18 minute read
MORNING RITUAL
Morning Rituals
Article By Vanelis Rivera
Beatrice Tatem, owner of
Wellness Initiatives, LLC and licensed professional counselor and counseling psychologist based in Monroe, Louisiana, informs, “The start of the day sets the tone for the rest of the day.” Though we tend to categorize ourselves as either early birds or night owls, Tatem notes that whenever you get the day started is the best time to establish healthy habits. “A routine tends to make people feel more in control,” she says, explaining that when we have a hand in what we can control, we are able to better manage our stress when the unexpected rears its impish head. Of course, at the beginning of the year, it’s easy to talk about the things we have to do like—exercise more, take on healthy habits, or release what didn’t work the past year. But, Tatem warns of the importance of being realistic and reasonable when goal-setting. “We should be patient with ourselves,” she says, pointing out that we are still adjusting after the socio-economic blow from COVID-19. For 2022, the best approach to any of your resolutions should be the mantra “progress over perfection.” With that in mind, and thanks to the advice from a few prominent community figures, here are some small but significant ways to rise and thrive in this new year.
But First, Coffee
T
he life of Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis has changed tremendously since he took office. As a business owner, he used to do everything for himself. Now, his staff helps him schedule events and prioritize tasks. But, when it comes to his mornings, some things remain a constant. “First things first, a good cup of coffee,” he says as he runs through his usual morning. “I’m a bit of a coffee snob,” he laughs, listing his preferred homebrew methods: Chemex coffeemaker, Nespresso machine, Keurig, French press, and an Aeropress. “I still on occasion brew on my dad’s percolator,” he adds, calling it the “cowboy coffee” way. After he takes his three kids to their schools, which means three different dropoffs, he fills his morning with a second round of coffee while attending informal meetings. For the second cup, he likes to go local. At Standard Coffee, his usual is The Standard (espresso, milk, honey, and vanilla), and at Dreux Coffee, he’ll go for the Maverick (house-made brown sugar simple syrup, espresso, and steamed milk).
Across the Lee Joyner Bridge, Adrienne LaFranceWells, Downtown Main Street Director at the city of West Monroe, also needs all the coffee she can get. She enjoys her first brew in the comfort of her couch in the morning. For a few minutes, she cozies up with her dog, an energizing cup of Joe, and listens to the local and national news while catching up on work-related tasks and reviewing her daily schedule. Once done, she’ll take her hubby breakfast and coffee, then she’s “off to the races.” Like Mayor Ellis, LaFrance-Wells also enjoys scheduling meetings at coffee shops. When she does, she doesn’t hesitate to take advantage of two of her Antique Alley favorites. At Seventh Square Coffee, she enjoys an Americano, while at Caster and Chicory, she’ll probably be spotted with a cafe au lait.
Whether you’re at home brewing or opting for one of the area’s finely brewed concoctions, catching the pep to your step may only be a few coffee beans away.
Touching Faith
Father, husband, pastor, and CEO at Key Marketing Solutions, LLC, DeRon Talley
has a lot going on in the first three hours of his day. “A nice, warm shower. That’s always number one,” he says. Before dropping off his daughter at school, the pair stop at the Donut Palace so that she can pick out and pay for her own donut “to teach her how to buy things and have manners when ordering.” At her school’s drop-off, they recite the Lord’s Prayer, one of the most important things done together. “Every day has to start with the Lord,” he says. The next article on the agenda is his congregation of St Joseph’s Missionary Church. The rest of his morning consists of choosing scripture to reflect on for his daily-themed message: Motivational Monday, Tuesday’s Thoughts, Worship Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Faithful Friday. For Talley, connecting to his faith in the morning becomes the compass of his day: “It opens up your heart.”
Also seeking spiritual stillness in the morning is BayouIcon, Dianne Cage. “First thing I do when I wake up in the morning [is] I say my prayers and thank the Lord,” she says. She contemplates to further permeate a spirit of joy in her mornings. While stretching, she
reflects on the “Lord’s beautiful world.” From the chirping of birds, her home-grown garden, the frantic squirrels outside her window, or even a cat running across her front yard, just tuning in to nature is fulfilling. “It don’t cost a lot of money,” she says. At 79 years old, she’s proud of every year, revealing, “I feel my age, but I feel good, and I like how I look.” With the wisdom of years, she’s able to embrace just how much of life is a gift and a miracle. Her morning contemplations further open her heart to this truth.
Music Motivation
While coffee gets the body
right and devotion gets the spirit ready, music gets the mind going. If you pass by Mayor Ellis’ office, you’re sure to hear some music. “And, I don’t play it softly,” he laughs. Lately, he has been digging Khruangbin, a psych-funk rock trio from Houston, Texas, but his “Funroe” playlist on Apple music has a little bit of everything: Charles Bradley, Leon Bridges, The Black Keys, and Sturgill Simpson. Even though the tunes are fun, Mayor Ellis does not take the gravity of his work lightly. “So much is at stake,” he says, adding, “What we are working toward is opportunities for families here.” Using everything he has to make that happen will, time and again, require some motivation. Torrents of rhythmic sound waves tapping through one’s headspace are a great call to attention.
Cage is also on the morning music train. “Pretty songs” by artists like Chet Atkins, Kristoffer Kristofferson, and Mickey Gilley often play while she organizes the house. Instrumentals also help her ease into the day, particularly anything by Henry Mancini. “What would we do without our music?” she asks, recognizing the intimate synchronicity between sound and spirit.
The reality of mornings is that sometimes the best you can hope for is coffee and staying hydrated, as LaFrance-Wells notes. Nevertheless, setting the tone of the day can be in our control even with just minor additions, aiming to remind us that facing the day doesn’t have to be a hero’s journey of wellness. Sometimes, as long as we are weighing and measuring ourselves as contributing members of our community, as Mayor Ellis encourages his team to do, all we need to focus on is enhancing how we ease into our morning routines.
SELECTION OF MAYOR ELLIS’ PLAYLIST
I’M DOPE Tobe Nwigwe SLIDE Calvin Harris TEXAS SUN Khruangbin & Leon Bridges BELIEVE ME NATALIE The Killers THINKIN BOUT YOU Frank Ocean CRAWLING KINGSNAKE The Black Keys MONROE, LOUISIANA Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown CAN’T HIDE LOVE Earth, Wind & Fire
I WAS WRONG Chris Stapleton
Time to Try Something New
Local Studio Offers Pilates and Yoga Classes
SOMETIMES, THE PILATES METHOD AND THE EQUIPMENT used for it can be intimidating. “Pilates isn’t something most people grew up around so they aren’t familiar,” said Marcia Donald, owner, of Bon Temps Pilates. “But pilates has been around for a hundred years and it has been proven over and over again that it works.” Pilates offers a balance of flexibility, muscle tone and strength and is gaining traction among new converts, and picking up new enthusiasts regularly.
Pilates was founded by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, as a form of exercise and body conditioning and as a method of injury recovery for dancers. However, over the years, it has been proven that the average person can benefit from the Pilates method. “After walking a certain way or sitting at a desk for several hours, our muscles can get imbalanced and pilates helps counteract that,” explains Marcia.
Bon Temps Classical Pilates stays true to the classical method that Joseph Pilates created and does not venture into their own works or works of other teachers that claimed to be teaching Pilates. Their certified instructors believe that teaching Pilates the way Mr. Pilates intended is the only way that truly crafts the body and mind into balance. The exercises are simple enough and challenging enough to delve into for a lifetime.
The Method of exercises consists of over 500 variations that can be done on each of the apparatus in the studio. Mr. Pilates created a set order of exercises on the mat and the reformer, which is an apparatus in a pilates studio. A Classical teacher uses the method in various ways, depending on the body they are teaching. The order of exercises varies on what the person needs in order for them to get the most out of each session. The method of exercises are broken up into three different levels, called systems. Each system has a certain order that exercises must be taught in order for your body to be physically ready for the next exercise. The three systems are labeled Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Every new client at Bon Temps Classical Pilates starts at the Beginner System regardless of age or level of fitness. They use this system to evaluate their clients and get them connected to their core which Joseph Pilates called “The Power House.” The Intermediate System can be taught when the body is physically accessible and can be appropriately challenged with more difficult exercises. The Advanced System is for clients that are devoted to Pilates and practice at least three days a week.
Some of the principles of the Pilates method include concentrating on each movement, using the abdomen and low back muscles, flowing movement patterns that are precise and a steady and controlled breathing. The focus of pilates is on muscle tone rather than building muscles and it focus specifically on your core. Most people assume your core is just your abdomen, but it is much more than that.
Bon Temps Classical Pilates first and foremost uses Joseph Pilates brilliant Method of exercises to strengthens your core which is the “Power House” and in charge of strengthening every other muscle in your body. It is widely known that the most popular New Years resolution is getting back into shape. Unfortunately, that resolution is often thrown by the wayside by February. We often forget that starting out small instead of making a drastic change in our overall wellbeing can be difficult. But what if we started out small? What if you just focused on your core, the muscles that support and stabilize every move that you make in your body? Pilates is just the exercise that will work those intrinsic muscles in your abdominals, back, shoulders, and pelvis.
Taking private and group classes at Bon Temps Classical Pilates will be a great step in not only getting fit, but also preventing future injuries. Often times, people think they have to be in excellent shape or are too old to practice Pilates, but that simply isn’t true. Pilates is for people of all ages and fitness levels. Pilates is best for people who are looking to achieve core stability and good posture. Both the equipment and the exercises can be modified and adjusted for anybody, which makes it perfect for those looking to tone up, rehab from an injury, train for a particular hobby or sport or just looking for a low impact, full body workout. If that sounds like you, now is the time to try Pilates. You can take advantage of their sampler package. For just $99, you can try a private session, a mat class and a reformer group class. This is the perfect way to experience all of the benefits that Pilates has to offer and try something new in 2022. Cheers to a Happy New Year and a stronger core!
HOW ONE WORD CHANGED MY LIFE AND HOW IT CAN DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com
What do you do at the beginning of a new year? I have made resolutions like most people but failed to see them through. I know I am not alone in that. So, a few years ago while on my personal growth journey, I came across a concept that intrigued me by recommending the choice of ONE word a year by which to live my life. In addition, such a commitment promises a happier year. It made total sense!
Choosing one word that represents what you want more of, what you want to focus on, or what you need to improve upon is much more than a seldom-kept new year resolution! It is a game changer!
I have been choosing a word of the year for almost six years, and I can tell you that it has changed my life. Let me tell you how: 1. I know my “why” for each year. Knowing your why is one of the most important steps to creating, reaching, and surpassing your goals. If you don’t start with why, you have no direction. For instance, my word a few years ago was “grow.” Every choice I made was based on whether it would help me to that goal--to grow personally, emotionally, spiritually, professionally, etc. Your word of the year may be balance. You will now be able to create your year so that it balances you – personally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. 2. I can say “no” more easily. I no longer have to say yes to events, meetings, or situations that don’t serve my “why.” My days and nights are focused on what I truly want to achieve during the year. 3. Following this path makes my goals clearer, so that means that I am more likely to achieve them. In fact, you may develop goals based on your word that you never even thought about. For instance, each year I make goals in eight different areas of my life- work, love life, physical environment, spiritual life, friends and family, fun and recreation, health, and financial. I use my word of the year to create specific goals for each area.
Now that you know how choosing a word of the year can change your life, let me tell you how to go about choosing a word. 1. Consider how the past year has been. What is something you want to improve upon? Do differently? Keep working on? 2. What isn’t going so well in your life right now? Turn it around and consider what would make it better. Maybe you aren’t devoting enough time to fun and recreation. for instance. Think of words that lead you to change that - enjoy, fun, recreation, and relax are a few to get you started. 3. What do you want more of in your life? Travel? Love? Abundance? The list is truly endless. 4. What do you want less of? This question will prompt you to turn the negative into a positive. For instance, I would love less rushing. In my business, everyone needs something right now. A goal of mine is to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.
If nothing is jumping out at you, go online and google “word of the year.” Dozens of lists will pop up for you.
For the word of the year to change your life, you must use it properly. You can’t just set it and forget it. You must see it and use it often. I typically create a vision board with my word and hang it in my office. Below are a few more ideas of how to incorporate your word into everyday life. Feel free to do one or all of them! 1. Create a screensaver with your word. 2. Create a personal hashtag. No one needs to know what it means, but using it and seeing it will serve as a good reminder. 3. Have your word made into a piece of jewelry. My favorites are necklaces and bracelets. Then every time you look down you will be reminded of your why! 4. Have a huggie made for your water bottles or cold drinks. 5. Find and read books that are specific to your word. It will help engrain it further into your psyche.
So, without further ado, my word for 2022 is STRENGTH! I am looking forward to strengthening my relationships with my husband, my children, my other family members, my friends, my clients, my coworkers, my God, and myself! What is your word of the year? Please share with me on social media or by emailing me at erinlove@panachebyerin.com.
Heart of an Entrepreneur
Dhu Thompson Partners with ULM to Create Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup
ENTREPRENEURS HAVE A RARE MIX OF characteristics. They can be complex and simple, unorthodox and traditional, extravagant and conservative.
From these contradictions emerge people whose faith in their abilities outweigh any fear of their shortcomings. The entrepreneurial spirit may be born, but its success is always made.
Dhu Thompson, an alumnus of the University of Louisiana Monroe, is the definition of an entrepreneur. He dedicated 16 years to banking in Monroe, 10 years with Central Bank and six years with Bank One. He achieved a vice presidency, became an industry expert and had the respect of his colleagues and clients. Yet, he had business ideas that needed – demanded – to be explored.
Dhu acquired controlling interest of a company that was attempting to recycle agricultural plastics. He believed this could work – and Delta Plastics was born. Dhu set out to change his life and change the lives of others in the agricultural industry across the Mississippi Delta.
“When you take off as an entrepreneur, it is 180-degree from banking. I was very fortunate that I had a good banking background, but then all of a sudden, you’re sitting at the other side of the desk,” Dhu admitted.
Delta Plastics is in Stuttgart, Ark., and later, Dhu added a plant in Little Rock.
Dhu’s business model incorporated science-based sustainability practices to add value to the company and ecological preservation for the state of Arkansas.
Success was not immediate. The first year, his company posted a $1.4 million loss. It wasn’t until year four that Delta Plastics showed a profit. The company became one of the largest recyclers of heavily soiled plastics and the largest manufacturer of polytube in the world. Dhu went on to create Revolution Bag, an EPA-compliant trashcan liner.
In 2019, Dhu sold the majority of his business and turned his focus back home to Northeast Louisiana to invest in the future of entrepreneurship in Louisiana.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PELICAN CUP
By creating the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup in partnership with the University of Louisiana Monroe, Dhu has set his sights on the next generation of business owners, innovators, and creative thinkers – university students.
The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup is the premier academic business plan competition for the state of Louisiana, with one of the most significant cash prizes in the nation. The goal is to inspire participants and the community to think entrepreneurially by rewarding creativity, professionalism, and hard work.
Competitors will have access to networks of entrepreneurs, economic developers, investors, and others as they move through the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup process.
The rigor of the competition sharpens participants’ critical thinking, team building, presentation, and other soft skills – allimportant to career success.
The competition is open to full- or part-time students of ULM and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, including undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines, with the intent to learn valuable business skills such as market research, budgeting, strategic planning, teamwork, and written and oral communication.
The competition requires a written formal business plan to be judged by business owners and investors. Six finalists will be chosen to give a presentation to top-tier entrepreneurs. Each team will select one member to deliver a 90-second elevator pitch competing for a cash award live at the awards luncheon at ULM.
Intending to grow the competition to all universities in his home state, Dhu is putting entrepreneurship as his primary focus for the development of Louisiana for generations to come.
First-place winners will be awarded $25,000, with second place receiving $15,000, and third $10,000. Faculty advisors are also awarded $3,000 for finishing first, second or third, and the elevator pitch winner will receive another $2,000 individually.
Dhu’s decision to share his expertise and resources with the entrepreneurs of tomorrow reflects his genuine desire to see students prepare for success by exposing them to the patterns and people who help lead to success.
“You’ve heard the old adage; it’s not personal, it’s just business. Let me tell you what, that is a wrong statement. Business is personal because it is your values, ethics, and relationships with people. When people realize who you are and that you’re goal-oriented, it brings in those like-minded people,” he said.
For more information on the Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup: https:// www.ulm.edu/pelicancup/
