Fight the Blues with Some Tunes: These researchers found that within just a few weeks of starting lessons, subjects’ ability to process multisensory information – sight and sound – was enhanced.
What do I do when others around me, like my boss or coworkers, aren’t positive?”
No matter how positive we may choose to be, we’re always going to encounter others who aren’t. Thankfully there are things that we can do to help overcome their negativity or redirect it in a way that helps them become more positive as well. Here are few suggestions…
1. Make Your Bus Great – You may not be the leader of your organization. You may not be driving the “big bus,” but you can decide to make YOUR bus great. Every day just focus on being the best you can be and bring out the best in others while tuning out everything else. Tune out the negativity. Tune out the damaging comments. Tune out anything you can’t control. You can’t drive anyone else’s bus. Just drive your bus and make it a great ride.
2. Your Positive Energy Must Be Greater than All of the Negativity – In the book Power vs Force, author David Hawkins, MD shares research that 80 percent of the population vibrates to a negative frequency. The fact is negativity is all around us. It’s not just your coworker or boss. It’s everywhere. You must remember that your positive energy must be greater than all the negativity. As country wisdom suggests, “Never wrestle with a pig because you’ll both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” Instead, stay above the fray. Positive energy is much more powerful than negative energy. If you stay positive, the negativity can’t touch you.
3. Be The Seed – When you plant yourself where you are, with a desire to serve and make a difference, you will create very positive conditions for your growth. You’ll be amazed at how others start treating you more positively when you approach your work with a service mindset. They will sense something different in you and they will change the way they behave towards you. I encourage you to read The Seed and let the growing process begin.
4. Invite Your Boss or Co-Workers on Your Bus – Give your boss or coworkers a book on positive leadership. It could be one of my books or a book from another author. There are many great books out there. I’ve received countless emails from leaders who received The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership and The Carpenter from their employees and it changed the way they lead. Best of all, this change in leadership spreads throughout the organization. So don’t think you can’t change your situation or organization. You can. I’m convinced that very few people want to be negative. Most people are negative because of stress, busyness, and fear. Most people just need a wake-up call to break out of their rut. This is your opportunity to help someone else break free. Decide to be a beacon of light that shines on others. You’ll be amazed at what happens as a result.
5. If They Don’t Change, You Can – If all else fails you have a choice. You can decide to stay positive and outlast your boss or coworkers knowing that truth shines through and eventually a negative boss or coworkers won’t last, or you can decide to change your job. I’m not advocating simply giving up but if all else fails, you always have a choice. Remember, the best cultures that focus on positive leadership attract the best employees. Whatever you do, however, don’t allow a negative boss or coworker to get you down. With 80 percent of the population being negative, we need positive powerful people like you to offset the negativity.
So keep staying positive!
In Relationships
The Growth Mindset Applied to Marriage:
No one will deny that marriage is hard. In fact, there’s evidence it’s getting even harder. Revisit a favorite episode from 2018 about the history of marriage and how it has evolved over time. Historian Stephanie Coontz and psychologist Eli Finkel explore ways we can improve our love lives — including by asking less of our partners.
It is Hard to be Hateful and Grateful at the Same Time-
The Health Benefits of a Random Act of Kindness: A simple act of kindness does much more than help the receiver, studies show, and any kindness you give to others is also a gift to yourself.
Why Giving Up Meat Is So Hard? Try “Reduce- atarian-ism”:
Now more than ever, people are attempting to reduce their meat consumption for ethical and environmental reasons. But in 2020, the U.S. ate more beef than the rest of the world, consuming a whopping 27 billion pounds.
Researchers played Lady Gaga for rats. They bopped their heads like humans. The rats in the study listened to an array of music from Mozart, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Queen and Maroon 5.
Celebrating 40 Years of Teaching the Wisdom Traditions at UC San Diego
Where Did the Time Go? 40 Years of Teaching the Wisdom Traditions at UC San Diego:
If as a student at UC San Diego in the 80’s, you said that 40 years later I would still be teaching on campus, I would say you were nuckin’ futs!
Yet, this weekend, we find ourselves hosting a mini-camp, banquet and roast, celebrating 40 years of my teaching the wisdom traditions (martial arts, yoga and meditation) for the campus ecosystem and with the generations of students over the years, touching thousands of lives- now all over the world.
