Just because you are vegan, love animals, want to save the planet or are in tune spiritually, does not give rights to others to push you around and it sure doesn't necessarily mean you are a pushover.
I am unclear why folks really believe that being a pansy is part and parcel to living with ethics and for something greater than one's self. And sometimes I end up just not winning, but not very often. I try hard to be fair-minded but take care of business and take care of my family while being fair. But somehow, fair means totally giving in to other people and that is just nuts.
I had a tenant a few months back that invited someone over to the property who deliberately caused over $2600.00 in vandalism damage to my property. There were beers involved, a fight ensued and rocks were thrown. The home is registered historic and I keep up with it beautifully and mostly on my own dime. I submitted to my tenant the two quotes my contractor provided. When I got half of it covered, I was frankly overjoyed, thinking this is greatness, I will just end up eating only the other half of this damage. With the rental, in particular, I get so used to absorbing the loss, I just roll with it. Well, when the ner-do-well that caused the damage paid a portion and the tenants' insurance paid the other, I was ecstatic! I thought this is terrific, now I can pay these people a deposit that would otherwise be completely eaten away on the rock tossing business. But the tenants damaged the kitchen floor, and apparently had not ever cleaned in an entire year. The grease on the rock countertop was a thick yellow that had to be chiselled away with a paint scraper and cans of degreaser. My lawyer recommended keeping the entire deposit. But I wanted to be fair. And although these guys ended up getting most of their deposit back, they pitched a holy Hanna fit and claimed I got too much money for the vandalism, claimed there was only one receipt not two, that I somehow made stuff up. I was threatened, belittled, berated, harassed, it was nuts.
Recently I had, or at least attempted to have, a bathroom remodel, with everything out of the bathroom and the entire room taken down to the studs. I have been through remodel rodeo numerous times by now and understand the scope of what can go wrong and take as many preventive measures as possible. In 3 hours, my bathroom was gutted. 3 weeks later it still sat gutted. And what I had paid the contractor for, materials, work each week, was not happening with any reasonable speed. Having been paid twice, I was concerned because we were 3/4ths paid on a job that had perhaps a weeks worth of work done so far. Then the dude asked for another payment for the floor guy stating he didn't have the money. I had already paid him for the floor guy...red flag....when I nicely reminded him the final payment will be paid once all work has completed because we had already paid well over half the money due but were only seeing a weeks worth of work in the last month, his next words were 'I don't trust this situation!' This was followed by a demand for money, attacking me because I 'want it my way' that he will NOT be managed and finally that we should be nice to each other until this project is done!' I provided him an invoice on how much he owed me back and fired him. Aint nobody got time for that drama!
Don't let people corner you or push you around just because you are nice. There is a big difference in being nice and being a fool. You do want to pick your battles and learn to let go on the nit noidy stuff, but when you are being done wrong, it is ok to speak up!
I am a huge believer in endings being just as important as beginnings. I see so many folks fawn all over the new puppy, the new job, the new car or house or relationship and then when things get into a routine, things get older, the attention span wanders. People, it's called maintenance. And in the case of sentient beings, they need you. Just because your dog is 12 doesn't negate your responsibilities or his love and dependence upon you. Cars are not throw away items to be trashed and abused then sold cheaply to become somebody else's drama. When you take good care of your things, you will find they last almost forever. And so will your friendships too. Think hard and long about what you want in your life and then treasure what you have. When you move out of a place, pay it forward by leaving it nice or even nicer for the next person. Why not be kind?
At Sprint many moons ago, I took this training called 'Manage By Fact'. It was beautiful training because no matter how you feel about things emotionally, there are always the facts which we ultimately must manage by. This is now labelled 'Emotional Intelligence' and is really a lot more practical than whatever your IQ is as it assists you in dealing with people, calming the emotions down where you can do things logically.
Emotional Intelligence is critical in any business dealings and I can spot the children a mile off. Emotional Intelligence by Travis Bradberry or this one by Daniel Goleman titled Emotional Intelligence, are two great books to help you manage your emotions effectively.
