improvement in the compliance of ethics and provide real and welcome assistance to their practitioners. The question is, can this be accomplished in the business sector as a whole? The answer is undeniably yes! The results negative corporate culture has on ethical behavior and society. As stated earlier, when most people think of appropriate business policies and practices, they associate them with corporate governance, discrimination, social responsibilities, bribery, insider trading, and fiduciary responsibilities. Further, they mistakably think that if ethical practices fail to be put into action, then the consequences will only negatively affect our business culture. This could not be farther
from the truth. Negative corporate cultures can promote unethical behavior causing a wide variety of problems that trickle down into our families, communities, and beyond.
A lax corporate culture also makes it easy for unethical behavior to perpetuate and prosper. Unless a company is prompt in punishing or removing unethical employees, bad behavior will spread. All companies, big and small have a responsibility to maintain order within their organization which includes disciplining employees who are ethically out of line and rewarding those who continue to display ethical behaviors and actions.
society, we are committed to sharing our credo with those who are in alignment with the vision of living in a more ethical society. We also believe that in order to create a more honest business society and to promote trust between corporations and consumers, we cannot simply rely on society's laws to dictate how we should behave and conduct business. We must seek out and develop the habit of doing what is right, not just what is legal. "You cannot make good men by law: without good men, you cannot have a good society".
A lack of moral leadership.
When those in a position of authority such as managers knowingly or unknowingly display unethical practices, others are affected sending a ripple effect that extends much farther than most people realize. Employees will emulate their superior's bad behavior and eventually, the unethical behavior will not only affect certain individuals or departments but will create an environment that produces a negative culture that prompts employees to behave in irresponsible and unethical ways, which expands into the family unit. For example, when a manager takes credit for someone else's work, others will start to imitate their behavior. Subsequently, honest employees will begin to protect themselves by hiding their work from their supervisors and colleagues alike. Conversely, if managers promote ethical behavior for employees and reward good behavior, it will create a positive corporate culture and will instill how ethical behavior makes good business sense helping everyone to succeed. Furthermore, if a company rewards employees who pursue their own advantage rather than focus on contributing to the performance of the entire team, some employees will at times overstep ethical boundaries to get ahead.
The purpose of the B.E.E.C.
The Business Education and Ethics Commission is a private institution for public interest. We are devoted to helping professional managers and companies of all sizes and scopes, establish practical and definitive guidelines when it comes to ethical behavior, value proposition, and the treatment of others regardless of their race, religion, gender, national origin, or physical condition. This organization has no religious, or political affiliation or agendas, nor is it a charity organization. Rather, it is comprised of an exclusive network of companies and like-minded leaders who continue to adhere to high ethical standards and who are devoted to contributing to the reform of current business practices and to the advancement of humanity. We believe, that in order for people to attain better conditions globally, we must adopt higher principles and establish stronger core values as a whole.
– C.S.Lewis --
Another goal of the B.E.E.C is to provide education and training to businesses and leaders alike in order for them to prosper. Obviously, money is a tool that can be used to oppress our fellow man or in a way that creates a broad and positive impact helping individuals and communities thrive! By providing our members access to not only an established set of values but elite education, we can help many elevate themselves and establish wealth without stepping on the heads and shoulders of others to do so. These resources can also be used in a way that inspires others to do their part in adhering to a higher set of standards than those of civil values alone. No longer will the true secrets of wealth creation be hidden from the masses and only be made available to the few.
To contribute to a more thriving
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Our Mission.
source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”
the framework for companies to not only follow but will assist in helping all commit to achieve excellence while maintaining integrity, honesty, trust, and respect. By providing the proper education and mentorship, we strive to inspire others to contribute towards a higher level of business and personal education that promotes free thinking without oppression. Good business behavior produces socially responsible companies that adopt policies to promote the well-being of society and the environment while lessening negative impacts on them.
Mahatma encouraged others to, “be the change you want to see in the world”. This notion of being the change you want to see in the world, when adopted, accomplishes three very powerful things: Gandhi
The adoption of higher standards and more ethical behavior across nations is well within our grasp, but to accomplish this, three things are necessary. First, we need to provide a basic set of core values and guidelines that can be used and are applicable to any situation. Second, we must share strategies and education that is tested and proven to work in the increasing and elevation of wealth creation for companies and individuals alike.
1.
It stops us from judging others and promotes higher standards; It replaces fault-finding and complaining about others with reflection on self; It motivates us into taking better actions from within the only thing in the world over which we have any control: ourselves.
