Category: Uncategorized

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

The most important story is the story you tell yourself, about yourself!

Warning- Adult Content

This Poem was shared with me recently-

This Be the Verse by Philip Larkin:

While I appreciated the sentiment, I also felt a compelling urge to offer up a counter-narrative, and composed this alternative rejoinder in about 10 minutes:

This Be The OTHER Verse

(Philip Larkin In Reverse)

We all have a mum and dad.

You would not be here if they weren’t.

Generations survived when others died.

Paranoid, hoarders, but yes they thrived.

With their history comes some baggage.

It’s inevitable, like rotten cabbage.

That over time will surely decay.

But it’s what we make of it on the way.

Take the good. Improve the bad.

Pass it forward or pass it back.

Evolution means we change.

For the better- not victims of the deranged.

We all have a story, a script, and a state.

Change your story or own your fate.

Turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones

Warrior mind in ancient bones.

Women passes on life to all.

Each one special, large or small.

Make every moment count and matter.

For better pancakes use better batter!

Yes some will try to “fuck you up”.

Choose your mindset, say enough!

Then Philip Larkin will eat his words.

And cast his poem to the birds.

What is the story you tell yourself about yourself?

• Your story is what happened- objectively
• Your script is how you choose to interpret what happened to you- subjectively
• Your state is what you are doing in this moment, to move you closer to your purpose or alternatively away from it

Manage your state in this moment, and if you don’t like the script that was written for you, rewrite it!

“Don’t Believe Everything You Think!”

Too much pleasure can lead to addiction. How to break the cycle and find balance:

Radical honesty promotes intimacy

Be it sugar, social media or sex, the response in our brain is the same: It produces the “feel-good” neurochemical called dopamine, which brings on feelings of pleasure and motivation. “It may be even more important for motivation than for actual pleasure,” says Dr. Anna Lembke, a Stanford Medical School psychiatrist, researcher and author of the new book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.

Break the cycle of addiction with these strategies to keep dopamine in check : Life Kit : NPR

When Doing Right Feels Wrong:

Have you ever been in a position where you had to choose between someone you care about and a value that you hold dear? Maybe you had to decide whether to report a friend who was cheating on an exam, or a co-worker who was stealing from the tip jar. This week, we tell the story of a Detroit police officer who found himself in this sort of dilemma, forced to choose between people he loved and the oath he swore to serve his community. What happens in our minds when we have to decide what is right and what is wrong?

When Doing Right Feels Wrong | Hidden Brain Media

At 21 I Have No Regrets: I Just Got An Email From Myself, A Decade Ago…

‘At 21 I have no regrets’: I just got an email from myself, a decade ago | Life and style | The Guardian

Finally, Some Naturally Induced Zen:

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE BENEATH A CRASHING WAVE – YouTube

Here is to you owning your story, script, and state to tell the greatest story ever told- YOURS!

Thanks this week go to Tom S,  Aysha S-B, Ron M, Matt N, Chris B, & Mehrad N. for contributing to this week’s content.

Please pay it forward.

Love,

Neville

“Preach the Gospel at all times. And if you must, use words if necessary.”

– St. Francis of Assisi

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
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Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

The Earth’s Prayer

Champion of the Earth

Mental Health Awareness Month is just a few days away. Let’s do our part to help ourselves and one another

Witticisms

Mission Fed ArtWalk 2022

The Earth’s Prayer for Earth Day- A 21^st Century Complement to the Lord’s Prayer (written on a trip to Europe 13 years ago in 2009)

Rather than even attempt to outdo perfection, given a world view that extends beyond Christianity, coupled with current Eco-Consciousness, could one take the essence of the Lord’s Prayer and extend its reach and impact to a larger audience?

Our Mother, who is here on Earth,

Timeless may you reign and may we never take your compassion for granted.

The time is now, your spirit be served, with our full intention and energy to create a Planet Earth as abundant and blessed as Heaven.

Give each person today, their daily grain so no one goes hungry, and affirm our inherent goodness to care for one another,

as we give thanks for those who today in their actions put the collective good ahead of personal self-interest and remind us to do the same.

