This 18,000-year-old shell is ‘oldest wind instrument of its kind’ – hear its haunting sound The seashell’s music probably hadn’t been heard by humans for more than 17,000 years…
Why chase perfection when your joy loves progress? Why seek to be liked by the mass when too many within it don’t like themselves? Why aim to fit in when the game is to be a standout? Why wish for easier times when it’s the hard ones that make you strong?
To turn trials into triumph. To make failure into fortune. To change wounds into wisdom. To reform walls into windows. Such are the things that make humans. Happier.
So as the hours of your life advance. As the months slip away. As the years become decades. As the clock ticks each day.
Walk the earth gently. Care for the planet carefully. Honor your values ferociously. Protect your ambitions enthusiastically. Celebrate your friends passionately. Hold your family closely. Guard great health excellently. And be helpful to many, daily.
Do this. And. You’ll. Become. Magic. And a whole lot. Happier.
Thanks this week go to Angelica GW, Bob C & Robin S.
Upskilling Ourselves to Meet the Moment and Meet Ourselves as well as Others Where We Are At:
Later this month, as part of sharpening my saw to keep growing & to meet the moment, I am going to embark on the Awakening Conscious Leadership journey with XChange.
This program is based in large part on the lifework of my dear departed soul brother Dr Danny Friedland, founding chair of the Academy of Integrated Health and Medicine, author of one of the first textbooks on Evidence-Based Medicine, Master Facilitator extraordinaire, Conscious Leadership Coach for the leaders of Conscious Capitalism among others, and an amazing human being.
As part of my prep work, this vid (below) was shared with me, and I felt compelled to share it with you.
Why?
Like Dr. Danny, at our deepest self, we are all trying to navigate and make meaning of suffering, identify our higher purpose, face our mortality, and leave a legacy. By understanding the choreography of asking the right questions, and assembling the glorious order of things, we can find our best and highest use in our short time on this earth.
There is nothing like the fierce urgency of now to reveal the answer to the deep and rich question, we often fail to ask and answer, namely, “What Matters Most NOW?” instead of the more common question, “What am I going to do now?”
If you are looking for mindless release from the ongoing madness, then binge watch your favorite show or use another escapist device to give you relief.
I get it. I do it all the time…
On the other hand, if you are willing to get vulnerable and real with your most authentic self and courageously navigate out of these uncharted waters, buckle up and enjoy the journey!
Here’s to Joy in Every One of the Four Seasons of Life:
Vivaldi on Marimba from Crazy Talented South African Schoolchildren
Thanks to DJ King for connecting me with the Awakening Conscious Leadership ecosystem, to Vince R for the Joy of 4 Seasons, and to all my kindred fellow travelers on this incredible and mysterious journey we call life.
Changing this 1 Word in your thoughts can boost Mental Toughness and Resilience, says performance coach Why is it easier to give advice to a friend rather than to ourselves? Psychology expert Steve Magness, who has coached executives and sports teams like the Brooklyn Nets boost their mental strength, explains how a simple change to your inner dialogue can make you more resilient.
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…
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”
– Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This week:
Armani’s Mambo
Women’s Rights with Amanda Gorman
The latest chapter in our deepening moral and political crisis in the US
The American economy is lumbering under monopoly and oligopoly
Did you see the Super Flower Blood Moon last Sunday?
Student with non-speaking autism gives powerful valedictorian speech
Strangers save a woman who had a medical episode while driving
Boxer Terence Crawford’s 7 year old daughter loses her shoe, then dominates field in stunning track meet
Armani’s Mambo to Feel From the Soul:
Reset your soul scape with this original composition by my son Arman:
Armani’s Mambo is an original Mambo inspired by Latin legends such as La Sonora Santanera, Poncho Sanchez, Louie Cruz Beltran and more… Vamos a Bailar!
The latest chapter in our deepening moral and political crisis in the US-
The Numbers Don’t Lie in America’s Gun Violence Problem:
Over the past decade, the Anti-Defamation League has counted about 450 U.S. murders committed by political extremists.
Of these 450 killings, right-wing extremists committed about 75 percent. Islamic extremists were responsible for about 20 percent, and left-wing extremists were responsible for 4 percent.
Nearly half of the murders were specifically tied to white supremacists:
Source: Anti-Defamation League
As this data shows, the American political right has a violence problem that has no equivalent on the left. And the 10 victims in Buffalo this past weekend are now part of this toll. “Right-wing extremist violence is our biggest threat,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the ADL, has written. “The numbers don’t lie.”
