Illustration: Clym Evenden
My pledge Life is a multiple-choice questionnaire with no wrong answers. The single most important thing you can do in life is to set goals. You need to take actions in life that increase the likelihood of your goals being achieved. Goals and actions are like yin and yang: a perfect balance. You will never achieve your goals if you don’t take certain actions. Keep a record of goals, celebrate along the way and cross them out when achieved. For me, setting goals and directions means giving my life meaning, as the saying goes: “No empowerment is so effective as self-empowerment.” One of the most misused words in the English language is empowerment. It implies that somebody other than you can give you power. If someone else can give you power, they can also take it away – and loaned empowerment is not real power. In truth, no one can empower you but you. Once you empower yourself, nobody can take that away. Empowerment is a state of mind – not part of a job description, a set of delegated tasks, or the latest management program. Timing of pledging is important. When, where and how do you make valuable promises with yourself? August is my birth month and it’s a perfect timing for my yearly pledge.
Think of a major accomplishment in your life that has really made you proud. Now, think of the initial commitment you made when you got started. On a scale of 1-10, how committed were you? Were you very committed or simply desiring something? There’s a vast difference. When you simply desire something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed, you accept no excuses, only results. Commitments are Serious Business. They are powerful because they influence how you think, how you sound, and how you act. Unlike a half-hearted hope or ‘best shot,’ making a commitment means that you try harder, you look for solutions when faced with obstacles, you don’t consider quitting as an option, and you don’t look back. When you only commit to the people and things that are truly important to you, your relationships will improve, you will be more successful in achieving your goals, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your journey. I love the motivational advice of Zig Ziglar: “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” That’s my self-pledge. What is yours?
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CONTENTS 1 WORK
2 SELF
3 HEALTH
4 INSPIRE
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Will to win From ticking off your to-do list to finishing major projects, celebrating success is vital when it comes to achieving your goals
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Breeding success Tips for promoting and celebrating success within your team, from hand written notes to a genuine ‘well done’ it goes a long way.
Different strokes We tell our children that it’s ok to be different, but how do we show them?
Taste the difference Saving flavour is the difference between eating for fuel and eating for pleasure.
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8 Celebrations around the world From Holi festival in India to the magical Yi Peng Lantern festival in Thailand.
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Page 49
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The bright side Did you know that gratitude makes you a much happier person? Here’s why and how you can choose gratitude in your life.
The life of Muhammad Ali From a lowly start in Louisville, Kentucky, a young boy rose to become the greatest boxer and champion the world has ever known - something he credits to both hard work and selfbelif.
How to be a cheerleader Why celebrating the success of others is inspiring
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A celebration of life Don’t wait to show others how you feel about them
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The hand that rocks the cradle A poem
Golden celebrations Dr Asma explains why we should focus on celebrating achievements – especially for those with special needs
Work
“Celebrate what you want to see more of” – Thomas J. Peters
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WORK
Will to win
From ticking off your to-do list to finishing major projects, celebrating success is vital when it comes to achieving your goals Says Lisa Birnesser
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Celebrating successes in your life is one of the most important and highly overlooked opportunities to honour yourself. You may set out with a long list to do in the morning, filled with errands and important appointments. The missing piece may be what you do to celebrate successes after everything is finished. Many times what gets noted is if we fall short of getting something done. Tasks are finished and goals are achieved every day. For most people, the goal gets crossed off the list and it’s on to the next task. While productivity is vital, it’s important to stop and acknowledge achieving a goal. You might ask yourself at the end of the day, “How much did I accomplish today? Or, “Did I get everything done on my list?” Successes aren’t just necessarily what we do. Celebrating success has everything to do with who you are as a human being. You hold very special traits, such as dependability, hard-working, attentive, caring just to name a few. These are the building blocks that are needed to get the tasks done. Working without celebrating accomplishments is like going on a long road trip and never visiting a rest stop. If we don’t pause, the ‘fight or flight’ stress reaction switch never turns off. Also, when we don’t celebrate our successes, we miss out on opportunities to give ourselves credit for accomplishing goals.
HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE TIPS TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS EACH DAY:
Pause and breathe
Breathe in the fact that you achieved what you set out to do. The biggest mistake is when you think an accomplishment is too small and you dismiss giving yourself credit. Just simply hold space before tacking the next task.
Celebrate with someone else
Let someone know how your day went. Connect with a friend or loved one and share your happenings. There is nothing like sharing with someone who support you and is on your side.
“Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, “Here is an opportunity for you to celebrate like never before, my own power, and my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary.”
Stop and do something you enjoy
What things do you enjoy? Maybe you enjoy reading or spending time with friends. Take a long bath, watch your favourite show or movie, or play at whatever you enjoy. So, the next time you cross something off your list, remember to celebrate the success in you.
~ Anthony Robbins
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WORK
Breeding success Why leaders should always celebrate success by Sonya Shelton
As executive leaders, it’s easy to get moving on the next thing before we celebrate our successes and achievements, especially the small wins. Celebration honors the work that has been done and shows gratitude to the people who do it. Don’t forget to celebrate! It’s important! By celebrating our success, we reinforce the motivation that will carry us through the next achievement.
This is important for you individually as well as for your organisation. Take the time to step back and recognize the effort that went into achieving that big success or even a modest win, and do it authentically. You’ve probably seen the “going through the motions” type of celebrations in work environments that result in more rolled eyes than actual pride. Make sure you celebrate immediately and in
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a meaningful way. Be specific about what was accomplished, how it made a contribution, and why it’s important. Remember to celebrate habits and qualities in addition to numbers. Send handwritten notes when you catch someone doing something right. It doesn’t take a big effort, but is hugely meaningful to people. It’s a celebration so have some fun!
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Self
“Everything is a ceremony in a wild garden of childhood�
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SELF
Different strokes
How do we teach our children to accept, respect and celebrate each others’ differences? by Rena Rosen and Jamie Miller
n today’s society, children have many opportunities to explore similarities and differences of people from various ethnicities, religions, cultures, genders, intellect and physical abilities, among other attributes that make us each unique. One of the greatest things about young children is their curiosity and innate capacity to have an open mind. Children are constantly observing and asking questions about the world around them. Many of us have been in a busy store or crowded venue when our child shouts out an observation that potentially makes us feel mortified or embarrassed. “Why does that boy use a wheelchair?” “Look at the lady? She is using a stick to walk. Why? “ “Why does that girl wear glasses?” “Why is he talking funny?” “Why is her skin brown?” “Why? Why? Why?” So, what do we do when a child asks us a question
we may not know how to answer? Many times our initial reaction may be to quiet our child down and leave the scene. Sometimes we may acknowledge and generalise, “We are all different. We all need different things to help us. That is what makes us special.” Or we might say, “Because that’s how G-d created them.” It is important to remember that these observations and questions from our children are developmentally appropriate and should be valued and used as a teachable moment, rather than reprimanding them for putting us in a situation that potentially made us uncomfortable. While the responses above are not wrong, it is important to explore and consider the many ways (beyond answering these direct questions) that we can help children understand differences, and teach them about acceptance and appreciating what makes others and ourselves unique. Below are five tips that lay the foundation for us to teach our children to be
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Modelling Children look to their parents and caregivers as a model for how to act in unfamiliar situations. They will mirror the values and attitudes of those they love and look up to. Parents who model and display tolerance in their everyday actions and words, teach their children to appreciate differences in others too. Challenge yourself to examine the way you treat and speak to others in a variety of situations. Children hear everything, even when we think they are not listening. Do your words reflect tolerance? Be Honest Answer children’s questions about differences openly and honestly. This teaches children that it is acceptable to notice and discuss differences as long as it is done with respect. When a topic comes up, respond with an answer that matches the simplicity of the question. There is no need to give children more information than they ask for: instead, wait for more questions. Children are very interested in what a child can do. Also focus your responses on each individual’s abilities and positive character traits. You mighteven encourage your child to ask the person questions directly if the opportunity presents itself. Family Ties It is important to acknowledge and respect differences within your own family as well. Identify the strengths of each of your children and discuss their varying interests and abilities. What makes each of you unique and special?
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Here are a few book suggestions to read with your children that help teach compassion and celebrate differences: We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by, Bobbi Kates Accept and Value Each Person by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed. It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr I Accept You as You Are by David Parker The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric
Monitor Media- The media can be a powerful source of perpetuating untrue and unfair stereotypes. Be thoughtful about the television shows, books, and games you allow your child to view or play. Build Self-Esteem- Children who are valued and respected, ultimately feel better about themselves. These children are more likely to interact with others using the Golden Rule of “treat others as you would want to be treated.” Validate your children’s feelings, appreciate their observations, take their questions seriously, and praise them for making positive choices that demonstrate compassion and empathy. Children will generally come back to you when they need more information if they see that you are willing to talk to them candidly about these topics. It is our job as parents and educators to teach children to be openminded and respectful of the differences that exist among people within and outside of our community. The most effective way to teach children the “Golden Rule” is to lead by example.