And inspire us in all things to maximize our potential for the greatest good as we preserve and protect the legacy we leave for future generations.

For this is our planet, with problems and possibilities, to do with what we can in the time we have got.

Now is forever. Aum, Peace, Amen

Champion of the Earth!

Sir David Attenborough has been named a Champion of the Earth by the UN’s Environment Programme

The prestigious award recognises the 95-year-old’s commitment to telling stories about the natural world and climate change.

Accepting the award, Sir David said the world must take action now to protect nature and the planet.

Sir David Attenborough named Champion of the Earth by UN – BBC News

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

Mental Health Awareness Month is just a few days away. Let’s do our part to help ourselves and one another

First apologies to all the people experiencing mental health challenges at work.

A global study by Qualtrics found 42% of people have experienced a decline in mental health.

67% of people are experiencing increases in stress while 57% have increased anxiety, and 54% are emotionally exhausted.

53% of people are sad, 50% are irritable, 28% are having trouble concentrating, 20% are taking longer to finish tasks, 15% are having trouble thinking and 12% are challenged to juggle their responsibilities.

Other data suggests that 67% or 7 out of 10 people’s  feel that no one checked up on their mental health in the workplace. This is a travesty and unconscionable…

Using the indigenous wisdom traditions of Polynesia and the Ho’oponopono framework, please accept my apologies. As a system we have failed you!

We are very Sorry

We Love & Value You

Please Forgive Us

Thank You!

Authentically Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace is powerful and very relevant work arguably a meta-competency for 21^st century leadership and culture and portends the future of HR Leadership!

In a post pandemic environment, Pandora’s Box is opened and there is no stuffing everything back in. Sunlight is the greatest disinfectant.

This might mark the beginning of the demise of a command and control model of running organizations, with the power imbalances and systemic disenfranchisement that goes along with it.

Hell bloodletting was a best practice for over 1,000 years and we got rid of that. How is this any different? We are sucking the lifeblood out of people just using bigger leeches!

If empathy is the #1 leadership skill according to research Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research (forbes.com)

and communication is the most powerful socio-emotional learning tool, then it is time for a new model that girths all the work we do in stakeholder-centric systems to meet the moment, as well as to counter the great resignation/great migration with the great rejuvenation.

Note: I use stakeholder not employee because all the people in the ecosystem (not ego-system) matter!

No more “othering”…

This is a systems thinking problem not an individual human capital deficiency. People are disengaged and unwell not because they are bad or sick people, but because we have built maladaptive systems.

Think of all the lost potential in every organization ☹

“At the heart of a learning organization is a shift of mind – from seeing ourselves as separate

from the world to connected to the world, from seeing problems as caused by someone or

something ‘out there’ to seeing how our own actions create the problems we experience. A

learning organization is a place where people are continually discovering how they create their

reality. And how they can change it.” — Dr. Peter Senge

Renormalizing “its ok to not be ok” and destigmatizing stigma and shame around mental health is a cultural and paradigm shift in dire need of an intervention.

The piercing pain of the first arrow is hard enough. We don’t need the second arrow.

The parable of the second arrow is a well-known Buddhist story about dealing with suffering more skillfully.

It is said the Buddha once asked a student,

‘If a person is struck by an arrow, is it painful? If the person is struck by a second arrow, is it even more painful?’

He then went on to explain, ‘In life, we can’t always control the first arrow. However, the second arrow is our reaction to the first. This second arrow is optional.’

Let’s equip each other not to create self-inflicting wounds with that darned second arrow!

The Old model of mental health DSM-5 with all its controversies typically focuses on symptomology and severity

The New model must both look at symptoms (low to high) and languishing v. flourishing on another axis

One can have symptoms of “dis-ease” and still be flourishing.

Most of us have symptoms as the data indicates…

The old model of stress was “can I cope”?
The new model recognizes that when demands exceeds resources we experience stress

Now, more than ever, we need to resource our individuals, teams, and organizations better to meet the deep stack of demands that are thrust upon us.