Buffalo is part of that unfolding American tragedy:
Events in Buffalo require a response that goes far beyond allyship…
The American Economy is lumbering under monopoly and oligopoly-
What BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street are doing to the Economy:
Their combined $22 trillion in managed assets is equivalent to more than half of the combined value of all shares for the companies in the S&P 500 (about $38 trillion)
Many of us have read the story about 3 people doing what looks like the same job, but when asked what they are doing:
One says they are laying bricks
The second says he is building a wall
And the third says he is creating a masterpiece!
Same identical work, but experienced so differently.
How can this be?
This story was made popular in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The story is actually not by Stephen Covey, but because he sold over 15 million copies of the book it is often attributed to him.
Proper attribution notwithstanding, it does draw attention to our relationship to our world of work and invites us to explore if we experience what we do; simply as a job, part of a career, or a purposeful calling?
When we are able to find meaning and purpose in our work, the mundane can become profound and we can turn the usual into extraordinary, often leaving a legacy that lives on well past our lifetime.
Many today are revisiting their relationship to work.
Perhaps we can learn from history…
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, designed by the world famous architect Antoni Gaudi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and described as, “the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages.”
Construction on the Basilica began on March 19, 1882 which is almost exactly 140 years ago.
Less than 25% of the Basilica was finished during Gaudi’s lifetime, and they are still working on it- though it was scheduled to be completed this year but was delayed due to the pandemic.
I am sure those working on it over the century, also viewed themselves as brick layers, wall builders and masterpiece producers- and they were all right.
It is after all all a matter of your frame of reference and your perspective.
What is often missing in the story, is that everyone focuses on the bricks, but people forget the mortar, and the mortar is just as important as the bricks!
The mortar is the social capital or glue that binds us together, when we know we are working together for a common purpose, when we know others have got our backs, when trust and transparency and even vulnerability become critical ingredients in the mix. As Peter Drucker famously reminds us, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”.
In a time when our relationship to our work is being seriously revisited, let’s take the time to both find meaning and purpose in our work, as well as, build our bench strength, grow our franchise value, and make sure we are playing together not playing each other by strengthening the glue that binds us.
Turns out the Great Resignation may be followed by the Great Regret as many employees that jumped ship, quickly realized that “the grass isn’t greener on the other side”, the grass is greener where you water it!
So today, let’s all attend to our purpose, invest in our social capital and let’s keep serving our stakeholders with care and consideration.
Here is to the Great Rejuvenation…
Live, Love, Learn, Laugh & Leave a Legacy!
Love All,
Neville
Enlightened Self Interest-
How to Handle Stress Situations Better Than Will Smith Use the S.O.S. method when triggered for better outcomes.
Etiquette expert says we’ve overlooked Lady Gaga’s great kindness toward Liza Minnelli While Will Smith’s shocking slap of Chris Rock during the Oscars broadcast last Sunday has been big news, one etiquette expert says far too many people missed a beautiful gesture shown on stage that same night by Lady Gaga toward a visibly flustered Liza Minnelli.
When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina Costa goes beyond the “fight” narrative of cancer — or any formidable personal journey — to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges: gratitude.
The deceptively simple plan to replenish California’s groundwater The state pumps too much groundwater, especially during droughts. Now, it’s learning to refill the overdrawn bucket. “It’s the simplest math in the world,” says one scientist.
My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness and I said, “No, we all seem to enjoy it.”
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say, “Close enough.”
Being an adult is the dumbest thing I have ever done.
I’m a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time!
Retirement to do list: Wake up. -I Nailed it!
People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
I don’t have grey hair. I have wisdom highlights.
Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.
I don’t trip, I do random gravity checks.
One minute you’re young and fun. Next, you’re turning down the car stereo to see better.
I’d grow my own food if only I could find bacon seeds.
Some people are like clouds, once they disappear it’s a beautiful day.
Some people you’re glad to see coming; some people you’re glad to see going.
Common sense is not a gift. It’s a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it.
I came. I saw. I forgot what I was doing. Retraced my steps. Got lost on the way back. Now I have no idea what’s going on.
If you can’t think of a word, say “I forgot the English word for it.” That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.
I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.
I don’t mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day diet food supply in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented. … I forgot where I was going with this.
Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.
It’s weird being the same age as old people.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be older… This is not what I expected.