2.
3.
And Third, it is imperative that we
“We need not wait, now is the time to take decisive action and be the change we want to see in the world!”
While all of this “ be the change ” talk is good counsel, if we dig a little bit deeper, we realize that Gandhi wasn’t just telling us to lead by example, or to not get caught up in the business of others. What he actually said was something much, much deeper. Gandhi further stated: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change toward him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the
stop the assumption that we should wait for Governments and Large Corporations to take the lead and set the example. operating under Business consultant and best- selling author Jesse Lyn Stoner correctly stated; “The assumption that change has to start at the top is wrong. Start where you are”. Therefore, it is the resolve of the B.E.E.C. to start with the achievable goal of providing access to the tools necessary for all to thrive emotionally, financially, and culturally. Our goal is for 10,000 companies to join the cause, vowing to strictly adhere to our member credo. This will serve as
TABLE
03
EDITOR'S LETTER
64
08
23
TECH BYTES
REAL ESTATE ROAD MAP 12 HEALTH HACKS FOR HAPPINESS
LIFESTYLE
71
30
FAST LANE
THE BELLWETHER FEATURES... 39 CLOSING CREDITS
76
16
WHATS THE WORD
LIGHTLINES
83
20 AFTER THE GAME
51
AUTHOR ADVANTAGE
MONEY WITH MORALS
89 NOT FORGOTTEN 92 EVENTS
CONTENTS
"It didn't feel right."
ROAD MAP REAL ESTATE
A home is where the heart is.
| The Bellwether |
Real estate. Such a simple term. But, what is it really? It is very easily defined as “Property in buildings and land.” Many people make the statement, “more millionaires were created through real estate than anything else.” Well, a quick Google search would prove that statement wrong. Although incorrect, real estate does rank in the top five industries most likely to create millionaires. Investment Real Estate! What Is It and How Do You "Do" It?
So, how do you “DO” real estate? How and where do you start? There are so many different ways real estate can be done. It's almost totally up to the imagination how you do it and where you start. The purpose here is to share several of the many various methods of “Doing” real estate. Through this series of articles we will explore in depth many ways to participate in the real estate industry. Although there are many ways to participate in real estate, the two most common would be “consumer” and “investment.” So, let's very briefly address consumer real estate. This would be purchasing a home to live in personally. Although I would never recommend doing so, many people do. The most obvious is the traditional method. We locate a Realtor® or real estate agent, share with them the criteria for the piece of real estate we are interested in. Once the property has been located we secure our financing through a bank or mortgage company. Then
“Investment” real estate, what is it? Well, I guess that all depends on how creative you are, both in use of the properties and the funding for and profit from them. Firstly, the term “Investment” in this instance can be defined as “the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.” That said, let's briefly touch on several forms of investment real estate. The most well-recognized form of investment real estate would be “traditional rental properties.” I believe everyone gets the idea but there can be many such forms of this type of investment, both residential and commercial. These properties could be single family, multi-families, commercial multi- family, retail, office, industrial, agricultural, etc. The basic idea is to own or control the interest in a
property and rent or lease it to others for profit or material result.
Another well-known type of real estate investment is “short term rental properties.” Most everyone knows of AirBnB, VRBO, etc. Generally a short-term rental could be defined as “a furnished living space available for short periods of time, from a few days to weeks on end.” However, the term is not limited to such a definition. RV, motorhome and travel trailer lots fall under this designation as well. Camping spaces may fall into this category too. Oftentimes this category of investment property has strict laws and restrictions attached to them that may make it undesirable for certain investors in certain locations. One popular way to invest in real estate is “flipping.” Flipping is taking a distressed or outdated property, making it new and desirable again and selling it for a profit. Much research must go into this type of investing. Material cost, labor cost, codes, market and market values, trends, etc. The ROI can be very
we proceed to the closing process. Pretty straight forward. However, this is not what this article is about. So let's get on with it.
handsome but the risk is high as well.
One of the lesser known types of real estate investment is “land leases.” This can come in many different forms. Large
Now to the meat of this story.