SELF
The bright side In life, it’s important to celebrate the small wins as well as the big ones…
When things don’t go your way, “looking on the bright side” is a real test of your ability to show gratitude. No one is perfect at showing gratitude at first, but here’s an idea that can help: keep a “jar of awesome” in plain sight to remind you that good things—and a lot of them—have happened when life gets you down. This “jar of awesome” is something I learned from Tim Ferriss. It’s designed to capture all of those cool moments that you’re not going to remember a week or months later. Whenever something great happens—maybe you had to tighten up your belt buckle another notch—write it down on a slip of paper and throw it into a big mason “jar of awesome.”
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Why Gratitude Makes You a Happier Person “Stop pitying yourself, people have it worse, you should be grateful.” You’ve probably heard this… The idea is to keep collecting these nuggets so that when you need to get through a tough time, you can go over these fortune cookie-esque reminders that things aren’t all bad. This can be particularly helpful for super ambitious people who easily become obsessed with an end result and completely miss all of the milestones and small wins in-between. When you can learn to appreciate the “small wins”, you can feel that much more accomplished and happier when you get to your Great Big Goal.
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Health
“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. When Life is bitter say thank you and grow” – Laura Schlessinger
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HEALTH
Taste the difference Savouring anything is always a good idea but when it comes to food, it cane be the difference between enjoyment and autopilot. It’s important to remember that food isn’t just food/energy/fuel – there’s so many reasons why you eat the foods you eat, when you eat them, and how those foods make you feel. In a diet-filled world, it’s so easy to forget that mealtime doesn’t have to be about eating certain foods because you have to and that healthy eating can actually be enjoyable. Here are some easy ways develop healthy eating habits to help you to savour everything.
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HEALTH BE MORE MINDFUL DURING MEALS
SET SOME HEALTHY EATING GOALS THIS MONTH
This tip goes back to the “mindful eating” strategies. Take a look at your meal times and see how many times you’re eating with the TV on, while you’re on your phone, texting, on the computer, reading a book or magazine… the list goes on for the number of ways we are distracted while eating. One research study showed that people who were distracted with playing a computer game while they ate lunch ended up eating more, couldn’t quite remember all the foods they had eaten and were less full than those who were not distracted during the meal. •Take a break from your computer, book, and/ or phone, get up out of that desk and enjoy your lunch without distractions. •If you are eating on-the-go, make sure you have nutritious snacks available, such as fruits, vegetables, mixed nuts, string cheese, hummus, Greek yogurt, sandwiches, etc.
Healthy eating can be a challenge, but the good news is that good nutrition has INSTANT benefits. You don’t need to go on a 30-day diet or push yourself to the max for 7 days in a row at the gym to feel good about what foods you put on your plate, which in turn will make you feel good. Nobody ever said, “Wow, I really regret making all those healthy choices!”
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TIPS TO GET STARTED: Try to eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables at each meal and snack. Try adding a banana to your morning oatmeal or packing carrots in hummus as your afternoon snack. Getting 25-30 grams of protein per meal can help you meet your protein needs and feel more satisfied with meals. Eat a variety of protein sources, from beans, dairy, nuts, seeds, poultry, meat and fish. Make sure to incorporate healthy fats into your meals and snacks. People often don’t feel satisfied or “hungry an hour later” after drinking a smoothie – try adding peanut butter, hemp, chia or flax seeds, or an avocado to your smoothie to make it a more balanced meal. Make more grains WHOLE grains. This means having brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, whole grain bread, pasta and wraps at meals.
ENJOY THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF MEALTIMES
Did you know that family meals are associated with healthy weights in children and adolescents and can help promote healthy eating choices? When kids are involved in family meals, they pick up healthy eating habits from mom and dad – eating healthy foods and sitting down to enjoy an undistracted meal becomes the norm. In adults, the idea of family meal time can be shared with friends: A story recently came out about 5 New York lawyers who called themselves the “Lunch Bunch” – they make
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5 portions of a healthy, homemade lunch once a week, and enjoy the others’ meals the rest of the week. What a fun way to not only have to prepare lunch just once a week, but also to try new recipes, taste new foods, and branch out from the typical brown-bag sandwich.