Note: If your organization is looking to up level your resources and apply real world experience to meet the demands of navigating mental health in the workplace, reach out to:

Deborah Urbanik Co-Founder of D.Whitney Consulting durbanik@dwhitneyconsulting.com;

and Jamie Jacobs Co-Founder of Gig Talent jamie@gogigtalent.com

They expanded my understanding and were powerful positive forces of good for me!

Kevin Hines Survived a Jump Off The Golden Gate Bridge- Now, He Is Helping Others Avoid Suicide:

This suicidal person “needs to hear what I needed to hear. That we care about you, your life does matter, and that all we want is for you to stay,” he says. “If someone had looked at me on that bridge or on that bus and said that to me, I would have begged for help.”

Kevin Hines Jumped Off the Golden Gate Bridge, and Survived (psycom.net)

Note: Anyone struggling now with suicide ideation, before you take that action, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Here are a couple of articles in the news lately that speak to the implications of not attending to employees mental health needs:

Man told employer not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450,000 after unwanted party. (nbcnews.com)

John’s colleague told him he didn’t belong. It was just what he needed to hear : NPR

Self-Care is Not the Solution for Burnout — The Beautiful Truth

And one that speaks to what we can do about it:

Showing That You Care About Employee Wellbeing (gallup.com)

Maybe we can all be “that one person” to borrow from the Kevin Hines story, and all be “psychological safety spreaders” at work and in our community.

“No More Suffering in Silence & Running Away in Shame”!

Love,

Neville

On a Far Lighter Note: Witticisms

These insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

What’s your favorite?

“He had delusions of adequacy ” -Walter Kerr

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”- Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure. – Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”-William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

“Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” – Moses Hadas

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” – Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” – Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one.” -George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.” – Winston Churchill, in response

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here” – Stephen Bishop

“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” – John Bright

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” – Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” – Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up. – Paul Keating

“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” – Forrest Tucker

“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” – Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” – Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” – Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts… for support rather than illumination.” – Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” – Billy Wilder

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But I’m afraid this wasn’t it.” – Groucho Marx

The exchange between Winston Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, “If you were my husband I’d give you poison.” He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” – Abraham Lincoln

“There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” — Jack E. Leonard

“They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” — Thomas Brackett Reed

“He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebears, but by diligent hard work, he overcame them.” — James Reston (about Richard Nixon)

If you are local-

MISSION FED ARTWALK 2022 – CONNECTING CREATIVE COMMUNITIES:

For 38 years, Mission Fed ArtWalk has celebrated both visual and performing arts in San Diego. We believe art has the power to connect communities, cultivate new artistic talent and create a better quality of life for all through cultural enrichment.

On Saturday, April 30 (11am – 6pm) and Sunday, May 1 (10am – 5pm), artwork will fill the Little Italy neighborhood. Attendees come to view and purchase artwork, enjoy music and dance performances, and participate in interactive art experiences.

Thanks this week go to Deborah and Haley U, Jamie J, Dan L, and the Mission Fed ArtWalk Team for your contributions!

Please pay it forward and be a Champion of the Earth…

Love,

Neville

“I’ve realized that worry is the product of a future that we cannot guarantee, and guilt is the product of a past we cannot change” – Shailene Woodley

 

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Happy Soul Food Friday & Happy Easter and Passover!

This week:

Finding Zen At Work

If you can use a little more Zen in your life, register here: https://go.ucsd.edu/3KcFrvn

The Most Important Leadership Skill According to Research:

If you are committed to positive relationships and a compelling organizational culture that drives results, here is the leadership competency that will have a huge bearing on the present and future world of work with constructive effects on:

• Innovation
• Engagement
• Retention
• Inclusivity
• Work-Life

The mental health stats cited here from September of ’21 have arguably only got worse in our VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world.

New conditions call for new responses, in this case maybe just turning up the volume on this important leadership competency.

Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research (forbes.com)

Why Community Matters So Much- And How To Find Yours:

How are you doing with the 4 criteria of community namely; membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs?