There will always be people who are not as evolved spiritually ready to push blame and problems on you. By being mindful of what the facts are and protecting yourself accordingly, you can graciously but firmly push back and own your own power.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Friday, May 4, 2018
Health & Getting Religion
My last studies were taken at Hippocrates Health Institute. (Link to their free syllabus below). It was a very educational year and turned my life around really.
So I had an opportunity to share with others what I have learned by way of getting Brian Clement, from Hippocrates, to speak here in Dallas. I was offered the opportunity to put an engagement together and I can only hope that I get that chance again in the future. The time I had to make that happen was short. I would have to move swiftly! As this blog doesn't pay a salary just yet, I have gone back to full-time work, had family coming to town, busy life etc, I had exactly one place I thought would be perfect; the Seventh Day Adventist Church I pass on my way to work each day. Feeling like kismet, holding fond memories of being SDA, I reached out. I reached out again and again before getting an answer. Slam Dunk Nope Nada! And I had thought, as they are old testament in their food and beverage choices, promoting a vegetarian if not vegan diet, that this would dovetail very nicely with whatever Brian had to say as guest speaker. These were spiritual minded people who are already being educated on the best way to eat and now they can learn even more, perhaps even invite friends who may not be as religious but learn something healthful.
This blog is secular and Hippocrates is not a religion but a place to heal and learn healthy eating and to educate you as to how your dietary and lifestyle choices affect the earth and all who populate it. While spiritual matters were lightly discussed in the sense that we should have and hold to our spiritual beliefs, they significantly help us achieve a happy and abundant life, religion perse was not discussed.
It is with an open mind that we come to the table and learn, grow and maybe change our direction. I had this conversation with a colleague at work because this really upset me. I felt entirely responsible for losing this opportunity. What had I said that was so bad? If these folks are so serious, where on earth do they shop? Is not the grocery store secular? Where on earth do these fine SDA parishioners shop at for their plant-based diets, or wherever they may buy their tires, their clothing, their homes or dine out? What TV do they watch, what speakers? How on earth is all of this controlled? Is Amazon Christian? What about each shop on Amazon? Is Kroger god-fearing and if so, what religion? What about each and every employee? What would the world be like if only someone who appeared to think, believe, feel and act exactly like you, got the free pass, got to speak on a topic they were expert in, got your patronage, got hired at work? How then would you spread your message of light? I want to place special emphasis here on the word 'appeared' because what appears is not always so.
I had hoped to pass out information and samples of organic skincare. I had hoped to hear Brian speak. I am not a speaker, no I hide behind a keyboard. But I did want to be there to take it all in and learn more and help others learn about some fantastic organic products.
I was really excited to have this opportunity given to me. To say this was a complete kick in the teeth being shunned as I was, is just understating the devastation I felt.
In the transaction, I lost all interest in trying this church. I took this as a message to stop seeking out church as it solidified why I don't go anymore. I have left due to hypocrisy before and just flat misunderstandings of the word, of me, or what God wants.
I am not saying here for you to leave your church. If you seek and find comfort there, edification, sanctification, then by all means go. What I do know is this: The laws of God are written in our hearts. We already know right from wrong. Daily we make the choices that lead us forward or backwards. Judgement trumps compassion and we are called to compassion, to learn to love more fully and to accept. We are not here to judge, we do not excel at it, that is God's providence.
We must all be mindful of becoming narrow-minded, egoist, short-sighted because when we are, be become a detrimental stumbling block to others.
No matter who is invited to speak, that individual is human. They may or may not believe exactly as you do. The person in the pew next to you probably doesn't believe exactly as you do. There are imposters everywhere, well-meaning or ill-meaning folks at various levels, backsliders and folks who just go because their spouse does or it's good for the kids, or to meet people. In every church I have attended, there are folks that completely stick on something and go out into left field with that. This is human nature and you don't escape that in church. You cannot, on this earthly plane, create Utopia, it ain't here! No, your parishioners are confronted with real life all day and all life long.