HEALTH
The life of Mohammad Ali – the world’s greatest boxer 17/01/1942
17/01/1954
05/09/1960
A STAR IS BORN
A STOLEN GIFT
CLAY WINS GOLD
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay Jr in Louisville, Kentucky. His father was a sign painter and his mother a part-time cook and cleaner for wealthy families. Although they lived in a middle-class black neighbourhood, Kentucky law enforced a code of racial segregation that precluded black people from using many of the same public facilities as their white neighbours. The indignities forced on Clay and his family, as well as national outrages such as the racially-motivated murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955, deeply troubled Clay from an early age.
Clay talks about meeting Joe Martin, the man who introduced him to boxing. When Clay was 12 years old, his parents bought him a bike for his birthday. It was stolen while he was at a local fair. Furious, Clay went to report the theft to a local policeman named Joe Martin. Martin was a boxing instructor as well as an officer. As Clay threatened to find and beat up the thief, Martin suggested he learn how to fight before dishing out threats. Martin became Clay’s first trainer. Clay soon won an array of titles on the amateur boxing circuit under Martin’s guidance
At 18, Clay qualified for the Olympics in Rome. He charmed the world media and proved popular among his fellow athletes. He proved himself in the ring too, winning gold as a lightheavyweight. Clay was famously proud of his medal, wearing it constantly during his stay in Italy and on his return to the United States. He was honoured with a victory parade in his hometown of Louisville but was later refused service in a whitesonly diner and other public facilities. The segregation laws still applied to him – Olympic champion or not.
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HEALTH
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life” - Muhammad Ali
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29/10/1960
25/02/1964
03/1964
TURNING PROFESSIONAL
THE GREATEST
MUHAMMAD ALI IS BORN
Eight weeks after his victory in Rome, Clay won his first professional bout. All the trademarks of his unorthodox style were on display. Clay had immense confidence in his speed and agility, often leaving his guard down and leaning back to avoid punches. Clay’s showmanship was also evident in early bouts, as he dazzled media and fans with his bravado and predicted the round in which his fights would end. He faced tough opponents, including popular Englishman Henry Cooper, who knocked him down with a powerful left hook. But Clay maintained an unblemished ring record. He would soon prove himself against his toughest opponent yet.
Up next was world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Liston was the 7-to-1 betting favourite over Clay. Clay caused chaos at the weigh-in, lunging at Liston and yelling as the press looked on in disbelief. Many wrote him off as a madman and Liston was confident his power and experience would be enough to defeat the young upstart. But that night, Clay used deft footwork and impressive hand speed to outpace his opponent, inflicting cuts under Liston’s eyes. After the sixth round, Liston retired claiming an injured shoulder. Clay had beaten the odds to become heavyweight champion of the world.
Speculation about Clay’s religious beliefs had been fuelled by his relationship with black civil rights leader and Nation of Islam member Malcolm X. After defeating Liston, Clay publicly acknowledged he was a member of the religious movement. In March, he was given the name Muhammad Ali by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad. Ali accepted the group’s controversial doctrine, including a call for apartheid between the races. It made him a pariah in some circles but, for many, he was a symbol of black pride, refusing to play the role of the ‘compliant negro’ in order to gain acceptance from the white establishment.
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HEALTH
25/05/1965
28/04/1967
08/03/1971
THE ‘PHANTOM PUNCH’
ALI VS US GOVERNMENT
‘THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY’
In 1964, Cassius Clay “shook up the world” by defeating Sonny Liston to become world heavyweight champion. Liston’s loss was put down to overconfidence, injury or a possible mafia fix. The 1965 rematch (with Clay now going by the name Muhammad Ali) was to prove equally controversial. The bout lasted a mere 100 seconds as Liston fell to an Ali punch delivered with such speed, many at ringside missed it. Accusations swirled that Liston ‘took a dive’ to satisfy mafia gambling debts, or in response to Nation of Islam threats. Neither was proven, and opinion remained divided over whether it was a fix.
As war unfolded in Vietnam, Ali received a notice drafting him into the US Army. His next fight would be in a courtroom, rather than a boxing ring. Ali objected to serving in the military because of his religious beliefs. He also referenced the mistreatment of black Americans, saying he refused to co-operate with the US government in oppressing another race of people. He was stripped of his championship, indicted for draft evasion, fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in prison. But he did not serve time and his conviction was overturned on appeal. At this time, Ali toured colleges and spoke out on various social and political issues.