How to find your community as an adult — and why it matters – Vox

Harvard Research Finds Serious Red Flag To Watch Out For At Work
If you have a worker that exhibits this trait, you’ll probably agree with the Harvard team’s conclusions

Harvard Research Finds Serious Red Flag To Watch Out For At Work (ladbible.com)

The Case for Taking Naps (Even at Work):

The Autonomy to Decide If and When We Need Rest

The Case for Taking Naps (Even at Work) (hbr.org)

Changing your diet could add up to 13 years to your life, study says
Switching from a typical Westernized diet of red meat and processed foods can add up to 13 years to your life if you start at age 20, but even people in their 60s can add years.

Changing your diet could add up to 13 years to your life, study says – CNN

Plus Advice From Kids-

Press 3 for a pep talk from kindergartners. A new hotline gives you options for joy
What started as an art project at a California elementary school has gone viral. The free hotline offers wise advice and encouraging messages from kids to anyone who calls.

A new hotline offers pep talks from kindergartners : NPR

Thanks this week go to Paula C, Paula T & Marlaine C for your contributions.

If you have inspirational content that makes you think of Soul Food Friday, send it my way!

Please pay it forward and create your own Zen!

Love,

Neville  

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“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise, seek what they sought”— Basho

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Remembering a Legend!

Madeleine Albright- The highest ranking women in the history of American government of her time

Madeleine Albright was a force. She defied convention and broke barriers again and again. She was an immigrant fleeing persecution. A refugee in need of safe haven. And like so many before her — and after — she was proudly American.

As the devoted mother of three beloved daughters, she worked tirelessly raising them while earning her doctorate degree and starting her career in American diplomacy. She took her talents first to the Senate as a staffer for Senator Edmund Muskie followed by the National Security Council under President Carter. And then to the United Nations where she served as United States Ambassador, and ultimately, made history as our first woman Secretary of State, appointed by President Clinton. A scholar, teacher, bestselling author, and later accomplished business woman, she always believed America was the indispensable Nation, and inspired the next generation of public servants to follow her lead, including countless women leaders around the world. Madeleine was always a force for goodness, grace, and decency — and for freedom.

Madeleine Albright, First Woman to Serve as Secretary of State, Dies at 84 – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

What a Doll and What an Example!

Opinion | Why Dolly Parton was right to turn down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
At this point, the country music icon’s personal standards may be higher than the Hall of Fame’s.

Dolly Parton’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tweet got it right (nbcnews.com)

Self-Care-

The Surprising “Disinhibition” Technique Is a Powerful Way to Stop Overthinking, According to Harvard Research
Sometimes, data-based decision-making can derail you. Maybe it’s time to trust your gut.

The Surprising Disinhibition Technique Is a Powerful Way to Stop Overthinking, According to Harvard Research | Inc.com

We Love Our Pets!

American Kennel Club names U.S.’s favorite dog breed
The not-for-profit organization announced the results of its annual survey of dog breeds.

American Kennel Club names US’s favorite dog breed | Fox Business

If you are local-

TEDx San Diego is Back!

TedX San Diego is happening this Sunday both in person and live streamed, at the Preby’s in La Jolla after 2 years of hiatus due to the pandemic. In person is already sold out, but do join the live stream

The speakers and topics are fantastic!

Mission Fed is proud to support this year’s TedX San Diego event and if you are interested in the livestream experience, sign up. You will really enjoy the content!

Connect. Engage. Transform. TEDxSanDiego Tickets, Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite

Thanks this week go to all women leaders, the Mission Fed Community Relations team, Jack A for holding the space for TEDx for all these years, and all of you doing good work in our world!

We need you now more than ever.

Please pay it forward

Love,

Neville

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“Start by doing what’s necessary;

then do what’s possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

-St. Francis of Assisi

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week: Self Care, Ukraine, Spring Has Sprung, Daylight Savings and Cute Nat Geo Photos

Which Wolf Will You Feed?

An elderly Cherokee Brave was teaching his grandson about life.

He said, “A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The old man looked at the child with a firm stare. “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The elderly Cherokee replied: “The one you feed.”

Make sure to feed the right wolf this week! 

Ukraine- No Bystanding!