The last time I left a church was Mount Zion. I was new here and didn't know of an SDA church so I settled based on a recommendation. It was a lovely delightful church, non-denominational, and the preacher had two young and great kids and he also worked as a vet, a very kind compassionate man. It was a small congregation and I knew the family very well. His kids would often sit next to me. I worked then as a DJ for KZEW (13 years the home of Rock and Roll). I was Nicki Clark on air. Great good times and I adore great music. Being passionate about music, I also very much believe 'Garbage in, garbage out' and strictly monitor my music collection. I did not buy or play anything that espoused a life that conflicted with my morals which were Christian based, simply because this is how I was raised. I had numerous discussion on the topic, maintaining it was never about the beat but the lyrics that mattered. Lyrics have always mattered to me. So after being cajoled and having this discussion repeatedly, the preacher preached...in the pulpit...at me....about rock and roll one day and basically that I was in the wrong job. I wasn't. I was exactly where I needed to be. He could not see this. He was a diehard Lawrence Welk fan and I can appreciate that, however, there is nothing wrong with rock and roll, or disco, or any of it, provided you are listening to something that uplifts, edifies, is moral. And so, I left that church. I find God in nature, in food, in great architecture, in books, music, really he is hard to miss!
Part of your overall health is acknowledging that you are body, mind and spirit. Yoga does this and is why Yoga is so healthful. It is one of the few excercise regimens that works on you holistically. You are encouraged to seek out your spiritual path but I am old enough now to recognize that I no longer possess all the right answers. I am just a girl writing a secular plant-based lifestyle blog. I am here to help with any product or plant-based questions you have. For spiritual matters, seek out God. :)
http://puretemple.org/ This is my blog Health, Planet Sustainability and Vegan Diet - where you can find info on anything from foods, recipes, a toxin-free sofa to dog food.
www.bioceutica.com/puretemple Great skin and body care that is science-based with no toxins
www.EssanteOrganics.com/Puretemple Organic and Plant-Based Line Coconut water-based
http://www.miessence.com/puretemple/en/category/1/skincare Organic and Plant-Based Line that is Aloe Vera Based
https://op.hippocratesinst.org/moreinfo/static/34 For the free syllabus Online Life Transformation!
So I had an opportunity to share with others what I have learned by way of getting Brian Clement, from Hippocrates, to speak here in Dallas. I was offered the opportunity to put an engagement together and I can only hope that I get that chance again in the future. The time I had to make that happen was short. I would have to move swiftly! As this blog doesn't pay a salary just yet, I have gone back to full-time work, had family coming to town, busy life etc, I had exactly one place I thought would be perfect; the Seventh Day Adventist Church I pass on my way to work each day. Feeling like kismet, holding fond memories of being SDA, I reached out. I reached out again and again before getting an answer. Slam Dunk Nope Nada! And I had thought, as they are old testament in their food and beverage choices, promoting a vegetarian if not vegan diet, that this would dovetail very nicely with whatever Brian had to say as guest speaker. These were spiritual minded people who are already being educated on the best way to eat and now they can learn even more, perhaps even invite friends who may not be as religious but learn something healthful.
This blog is secular and Hippocrates is not a religion but a place to heal and learn healthy eating and to educate you as to how your dietary and lifestyle choices affect the earth and all who populate it. While spiritual matters were lightly discussed in the sense that we should have and hold to our spiritual beliefs, they significantly help us achieve a happy and abundant life, religion perse was not discussed.
It is with an open mind that we come to the table and learn, grow and maybe change our direction. I had this conversation with a colleague at work because this really upset me. I felt entirely responsible for losing this opportunity. What had I said that was so bad? If these folks are so serious, where on earth do they shop? Is not the grocery store secular? Where on earth do these fine SDA parishioners shop at for their plant-based diets, or wherever they may buy their tires, their clothing, their homes or dine out? What TV do they watch, what speakers? How on earth is all of this controlled? Is Amazon Christian? What about each shop on Amazon? Is Kroger god-fearing and if so, what religion? What about each and every employee? What would the world be like if only someone who appeared to think, believe, feel and act exactly like you, got the free pass, got to speak on a topic they were expert in, got your patronage, got hired at work? How then would you spread your message of light? I want to place special emphasis here on the word 'appeared' because what appears is not always so.
I had hoped to pass out information and samples of organic skincare. I had hoped to hear Brian speak. I am not a speaker, no I hide behind a keyboard. But I did want to be there to take it all in and learn more and help others learn about some fantastic organic products.
