just begin
ISSUE NO.13
JUNE 2021
one year of
Just Begin!
IN JUST ONE YEAR...
WE'VE CREATED 12 ISSUES
WE ARE ON A MISSION TO INSPIRE CHANGE FOR... The Environment & Sustainable Practices Community Holistic Living Inspiring Stories Women Creators Travel
PROUD TO HAVE A GROWING COMMUNITY OF over 800 people and counting!
NOW WE ARE ON OUR 13TH EDITION! so we want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us!
contents
PEOPLE WHO JUST BEGIN Dina Miller Miriam Aldainy Dana Donofree Elizabeth Grojean
HOLISTIC LIVING Why Micro-Actions Will Change Your Life Ways To Do An Aura Cleanse & Why You Should Be Doing Them Signs In Your Dreams That Indicate You're Remembering A Past Life Monthly horoscopes by the Tarot Queen
WORKPLACE WELLNESS Ways to Enhance Your Well-being At Work How to Maintain Workplace Wellness At Your Office Continuing Your Journey
TRAVEL 4 Best Stops in San Francisco Immerse Yourself in Other Cultures and Take Risks to Be Successful
SUSTAINABILITY Is It Green Washing? Here's How To Tell How to Go Zero Waste On A Budget
BE INSPIRED Find Your Community While Riding The Train Of Thoughts The Work Of Nadya Okamoto Retiring from a Career to the Beginning of a Program
YOUR PERCEPTION OF ME IS A REFLECTION OF YOU.
meet the team
Melissa Diaz Editor in Chief
Samantha Diaz Chief Designer & Photographer
Barbara Estrada Creative Partnerships Editor
Miriela Diaz Executive Director
Dorian Ash Creative Photography
Claire Muselman Contributor
Kaitlin Dowis Illustrator
Eddie Ortiz Editorial Intern
Melissa Cancio Contributor
Ajhada Gabriel Editorial Intern
Anjuli Sharpley Creative Strategist Intern
Anailis Diaz Senior Writer & Editor
June 2021
E D I T O R S
N O T E
IT’S OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY— I want to thank our readers, contributors, and team for all your support. We launched our first issue on June 1st, 2020 when there was a lot of uncertainties in the world. So far, we’ve released 12 editions, featured over 100 small businesses, and grown a community of over 800 people! If you are reading this right now, I want you to know how grateful our team is of your support. I hope you enjoy this issue it's a special one!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE SAY HELLO TO OUR
GIVE BACK INITIATIVE
We are proud to announce that we will be starting our Give Back Initiative. With every purchase of our magazine, we will donate $1 to a non-profit of our choice.
Connect With Clean Miami Beach
For the month of June, we have chosen Clean Miami Beach. They are a local non-profit in Miami that are on a mission to keep our community and natural habitats free of garbage and other harmful land pollutants with a focus on single-use plastics.
Visit our YouTube channel and watch our one on one interview with the founder, Sophie Ringel.
@cleanmiamibeach
www.cleanmiamibeach.com
FLOWER OF THE MONTH
ART BY KAITLIN DOWIS
PEOPLE WHO JUST BEGIN PEOPLE WHO JUST BEGIN PEOPLE WHO JUST BEGIN PEOPLE WHO JUST BEGIN
WHO JUST B E L EG P O IN E P
DINA MILLER FOUNDER OF KIMBA CARE SOLUTIONS
Tell us something interesting about yourself most people don’t know?
I'm a lefty. But living in a right-hand world has forced me to adapt to using my nondominant hand more often than not. I used to find learning how to use a pair of scissors or a mouse pretty frustrating as a child. But now I am grateful for growing up straddling both hemispheres of my brain. It is what allows me to switch easily between art and medicine, and approach problemsolving differently.
How did the idea for your business come about?
Even though my "day job" consisted of being a physician, family, friends and colleagues often enlisted my help in creatively designing, promoting or documenting their events, whether it was for personal or professional reasons. I thoroughly enjoyed taking on those projects and it gave me so much joy when I managed to capture their visions. Kimba Care Solutions was born so that I can help people beyond the realm of medicine.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? Props to Just Begin magazine. I first discovered it at the end of 2020. It has been a chaotic year for everyone. Therefore, it was refreshing to read articles on Just Begin magazine that did not focus too much on burnout and pointing out all the wrong things with our current world. As I was perusing the various things created by women whom I strongly identify with, I became deeply inspired to go out and do something. My plan for my business was not clear but reading the articles on this magazine made me realize that as long as the passion is there, the rest will fall into place in due time.
