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.

It is amazing what peaks our interest. The picture of a huge red ball wedged between two buildings did that for me. Upon further research I learned its purpose, it was not just art … it was about connection and inspiration.

We all have our moments of inspiration. We see something, and just think “wow”. Something inspires us, makes us think of all the possibilities, something connects us to the magic of creation.

It’s easy to be consumed with the monotony of everyday life, just trying to get through the day and hoping for the best.

What is it that gets you out of bed?

We all need that spark, at different times, at different levels.

Sometimes a spark of inspiration is all we need to sustain a great journey. This inspiration can come from communing with nature or simply another human being.

The most important thing is.. that when inspiration sparks within you … GO FOR IT! Don’t hesitate- GO AFTER IT, CHASE IT!

When you live an inspired life, you live with PASSION!

Give before you get. Go out of your way to provide real value to others. When you find ways to make their life better, they’ll find ways to make your life better.

Daisy Says: Begin the quest for your inspiration.

In seeking the lighter side of life, I seek the brighter side of me.

Life is so truly amazing, never a dull moment. Just when you think you have it figured out. Right there at the peak of monotony – BAM! Something presents itself to shake the floor underneath you.

Yes, I had one of those moments, getting into the swing of life; I had reached another plateau just getting comfortable. Comfortable in my plateau. When out of the blue, something odd happened, something unexpected and by all external purposes seemed trivial.

Many of us have this very same experience, where life is on a smooth track and for no apparent reason you’re taken off course. This is a great test of character. Moments like these test you at the very core.

Do you give in to the circumstances?

Do you question the circumstances?

Do you welcome and embrace the circumstances?

I did all three. I gave into the moment and swam in the sea of emotions. I than questioned the events and dug deep for answers; and after the swimming and the digging I then embraced the situation and welcomed the change.

Whether the challenges that knock on the door of your life be mental, emotional or physical they present themselves as an opportunity for you to grow. These challenges tend to test your resolve and your capacity. To choose the brighter side of life is one of the greatest challenges we face as humans. It is so much easier to point fingers outside of oneself, unfortunately it doesn’t get you closer to the transformation you seek.

Embracing the brighter side of me, means that I chose to focus on what is working, on what is beautiful, on what is possible. By offering the brighter side of me, others can experience the magic of faith and hope.

Daisy Says: Let the brighter side of you shower others with the rays of your love.

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.