I was really excited to have this opportunity given to me. To say this was a complete kick in the teeth being shunned as I was, is just understating the devastation I felt.
In the transaction, I lost all interest in trying this church. I took this as a message to stop seeking out church as it solidified why I don't go anymore. I have left due to hypocrisy before and just flat misunderstandings of the word, of me, or what God wants.
I am not saying here for you to leave your church. If you seek and find comfort there, edification, sanctification, then by all means go. What I do know is this: The laws of God are written in our hearts. We already know right from wrong. Daily we make the choices that lead us forward or backwards. Judgement trumps compassion and we are called to compassion, to learn to love more fully and to accept. We are not here to judge, we do not excel at it, that is God's providence.
We must all be mindful of becoming narrow-minded, egoist, short-sighted because when we are, be become a detrimental stumbling block to others.
No matter who is invited to speak, that individual is human. They may or may not believe exactly as you do. The person in the pew next to you probably doesn't believe exactly as you do. There are imposters everywhere, well-meaning or ill-meaning folks at various levels, backsliders and folks who just go because their spouse does or it's good for the kids, or to meet people. In every church I have attended, there are folks that completely stick on something and go out into left field with that. This is human nature and you don't escape that in church. You cannot, on this earthly plane, create Utopia, it ain't here! No, your parishioners are confronted with real life all day and all life long.
The last time I left a church was Mount Zion. I was new here and didn't know of an SDA church so I settled based on a recommendation. It was a lovely delightful church, non-denominational, and the preacher had two young and great kids and he also worked as a vet, a very kind compassionate man. It was a small congregation and I knew the family very well. His kids would often sit next to me. I worked then as a DJ for KZEW (13 years the home of Rock and Roll). I was Nicki Clark on air. Great good times and I adore great music. Being passionate about music, I also very much believe 'Garbage in, garbage out' and strictly monitor my music collection. I did not buy or play anything that espoused a life that conflicted with my morals which were Christian based, simply because this is how I was raised. I had numerous discussion on the topic, maintaining it was never about the beat but the lyrics that mattered. Lyrics have always mattered to me. So after being cajoled and having this discussion repeatedly, the preacher preached...in the pulpit...at me....about rock and roll one day and basically that I was in the wrong job. I wasn't. I was exactly where I needed to be. He could not see this. He was a diehard Lawrence Welk fan and I can appreciate that, however, there is nothing wrong with rock and roll, or disco, or any of it, provided you are listening to something that uplifts, edifies, is moral. And so, I left that church. I find God in nature, in food, in great architecture, in books, music, really he is hard to miss!
Part of your overall health is acknowledging that you are body, mind and spirit. Yoga does this and is why Yoga is so healthful. It is one of the few excercise regimens that works on you holistically. You are encouraged to seek out your spiritual path but I am old enough now to recognize that I no longer possess all the right answers. I am just a girl writing a secular plant-based lifestyle blog. I am here to help with any product or plant-based questions you have. For spiritual matters, seek out God. :)
http://puretemple.org/ This is my blog Health, Planet Sustainability and Vegan Diet - where you can find info on anything from foods, recipes, a toxin-free sofa to dog food.
www.bioceutica.com/puretemple Great skin and body care that is science-based with no toxins
www.EssanteOrganics.com/Puretemple Organic and Plant-Based Line Coconut water-based
http://www.miessence.com/puretemple/en/category/1/skincare Organic and Plant-Based Line that is Aloe Vera Based
https://op.hippocratesinst.org/moreinfo/static/34 For the free syllabus Online Life Transformation!
Contemplation About Death - Beginnings,Endings & New Beginnings
I dreamt the other day where it was explained that 'When the souls time is up, we go.' Profoundly simple. None of us knows how long we have and every soul, every being on this planet is sacred.
When do our desires coincide with the acquiescence of death...or do our extraneous pursuits busy us to deflect us from the dark contemplations of the inevitable endings on this plane and the nebulous beginnings in another?
Just 48 hours from her death my mother complained about not getting the new shoes we were working on for her. At 86, riddled with cancer and under hospice care, I’m quite sure the nursing home staff buried our request under a ‘Why Bother’ tab.