How did you come up with the name for your company?
I have always cared for others, which is the main reason why I'm in medicine. I do believe a lot of solutions can be gained when we dovetail health & wellness with technology, which also happen to be my key areas of interest for my business. Kimba was the name of our family dog who was the epitome of a fun-loving, loyal dog. It's important to me to establish personal relationships with my clients so that they know Kimba Care Solutions believes in their cause and always has their back. And equally important is to have fun during the process and enjoy the journey.
What makes your business unique?
An artistically inclined, US-trained medical doctor and technophile who happened to be born and raised in Ethiopia in of itself is a starting point for a non-traditional company framework. I have a medical background but have always had an artistic inclination. I see one of KCS' purposes as bridging the gap between healthcare and their target audience. Healthcare providers and similar small business owners have useful services to offer but have to compete for clients’ attention. One has to be able to speak to their target audience to retain their services. Having been in both worlds (provider and receiver of healthcare) gives me/KCS a unique perspective into the problem, and creates meaningful interactions between the two entities.
What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur? Reaffirming my worth and realizing the value of my work.
WHO JUST B E L EG P O IN E P
MIRIAM ALDAINY FOUNDER OF NIEMA BEAUTY
Tell us something interesting about yourself most people don’t know?
I was one of the first Saudi American women to work for a major house of fashion; Stella McCartney, where I was part of the PR team while studying at AIU. It was an extraordinarily competitive position, and also my first job. That energy set the tone for who I would grow into as a business woman. The environment was sink or swim and I learned to swim very quickly. I gained a sense of resilience and determination that has stayed with me.
How did the idea for your business come about? At the beginning of lockdown last year, I found myself with lots of free time for some self- reflection. When I realized that quarantine wasn't going to end quickly, I realized it would be a rare opportunity to achieve some of the big goals and dreams I've always intended to work on, but never made the time for. I came up with the concept for my new business, Niema Beauty. Part of my childhood and youth were spent in Saudi Arabia and I had always cherished the traditional, natural beauty products and treatments my female relatives used. These amazing products were created centuries ago and are still in wide use today, having been proven over time. I created Niema Beauty to bring these ages-old, clean, safe, organic and pure products to the West.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? I want to set an example for my nieces that they can achieve anything they set their minds to it. I want my example to stand for them as what a strong, Middle Eastern woman can do.
How did you come up with the name for your company? Niema means "God's gift", and since all of our products are derived from nature, I thought the name would be perfect.
What makes your business unique? I am creating an all natural beauty product line inspired by Little known traditional Middle Eastern products and treatments. Our products are all pure, of the highest quality and ethically sourced. I have combined tradition with modern business philosophy.
What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur? I haven't found any obvious challenges yet with Niema Beauty. That being said, growing up female in the Middle East, I certainly know what it is like to fight to be taken as seriously as male counterparts. I definitely found my voice, and I know how to use it in business. No one takes away my shine…
How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful? Currently, we are using social media heavily for our marketing, and that has given us great results. We love doing collaborations with beauty influencers who share our philosophy of clean, pure beauty.
@niema.beauty
WHO JUST B E L EG P O IN E P
DANA DONOFREE FOUNDER OF ANAONO
Tell us something interesting about yourself most people don’t know?
I always dreamed of being Janet Jackson’s choreographer, so much so I know all the moves to all her historic dances and would rewind tapes (yes, I said tapes) until the ribbon was so worn out I couldn’t watch them any longer.
How did the idea for your business come about?
When I received an earth-shattering cancer diagnosis in my 20’s I felt like I was thrust into a world not meant for me, it was full of Grandma bras that were matronly and utilitarian, I wanted something more. So I took my fashion design experience and started to design bras that didn’t just “fit” but were beautiful and comfortable too!
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? I had always wanted my own fashion business, in some ways, I was always an entrepreneur, even at a young age. I would make jewelry, clothing, and just about anything else I was inspired by and would sell it to my friends, my co-workers, and even at pop-up shops.
What makes your business unique? AnaOno is unique because we are the first bra company to be boob-inclusive. Our customers come to us with many different body shapes, their breasts being one of them. If you have one boob, two boobs, no boobs or new boobs we have a style to fit you! I love empowering one another, no matter what breasts look like or don’t look like, we are all beautiful beings, and embracing all chests is part of that.
What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur? Finding balance in your everyday life is tricky, I work all the time, but I love what I do so it doesn’t feel like work! I see my friends who have families and they are my real superstars because I know how much stress there is in and out of the boardroom.
What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it?
How did you come up with the name for your company?
I hope to continue to build an empathetic and empowering environment for not only our customers but everyone that works for us as well. Every day we come to work we have an opportunity to make a positive impact in someone else's life, we take that very seriously.
AnaOno is a reflection of me, Dana Donofree, without the “double D’s” *wink wink*
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
How did you raise funding for your venture? I started AnaOno with my own pocket. I took every spare penny I had, no longer spent money on clothes and hand bags, or even vacations, and used those dollars to launch AnaOno. After launch I was broke, I focused on other ways to fund, from pitch competitions, business competitions like the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, and from there, after we experienced growth, I was able to secure investor funding to grow the business.
Being an entrepreneur is everything. You live to work and work to live. Even when “taking a day off” you are never really off, so having an understanding family and partner are critical for success. It hasn’t always been easy, the commitment to your “day job” is so much more than anything else, so finding time with those you love and being present has kept me going.
@anaonointimates
WHO JUST B E L EG P O IN E P
ELIZABETH GROJEAN FOUNDER OF BALOO LIVING
How did the idea for your business come about? I moved to Bali to surround myself with a community of entrepreneurs who were free to think more independently about business, outside of the traditional groupthink and competitiveness that can be found in a city like New York, where I was living. I focused on product research through data - examining keyword search volume trends - to help me identify an opportunity. But once I tested a weighted blanket I fell in love and the idea for the business felt inspired by the possibility to help people relax more easily and improve their sleep quality in a natural way.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? I believe life is short and we deserve to maximize our opportunity for experiences and for me that means travel. I was driven to create a business that would allow me to have location independence so I could work while I continued to meet new people and get to know new places, with the flexibility to spend time with people I care about who live around the world. Nevermind I work more now than I ever have in my entire life, but I’m grateful to do so from the location that I choose.
How did you come up with the name for your company? Baloo is a name I always held close, I thought for a future pet! It is inspired by the character in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, who lives in the jungle just as I was when I was inspired by my first weighted blanket. He’s also the most live-in-the-moment, carefree yet powerful character, a philosophy that is part of Baloo’s brand.
How did you raise funding for your venture?
We are a self-funded company, meaning we don’t have any outside investors; the financing for our first inventory buy came from a small family loan. Since the first inventory cycle we’ve been fortunate to operate profitably with the support of some bridge loans and SBA debt to support the seasonal cycles of the business.
What makes your business unique?
We make every decision with the goal of serving our customer first. This is evident through our Lifetime Quality Guarantee, investments in our customer service team including a highly trained person to answer the phone when it rings (without a phone tree!) to our givebacks to highly vetted and innovative nonprofits in the environmental and community spaces. When we operate in alignment with our core values whether anyone can see that or not, our company and products’ integrity shines through that much more brightly in the times when others can see.
What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur? I’ve come to see that the greatest challenges I experienced were self-imposed, but conditioned through a society with fewer role models and adapting a personal style as a woman to succeed through asking permission first instead of forgiveness. Once I decided to grant myself freedom to operate outside of the limits I had set, I found a business and entrepreneurial community that was extremely supportive and nurturing from all sides. I find that ecommerce is a democratized space - as entrepreneurs we relate to each other through our results and achievements and what we can share with the community first, and not through society’s traditional labels or identities.
@balooliving
WHO JUST B E L EG P O IN E P
STEPHANIE HON FOUNDER OF CADENCE
How did the idea for your business come about? I needed cadence, so I wanted to make cadence.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? My driving force was to solve a problem I had. I never knew i wanted to be an entrepreneur before I started cadence. Now I know it's exactly what I wanted to do.
How did you come up with the name for your company? We’re not trying to change anything about your habits or routines, we’re all about helping you keep your cadence
How did you raise funding for your venture?
I connected with individual angels who ran businesses before or were just incredible thinkers who believe in our vision.
What makes your business unique? We’ve created something that didn’t previously have a solution.
What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur? Continuing to learn to be bullish.
How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful? We market by building our community and content that visually connects and paints the picture to our people.
What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it? Constant feedback, looking forward, and being in it together.
Can you describe/outline your typical day? (Routines, Rituals, that you live by) I wake up, go for a walk at a local farm, and I’m in my office until late into the evening.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life? I’m not at the point where I have kids yet, but I’m lucky that I have a partner who’s independent and knows that work is my top priority.
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear? Careless mistakes are my greatest fear and I manage it by pushing myself to do the best I can do every time.
@keepyourcadence
SUSTAIN ABILITY
SUSTAIN ABILITY
SUSTAIN ABILITY
just begin magazine | 53
IS IT
GREEN WASHING? HERE'S HOW TO TELL.
BY SAMANTHA DIAZ
First things first: What’s greenwashing?
Greenwashing occurs when a company spends more time and money claiming to be green than implementing business and manufacturing practices that minimize environmental impact. Greenwashing is a marketing ploy that promotes the perception that an organization is environmentally friendly. The prevalence of greenwashing is growing. As consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly products, marketers use greenwashing as a means to sell more products to customers who identify as green-leaning. Greenwashing is all about profit. Corporations desire to sell products; if they can sell by claiming to be green, so be it. While it’s fantastic that corporations are listening to consumer demand for environmentally friendly products, we as consumers must avoid greenwashing while also demanding that companies incorporate sustainability into their mission statements. Where does the term greenwashing come from?
Have you stayed in a hotel lately? If so, you may have noticed a placard in the bathroom urging you to reuse your towels. Reusing towels helps the hotel save water (and money); reusing towels is therefore completely sustainable, right? Interestingly enough, these towel placards were instrumental in coining the now-famous term, greenwashing.The year was 1983, and environmentalist Jay Westerveld, on vacation in Samoa and Fiji, stayed in a nearby guesthouse that didn’t offer towels to guests. So Westerveld walked to the sprawling, fancy resort next door to borrow one. That’s when Westerveld spotted “Save the Towel” placards urging customers to reuse towels to help the hotel “save Fiji’s crucial ecosystem”. Westerveld aptly noted the irony because this sprawling resort didn’t have a recycling program. Worse, the hotel was currently undergoing a massive expansion project. Three years later, as Westerveld wrote a term paper on multiculturalism, he recalled the irony of the towels and wrote the sentence,“… it all comes out in the greenwash.”
Say No! to cutesy imagery.
The product’s package is green or primarily green in color. There are leaves, grass, pastures, or visuals of animals frolicking in the forest. Perhaps there are even cows grazing in green pastures. But if the image on the product’s packaging is bucolic, it is probably greenwashed. Indeed, corporations often use nature images to appear environmental. The bottom line:
If the imagery is so grandiose that it diverts attention from the real issues at hand, it’s greenwashing. In general, genuinely eco-friendly companies aren’t all that overt. They don’t rely on green imagery to sell; their products are often wrapped in plainer packaging, too. How to avoid greenwashing? Inspect packaging with a fine-toothed comb. If the imagery suggests a reality that’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid greenwashing by calling out fluffy language
Here’s a list of commonly-used words used to sell products: Eco-friendly Certified Non-toxic Pure Earth-friendly Natural While the above adjectives lend credibility to a product, corporations wrongly use these labels without consequence. Food packaging often contains excessive fluffy language. The bottom line:
If there’s no supporting information to explain how a product adheres to its claims, it’s smoke and mirrors. Conversely, if a product boasts highly scientific wording that only a scientist could decipher, it’s also greenwashing.
Spot over-emphasis.
Corporations *love* to overemphasize. Overemphasis happens when a product highlights one teeny-tiny green attribute and ignores its other environmentally harmful practices. Overemphasis calls attention to an eco-friendly attribute that’s not all that important in the grand scheme of things. For example, ake a sneaker manufacturer boasts a recycling program for wellused sneakers. The company mentions its recycling program at every opportunity. Shouts it from the rooftops, even. Awesome, right? But the company uses its recycling program as a guise because their factories continue to pollute the streams surrounding their factories. They are emphasizing one green aspect and ignoring all the rest. That’s greenwashing. The bottom line:
Companies that have weaved sustainability into their mission (and not just into their marketing!) will have detailed information about their efforts on their websites. Trust your gut (and Google)
Companies have a singular goal: To make money. But with a bit of intention and a heck of a lot of conscious consumerism, it’s not all that difficult to discern authentic initiatives from inauthentic ones. So slow down and trust your gut. Take bottled water, for example. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the sleek new eco-design doesn’t change the fact that all those plastic bottles are single-use, disposable items. Or what about boxed water? The slogan is – “boxed is better.” Better for who, exactly? Again, trust your gut. Tetra packs – or boxes lined with plastic – are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, in many locations to recycle. Then there’s the whole manufacturing and shipment of these boxes; neither is ecofriendly. So boxed water is better for who, exactly? Indeed not the environment. The bottom line:
If your spidey sense goes off, listen. If you’re genuinely unsure, go ahead and use Google. The internet is a gigantic black hole of information; use it to your advantage.
Photo by Dorian Ash
HOW TO GO Zero Waste
ZAID AHTNAMAS YB
on a Budget
I thought it might be fun to share some tips for other people that might similarly be on a tight budget but not necessarily students. When I first started learning about the zero-waste lifestyle, I remember being mesmerized by photos of perfect pantries full of Le Parfait jars in sleek, minimalist apartments. I think at first glance that's what most people imagine the zero waste lifestyle to be like, but in reality, the actual concept of zero waste is to make do with what you have, repurpose and repair! Yes – I want all the stainless steel and glass in my zero waste kitchen. No – I don't need it to take part in the zero waste movement. I've whipped up a quick list below to show you how to go zero waste on a budget!
Use What You Have
This advice comes from the girl that sells zero waste products online…you don't need new things! That's right. You can take steps toward zero-waste using items that you already own at home. I am obsessed with my bamboo cutlery set that I carry in my bag every day but listen, you can just as easily use a set of metal cutlery you already own in your kitchen for zero waste lunch on the go. You don't have money to spend on a stainless steel lunch container? That's fine; use a Tupperware container that your mom has had in her kitchen for the last 15 years. It will do the job just as well. If you can't afford reusable stainless steel straws right now, don't buy them! More than once, I've been to a restaurant where the server doesn't ask if I want a straw and brings one automatically in my drink. If this happens to you, take that straw with you and reuse it – it's free!
Simply Refuse
As far as straws go, you can also say no! You are making a positive impact on the planet when you refuse disposable plastic straws, refuse plastic water bottles, refuse disposable coffee cups, etc. No is a powerful word, and you ARE an eco-warrior by saying no to things that harm the planet. There are many opportunities to avoid environmentally harmful items, and there's no money involved. Saying no can often save you money a lot of times! For example, avoiding consuming meat a few times per week will reduce your grocery bills. Don't purchase paper towels anymore; instead, use cloth kitchen rags that you probably already own. Shop Secondhand
If you find that you need some things for your zero waste experience, see if you can find those products secondhand first. Ok, a bamboo toothbrush is probably something you'd want to buy fresh and new, but you could hunt for a travel coffee mug at your local thrift shop. I have found some tremendous high-quality reusable water bottles and travel mugs while shopping secondhand in my town. Another great place to hunt for secondhand goods is estate sales. I adore visiting estate sales, and I've been able to find so many things to help me with my zero waste journey at them. I've discovered estate sales to be notorious for mason jar stashes. P.S. Get you some mason jars!! These are great because they're super versatile. You can use them to drink out of, store leftovers, hold your bulk foods, etc. They are relatively inexpensive, and you can usually find them secondhand, so they're even cheaper. Make Your Own
You can find all kinds of pre-made zero waste supplies like deodorant, toothpaste, tooth powder, sunscreen, etc. But did you know you can make some of these products yourself?? There are heaps of DIY recipes that you can find over on Pinterest. I don't have a lot of time to experiment with homemade bath products but if you do and are also looking for something a little more affordable, see if it's something you could make at home! Since these products are usually natural and organic, the ingredients lists tend to be small. It should be pretty simple to make some of them yourself.
Eat Whole Foods
If you're wondering how to go zero waste on a budget when grocery shopping, the key is the stick to whole foods. No, not Whole Foods, the grocery store. I'm talking about not processed foods but rather whole, plant-based foods like fruits and veggies. It's usually the foods located around the grocery store's perimeter that are whole foods, and the processed ones tend to be found in the middle rows. These types of foods tend to be less expensive in comparison to their processed and plastic-packaged counterparts. You can cook with whole, plant-based foods – think soups, stir-fries, roasted veggies, etc. Grow Your Own
I know this option isn't feasible for everyone, but try growing some foods of your own! Plastic and packaging-free and let me tell you, produce in season is WAY more delicious. I have a veggie patch at my house, and we grow tomatoes, beans, peas, onions, potatoes, okra, etc. It does require a lot of time to tend to the garden, but it's worth it in the abundance of produce we have every summer. We've found that it's a lot cheaper to grow our produce rather than purchasing fresh, locally grown veggies and fruits at the farmers' market.
Focus on what you CAN do
I know many people interested in zero waste who give up after trying for a short time. Sometimes, it seems impossible to reduce household waste, whether that be due to monetary restrictions or accessibility in your town. But try to focus on the things you CAN do rather than the things you can't. If your shopping cart is still full of plastic packaged goods, remember that you aren't taking all of those products home in a single-use plastic bag. And remind yourself of all the times you've made coffee at home or had coffee "for here" at a coffee shop to reduce disposable coffee cup waste. You ARE making a difference, and even the smallest of zero waste changes are helpful and make an impact. Don't feel discouraged if you don't fit all your trash in a tiny mason jar. Focus on what is sustainable for you and your family at this moment with the budget and resources that you currently have available. You can do this!! What are your best tips on how to go zero waste on a budget?
WHO IS JANE? THE HAPPY JANE NETWORK
BY EDUARDO ORTIZ
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY. In the last few years we have watched as the cannabis industry has blossomed under lessening restrictions in America. Making cannabis more available worldwide for recreational and medical use. There are of course still areas where it is disputed but in the process of becoming decriminalized. While this has been a source of joy for many who partake in cannabis it is important to remember that it is a multifaceted issue. As in any form of farming there are environmental factors to take into account. Surprisingly, cannabis isn’t as green as it may appear upon first glance. To discuss the complexities of the cannabis industry I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the co-founders of the Happy Jane Network, a tech company seeking to not only connect cannabis distributors with brands but to change its negative public perception and spread happiness.
WHAT IS THE HAPPY JANE NETWORK? Aside from being my personal gurus providing insight to the world of cannabis, the Happy Jane Network is a tech company that boosts and enables cannabis brands via a tech platform by facilitating interaction between suppliers and brandmakers. They do this through a variety of means but the primary focus is white labeling. White labeling is a process that resembles drop shipping in that; the product a brand wishes to sell is manufactured and sold to the brand at a wholesale price and they are then able to sell the product for their chosen price but under their brand name. The Happy Jane Network intends to apply this process to all products related to cannabis. They are currently speculating that they will be involved with fifty different products in three different categories, cosmetics, industrials, and consumables.
WHO IS JANE? With a name like “The Happy Jane Network” the knee jerk reaction is to ask “who is Jane?” Followed by the brief realization that the name is in fact a reference to the play on words “Mary Jane”. So what does Jane look like? As far as anyone can tell all that has been seen of the elusive Jane is an eye. When asked where the rest of her might be Chief Happiness Officer, Luke Skywallner explains, “Jane is the central embodiment of the spirit of cannabis and the company core values that pass down through to all of the brands involved in the Happy Jane Network” and furthering his point is Co-founder and Art Director, Sophia Naves, “The reason Jane is portrayed as an eye is because we want everyone to be able to identify with her, we don’t want her to be boxed into any appearance, you can imagine Jane as you need her.” In this sense Jane is meant to represent the spirit of cannabis and the ideals for which the company itself also stands for: “I believe you should have a general feeling of contentment with the work you are doing. Of course one cannot always be happy, but if you don't want to get out of bed in the morning this needs to be addressed. Everything we bring to cannabis enthusiasts is produced fairly and sustainably. This includes adequate, humane working conditions and equal pay regardless of gender, social standing, or culture. With a focus on carbon positivity and plastic awareness. I think it is worth it and necessary to fight for our purpose and values without forgetting our spirit. Nevertheless, when the mind clears up after fighting, I encourage everybody to settle the matter ASAP and hug. Due to the fact that the cannabis industry in Europe mostly operates in the black market the competitive environment is challenging. Criminals lurk on every corner. Following this I asked to what end does Jane serve. Naves went on to say, “Jane is the embodiment of the cannabis spirit and the essence that fuels and runs through the Happy Jane Network,” with that squared away, let's return to the main topic
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITH GROWING CANNABIS? Growing cannabis is not inherently worse or better than growing different types of crops however, due to its ambiguity legally around the world this can lead to larger issues. The grey areas surrounding it are often filled with cut corners and maximized profit at the expense of the ground upon which it is grown. This is not always the case but the full extent of the cannabis industry’s environmental impact is not recorded or calculated for these same reasons. The often conflicting laws of local and federal government combined with the high costs of growing permits means that illegal growing operations are commonplace. With this existence outside of the law comes the concerning freedom of unchecked levels of pesticides or herbicides being utilized in the growth of a plant meant for human consumption. Furthermore, unchecked farming not utilizing sustainable methods can deplete the soil of its nutrients, its ability to retain water, and erode layers of topsoil over time. Indoor growing requires large amounts of electricity for ventilation and grow lights which means the carbon footprint for a single gram of weed in the United States can be considerably larger than one would suspect. Skywallner pointed out that, “Industrial hemp is grown outdoors while smokable cannabis is grown mainly indoors.” The distinction between cannabis meant for consumption and that which is used as an industrial material is often not made. However, Skywallner argues that, “If we can agree that cannabis is the scientific term for hemp, then basically it is the same thing. It’s a mindset on how people view the plant, and how people perceive the cannabis spirit.”
SO HOW DOES A TECH COMPANY COME INTO PLAY? Where local and federal governments fail to protect the interests of their CBD, CBG, and THC enthusiasts, what real responsibility does a tech company have when it comes to taking care of the environment? When posed with this question Skywallner responded in a concise and analytical style that reflected his background in technology strategy. “Since we are a tech platform we are not producing anything ourselves. So our focus is looking at our value chain and at every step we help brandmakers and suppliers reduce their carbon footprint. For example, within the packaging process usage of plastic is quite common, we discuss how to minimize plastic together with our suppliers . We do that throughout the whole value chain, as we calculate our carbon footprint, not only ours, but of the whole Happy Jane Network. As soon as we establish the processes we assess the value creation chain from a sustainability perspective. When carbon emissions occur we try to directly balance them out, our aim is to be carbon negative.” The company cannot directly change the way suppliers function but based on their practices they will determine whether or not to continue working with suppliers. This would encourage growers to meet HJN standards to reach a larger client base. We as the general populace are now aware that just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. In the modern world where we are exposed to carcinogens on a daily basis with little to no warning it is refreshing to encounter a company that chooses to take accountability.
NOW LET’S TALK SOLUTIONS: The solutions to the problems of the cannabis industry’s environmental impact in terms of farming are rather straightforward. To offset large amounts of energy consumption some growers are utilizing solar powered LED lights. To prevent soil erosion and reduced capability of water erosion dry farming methods are being used with a focus on the removal of weeds (not that kind of weed). Collecting rainwater to be recycled for irrigation and utilizing UV filtration to clean waste water before it can enter sewer systems are other examples of sustainable practices being utilized to counteract the environmental impact of growing cannabis.
However, these solutions start and end on the farm, meanwhile, like any other product there are more factors to take into consideration. Making the cannabis industry eco-friendly extends into the dispensaries, for example Skywallner shared one potential way of increasing sustainability, “This is not implemented yet, but one idea we are favoring is refillable ecigarette and vapor fluid containers. Encouraging the consumer by offering discounts when they come back to refill their container.” Rather than purchasing single use and disposable cartridges composed of hard plastics that are quickly discarded, customers can reduce the waste they generate while still enjoying their product. The HJN is into branded merchandise and accessories but it is resolute in the fact that it does not intend to compete with members of the network by branding their own cannabis products.
One of the most important parts of managing the environmental impact of cannabis is changing the public’s perception of this versatile plant. Today we often see CBD products marketed for everything from pain relief to dog treats and there is very little issue with it as it has successfully separated itself from its roots. Despite it originating from a criminalized plant its isolated success is not lauded over the whole. We see this same distinction between cannabis and the term “Hemp”. Skywallner describes this cognitive dissonance as such, “In Germany and Europe there’s a very weird point of view of cannabis and hemp. If you talk about hemp then people think about medicine and industrials. People associate cannabis with an illegal substance, that is an entry point to harder drugs. Cannabis is bad while hemp is labeled as good. Actually, cannabis is only the scientific term for hemp. It’s one, the same thing!” Perhaps through this example we can predict the difficulty of the uphill battle that is changing the public perception of cannabis and through doing so protecting the environment. This tenacious endeavor to re-educate and redefine our preconceived notions regarding cannabis is admirable. In the words of Naves, “Jane is not just a business model but an ideal way of living, more like a lifestyle.” The Happy Jane Network aims to be the leading cannabis network by 2025 with visions of a more sustainable and happy future. To learn more, ask Jane about hemp on www.whoisjane.eu.