30/10/1974
10/12/1974
01/10/1975
‘THE RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE’
A GLOBAL SUPERSTAR
THRILLA IN MANILLA
Ali’s victory over Foreman reinforced his position as the most recognisable person on the planet. His famous fans included Elvis, Bertrand Russell and Nelson Mandela. In an effort to heal rifts caused by the war in Vietnam and racial divisions within the United States, President Gerald Ford invited him to the White House in December 1974. Then, in 1975, Ali abandoned Nation of Islam teachings in favour of orthodox Islam. He has since declared, “Colour doesn’t make a man a devil. It’s the heart and soul and mind that count.”
It had been 21 months since Ali won a low-key rematch against Joe Frazier in New York. Their rivalry stood at one win each. Ali’s womanizing became a sub-plot to the bout after he brought his mistress to a reception at the presidential palace in Manila. Meanwhile, tensions between Ali and Frazier were running higher than ever, as Ali continued to goad his opponent in public. He branded Frazier ‘a gorilla’. The fight lasted a punishing 14 rounds. Ali prevailed when Frazier’s corner halted the brutal back-and-forth carnage. Ali later described the fight as “the closest thing to death” he’d ever experienced.
Ali had a chance to reclaim his title in Zaire against a new world champion: the hard-hitting heavyweight George Foreman. Again, Ali entered the ring as a 3-to-1 underdog. But in front of 80,000 fans, he unveiled a new tactic – the ‘rope-a-dope’. Leaning back against the ropes, Ali avoided most punches to the head and absorbed punishing body blows before counterattacking with straight right hands. In the middle rounds, Foreman tired. In round eight, Ali launched a powerful combination that knocked the champion to the canvas. “Oh my God,” said BBC commentator Harry Carpenter, “he’s won the world title back at 32.”
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In 1970, Ali returned to boxing, knocking out Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. Next up was Joe Frazier, who had become the heavyweight champion. Frazier and Ali clashed over more than just the title. To Frazier’s dismay, the two men became symbols and proxy warriors for opposing social, political, and religious beliefs. Ali, an outspoken advocate of black self-realisation, dismissed Fraizer in pre-fight interviews as an ‘Uncle Tom’. Their fight at Madison Square Garden was watched by millions of people in America and around the world. Frazier won a unanimous 15-round decision – it was Ali’s first professional loss
‘It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself ’
15/09/1978
05/02/1980
1984
THE LATER YEARS
ON THE WORLD STAGE
A NEW FIGHT
After Manila, Ali defended his championship six times before his loss to Leon Spinks, a largely untested fighter with seven pro fights to his credit. Seven months later, in September 1978, he defeated Spinks in a rematch to claim the heavyweight crown for an unprecedented third time. After a brief retirement, Ali made an ill-advised comeback against Larry Holmes. Ali failed to go the distance and was pulled out of the fight by his trainer after the tenth round. He retired permanently at age 40 with a ring record of 56 wins and five losses.
Ali was not a diplomat but he was enlisted into diplomatic causes by the US government due to his popularity at home and abroad. In 1980, President Carter sent Ali to Africa to gather support for a US-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics. But the mission offended many African leaders and was widely considered to be a diplomatic failure. In 1990, Ali went to Iraq on his own accord to help negotiate the release of American hostages captured after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. Fifteen hostages were released, aided by Ali’s profile
In the early 1980s, Ali developed noticeable tremors and slurs in his speech. In 1984, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Ali’s physicians linked his condition to the repeated blows to the head sustained during his boxing career. Ali, however, has stated that he does not believe his condition is caused by boxing. In the ensuing years, Ali became a visible symbol of courage in the face of physical disability and helped raise millions of dollars for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center.
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HEALTH
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29/06/1990
09/07/1996
14/11/2005
FIGHTER TURNED PHILANTHROPIST
AN EMOTIONAL RETURN
THE CHAMPION HONOURED
In the summer of 1996, a trembling Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta. His appearance generated a worldwide outpouring of love, reaffirming his status as an iconic symbol of tolerance, understanding and courage. In 1999, in acknowledgement of his humanitarian work in impoverished countries, Ali was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. A Hollywood movie starring Will Smith dramatising his life and career was released in 2001. Ali made a number of public appearances to promote the film.
Ali has been the recipient of a myriad of honours, in appreciation of his lifelong fight for civil rights and religious freedoms. In 2005, Ali was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour that can be bestowed on a civilian in America. Although he did not speak, Ali’s sense of humour was still on full display. When President Bush threw a mock punch at the former champion, Ali twirled a finger round his head to indicate he would be crazy to take him on in a fight. That same year saw the opening of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, a non-profit museum celebrating Ali’s life and achievements.
