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.

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 boast of 5 acres with a small Heirloom Orange Grove, with over 100 trees of various varieties of oranges:
* Satsuma
* Navel -(Regular, Yellow and Red)
* Ponkan
* Robinson
* Hamlin
* Pineapple Orange
* Murcot Honey
* Ambersweet
* Ruby Red Grapefruit
* Duncan Grapefruit
* Pink Grapefruit
There is also a pear tree (they say its the cooking kind). In the front of the house there is a majestic camphor tree, which dates back to WWII, the dried leaves are very aromatic. It has an old run down house along with 2 barns.

Despite the work that we have ahead of us, there is such sweet serenity; there simply are no words to describe the peace that makes the work turn to joy.

Daisy Says: In simplicity we will find richness, joy and peace.

I did not have to think twice about where I needed to be in the next few days. Flight arrangements were made, it was a coincidence that we could fly the weekend of Easter; this made it all the better as we did not want to break the news of what the doctor had diagnosed and the recommendation was to make his remaining days as pleasant as possible.

The days before my visit, all I could do was remember with fondness the treasure he had given me: the wonderful memories.

Riding with him on his horse while he rustled the cows on the farm. On many occasions I enjoyed sitting atop his leg while he allowed me to shower him with kisses. I followed him everywhere I could and made myself busy so as not to be ’shooed’ away. Feeding the chickens and the pigs. Carrying the little pail of milk to help out with the cows (of course, dipping my finger in the molasses barrel any chance I could). On Sunday mornings we’d go to church and he would smell of Old Spice and look sharp with his dress hat. On the way home we’d make our social visits and stop by relatives… he’d always brag about his favorite grand daughter (at the time… I was the only one and so totally enjoyed being the star of his show). The sweetest gestures I so enjoyed, he always had a treat for me when he came home from his adventures.

>>> Papaito, I love you. Thank you so very much. (It’s wonderful to choose the memory to cherish)

While cherishing the past is wonderful, it is also important to remember to live in the present to create the future. Mom is so amazing and gifted at living in the now… and saw to it that we create a few memories to take with us. We visited two beautiful local rivers.

Rio Fula had a wonderful swimming spot; at the base of the river they had a restaurant and they brought you food to whatever spot you chose to set up camp. Bachata and laughter permeated the zone.

RIO FULA:

The next day we hiked through the beautiful canape of cocoa trees of Rio Jima, this was a magical place with the sounds of running river, songbirds and crickets all about (a contrast from the music of bachata); it is said that there are 12 waterfalls as one ascends up the mountain, we only made it to the first waterfall and it was breathtaking.

RIO JIMA:

My parents are from the province of Bonao in the Dominican Republic (one of the 3 Spanish Caribbean islands)
Bonao borders to the north with the province of La Vega, east of the province Sanchez Ramirez, on the south by the Municipality Piedra Blanca and west by the town of Constanza.

About Bonao:
* It is the capital of the province Monseñor Nouel and has vast natural and mining resources. Bonao is also known as the “Villa of Hydrangeas”, Hydrangea is the flower of this town.
* Its name comes from the Cacique Bonao, named after the chief who ruled this city at the arrival of the Spaniards whom had the highest rank in the area.
* It is a town with a large eco-tourism potential that is associated with its people, characterized by being very hospitable, Bonao is one of the areas of the Dominican Republic that has plenty of rivers including Yuna, Blanco, Masipedro, Jima, Los Quemados, Fula and Maimon.
* Bonao known for good weather, good soil for planting, accessible mountains, rivers and clear streams and constant rainfall.
* The ninth largest reservoir of ferronickel in the world is located in Bonao, exploited by the multinational Falconbridge Dominicana since 1970.

Climate: It has a tropical rain forest climate and average temperatures range between 18 ° C and 26 ° C throughout the year.

How to get there?
By Air: The nearest airport is the Cibao International Airport (STI) located in the province of Santiago.
Other nearby airport is the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

By car: Direct access by the Duarte highway an hour from Santo Domingo towards the North.

Daisy Says: (as quoted by grandpa) Life is but an exhale.

Nothing is… impossible! I’m-possible!!

All that is possible has the ability of Realization; has the ability of being conceived. In the realm of what is possible things can manifest according to nature. I ponder on the nature of man… if collectively we are infinite beings then our nature is infinite and therefore our possibilities are endless!

Moving into the realm of what is possible we must embrace courage. Courage is about making those moment to moment decisions that carve our true path.

It takes a lot of courage to move from inaction to action. It takes a lot of courage from doubting ourself to trusting in the gentle nudges of our soul.

It is through the eyes of courage that we can look back and acknowledge the incredible life that we have carved for ourselves… seeing it with the eyes of truth and acceptance. It takes courage to identify and stay on our own true path.

Courage is seen in those little acts we make on a daily basis; it is those little yet apparently insignificant acts that take us closer to who we really are and what our mission truly is. Every day we are presented with choices about how to act and respond, what to say and do; constantly we are pulled in a myriad of directions by many people yet courage moves us onto our path with every choice we make.

Embrace the possibilities of what our life has to offer, it’s not always going to be easy. Making a change or taking a risk….can create moments of apprehension, agonizing self doubt and fear. If we allow it, fear has the potential to stop us in our tracks.

Courage is about moving through fear, even if our knees are knocking and we have a pit in our stomach. The opposite of courage isn’t fear…it’s inaction. Courage is about acting from our heart even in the face of fear.

The world needs our talents for building bridges, listening and providing collaborative solutions.

Courage is already inside of us… lying dormant waiting for us to embrace the possibilities of an amazing life. Think back to all the difficult choices you’ve made because you knew deep inside they were important to you.

Seek out the resources that will strengthen your courage. Embrace your courage, feel it stir deep within you and be empowered. And when you are…. believe me… you will empower others and contribute to the world making it a better place.

Daisy Says: Recognize your courage. Own it. Use it. And share it with others.