Ready to Die? Why Most People Flunk the Zelenskyy Test.
Tyranny has triumphed in recent years because real courage is rare.

Ready to Die? Why Most People Flunk the Zelenskyy Test. – POLITICO

Opinion | Stop buying from these companies. They’re funding Putin’s war.
Ukraine’s Zelensky is right: Peace should matter more than profit.

Opinion | Koch, Halliburton, Subway, others fund Putin’s Ukraine war. Boycott them. – The Washington Post

“They’re lying to you”: Russian TV employee interrupts news broadcast
Marina Ovsyannikova ran on to the set of the Channel One transmission shouting: ‘Stop the war. No to war’

‘They’re lying to you’: Russian TV employee interrupts news broadcast | Russia | The Guardian

The Ukrainian girl who sang ‘Let It Go’ from a bomb shelter gave us all hope
Every person fighting for Ukraine, every family ripped apart by this war – they grieve because they love. This is the language we all speak.

Russia and Ukraine: Ukrainian girl sings ‘Let it Go’ for all of us (usatoday.com)

The power of the dog and how pets are helping Ukrainians cope with war
Hundreds of thousands of pets are estimated to have crossed into countries neighboring Ukraine since the war began.

Pets have provided Ukrainian owners with crucial emotional and physical support : NPR

Spring is Here & Daylight Savings-

Happy Newroz, Nawroz, Navroz!

Spring is Here So Soak Up the Sun

THIS WEEK: SOAK UP THE SUN – Every Monday Matters

Sleep experts say Senate has it wrong: Standard time, not daylight saving, should be permanent
The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent, but many sleep experts argue that the U.S. should adopt year-round standard time.

Permanent standard time is better than daylight saving, sleep experts say – The Washington Post

Bonus!

28 tender photos from the Nat Geo archives that will bring a smile to your face
See a selection of some of the marvelous images stored in our historic photography collection.

28 tender photos from the Nat Geo archives that will bring a smile to your face (nationalgeographic.com)

Thanks this week go to Angelica G-W, Every Monday Matters, & Conscious Leaders that model courage, compassion, and wisdom everywhere!

Please pay it forward

Love,

Neville

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“Your task is not to seek love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it”- Rumi

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:
Feb 17 was Random Acts of Kindness Day but we should practice this amazing heart-set all year long!

The Health Benefits of a Random Act of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness Day doesn’t have to be limited to one day a year. 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.

Random Acts of Kindness Day 2022: It’s good for your health – CNN

Random Acts of Kindness Day: 6 unique gestures of goodness
Everyday people around the world show how acts of kindness can change lives.

6 inspirational videos to mark Random Acts of Kindness Day (usatoday.com)

Dog Saves Dog After Lab Alerts Owner to Golden Retriever Trapped in Sinkhole for Nearly a Day
Wrigley, a chocolate Labrador retriever, located the other dog stuck inside a hole at Marilla Park on Saturday, according to Streator Animal Control

Labrador Alerts Owner to Golden Retriever Trapped in Sinkhole | PEOPLE.com

Birds are Remarkable and Beautiful Animals – and They’re Disappearing from Our World
In the past half century, North America has lost a fourth of its birds. Earth is now a coalmine, and every wild bird is a canary

Birds are remarkable and beautiful animals – and they’re disappearing from our world | Kim Heacox | The Guardian

Thanks this week go to RAKtivists Everywhere!

Please pay it forward…

Love,

Neville

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“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.”

– King Solomon

Happy Soul Food Friday

This week:

The Challenge-

The Doomsday Clock Reveals How Close We Are To…Doom
The clock isn’t designed to definitively measure existential threats, but rather to spark conversations about difficult scientific topics such as climate change, according to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which created the clock in 1947.

The Doomsday Clock reveals how close we are to…doom – CNN

And

The Bad Guys Are Winning
If the 20th century was the story of slow, uneven progress toward the victory of liberal democracy over other ideologies—communism, fascism, virulent nationalism—the 21st century is, so far, a story of the reverse.