Life is like a helicopter. I don’t know how to operate a helicopter either.
It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
Never sing in the shower! Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked. So, remember… don’t sing!
I see people my age mountain climbing. I feel good just getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.
We all get heavier as we get older, because there’s a lot more information in our heads. That’s my story anyway.
Thanks this week go to Alan D, Jack A and TedX SD, Marlaine C and Parenting 2.0, Larry H, and Rejuvenators Everywhere!
Before we speak let your words pass through these 5 gates
Is it True?
Is it Helpful?
Is it Inspiring?
Is it Necessary? Is it KIND?
Jail Break Leadership:
Here is a recent podcast of me with my friend and colleague Jeff Blanton a pioneer and thought leader in the Conscious Capitalism space. Unlike the rest of us, when Jeff’s deep self-reflection recognized a “smoldering discontent” he decided to do something about it, changing his life and changing the world! If you are doing purpose work or need to operational it in your world of work, talk to Jeff!
In today’s globally interconnected world, a company must create value for and be valued by its full range of stakeholders in order to deliver long-term value for its shareholders.
Watch as the crowd reacts when a blind basketball player makes a free throw High school junior Jules Hoogland wowed the crowd at a home game this week.
WATCH: Paraplegic Golfer Sinks Hole-In-One For the Ages at Torrey Pines Most golf fans would say Tiger Woods’ playoff-clinching putt on the 72nd hole of the 2008 U.S. Open is the greatest shot of all time at Torrey Pines Golf Course. That’s because they haven’t seen this one-armed ace from Abdul Nevarez.
Whether it is the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or other challenges that seem to keep rearing their ugly heads, it sure seems tough to stay in a positive frame of mind.
I am telling you, if it’s not one thing, it’s another…
Now that traffic has picked up, have you noticed that if you are running late and trying to get to your destination on time, every red light can get in your head and make you stressed?
You feel your pulse racing, anxiety rising, frustration building…
Now replay the tape…
If you think back, how many of the green lights did you notice?
If you are like most of us, we have a form of attentional blindness to the green lights and seem to miss all of them, while we perseverate on all the red ones.
Humans brains seem to be wired to be velcro for the bad stuff and teflon for the good stuff.
Just recognizing this default setting, and choosing to attend to the green lights, both literally and figuratively can be a powerful tool in dealing with the day to day challenges we all face.
So here is a thought for the week:
Take some time everyday to focus on the green lights in your life.
When you find yourself thinking about all the things you don’t have, consider all the things you don’t have that youdon’t want!
Focusing on the green lights is a form of practicing an attitude of gratitude.
It is hard to be hateful and grateful at the same time.
May you have a week filled with green lights both personally and professionally, and maybe share your evergreen attitude with others.
Joy shared is doubled. Misery shared is halved…
You’ve got this!
Love,
Neville
Celebrating International Women’s Day Week:
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”
200 classical musicians join London orchestral flashmob in solidarity with Ukraine Musicians took part in a flashmob in London’s Trafalgar Square, to show solidarity with Ukraine.
With no rehearsal time, the musicians gathered for an outdoor flashmob described as “spine-tingling” by spectators walking past the square.
5 Simple Acts Of Kindness Giving Ukrainians (And The World) Some Hope The world is coming together to help Ukrainians – on the borders and at home.
5 Simple Acts Of Kindness Giving Ukrainians (And The World) Some Hope | HuffPost UK Life (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
CRITICAL FOUNDATIONS: The Thirty Questions Anyone Must Answer to Build a Meaningful Life:
By Scott Schimmel
What are the step-by-step ingredients someone needs to build a meaningful life? The current school system is a sprint to gain the knowledge necessary to pass tests and be ready for the academic challenges in college. There’s little room for reflection, integration, or building relevant self-awareness.
Through years of research and work with tens of thousands of students, educators, transitioning veterans, and parents, we’ve developed a keen perspective- a meaningful life has to be intentionally constructed. It doesn’t work to give answers—you have to ask questions. You have to create the circumstances for people to discover their own answers to life’s most critical questions.
In this book, Scott walks through each one of the thirty critical questions—why they’re so essential and how to go about answering them. With vulnerable storytelling, these foundational concepts become accessible and relatable to someone of any age. The second half of the book delves into common sense skills to help guide young people to find their answers to these critical questions.
Source: Anti-Defamation League
Happy Soul Food Friday! 