27/07/2012
03/06/2016
A LEGEND IN HIS LIFETIME
MUHAMMAD ALI DIES
Over 50 years after his first attendance at the Olympic Games in Rome, Ali made a poignant return to the world stage. At the 2012 Olympics in London, Ali was designated as an honorary flag bearer. Although his frail physical condition prevented him from carrying the flag, he stood for part of the ceremony with the support of his wife, Lonnie. Ali’s appearance was rapturously received by fans in the packed stadium and around the world. It was a fitting tribute to one of the greats of sporting history whose remarkable life transcended the ropes of the boxing ring.
Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer and one of the greats of sporting history. His impact was felt far beyond the confines of the boxing ring. He lost some of the best years of his sporting career after refusing, on principle, to fight for America in the Vietnam War. Beyond the ring, he will be remembered for his belief in social justice and support for Black civil rights. Truly a cultural icon, Ali’s passion, skill, intelligence and wit gave him a global appeal unmatched by few, if any, other sporting figures and inspired millions.
Throughout his retirement, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian work and charitable causes. Many of Ali’s most high profile fights were staged in developing countries, partly in a bid to shine a global spotlight on them. He continued to make trips as a goodwill ambassador to troubled nations, such as North Korea and Afghanistan, and delivered $1m of medical supplies to Cuba. In 1990, Ali met Nelson Mandela in Los Angeles, paying his respects to a fellow advocate of civil rights and political freedom.
‘I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”.’
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INSPIRE
Celebration of Life
by Michael T. Powers
O
n my way home from coaching basketball yesterday, I was listening to WGN; my favorite talk radio station out of Chicago. I could tell right away that there was something wrong by the somber mood of the speaker. There had been a plane crash. Two small planes collided into each other over a northern suburb of Chicago. What made the story hit close to home was that Bob Collins, the morning show man for WGN, was the pilot of one of the planes and had been killed. (I’m sure that many readers have tuned in “Uncle Bobby” on their car radios in the Midwest.) Later that night, as I made my 40-minute drive to my third shift job, I listened as the station reminisced and paid tribute to a man who was loved by many. They told story after story, describing him as the ultimate friend, and a man who had lived life to the fullest. Genuine love and affection poured in from all over the country. The more I listened about how this man had influenced those around him, the more discouraged I became. Why? I was discouraged because I wanted to know why we as a culture, wait until somebody has passed away before we tell them how much we love them? Why do we wait until someone’s ears can’t hear before we let them how much they mean to us? Why do we wait until it is too late before we recall the good qualities of a person?
Why do we build someone up after they have gone into eternity? What good does it do then! We share memory after memory, as we laugh, cry, and think back about what was positive in a person’s life. Yes, it does help us cope with the grief of losing someone that was special to us. And yes it does bring those who are coping, closer together. But as we lovingly remember this person, our words fall short of the ears that most needed to hear them. Just once I would like to see a celebration of life, instead of a gathering upon death. A celebration where stories are told, eyes mist over, laughter rings out; and as the speaker concludes his or her loving tribute, the person they are honoring rises from their chair and gives them the biggest bear hug! Wouldn’t that be something! The special person gets to hear the stories and come to the realization that they have made a difference on this earth. And all this is done well before they leave their earthly bodies and go into eternity. And when the inevitable funeral finally comes, we can say goodbye with the knowledge that they knew exactly how people felt about them while they were here on earth. I now have a stronger resolve to tell those around me how much they mean to me. I am going to let my wife know just how loved and appreciated she is, not only by my words, but also by my
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actions. I am going to play Batman with my Do you love someone? Tell them! Has someone four year old more often, and in the middle of been an influence in your life? Give them a call! our romping, I am going to grab him, hug him Has someone made a difference in your life? Then tightly, and tell him how thankful write them a letter or send them I am that he is my son. I am going an email! Don’t let another day go to sneak into my sleeping toddler’s by without letting that person “I would like to know. There is something special bedroom, place my lips on his chubby cheek, and thank God for see a celebration about a letter that expresses the bundle of joy he has brought feelings of love towards another. I into my life. Each day I will make a of life, instead of don’t know about you, but I have point to tell both of my boys how letters and cards from people that a gathering much I love them, whether they I have saved for years, and from upon death” are four or eighteen! From there, I time to time, I get them out and am going to let family and friends reread them. They can turn a know the tremendous impact they depressing day into one where have had on my life. And last but not least, I am you realise just how blessed and loved you are. going to let the high school players I coach know Life is too short to leave kind words unsaid. The that I look forward to each and every minute that I words you say, or the letter you write, might just get to spend with them in the gym. make all the difference in the world.