Autocracy Is Winning – The Atlantic

The Antidote-

The Power of Love, Interconnectedness & Nature

Honoring Thich Nhat Hanh and His Teachings:

Plum Village, France 10:30pm 21st January, 2022   Dear Beloved Community,   With a deep mindful breath, we announce the passing of our beloved teacher, Thay Nhat Hanh, at 00:00hrs on January 22, 2022 at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam, at the age of 95.   Thay has been the most extraordinary teacher, whose peace, tender compassion, and bright wisdom has touched the lives of millions. Whether we have encountered him on retreats, at public talks, or through his books and online teachings–or simply through the story of his incredible life–we can see that Thay has been a true bodhisattva, an immense force for peace and healing in the world. Thay has been a revolutionary, a renewer of Buddhism, never diluting and always digging deep into the roots of Buddhism to bring out its authentic radiance.   Thay has opened up a beautiful path of Engaged and Applied Buddhism for all of us: the path of the Five Mindfulness Trainings and the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing. As Thay would say, “Because we have seen the path, we have nothing more to fear.” We know our direction in life, we know what to do, and what not to do to relieve suffering in ourselves, in others, and in the world; and we know the art of stopping, looking deeply, and generating true joy and happiness.   Now is a moment to come back to our mindful breathing and walking, to generate the energy of peace, compassion, and gratitude to offer our beloved Teacher. It is a moment to take refuge in our spiritual friends, our local sanghas and community, and each other.   We invite you to join our global community online, as we commemorate Thay’s life and legacy with five days of practice and ceremonies broadcast LIVE from Hue, Vietnam and Plum Village, France, starting on Saturday January 22nd. Please see our website for more details coming shortly: www.plumvillage.org/memorial   Let us each resolve to do our best over the coming days to generate the energy of mindfulness, peace, and compassion, to send to our beloved Teacher.   Over the coming hours on the Plum Village website, we will publish some inspirational chants, texts, and mindfulness practice resources, to support you to come together with your local sangha to generate a collective energy of mindfulness and compassion, and create your own ceremony or session in tribute to our Teacher. As Thay has always taught, nothing is more important than brotherhood and sisterhood, and we all know the power of collective energy. We invite you to share your messages of gratitude or personal transformation and healing on our website: plumvillage.org/gratitude-for-thich-nhat-hanh   With love, trust, and togetherness,   The Monks and Nuns of Plum Village.

The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation | 2499 Melru Lane, Escondido, CA 92026     “This body is not me; I am not caught in this body, I am life without boundaries, I have never been born and I have never died. Over there the wide ocean and the sky with many galaxies, All manifests from the basis of consciousness. Since beginningless time I have always been free. Birth and death are only a door through which we go in and out. Birth and death are only a game of hide-and-seek. So smile to me and take my hand and wave good-bye. Tomorrow we shall meet again or even before. We shall always be meeting again at the true source, Always meeting again on the myriad paths of life.” – Thich Nhat Hanh Learning Leadership from a Great Master Courtesy of Moshe E and the Amare Wave: Last week, Thich Nhat Hanh died peacefully at 95 years old. Thầy, as he was known, was a Zen Master, global spiritual leader, and peace activist, renowned for his powerful teachings on engaged Buddhism and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. Thầy was also a model for modern day leadership, one who made love the center of his being and work. Love-centered leadership (the essence of The Amare Wave) believes, as Thầy did, in promoting nonviolent solutions to conflict and raising awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings. His passing invites us to clarify our own guiding beliefs and principles. What are your core leadership principles? Are you willing to commit your company to total non-violence? Will you integrate the fact of our interconnectedness into your business vision?

“True self is non-self, the awareness that the self is made only of non-self elements.

There’s no separation between self and other, and everything is interconnected.

Once you are aware of that you are no longer caught in the idea that you are a separate entity.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

And-

The Profound Power of Nature:

Arizona Monsoons that will reset your state!

Thanks this week go to beloved Master Thay, Moshe E, Killu S, Nicole K, Catherine G and Bob C.

Consider paying it forward…

Love,

Neville

“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time,

and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves.

And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

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Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

How Do I Want to Show Up- A Story

A Carrot, An Egg, and a Cup of Coffee:

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” the daughter replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter.