What started as a recreation club while a Muir college student in the dorms is the longest running contiguous program on campus, thanks to the help, support and loyalty of so many students, friends, and colleagues- many who are Sensei in their own right that have grown their own black belts and contributed to our community wellbeing.
Part of the prep work for camp includes some self-reflection, which is always in order as we tend to venerate action and vilify reflection in our human doing v. human being roles.
Here are a couple of examples I thought the Soul Food community would find beneficial so they are in this week’s missive for your wellbeing.
The first is the PERMAH Survey-
The PERMAH Survey is all about self-assessing your wellbeing, exploring the presence in our lives of Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning Accomplishment and Health.
This free, confidential, and fast survey can help you to gauge your current baseline with respect to your wellbeing, your functioning effectively, and your ability to flourish even in challenging times, particularly with the enhanced focused on self-care and mental health we are all experiencing nowadays
Strength to Strength is a powerful presentation by Arthur C Brooks at Harvard, based on a book of the same name (that some of us read as part of a book club) and serves as a practical roadmap to finding success, happiness and deep purpose in the second half of life.
If you are seeking more love, happiness, peace and purpose it is worth a listen:
You can play this like a podcast in the background while driving, cooking or cleaning if time is limited, but I do strongly encourage you to check it out.
A Blast from the Past:
Here is a short vid of the Inaugural True Triton Award I was honored to receive many moons ago
It speaks to the importance of volunteering and community engagement beyond writing fat checks and how we can all make a difference of consequence:
Finally, to end on a joyous sonic note enjoy the Sultans of Swing in the prime of their lives!
Thanks Ron!
(Or go crank your favorite tunes)
Thanks this week go to Dr. Dan D and Awakening Conscious Leadership, Dr. Alan D professor extraordinaire at UC San Diego, Matt L and the men in the Conscious Leader Collective, and all the amazing members of our Aoinagi Karate community near and far that have stuck by me through thick and thin, especially my wife Barb!
Please pay it forward with purpose, bare it all, and stay in tune with your inner and outer nature!
Love,
Neville
Baring it all!
Please Consider Subscribing to the Blog If It Resonates
“It doesn’t matter who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love, or how you love, it only matters THAT you love!”- John Lennon
‘My teenage hormones were raging!’: stars salute the Beatles’ Love Me Do at 60 It confused Gene Simmons, inspired Judy Collins and changed one pop star’s mum’s haircut. Here, musicians recall the impact of the Beatles’ debut single
— Lila Watson, Australian Aboriginal woman, in response to
mission workers
An Indigenous tribe and a team of scientists help condors soar again Once pushed to the brink of extinction, condors are soaring in Northern California skies again with the help of an Indigenous tribe and a team of scientists.
Australia hands control of its newest national parks to Indigenous peoples The landmark move includes tourism efforts highlighting 60,000 years of Native culture and is part of a push to reckon with the country’s colonial legacy.
“Let us therefore decide both upon the Goal and upon the Way, and not fail to find some experienced Guide who has explored the region towards which we are advancing, for the conditions of this Journey are different from those of most travel.” — Seneca
Just 2 minutes of walking after eating can help blood sugar, study says Getting up and moving after you eat — even if it’s only for two minutes — can help control blood sugar levels, a new study says. If you can’t do that, try standing. It helps, too.
Antidotes for America’s Rich Death Trap, Moving Pictures, and The Paths to Peace
America Is a Rich Death Trap.
It’s not just the pandemic. For citizens of a wealthy country, Americans of every age, at every income level, are unusually likely to die, from guns, drugs, cars, and disease.
A Stanford Neuroscientist Says This Simple Breathing Exercise Is Like a Kill Switch for Stress A dead simple breathing exercise can help you short circuit stress, according to Stanford’s Andrew Huberman.
A Harvard Biologist Says This is the Worst Myth About Exercise He Most Wants to Debunk Believing this myth can drastically impact how many healthy and productive years you get to run your business.
Spectacular Images Revealed In Weather Photography Competition:
Dramatic lightning strikes, extreme climate events, icy spectacles and sublime sun scenes are among the stunning images shortlisted for the Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 competition.
The Joan Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice is hosting acclaimed expert and peace builder Chris Blattman to discuss his new book, Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace. Why We Fight shows that war is hard and peace is easier than most people think. The problem is that we only pay attention to the conflicts that happen. In these challenging times, both internationally and domestically, Blattman’s insights are of critical importance for all those who want to bridge divides and keep social and political peace.