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Inspire
“If flowers teach themselves how to bloom after winter passes, so can you.”
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INSPIRE
8 Celebrations around the World People around the world celebrate on many various occasions. Here is the list of 8 colourful and fun holidays and festivals that are fun to participate at least once in your lifetime!
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1
CARNIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO BRAZIL The biggest parade in the world is held before Lent. The samba dancers prepare all year long: the technique, performance, costumes, decorations – everything has to be perfect and bigger than their competitors’. 36
INSPIRE
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2
HOLI INDIA
Originally a Hindu festival, celebrated every spring, now it attracts other communities as well. To commemorate a new season and good harvests people throw colorful powder and celebrate wildly.
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SELF
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3
Saint Patrick’s Day IRELAND
Is celebrated to commemorate Christianity’s arrival to Ireland. Irish communities in USA, especially Boston, Chicago and other European countries also celebrate it. Green dyed rivers define the fest.
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CHINA
A very important holiday in Chinese culture. The date varies approximately between middle January to middle February. People celebrate loudly, they dance and play, use plenty of costumes and fireworks.
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THE CARNIVAL OF VENICE ITALY
The colorful fest takes place just the day before Ash Wednesday. Its roots go back to 1162. Venetian masks define the carnival, which also attracts many theaters troupes to participate in it.
INSPIRE
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HALLOWEEN USA
All Hallows’ Eve is celebrated in many countries, however, in USA it is commemorated with very colorful, scary costumes and enables to take a skeleton out of the closet.
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INSPIRE
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LA TOMATINA BUĂ‘OL, SPAIN
Held on the last Wednesday of August, the celebration attracts many locals as well as tourists, who throw tomatoes just for fun! The city becomes entirely covered with tomato paste.
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SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, IRELAND
Is celebrated to commemorate Christianity’s arrival to Ireland. Irish communities in USA, especially Boston, Chicago and other European countries also celebrate it. 23
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YI PENG LANTERN FESTIVAL THAILAND
The celebration is meant to obtain Buddhist merit. It attracts so many people, that the sight of the floating lights in the air is hypnotizing.
HEALTH
How to be a cheerleader Why celebrating the success of others is inspiring
“Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.” That quote from Les Smith really summarises a breakthrough I experienced in my life. Early in my career, I found it difficult to be happy for the success of others around me. Here I was, working my butt off to provide for my young and growing family and it seemed like I was treading water compared to others. It was even more of a challenge
for me when I first started our consulting business because our strategy and talent process was bringing significant success to our clients. It really was a developmental breakthrough for me when I realized the importance of celebrating and appreciating the success of others. It was a freeing experience and it made me realize that the success of others in my life is not at my expense but to my benefit.
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I realized I needed to “own” my own success. What really helped me overcome this unhealthy mindset was when I put a plan in place for our businesses and for my life. Having a plan and vision for your life and business provides you with more clarity and confidence. It leaves little room for feeling frustrated because of others’ success if you know where you are going in your own life.
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INSPIRE
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THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD WILLIAM ROSS WALLACE (1819-1881)
BLESSINGS on the hand of women! Angels guard its strength and grace. In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place; Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Infancy’s the tender fountain, Power may with beauty flow, Mothers first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow— Grow on for the good or evil, Sunshine streamed or evil hurled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Woman, how divine your mission, Here upon our natal sod; Keep—oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Blessings on the hand of women! Fathers, sons, and daughters cry, And the sacred song is mingled With the worship in the sky— Mingles where no tempest darkens, Rainbows evermore are hurled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world.