“When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Here’s my hope for you:  May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything—they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Have a wonderful week! 

The Power of Poetry in the Spirit of MLK Week

Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes:

Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes – Poems | poets.org

Omicron Is In Retreat. What’s Next?

The Morning: Omicron is in retreat (nytimes.com)

Free Covid Tests for Your Family:

COVIDtests.gov – Free at-home COVID-19 tests

The Quickest Way To Change How You Feel Is To Change How You Think:

The Quickest Way To Change How You Feel Is To Change How You Think – The Best Brain Possible

Ode to Winter:

Wondrous!

Ode To Winter (ecco.com)

45 Puns That Make Me Laugh Uncontrollably No Matter How Many Times I’ve Seen Them
Go on, have some pun!

45 Puns That Make Me Laugh Uncontrollably No Matter How Many Times I’ve Seen Them (buzzfeed.com)

If you are local and an NCPC member…

Introducing Mentoring 2.0:

As a business professional, your time and efforts are dedicated to the service of others. “Giving back” is your practice, and you often devote more time taking care of others than yourself. Given all that you have on your plate, you can feel depleted and overwhelmed, finding it challenging to operate at peak performance.   Isn’t it time to do something to enhance your life and well-being, which in effect will benefit those you serve?   North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) believes in the importance of balancing self-care with care for others. That’s why we’re offering Mentorship 2.0, Fostering a Community of Practice, a new model of mentoring that brings together business professionals to guide, motivate and support each other.           Please Join Us Monday, Feb 8, 2022 9:00 to 10:30 am on Zoom for an informational session about Mentorship 2.0, Fostering a Community of Practice         Ken Druck, Ph.D Our information session will feature best-selling author and international expert in mentorship, executive coaching and compassionate self-care, Dr. Ken Druck. Ken will share his thoughts about the magic and power of mentorship, and how we become the best version of ourselves by bringing out the best in others.   ATTEND THE INFO SESSION           What is Mentorship 2.0?   With Mentorship 2.0, you’ll be part of a cohort of 4-7 individuals from our community to brainstorm ideas, identify business resources, develop their networks, explore career opportunities and provide emotional support to each other. Unlike the traditional mentorship model that pairs a more experienced “mentor” with a less experienced “mentee,” Mentorship 2.0, Fostering a Community of Practice, connects leaders at all levels who share a common concern, set of problems or interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. It recognizes that our unique experiences are valuable and that collaboration often yields innovative solutions.   As a cohort member, you’ll be making a 4-month commitment to the program (March through June 2022). Your group will be expected to meet at least four times during that period (virtual sessions until it is safe to connect in person). The logistics, where to meet and how often to meet – as well as how to measure success, will be decided by the cohort. A member of NCPC’s Mentorship Committee will serve as your group facilitator, providing conversation prompts and guidance, as needed. The relationships that develop and the benefits derived from the experience are entirely up to you and the other group members.     We hope you’ll take part in the launch of Mentorship 2.0, Fostering a Community of Practice.   REGISTER NOW   Attending on Feb 8 is not a commitment or required, but is strongly encouraged. Please register by Feb 1.     If you are interested in Mentorship 2.0 but unable to attend the information session, contact Sandra Alston at 760.729.6711 or sandra@ncphilanthropy.org.     All the best,   Alex Goodman Chair, NCPC Mentorship Committee     P.S. Do you have friends or co-workers who you feel will benefit from Mentorship 2.0, too? Feel free to forward this invitation to them. Participation in the Feb 8 meeting is limited to 100 people, so don’t delay.

North County Philanthropy Council | 760-729-6711 | PO Box 1641, Carlsbad, CA 92018

18^th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium- Jan 27^th, 2022:

Join us if you can…

18th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium Tickets, Thu, Jan 27, 2022 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite

Thanks this week go to Bob C, Angelica G-W, Manuelita B, Marlaine C, Wayne O, Ken D and the NCPC team.

Please pay it forward with purpose!

Love,

Neville

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“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.

You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love”

Dr. Martin Luther King