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plots of land may be leased for hunting or other purposes. Although land leases may be leased without any infrastructure improvements, it is not always the case. Many mobile home parks are types of land leases. They may have power, water, sewage and garbage disposal services provided. Many times they will also have paved or maintained roads. If you want to be risk averse or at least mitigate your risk to some extent, You may wish to just fund real estate investment strategies for others. There are many such ways to do so. Maybe a “REIT,” “REIG” or a “Limited Partnership” would be right for you. They all have their own risk/reward ratios, benefits and drawbacks. You
may also wish to privately fund real estate investments. This is called “Hard Money” lending or “Private Money” investing. Similar but different. Different criteria to meet for each. Another type of real estate investment is “Wholesaling.” Technically and in practice, wholesaling is not real estate investment. Although it pertains to the purchase and sale of a piece of property, the actual thing being purchased is the “Purchase and Sale Agreement.” Through an “Assignment” the wholesaler profits from his vested interest in the property. Wholesaling is technically and in practice the purchasing and selling of contracts. This list is not meant
to be an exhaustive list pertaining to real estate investment. As mentioned in the beginning of this writing, it is almost entirely up to the imagination how you do it and where you start. In the coming months, I will share, expand upon and explain many ways to invest in real estate.I will also provide ways to locate creative financing. I will share several documents you will need to avoid potential pitfalls and liabilities. I will attempt to be thorough but in the interest of space and time that may not be completely possible in this publication. I can only hope this brief article may have piqued your interest and shed some light on the investment real estate industry. Be creative my friends, it will serve you well.
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"Most people think buying is investing, but they’re wrong [it] doesn't make you an investor any more than buying groceries makes you a chef."
-Gary Keller-
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“SO MANY PEOPLE SPEND THEIR HEALTH GAINING WEALTH, AND THEN HAVE TO SPEND THEIR WEALTH TO REGAIN THEIR HEALTH.” – A. J. REB MATERI
| The Bellwether |
Pitfalls to Finding Peace Amid Chaos
As our global economy shifts from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the age of digital information, to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, the age of transformational impact, you and your business must evolve your consciousness within to stay competitive and relevant in the marketplace. I’ve noticed in my work with growth-minded, conscious entrepreneurs, however, that two major pitfalls become barriers to looking deeper within. You cannot find peace amid chaos until you avoid the pitfalls of “being busy.”
personal time look like?” they list off basic everyday activities like showering, exercise or maybe traveling to visit family. I often have to ask again, “Besides daily activities, imagine you’re not worried about anyone or anything else, and there are no deadlines or nothing to make happen. Then what would you love to do?”
Pitfall 1: The 'hustle and grind' way of life has become the norm.
stressful from having to catch up when you return.
The hustle-and-grind culture can often be thought of as inevitable (or very hard to overcome) to be able to meet the demands of the customer, stay competitive and grow. But does it have to be? As a conscious business leader, you might know you need to work smarter instead of harder and longer. Yet are you in reality? If you’re like most, you might still find yourself running the endless “rat race” or the treadmill of long work hours, as a cog in our global economy, unable to escape. You might believe that growth must come at a cost to your health, family time, social life or something else. So you give up trying to “have it all” and accept sacrificing parts of your life, while continuing to struggle in some mythical work-life balance concept. Even vacations become
However, you always have a choice to opt out of the hustle- and-grind culture. Once you do, you must face yourself. You may be tempted to fall into old habits watching others around you “succeed,” and you must trust in yourself that it’s possible to have sustainable spiritual and financial growth by slowing down. Only after you embrace the chaos and messiness, have the courage to slow down and trust in the unknown can you start to practice finding peace amid chaos by simply being with your thoughts, emotions and body sensations.
I get a blank stare.
I
continue
pressing.
“What
nourishes your soul?”
At this point, clients share some long-lost hobbies they never have time for. Then I get a mountain of reasons why they can’t justify doing those things they love. No staff, no time, having to serve clients or be out of business, etc. Are you creating time to be present in your life as opposed to being in many places at once, reacting to life’s many curveballs, always thinking about the next
Pitfall 2: You’re unclear what being present means.
When I ask clients “What does
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In Summary
thing or worrying about what happened?
resilience, embodying being a peaceful leader amid the chaos. You’ll learn how to harness the power of being present in the now, trust yourself to navigate through uncertainty and experience being peaceful amid chaos.
Don’t be like the boiling frog during uncertainty, where, slowly over time, you find yourself still constantly working, having no time to think about nourishing your soul. Working on top of a busy, distracted, exhausted soul now only deepens that habit post-crisis.
What does being present feel like for you? What would you be doing or not doing? What body sensations or feelings come to mind? What if you put your own nourishment first on your to-do list? Then had a trusted advisor or colleague who can hold you accountable to making sure nourishing your soul is number one?
This
article
was
originally
published in Forbes.com.
Crisis As Opportunity
There’s an opportunity when a crisis hits, whether it’s a global pandemic, losing your staff, the loss of a loved one or getting diagnosed with a disease. It wakes you up to what matters in life. It forces you to reach within and face your inner turmoil. Crisis is the perfect opportunity for transformative growth — to test yourself, face your fears and experience being calm in the storms around you. Crisis is the time to practice peace whether through morning rituals, moving meditations or mastering your mood. Until you go beyond knowing crisis is an opportunity as an intellectual concept to experiencing or feeling crisis as the one and only opportunity for transformative growth, no amount of meditation or doing more actions will make the difference.
The number one skill you need to master is managing your energy from the inside out to find peace amid chaos. It’s during a crisis that you can develop the courage to face the layers of emotions, previously ignored, now bubbling up. By learning to navigate your inner world effectively, you’ll strengthen your innate power of
Anna Choi, Founder and CEO of SolJoy, Forbes Author, and TEDx Speaker, serves high achieving, creative, conscious
business leaders who want to quiet the mind chatter, cut through distractions, and tap into boundless energy to create leaders with more health, happiness, and peace. Learn more at www.annasunchoi.com/media
| The Bellwether |
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
– PLATO -
With Deborah Froese
It’s Not Too Late to Make Things Happen
So, the first quarter of 2023 has flown by. How are your plans for the year unfolding?
I need to put extra effort?
When that’s done, I journal to let go of anything that might be weighing me down or holding me to the past and bid that time farewell. Then it’s time to brainstorm dreams and possibilities for the months ahead. What do I want to achieve? Why? What do I need to do to get there? How can I step beyond any current limitations? Who can help me? With a vision in mind, I assign objectives to the aforementioned life categories. I look for areas where my objectives intersect, note particular behaviors or habits to focus on, and choose a word to define the months to come. With pen and paper in hand, I plot out highly defined but manageable steps for reaching each goal, always focused on why, the force behind my motivation. Yes, I am still setting objectives, but within a larger, more integrated context than a typical resolution. It’s like a roadmap; it establishes a trajectory without preventing me from taking detours when necessary or stopping to refuel. Regardless of life’s inevitable interruptions, my destination remains firm. Returning to or reviewing that map periodically allows me to recalibrate as needed. The opportunity to take leaps of imagination, to dream, plan, and create change isn’t limited to the new year. Start anytime – any month, week, day, or hour – and plan to make things happen.
We tend to greet January with a sparkling list of resolutions, full of enthusiasm for the year ahead. Lose a few extra pounds. Spend more time with family. Finally tackle that project, the one that will create a new income stream. Unfortunately, if you’re like most people, the sparkle quickly fades. By the end of the first quarter, failing to meet your resolutions leaves you feeling defeated or guilty. But why should passing time mean the end of possibility? And who says we have to wait for a new year to spark change? Let’s abolish the concept of resolutions triggered by a specific date. It’s too absolute and holds little regard for our humanness. We’re much better off setting a trajectory for the months ahead. Frustrated with my own lackluster performance, I stopped devising resolutions several years ago and replaced it with a more thoughtful practice of reflection and planning, one that I revisit throughout the year. I set aside several hours for this process, usually over a couple of days. First, I examine my old calendar and prepare a list of highlights assigned to various life categories ranging from relationships, community, and health to education, profession, and self- development. Then I evaluate them. What am I grateful for? What did I do well? What did I learn? How did I help others? Where do
Photo by Gerd Altmann, courtesy of Pixabay. Author, editor, and story coach Deborah Froese is on a mission to spark change through the stories we share. www.deborahfroese.com
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You've got to have heart How To Bu i l d Your Pe r s ona l Toughne s s Ac c ount…