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INSPIRE
Golden Celebrations by Dr Asma Naheed, Educational Psychologist, Special Needs Consultant and Public Speaker here are many things in life that we celebrate; birthdays, graduations, weddings and so on and so forth. But we often forget to celebrate the exceptional accomplishments. We celebrate life with births and weddings, but we should focus more on celebrating achievements – especially those of people who do not have what most people take for granted. Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking are two people who changed the lives and perspective of people with special needs. Hawking was born on Jan. 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, to Frank and Isobel Hawking. His curiosity about how the universe worked revealed itself in his youth. As a young man, Hawking studied cosmology at the University of Cambridge. During this time, tragedy struck the budding scientist. He received an ALS diagnosis when he was just 21. Before his diagnosis, he’d exhibited ALS symptoms such as slurred speech and falling. The disease shuts down the nerves that control the muscles, leading to disabilities. His father noticed the symptoms and told his son to seek help. The devastating diagnosis did not end Hawking’s scientific pursuits. He consistently defied expectations, including those of doctors who gave him only
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three to five years to live with the disease. He also poured himself into his work for fear that he would not live to earn a doctorate. He began groundbreaking research into black holes and had three children, Robert, Lucy, and Timothy, with Wilde. Wheelchair-bound in 1969, Hawking continued to work, writing his first book. In the 21st century, Hawking continues to be one of the world’s most famous scientists. He’s made appearances on television shows such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Simpsons.” His writing has made complex topics, such as physics, time travel and the Big Bang accessible to the masses. He continues to find ways to transcend ALS. In 2011, he took part in a trial of a device called iBrain, which aims to interpret a person’s thoughts via “waves of electrical brain signals.” The device could be a godsend to people with disability-causing diseases such as ALS. In 2014, “The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne, chronicled Hawking’s life story. Helen Keller made tremendous progress in learning to communicate due to the exceptional effort of her instructor Anne Sullivan, who evolved into her governess and later her companion. In 1888, Keller entered
the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Watertown, was 75 years old. Helen Keller was a world Massachusetts. In 1894, she began attending famous speaker and many of her speeches are Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in preserved in the Helen Keller Archives owned New York City and in 1896, she returned to by the AFB. Massachusetts to enter The Cambridge School In 1980, to mark the hundredth anniversary for Young Ladies, a preparatory school for of Helen Keller’s birth, the United States women. In 1900, Keller gained admittance to Postal Service issued a stamp featuring Keller the famous Radcliffe College and her teacher and companion in Cambridge and in 1904, she Anne Sullivan. In 1999, the TIME graduated with a Bachelor of magazine included Keller in its list “Helen Keller Arts degree. Helen Keller thus of the 100 most influential people became the first deaf-blind became the first of the 20th century. From 1999 to person to earn a bachelor’s 2008, the United States Mint issued a deaf-blind `degree. Helen Keller travelled series of circulating commemorative across the world making person to earn coins which featured each of the appearances and giving 50 US states on unique designs for a degree” motivational speeches. She the reverse of the quarter. This was not only spoke for the rights known as the 50 State Quarters of people with disabilities but Program. Alabama chose to honor also for other unprivileged sections of society. Helen Keller by featuring her on its state Between 1946 and 1957, Keller made seven quarter. She was also inducted into the Alabama trips across the world visiting 35 countries on Women’s Hall of Fame in 1971 and was one of five continents and meeting with world leaders 12 inaugural inductees to the Alabama Writers including Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru Hall of Fame in 2015. and Golda Meir. These trips included a hugely When we first learn to read, we often take that successful 1948 trip to Japan where around two as a skill that we are expected to accomplish, million people came out to see her; and a five and we do not give it too much thought. When month tour through Asia in 1955 when Keller we graduate high school and move on to college – it is a natural transition, one that society expects of us. Learning to read and pursuing higher education are not accomplishments that individuals with special needs take for granted. Stephen Hawking and Helen Keller are inspirations, because not only do they prove that is possible to succeed with special needs but also that parents of special needs know that their children have much to celebrate.
INSPIRE
This month I am.. .‌ Trying to solve. .
Reading..
Listening to..
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette As any man knows, life is a constant struggle wherein the desired goal is our attainment of inner peace. Writing within a Jungian framework, this fascinating book was written to help men become more nurturing and mature, Moore and Gillette identify four archetypes of masculine energies from myth and literature: the Lover, brimming with vitality and sensitivity; the Magician, guider of the processes of inner and outer transformation; the selfless and wise King identified with Adam or primordial man; and the Warrior, whose energies often go awry in destructive activity. The ideal read for a journey of male self-discovery.
The biography of Mother Teresa The life story of one of the great humanitarians of the 20th century, Mother Teresa taught in India for 17 years before she experienced her “call within a call� to devote herself to caring for the sick and poor. Her order established a hospice; centers for the blind, aged, and disabled; and a leper colony. She died in September 1997 and in 2016. was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
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“If you think positively, sounds become music, movements becomes dance, smiles become laughter, mind become meditations and life becomes a celebration.� 58
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey