I am sure that every manager, business owner, entrepreneur, net-worker, team builder, religious leader, non-profit director… has faced the issue of loyalty at some point or other.

Loyalty is the end-goal of a well-traveled mountain path littered by barriers and detours.

I’m just sounding off on the topic, as I ponder on this after 2 years of developing and overseeing the growth of a non-profit. The core program of the non-profit is to provide community relief in the sector of housing counseling; with ancillary programs of youth development, community education, and food drives.

The initial mission was targeted towards youth development, but as the housing crisis blossomed the need for housing counseling services grew. Without a fund raising portal to hold the foundation together, the need to create a work program around the counseling service was identified.

We brought in the first core of close acquaintances and taught them in the areas of marketing, team building and housing counseling. Providing countless hours of training via website information, conference calls, quarterly training and many selfless one on one session.

Many people came through the unseen doors of The Helpful Hands Foundation receiving more than they ever gave. Some were in foreclosure and learned key points on home preservation and lender requirements. Many were at the doors of court houses and were empowered with hope; armed with confidence and knowledge they were able to talk to judges and attorneys and restore home ownership.

In a period of two years over 1,000 people were saved from foreclosure.

In those same two years we watched over 600 people come into the housing counseling work program of the non profit and… we watched them leave. People were paid on commission. What ever money came in for services was all disbursed back to the counselors. Incentive was built into the same commission so that managers can rise and build teams and get compensated for helping the non profit grow and train more counselors. This effort would maximize the community outreach.

Today The Helpful Hands nonprofit organization survives on hope, the income generated barely covers the office and overhead.

What pains me is that those that have been brought into the inner circle claim to want to help… but money is their boss. Not loyalty to a cause.

The Cause at The Helpful Hands Foundation: Helping People. The motto: “helping one hand at a time”
How do we help? Through service.

Many say they will support you … but that support comes when they pay their bills. Does your opportunity help fill other peoples pocket?

Is your organization filling a need? What kind of need? Does it create jobs? Does it fill an emotional need? Does it educate others?

I still find myself with the initial question, how does a non profit create loyalty when income margin is based on volume? People helping people. What a novelty: people helping people!!?

Why would anyone want to join a non profit and help it grow (or church, company, team etc)?

Again, I find myself at the mercy of God defining my mission as one that serves the many. Reminding myself that if I share my knowledge, my love, my compassion then in His wisdom I will be blessed.

If you are a leader and believe in your company, if you believe in its mission statement, if you believe in touching peoples lives… then let that define you. Become the best at your trade whether it be leadership, recruiter, trainer, manager.

If you are a leader and believe in the money your position can attract. Then let that define you and follow the money.

Don’t stay in a company where you will not be fulfilled (whether you are the founder or a manager).

If you are a hiring manager, recruiter or trainer (church leader, business owner etc)- remember you are influencing the make-up of the organization by the people you bring and train; and it is a privilege to be a mentor to someone. The opportunity of interaction and giving to another human being is priceless.

I have learned that many people place ZERO value on knowledge that is given freely or even emotional goodwill they receive from a kindred spirit. If they don’t see it with their eyes, if they can’t touch the results with their hands you just haven’t done enough for them.

I have been a trainer for over 25 years and I’ve embraced with much pain the lesson from the above sentence and practice the Catch and Release philosophy.

Many walked through doors of The Helpful Hands Foundation and this has allowed me to be on many Catch and Release expeditions; in these expeditions some were saved from foreclosure, others were hungry and were fed, and I’m not talking just about food… I’m talking about knowledge. Knowledge that now is theirs to grow and share with others.

The Helpful Hands Foundation the non profit that changes peoples lives.

Perhaps one day we will find a few good people that will help it grow.

Your actions will soon DEFINE… YOU.

Once you embark on the journey towards self-growth you will be on the most amazing trip of your lifetime. What I’ve discovered through my journey… is that there may be parts of you that you will need to let go, ‘truths’ that no longer have meaning to the person that is ready to emerge and for all exterior purposes at times it may feel that your whole reality is falling apart.