The Event is Thursday, September 22 at 6:30pm in the Peace & Justice Theater at USD. Please Register for the event.
September is San Diego Hunger Awareness Month!
In support, Mission Fed is partnering with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank for the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. This program provides food packages to chronically hungry elementary school students for the weekend when free school meals are unavailable.
Did you know that when children participate in programs that provide them with food for a weekend, children experience increased self-esteem, improved behavior at school, better academic performance, and increased interest in their classes and other school activities? Currently, 67 San Diego County elementary schools are enrolled in the Food 4 Kids program which feeds 3,300 students each week at schools throughout San Diego County.
The ask is for a donation of $7 which provides a food-filled backpack to a local child for the weekend.
Anyone can donate: we encourage everyone to contribute.
If you are interested there are several options to donate:
On behalf of Mission Fed, thank you for helping raise awareness and donations for this important cause. Together we can make a difference in the fight against child hunger.
Thanks this week go to Louis L, Mary H, Chris B, Carl L and the Mission Fed Team for this week’s submissions!
Mission Fed Supports Make A WishKids with the Help of The Padres
This National Suicide Prevention Week, Learn the Signs Someone’s at Risk for Suicide
Why Tween Girls Especially Are Struggling So Much
Cause Conference ’22 September 15th – Making San Diego Better
DogFest 2022 Sept 17th 11am to 4pm – Bring Your Pup
Healing the Grieving Heart- Sept 17th 9:30 to 4pm in Del Mar with Dr. Ken Druck
Hypnotic Kinetic Sculptures to Blow Your Mind!
Mission Fed Supports Make A WishKids with the Help of The San Diego Padres:
This week I was honored to join 11-year-old Make-A-Wish kid Julian to ring the bell at the Padres game on the Labor Day holiday.
Julian, who is battling cancer has a big heart, and tackles everything with a positive attitude. He loves singing, animals, painting, and watching Disney movies.
For his wish, he will be going to New York City for a shopping spree. He is so excited to buy lots of toys and explore the city.
Proud to know you Julian!
Destigmatize Mental Health Challenges and Let’s Help One Another!
This National Suicide Prevention Week, learn the signs someone’s at risk for suicide: Suicide is a leading cause of death among most age groups.
During National Suicide Prevention Week, know the risk factors and warning signs to be able to intervene.
Why Tween Girls Especially Are Struggling So Much: Mental health issues are on the rise, but tween girls about ages 10 to 14 appear to be struggling more than in the past, a psychologist says.
Make San Diego a better place to live, work and play
Get inspired about what is possible with this podcast featuring Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Conrad Prebys Foundation, Drew the host of the Spotlight in the Community show, Esha a college sophomore, and yours truly getting real about how we can uplift society when we all come together and do small things often
If You Always Do What You’ve Always Done, You Will Always Get What You’ve Always Got!
Join Elly and me at this future proofing session as we stand up new models of system thinking and change that can transform your organization and increase your impact:
DogFest 2022 Sept 17th 11am to 4pm:
Hear from Dan (and his beloved dog Van) about Canine Companions for Independence and the profound impact they have had on his life after a devastating injury at 16 turned his life upside down forever.
Healing the Grieving Heart- Sept 17th 9:30 to 4pm in Del Mar:
If you, or someone you care about, is working through a painful loss, please consider joining us for a special day of healing. Led by
Dr. Ken Druck and John Welshons, two of the world’s leading authorities on healing after loss, the workshop will take place in Del Mar, California where you will learn:
How to process the fears, sorrows, guilt, anger and trauma that can accompany loss
How to understand the stages, seasons and complexities of grief
How to manage unanswerable questions and uncertainties
How to meet the spiritual challenges and opportunities that arise in the aftermath of loss
How to honor those we’ve lost with the way we live on (“The Six Honorings”)
The restorative benefits of mind-body approaches like meditation and yoga
Practical strategies for returning to work, relationships, and our everyday lives
The power of self-care, music, nature, exercise and self-compassion in helping us find some measure of peace
The “Do’s and Don’ts” of grief support for family, friends and co-workers
Where: by the sea in Del Mar, CA (address will be provided upon registration and deposit)
Register: The workshop will be limited to the first 15 people to register by calling 858-863-7825 and paying the workshop fee
Fee: $175. paid preferably by Venmo, Zelle or a check made out to Druck Enterprises Inc.
Please call us if you have any questions at (858) 863-7825.
Looking forward to hopefully seeing you soon,
John and Ken
On a lighter note-
Hypnotic Kinetic Sculptures!
Anthony Howe creates the world’s most mesmerizing kinetic sculptures. His wind-powered, curved-metal designs tower up to 25 feet high, and are on display in public spaces around the world. Take a break from reality as you stare at Howe’s artwork and prepare to be transfixed.
After co-chairing this conference 3 of the last 5 years that it has been in person, and intentionally pivoting from a focus beyond nonprofits to attending to all purpose-driven enterprise regardless of tax status, it is great to see this year’s conference meeting the moment. Join us and become part of a moment that is aspiring to create America’s kindest and most purposeful region with the social sector doing mission-driven work, businesses as a force for good, philanthropy that is evolvings from generosity to justice- as we all model and mentor conscious civic leadership.
This year’s Cause Conference is Thursday Sept 15th at USD
Note: In the afternoon I will be facilitating a session along with Elly Brown from the San Diego Food System Alliance titled: Identifying Our Unique Roles in the Long Arc of System Change
To see the complete agenda and to register please visit:
Mission Fed-Cloudcast Media Launch “Spotlight on the Community” Partnership:
Listen to this podcast where I am joined by Courtney Pendleton, Mission Fed’s Public Relations and Community Manager to launch the inaugural broadcast at Mission Fed Studios of Drew Schlosberg’s long-running “Spotlight on the Community” Show. It is a cool chat about Mission Fed’s community engagement efforts and why social purpose matters to us and why it might matter to you.
Can you invest your Time, Treasure & Talent? I am honored to share that I have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts San Diego, joining a committed group of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of girls who work together to build a better world.
This is as my 14 years of service on the University of California San Diego Alumni Board of Directors comes to a close.
One door closes, and another door opens…
Power Her Promise- A fundraising campaign to empower Girl Scouts:
You have the power to ensure that thousands of girls in our community have opportunities to discover their passions, develop their talents and seek the future of their dreams.
Your donation is more than a charitable contribution—it’s an investment in society.
Plenty of sleep, healthy meals and exercise are part of your routine. What’s missing? Daily play activity is a key part of childhood development, but it’s also essential for adults, according to research. CNN spoke with play expert and psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown about why incorporating fun in your routine is as important as a good night’s sleep.
San Diego Humane Society have taken in all 100+ beagles and is giving them immediate care. We have foster volunteers at the ready to help care for many of the beagles. Approximately 50 of the beagles will stay with SDHS fosters until adoption. San Diego Humane Society is also working with local shelters and rescue partners, including Rancho Coastal Humane Society and PAWS of Coronado, to place the remainder of the beagles. This is the second airlift that Greater Good Charities has conducted to help safely rehome the beagles being removed from Envigo. The first flight took place on August 20 and transported 146 beagles to Portland, OR.
Thanks this week go to Teachers everywhere, Larry K and all the Cause Conference organizers, Drew S and the Mission Fed CR team, Girl Scouts San Diego and the San Diego Humane Society.
Nurture Your Soul and Open Your Heart: Sunday June 26th, 2022
Summer Solstice 2022-
The Summer Solstice:
Here is wishing you a wonderful summer solstice!
This is a time of changing seasons.
On Tuesday, June 21, summer began in the Northern Hemisphere.
The summer solstice is the longest day and the shortest night in our year.
The sun sets farthest north on the horizon.
At this time of the year, the days are warm, all the plants are energized by the sun, and the land is filled with rich new growth.
Summer is truly a celebration of the primal creative force of nature, fertile, and blooming with abundance.
Humans for many millennia have marked this sacred time in the yearly cycle of life.
Celebrating the solstice can be a beautiful reminder that our lives are part of a larger order, always changing always renewing.
The beginning of summer represents a time for purification and renewed energy.
This is a time of cutting through resistance and obstacles, using the sun energy to illuminate and light your way upon your path.
Fire is especially important, symbolizing the light, heat and power of the sun.
Into a fire, you can throw a piece of paper with written goals to achieve, and anything to release.
Now is a good time to plant seeds for a more intuitive, simpler and natural lifestyle.
Stay in tune with your inner and outer nature!
Juneteenth 2022-
What is Juneteenth, and how is it celebrated?