Were her feet troubling her? Did she want one more new material thing before the inevitable transition or did she seek to be grounded feeling already too otherworldly? She was already talking to People on the other side, some I knew, some not, one foot tenuously planted here and the other flying beyond our full comprehension and our purvey of knowledge.
Kindness is what we need in these transitions we must do. Compassion is the souls ultimate calling as we send light, love and grace out into the world
This blog is about health by way of living/leading a plant-based lifestyle. It is not a diet, it is a life pursuit. Diets suggest to most of us, a temporary event to reach a particular goal, but your ongoing health is far more important than losing a few pounds only to gain them back again later, or get glowing skin and tone just to fall off that wagon a few months from now. While I believe there is a God and I believe we all have souls, and I firmly believe that being spiritual helps one along the journey here, I purposely espouse no religion. This blog is not about preaching, but about health. I am not here with all the correct answers that at one time I really thought I had. No, this is not a conversion to SDA, to Christianity, Budha, Judaism or Bahai faith or any such. I simply hope here to spur your own curiosity and internal flame and allow you to do your own communion with God and choose accordingly. In my teens and 20's I knew it all. I knew who was going to hell and no sense to argue that point with me because I knew I was correct. I am old enough to realize I can be wrong. New information arrives daily and old information is renewed as we read once more and gain sometimes new and groundbreaking insight. Where we sit depends upon where we stand and the teacher appears when the scholar is ready.
So I am full swing into a bathroom remodel. My contractor is placing the faucet clear across the tub, making it a 40inch stretch across the tub to fill it. This is due to space issues and a huge soak tub I am looking very forward to using someday soon! He measured out the space and asked can I reach it? I did a warrior pose, placed one hand behind me and the other as if reaching for the imaginary faucet. My contractor stated I did not have to go all fancy but this, for me, was how to balance and reach. I said, yes, now I can reach and hopefully when I am 100 + I can do the same, but what if not? He exclaimed that I would never see 100. I asked why on earth not? His mother is 86 and I will soon be 60. I am vegan, and am just doing my best to detox daily. Only God knows the hour etc. People, we shortchange ourselves with this mindset that we expire so swiftly. Bringing up the bible there were folks living for hundreds of years. But here is the crux of this whole point: We want to honor our temple, our seat, we want to take very good care of ourselves so that we can remain useful and engaged in life, serving our purpose the entire time. When we are sick and frail, life is a drag and we are not in the best position to give aid to others. Life is so vibrant when we are glowing.
Along with helping folks as a Plant-Based Lifestyle Consultant, I market organic skincare, body care and home care products. Most supplements, over 95%, are a toxic synthetic stew and skincare can have hundreds of carcinogens and hormone disrupters in it. The body has a real burden to carry so the point becomes daily detoxing while avoiding as many new toxins as feasible. Once you get into these good habits, it becomes, well, habit. It gets easier.
One of the lines I represent is Essante, which offers PH nutrition, probiotics, organic and wildcrafted superfoods and shakes. Below are links to help you be your healthiest. I am happy to answer any questions you have. Live long and strong, until your souls time is up.
www.EssanteOrganics.com/Puretemple Organic and Plant-Based Line Coconut water-based
For 100% organic, there is Miessence
http://www.miessence.com/puretemple/en/category/1/skincare Organic and Plant-Based Line that is Aloe Vera Based
Beauty comes firstly from within. Get the superfoods. You will get more volume with Essante and more organic with Miessence. For skincare, the very best line up there is Miessence. But I do love the Essante Lip Gloss.
Bioceutica - www.bioceutica.com/puretemple
If you are looking for easily customized nutrition, (what am I deficient in and really need) Bioceutical offers the PrivaTest which is a pee in the cup in the privacy of your home offering and you send that in to get customized monthly supplements. Nobody else is doing this. And you will also love their Reverse 20 and the amazing mascara.
And if you happen to be very inspired to do a full on life change, I highly suggest the training I took with Hippocrates Health Institute!
https://op.hippocratesinst.org/moreinfo/static/34 For the free syllabus Online Life Transformation!
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