Know that it is okay and you are in the process of the metamorphosis. You will emerge strong, beautiful and empowered.

Through self-growth you will learn how to look inside yourself and get clear about certain things. You will come straight with the walls that block you from your dreams. These walls usually are your deep-rooted beliefs that were formed in childhood, or at least the early part of your lives. Once you see that those “truths” (beliefs) no longer apply to the YOU that you will become… you will release them revealing the most beautiful and tender part of you. Your butterfly will emerge.

Be Confident
Stand tall. Look people in the eyes. Meet people with a firm handshake. Speak with a tone of enthusiasm. Stay positive.

Be Consistent
Remember victory belongs to the most persevering and no one is perfect without trials. Keep in mind that life is a “marathon”, not a “sprint”. Enjoy the journey.

Look Good
Wear clothes that make you look good and feel good.

Develop a New Personality
“Who” you are is not about how talented you are but it’s about how willing you are to continue on your path of self-development as you reach out to help others.

Be Committed
Love your family and be committed to them. Know your business and be committed to it. Respect your peers and be committed to them.

Set Big Goals
Write down short term (30 days) and long term (90 days or more) goals. Post them where you can read them and work to achieve them everyday.

Take charge and be a leader
Be a do-it-first leader. Never expect your up line to do everything. Learn it and then do it.

Develop a Positive Attitude
People are attracted to people who react positively, even in the most difficult situation. And remember people buy the good feelings, the excitement, the enthusiasm, the vision and the belief that you convey.

Share the “Big Picture”
Remember to share your goodness with others who may be blind to the exciting life that you are discovering.

Express your Passion
Be passionate about what you know or do. Enthusiasm is infectious. Spread it around.

When you are on a journey to Self-growth you live life at Maximum Speed.
Remember… you DESERVE to experience the BEST life Ever!

What does it mean to experience life at maximum speed?
–To feel Free, Invigorated, Joyous, Alive, Limitless
–To experience Peace within yourself.
–To become immune any Venom that may be directed at you.
–To live in the Spirit of Self, flowing with self Love, Acceptance and Harmony.
–To become Self-directed and begin directing the course of your life as opposed to reacting to outside events.

Daisy Says: The journey towards self is an expression of Love.

Many times I have journeyed into life moving in one direction or other yet it was through solitude in introspection that I could find my way back to the source of light and guidance.

Polar bears are intelligent and fearless; native tribes throughout history have held the polar as a desirable ally and spirit helper. The white color of the polar bear represents purity of spirit. As this bear is fearless and the universal energy only flows when fear is absent, the polar serves as a valuable ally in getting past fear, both physically and mentally. When our own courage falters we can connect with our animal nature and overcome obstacles beyond our imagination.

To the Eskimo and Inuit peoples this animal is a source of both physical and spiritual nourishment. On a spiritual level, the polar bear is regarded as the embodiment of the spirit of the North, an animal who possesses ancient wisdom and has shamanic powers.

Of the bear family the polar is the most aggressive and carnivorous, yet they are not territorial. They are exceptional hunters. Polar bears weigh up to 1600 lbs and are able to knock a 500lb seal out of the water with one blow. Polar bear attacks are more likely to be predatory and are almost always fatal. They are stealth hunters, and the victim is often unaware of the bear’s presence until the attack is underway. Incredibly strong, they are adaptable which is an excellent survival skill. (Though they are one of the largest land carnivores, they are still capable of great speed on both ice and earth. They are able to swim 100 miles non-stop.)

There have been many instances in my life where I’ve had to adapt to the circumstances and surroundings in order to continue the growth of my soul. To question the journey was not an option, only to adapt and grow secured my survival.

In general, adult polar bears live solitary lives. Yet, they have often been seen playing together for hours at a time and even sleeping in an embrace, adult males have “well-developed friendships.” Cubs are especially playful as well. Among young males in particular, play-fighting may be a means of practicing for serious competition during mating seasons later in life. Polar bears have a wide range of vocalizations, including bellows, roars, growls, chuffs and purrs.

The Polar Bear is one of my mentors through observation of this majestic creature I have learned many lessons and gained much wisdom.

Prior to acting the polar will observe the situation beforehand. They know how exactly how to preserve their energy and strength and use both at the most appropriate time for the best outcome. The art of energy management is a lesson we can all benefit from.

Within the animal kingdom the polar has no enemies. However, they do have but one enemy – the human hunter.

Daisy Says: Dare to be courageous. Dare to enter the Artic!

It seems like yesterday yet on paper it has been over 8 years since we bought a little piece of land about an acre and a half in the island. My grandfather was selling it… times were tough and I’ve always wanted to preserve a piece of my heritage and memories of my rich childhood growing up in the island.

With determination and great sacrifice we were able to purchase the land and make that dream a reality.
The land sat quietly overlooking the mountain with each passing season the rains came and went; nearly a decade came and went and finally the opportunity of creation came around again. What to do with the land.

Mom and dad finally retired back to the island and it was on one of my visits that it occurred to me of how wonderful it would be to have a pavilion; a place to spend the day, have a barbecue, play music, feel the breeze come down from the mountain and sit by the watering hole.

The greatest joy has been watching my mom and dad play and run around town pricing materials and meeting with people, it has helped them in gradually getting to know their community and the day to day swing of the island. For me, it brings me such joy to see them living life without the stress.

Dreams are to be pursued with patience and conviction..

When you walk into a room, do you see someone who stands out from the crowd?
You may have not spoken to that person, but you watch as people are drawn to his or her positive energy.

The way you feel about yourself, as opposed to how you try to look, sends silent signals to others before a word is even uttered. It tells people how you want to be treated. This unseen dialogue, known as “sizing one another up,” reflects how you want people to treat you.

Without even realizing it sometimes, we sabotage new relationships by thinking negatively. Our self-doubt steals our potentially loaded brilliant ideas and partnerships before we even give them a chance to succeed.

The secret to success is learning from our experiences, good and bad.

You deserve success… try this:

Bring the best of yourself. There is no reason to inflate your self-image by trying to turn self-doubt into a strength by joking about your weaknesses or covering them up. Those ‘little jokes’ WILL hurt you in the long run and lowers your self-esteem. Your conviction to your goals – (TO YOUR LIFE) – and your confidence to ask for help is all people you meet really expect.

Have a positive internal self-talk. Avoid saying things like “It will be too much work” or “Someone else can do it better.” When you attempt something new, release your past failures and as you uncover any negative thoughts, acknowledge them and then release them. You can’t predict the future, so how do you know what you can and cannot accomplish? I can assure you of this… You can predict your current action.

Be your positive self. You don’t need anyone’s approval to achieve your dreams. Only you control the state of mind you want to live in.

Take action even if you are confused. Catch yourself when you are about to act from weakness. If you feel vulnerable, accept it as a natural part of being human. Embrace that vulnerability and allow yourself to feel free as a bird knowing that the wind will take you in its gentle course because you have chosen to live your fullest life… nothing holding you back… not even the fear of success. Remember that the “but what ifs” you place on the end of your thought processes will dampen your secret enthusiasm, even without you realizing it. Live in the moment and allow reality to throw obstacles your way, this in turn will give you the opportunity to resolve and discover the steps to overcome them.

Keep silent, then speak. When in conversation with others, conduct a quick internal check before speaking. Does the remark you are about to make empower or debilitate the conversation? If not, try this: keep silent. Silence is often stronger than words.

Recognize that you are in control. You may be able to blame others, the true courage is when you choose not to. Remember you are the master artist of your life, your existence is the magic spark that adds color to the canvass.

If there were two apples on the table… a rotten one and a fresh beautiful red apple… which one would you chose? So, why would you give anyone a rotten apple… be the best apple you can be!

Daisy Says: Become inspired by your hidden potential.