Celebrated annually since 1865, Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African-American holiday. But as many as 60 per cent of Americans know “nothing at all” or only “a little bit” about the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States. Here, we explore the history of Juneteenth and explain its significance
In states where Juneteenth is still not a day off, activists see a missed opportunity It has been one year since Juneteenth became a federal holiday, but in roughly half of the country it is still not an official day off.
The recent shooting in Buffalo, New York, which authorities are investigating as a hate crime, has yet again highlighted the threat posed by domestic terrorism in the U.S. At the center are violent extremists – the most lethal and persistent of whom are white supremacists and anti-government militias. They’re part of a deeply interconnected movement which, since the 1980s, has pursued a mission to topple the U.S government with guerrilla warfare. Today, this movement is made up of highly-organized groups with paramilitary capabilities, but it hasn’t always been this way. This week, we trace the rise of the modern white power movement.
A racist Juneteenth sign at a Maine insurance agency sparks backlash online An image of the sign displayed on the front of the business was shared online Monday, gaining the attention of thousands across social media.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented human tragedy. Beyond its immediate impact on physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic-related restrictions were introduced in various forms in many countries. This has highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects. People around the world embraced yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression during the pandemic. Yoga is also playing a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. It is particularly helpful in allaying their fears and anxiety.
Join Us Online for a Live Meditation on Love with Sublime Live Music
Sunday June 26, 20224:00 – 5:00PM Central TimeNo Fee, No Registration, Join Online from AnywhereClick Here to Join
Open your heart to all of humankind. Our intention is to activate the power of love, kindness, and compassion to transform individuals, families, communities, states, nations, and the world to address the many areas that so desperately need love and healing. Through our powerful group focus, wounds will be healed and new paths will be walked. As we join together, we will uplift humanity and strengthen our bonds to our interconnected planetary ecosystem: One world under Love
Featuring a Special Performance byAward-Winning Harpist Isabel Cardenes
Just last week harpist Isabel Cardenes played with the MET Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. We are blessed to be joined by this gifted 18 year-old who is known for her sensitive musicianship and unique self-expression. Isabel is passionate about using music for healing and social change. She is the perfect artist to help us co-create a more loving future. Read More
Simply Click Here to JoinJoin us online this Sunday from 4:00 – 5:00PM Central Time(2PM Pacific/5PM Eastern)When the Zoom meeting reaches the maximum number of attendees, you can watch our Livestream on the Love Hour YouTube channel
The Longest Day is the day of the year with the most light — the summer solstice. And it’s the day Mission Fed has committed to fight Alzheimer’s disease! We’re participating in The Longest Day, a fundraising event to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Mission Fed is also very proud to be the title sponsor for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month all throughout June in San Diego. Many of our employees, board members and members’ families have been touched by this disease and we want to help.
Did you know that Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, and one of the most feared? Left unchecked, it can destroy finances, families and futures.
Today, an estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, including more than 6 million Americans. In the United States alone, more than 11 million friends and family members are providing their care. We must take action now, or these numbers will continue to rise.
Stand up to the darkness of Alzheimer’s and join us in making a donation today to help the Alzheimer’s Association support all those facing the disease. Thank you!
Mission Fed Just Earned Juntos Avanzamos Designation:
The Only Credit Union in San Diego County and Why It Matters
We recently celebrated this milestone with a Juntos Avanzamos Proclamation Ceremony to support the spirit of what Juntos stands for, a commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. If you have a few minutos to spare, I encourage you all to watch the video with ceremony highlights, and focuses on how credit union members and our community will benefit from these financial inclusive efforts.
What’s the oldest tree on Earth—and will it survive climate change? Bristlecone pines in the western U.S. have been alive for nearly 5,000 years, but an upstart Patagonian cypress challenges that record.
This woman navigated a 3,000-mile Pacific voyage without maps or technology Polynesian wayfinding has long been a patriarchal tradition. Lehua Kamalu is breaking the mold—and helping to lead a revival of the ancient skill.
To Fall Seven Times, To Rise Eight Times, Live Starts from Now-
High school hurdler bounces back from a fall to seal an incredible victory Race favorite, Abby Dennis of Old Tappan High School, NJ, gets up after falling at the Bergen County Championships to win the 100-meter hurdles.
Thanks this week to all of you that do important and meaningful work, that love and preserve nature, that help humanity way find our journey ahead and model perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds…
How to process the fears, sorrows, guilt, anger and trauma that can accompany loss
Happy Soul Food Friday! 