can developing heart/strength/mental toughness in the same way. think of Every time you make a decision that overrides how you feel in the moment, you’ve just made a deposit into your self- belief and self-trust account. Every time you do something that's uncomfortable or that you don't feel like doing, you’ve made a deposit in those accounts. And every time you deposit into your self-belief and self- trust accounts, you’re developing the ability to handle hardships. You are forging the character that's necessary to undergo uncomfortable situations and circumstances. You are developing the strength that you need when life smacks you in the face with something that you don't think you can handle. What is the result of doing this consistently? Because you have invested and put so many deposits into your account you will now have the dividends to be able to navigate through any challenging situation more effectively. Don’t overthink it! Simply make the decision and commit to start making deposits into your self-belief and self-trust accounts today! Contributed By: Kathryn Bruce BESS, BSc (Hons), PhD Martial Arts Instructor & Exercise Scientist at Challenge Martial Arts & Fitness Centre, Melbourne, Australia 4th Degree Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo karate & Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
How many times have you heard people say things like “You have to be brave,” “You need to be strong (mentally and/or physically),” and “You have to have heart to go for the things that you want in order to be successful”? What do these kinds of statements actually mean and how do we develop the skills necessary to overcome the limits that they impose on us? What needs to be developed is more self- belief and self-trust, which will lead to the self-confidence that you can overcome any challenge that comes your way. People don’t realize that they can do what needs to be done and are unaware they have everything they need within them to improve their lives. We have been conditioned to look for answers outside of ourselves to solve our problems. The truth is, there is a wellspring of strength and power within each of us that is virtually untapped. We just need to learn how to access it. To start accessing it is actually quite simple. When people refer to having ‘heart’, ‘courage’ or ‘strength’, what they are referring to is developing the ability to overcome and do something that we don’t feel like doing. Developing heart, mental toughness and strength is the key to
overcoming the fear, pain and discomfort necessary for you to succeed in whatever endeavor you choose to do. Over the past 22 years as a martial artist and teacher I have noted this is a critical factor for success in all areas of life. You can begin developing this right now, it doesn’t have to be complicated or too hard. Start with one small action you can commit to doing and follow through on it, no matter what. Start with making that phone call when you are scared to, getting up in the morning when you say you will, anything that you commit yourself to...just do it and you are starting the journey. Once your self-trust is established by taking small steps, you will be able to build more challenging commitments. It is essential, if you give your word to follow through regardless of how you feel or how tired you are or what's going on around you. Your word means something as a Bellwether. Your word means something as a person. Think of it like a deposit into your personal heart/strength/mental toughness account. We all know how to make deposits with money. Each time you deposit money into your bank account, the account grows. You
Healing Is Messy
We have a lifetime to not undo, but understand and embrace.
There is no time machine, we cannot go back to make different choices; or not put ourselves into those dangerous situations, or get into relationships with damaging people, or believe lies that we are told.
What is in our control?
We can look back with compassion.
We can hold space for ourselves. We can go back in time in our mind, find our truth and change the narrative.
We can replace old thought patterns with new ones, and habits that hold us back to one’s that move us forward.
We can choose to intentionally look around us and see who and what is holding us back from living the life we know we are meant for; and then make the hard decision to thank them for walking with us for a while, and move forward.
When we walk away from environments that no longer serve us, we make room for what is to come.
When we go back to the root of old thought patterns and remember who we are, telling ourselves our truths, we make room for growth, confidence and self love.
When we can love the us that got us this far, doing everything they could to survive, we can face the future with our shoulders back, head held high, ready for what comes next.
When we can use our past as a tool belt and road map, we become authentic and intentional in our daily choices and open to what life has to offer.
When we remember that our life journey involves falling, getting dirty, and getting back up again … time and time again ... we have patience and kindness, not only for ourselves, but others who are doing the same.
Healing is messy, and I love it.
#SeeTheLightBeTheLight https://www.instagram.com/mariel.nichole/
A Story of Two Fields
After The Game the Game
| The Bellwether |
Turning Stigma... to Support
what did not scare me? Popping an 800 mg ibuprofen before every soccer game from the age of 15-19 years old, and I played soccer all year round, every season, every week. I genuinely thought that was normal. Cannabis is a natural plant that happens to activate a system within all of our bodies, known as the endocannabinoid system(ECS), which promotes homeostasis, or balance, within and throughout the body. By definition, homeostasis is “a self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.” (Billman, 2020) The compounds found within Cannabis, known
as cannabinoids, activate the ECS, therefore helping to promote homeostasis. Cannabis is certainly not the villain in this story... It is a plant from nature that has historically been used as a therapeutic tool for thousands of years in many different cultures. Only in the last 100 years have the benefits of cannabinoids in general been suppressed and concealed, not only from the average American, but also from the medical schools and professionals. But, “why?” I think we all know. In a 2016 national study directed by Dr. Allen, it was found that “only 13% of the medical schools surveyed teach endocannabinoid science.” (Allen, 2016)
From teammates, to best friends, to roommates, to business partners, Angela Boyce and I operate as a well-oiled machine. After first crossing paths in 2017 as freshmen in college, we were faced with the rigorous lifestyles of student-athletes at the University of Akron. As Division 1 soccer players, we were held to standards and expectations that required perseverance physically and especially, mentally. During their recovery time, athletes at that level are doing whatever they can to be able to compete at their best every time they step out on the field. For some that may include ice baths, stretching, and massaging. For some, it took painkillers and for others, Cannabis was the answer. During my childhood and soccer career, my opinion on cannabis was a product of what the mainstream American culture wanted me to think. I thought it was a drug, I thought it was bad. The stigma was real to me. I had absolutely no idea what positive effects it could have on the body and mind. I never even considered using marijuana until I was done with competitive soccer. I feared random drug tests and didn’t want to risk getting my scholarship taken away. But you know
I ended up retiring from soccer halfway through my collegiate career due to injuries and being burnt out from the sport. It was weird not playing soccer competitively anymore and knew I would need to do some soul searching to see who I was on my own, without soccer. I wanted to live the “college life”, so I was mostly concerned with doing my school work and just having fun. Sometimes I did exactly that, but I also experienced many depressive episodes as I continued to try to figure out how I fit in this world. My “ride- or-die” girl squad were all familiar with using the Cannabis plant, but while I was still a college athlete, I had no desire to experiment. When I finished my career, I finally decided to test out the plant myself, with the help from my experienced friends. I remember my first time ever smoking: I felt more calm, relaxed, happy, grateful, creative and just all around at ease. Then, 2020 came and the world went on pause. The pandemic forced Angela and I to isolate ourselves in our little apartment, giving us the opportunity to think about and envision the infinite possibilities that exist in the world. We experimented with infused food and beverages for opening a cafe and filmed
for a skit show while finishing our classes remotely. In our senior year of college, we approached the end of a chapter and began to ask ourselves the eye-opening question: What’s next? Angela was studying Psychology and loved it, but wasn’t exactly sure of her next moves. I was studying Exercise Science with a Pre- Med track, but the closer I got to applying to graduate school, the more I questioned what I really wanted to do in the world. Simultaneously, while the pandemic was upon us, my mom, Kelly Babcock, acquired a hemp cultivation license in Ohio. She experienced how the plant benefited her first-hand, so she decided to join the industry to help impact the lives of others. With my own experience with the plant under my belt, her new venture exposed me to the business side of the industry. This sparked a fire inside of me. I gained the opportunity to meet amazingly caring and passionate individuals and groups focused on ending the public stigma and supporting more education on the health benefits of Cannabis. From these encounters, I realized that our dreams weren’t so crazy! As roommates, Angela and I swapped the kitchen pots for
beakers and skit clips for lab videos. We officially started our business in February 2021, and following graduation that May, we embarked on the next chapter of our lives. Primo Gardens Inc. - Columbus opened its doors on July 30, 2021, as a CBD manufacturing and retail store in the Short North, located in the heart of Columbus, Ohio. Our vision is to aid in improving the health, wellness and quality of lives of individuals through CBD and other cannabinoids. We are passionate about educating and advocating for the plant in order to break the stigma, making it acceptable as a holistic modality for health and wellness. To make a greater impact, our business also focuses on developing other business partners across the U.S. (and eventually internationally) by offering B2B services through manufacturing white label and private label cannabinoid infused products. As we continue to grow, our goal is to speak, educate and partner with more like-minded individuals, businesses, athletes and influencers who share a common passion for helping people learn about the benefits of cannabinoids to create internal balance in the face of the ever-changing external challenges.
Contributed By: Erin Babcock Owner and operator Primo Gardens Inc. Learn more about Erin Babcock here !
References; Allen, D. B. (n.d.). Survey shows low acceptance of the science of the ECS (endocannabinoid system). Welcome to Outword Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from Billman, G. E. (2020, March 10). Homeostasis: The underappreciated and far too often ignored central organizing principle of physiology. Frontiers. Retrieved August 22, 2022
Lifestyle
Jon’s journey began with one question, “Dad, do you love what you do?” Soon after his seven year old daughter asked him this question, he would leave his decade-long career in banking to embark on a journey that would change his life. In 2011, just one year after leaving his career in banking, everything shifted. A fire ignited inside, fueled by his passion and relentless drive to prove to his children anything was possible. Jon decided from that day forward, with the help of two world-leading transformational coaches and mentors, that it was time to play a bigger game in the world, and “go for broke.”
During this trip, Jon would live above a church, surf with crocodiles, bungee-jump the tallest bungee bridge in Costa Rica, and surf the biggest waves of his life. He would later realize his thirty- year dream to surf the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, one of the most dangerous waves in the world. On a black sand beach in Pavones, Costa Rica, the home of one of the longest left hand surfing breaks in the world, as the sun set and the water washed over his feet, everything clicked, and a mission was placed in his heart.
racing, backpacking, ice climbing, hiking, volcano exploring, kayaking, whitewater rafting, sailing, diving, and facilitating humanitarian study abroad programs, mission trips, and volunteer events. Over a number of years, Jon would nurture his passion for empowering clients to overcome fear and gain the clarity, confidence, and commitment to relentlessly pursue their dreams. This led to him founding Black Point Standard Consulting Group’s “ZERKERS” division and developing adventure-based programs which unleash human potential and catalyze personal growth.
“Well done, you made it … now go and tell the world.”
“I believe life is an adventure designed to unleash our greatest potential. We must rise to the challenge, take leaps of faith into the unknown, and gain the courage to relentlessly pursue our dreams.” — Jon Christian Jervert
This
decision,
among
other
After returning to the states, Jon began building his consulting practice and facilitating adventure challenge experiences. He spent his thirties studying human performance, conscious evolution, and flow states, pushing his mental and physical limits through extreme sports such as: skydiving, mountain climbing, zip-lining, surfing, auto racing, endurance
Eventually experiences would open doors to building relationships with some of the most influential leaders and mentors in the world, and even spending a night bar hopping dressed as Elvis with one of his business hero's and twenty five other mystery Elvis multi- these millionaires. At this time, Jon was hardly making a living doing what
adventures discovering
would
lead
to
the of overcoming fear from a legendary #1 world ranked surfer who surfed 60+ foot waves. Later that year, Jon left the country to live in and backpack three-quarters of the coast of Costa Rica, where he continued to spend significant time overcoming self doubt and limiting beliefs. secrets
he loved, but the door of possibilities opened. A new world emerged. He chose the red pill. This journey has led Jon to a twenty- year career in consulting and coaching encompassing work with thousands of individuals and companies in countries around the world including, Global Icons, Influential Leaders, CEOs, Executives, Professional Athletes, and Navy Seals. He pioneered the discovery of what he now calls “Conscious Human Performance™,” a peak performance method developed over the last decade based on conscious evolution and human performance that helps us understand and awaken human potential. When asked if Jon’s the real deal, Mike V., a Navy Seal, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), commonly known as DEVGRU (DEVelopment GRoUp) or SEAL Team Six started after a
coaching session. “As far as the value of our time together, it was an 8-9... It's hard to get a 10 out of someone like me.” Jon now works with game-changing companies to create global impact and a thriving society, helping them to gain access to the most elite talent on the planet. Over the next decade, Jon’s mission is to bring together global leaders, CEOs, and venture capital firms to revolutionize the education systems. It’s too big of a vision to do all at once, so he is starting by developing the most elite human performance and educational programs on the planet. Does the thought of writing your own obituary before jumping out of a plane scare or intrigue you? The truth is, it's one of the most powerful things you can do. To be continued... Jon Christian Jervert is a human performance improvement strategist based out of New Jersey. To connect with Jon visit - Blackpointstandard.com
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Corporate Retreats: An Effective Way To Boost Staff Morale An Effective Way to Boost Staff Morale
After the Covid-19 pandemic,
enhanced creativity. Here are a couple:
organizations, ranging from corporate giants to tech start-ups, have changed their conduct. They employ people, launch products, and expand their sphere of influence while being connected to a digital screen. The newest challenge is fostering a sense of belongingness and community. In most cases, corporations need a refresher course from the same old remote setup we've all grown accustomed to. Here is where retreat planning professionals come in. A well-guided retreat can be an enriching experience for everyone to come together and form a deeper connection with themselves and with their fellow teammates.
Guided Learning & Development 1.
Sharing a learning experience with your team members can tap into one passion and interest, making them feel more in tune with their work and colleagues. This can result in the team feeling more inspired, committed, and productive. For growth and learning, even the most self-motivated people require assistance and guidance. Taking advantage of retreats can be an extension of your employees' development program and an investment in their future. Taking learning & development to a higher level, a corporate retreat supports team members' professional and personal growth and helps them realize their full potential.
Corporate Retreat - Meaning & Definition
A Corporate Retreat is essentially a pre-planned out- of-office gathering of an organization and its members with the intention to engage, play and strengthen team relationships. The goal is to spark passion and creativity amongst your team. Experts believe that organizing a corporate retreat can prove to be one of the best investments you make for a business. As part of the event, all teams participate in corporate team-building activities that help them relax, engage and brainstorm effective problem-solving techniques. Through a Corporate Retreat, team members become part of a life-changing experience while also creating a stronger connection to the organization. For example, studies have shown that teams participating in corporate retreats report improved rapport, partnership, and communication. This is in addition to improved productivity following the retreat. A couple of trending corporate retreats include wellness retreats, glamping retreats, yoga retreats, eco-retreats, and much more.
2. Creates a Work-Life Balance
As a concept, work and life balance involve appropriately prioritizing 'work' and 'lifestyle'. Work may include your job or business, whereas lifestyle would include leisure, family time, socializing, health & wellbeing development. As per the 2010 survey of National Health, an extensive percentage of US workers expressed difficulty balancing work and life. Work-life integration is flourishing as people strive to achieve success on both fronts. This is especially true for millennials, who seek to grow their experience. To achieve a healthier work-life balance, you can harness corporate retreats with a bit of planning. Other Benefits Of A Post-Pandemic Corporate Retreat A healthy work culture truly provides a competitive edge! Investing in the happiness of your employees makes them feel valued and has a positive impact on your business through their renewed positivity and energy.
Corporate Retreat - Its Benefits
Effective retreat planning can provide a range of benefits, from enhancing individual and team skills to
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The Correlation Between Retreats and Enhanced Morale With the lack of well-curated office space and inter- personal conversations, the shared experiences during a corporate retreat can boost teamwork, morale and ultimately improve productivity. During retreats, managers of remote teams receive coaching, consulting, and exercises to improve their management and communication skills. With the rise of remote working, retreats have become a strategic resource for building relationships and culture inside an organization. A corporate retreat strengthens the sense of support from senior management and the organization. This approach can revitalize employees’ joy, excitement, and enthusiasm for their work roles. In addition to building morale, team-building activities allow critical performers to develop and enhance their skills and attributes, improving their career and role within the organization, improving their chances - and the organization's - of improvement. Organizations improve ROI when teams return from a relaxing retreat because they are more engaged, excited, and productive.
Organizing a corporate retreat is an excellent way to encourage innovation among employees. Teammates can engage, inspire, and connect with each other. They brainstorm ideas through collective analysis and may even come up with an innovative idea or process. With the correct retreat planning, a team retreat at one of the best retreat centers can be an effective way to promote empathy, wellness, and inclusivity among employees and resolve communication gaps and break down barriers to mental health. When the pandemic hit, remote working impacted each individual differently. Some were away from their families or trying to set up a healthy working environment amongst kids and family, and it was all a lot to deal with. This can be resolved and emphasized by coming together in an open community driven by the company’s senior leaders. An experienced retreat planner and the human resource department can create an ideal space that drives conversations and discovers more about the impact of lockdown on each team member. Therefore nurturing an inclusive environment where everyone in the team feels heard and can contribute to the benefit of the corporate retreat is essential. A Real-Life Example Of How Corporate Retreats Can Be Beneficial To Businesses David Nothacker, the chief executive of the German logistics company Sennder, valued at over $1 billion, recently organized a two-week trip to Sicily with all of his colleagues for a retreat including workshops, team- building activities, and relaxation. According to an interview with CNBC, he expressed how making employees feel supported was vital to avoiding work fatigue. “Retention is becoming a major problem for many start- ups that are growing. One thing I realized once we got to a unicorn branding or stamp, people started poaching our employees,” he said. “One way of looking at this from a return-on-investment perspective is the retention. If we can extend the average tenure by a couple of months per employee, whatever investment of a few hundred euros pays itself off because finding a replacement, training, onboarding, and so on is a huge cost.”
Final Thoughts
Retreat leaders fuel and energize the teams and help motivate the team leaders to connect with their peers. Human Resources and corporations can hire professional retreat planners, travel planners, or corporate event management companies to curate tailor-made experiences per their corporate goals. Organizing a corporate retreat benefits your organization by building communication between your teams, boosting morale, and increasing your investment by increasing motivation, innovation, and productivity. With most of the world's population working remotely, RetreatBoss believes the personal time to reflect & replenish is invaluable.
Catherine Kontos, Founder at RetreatBoss™ https://retreatboss.com
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