POETRY POETRY POETRY POETRY POETRY POETRY
MEET SASHILY KING BY ANJULI SHARPLEY
For professor, published writer, spoken word performer, and editor Sashily King, writing is an unrestricted art that can take several forms and express inner feelings. King grew up bouncing between Puerto Rico and South Florida before embarking on a “big adventure” after marrying a man in the navy, which moved them from Jacksonville to Japan to Virginia, then Honolulu for five years. She referred to writing and books as artistic outlets for her voice that she began utilizing in her childhood, writing her first poem at eleven years old. While this release helped King express her emotions and experiences, she said that getting to that point was not positive or easy. “There was a trauma of loneliness that drove me to that voice within the confines of my pages, I read as a form of escapism,” said King. She added that she had a “lonely childhood” with a “single hard working mother.” King’s mother’s work left her exhausted from long hours. “How do I get the nerve to bother someone who worked over forty hours a week,” said King. Writing became an effective alternate way for her to use her voice to project her inner thoughts. When asked about poets who inspired her, King immediately recognized E. E. Cummings as a “godsend,” who taught her for the first time that poetry could be a visual art that is not stuck in “the confines of a college ruled notebook.” The poem L(a, in particular showed King the nonbinary nature of writing. She was encouraged to further delve into different forms of writing such as blackout and teacup poetry, prose, and haikus.
With her writing, Mrs. King sought to incorporate elements of her experiences as a traveling writer throughout her work. Prior to her undergraduate university experience, she used being in Japan as an experience and searched for career opportunities throughout the navy base, before ultimately finding her place at the radio station. This inspired her to get a bachelors in mass communications. She then pursued a masters in creative writing at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa to “develop a voice through a guided journey,” and wrote her honors thesis on the Hawaiian movement of Puerto Ricans. Since, King has performed at several notable events including Honolulu Biennial, Jazz Minds, Open Space Hawai’i, and Split This Rock. Several of her pieces have been selected for Norfolk Review, including One Word, which earned her the first prize in poetry. Her work is to be featured in the upcoming volume of the ‘Ōiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal, with King being the only Puertorican author included. A professor at St. Thomas University, King shared her favorite writing exercise, called “exquisite corpse.” She calls this exercise a play on the game of telephone in which you use the concept of that game in writing. At a roundtable, one person begins a poem with one line, then reads it and passes it on to the next person with a new line after folding the paper over the first person’s line. King said that she enjoys this exercise because it allows writers to process writing in an uncontrolled way without a concrete goal.
INSTEAD OF. . .
I'M A MESS
TRY. . .
I'M HUMAN
june journal prompts
A movie you can quote by heart The song you know all the lyrics to What motivates you? An area to grow in Words you need to share Reasons to feel happy What is home? Where were you a year ago? A really good idea A step you have taken towards your goals
HOLISTIC
LIVING HOLISTIC
LIVING HOLISTIC
LIVING
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WILL
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F E
by Samantha Diaz
2021
just begin magazine
When you think about how most people try and approach a goal, one of three things will happen more often than not. They’ll either go at it full throttle, they’ll procrastinate and get stuck – or they’ll start by going at it full throttle and then get stuck!
Some people are better suited to the ‘go big or go home’ approach, which habits gurus would describe as a ‘blast start.’ However, for many women, they’ll try this blast start approach and then find that they ping back to the way things were before, sometimes in an even worse way. The temptation of a blast start and the full-throttle approach is that it’s immediately motivating, and you can often see results or progress quite quickly. However, for more than a lucky few, selfsabotage can creep in; you’ll face resistance and then a feeling of failure. Of course, it’s no secret that small sustainable changes are an excellent way to go when approaching goals, whether linked to your wellbeing or not – but why is that approach so hard too? What I’ve seen in women I work with, slow and steady, doesn’t work because we don’t even attempt that approach believing that those small actions couldn’t possibly lead to the results or the end goal after. The blast started offers motivation and a bit of all or nothing, which can be very tempting and feels ‘easier’ even when in the long term it isn’t. So how can we use all of this and start making positive changes in our lives? I’m embracing something I’ve heard Mel Robbins call ‘micro actions’ – essentially that slow and steady approach. However, I’m adding a few wholehearted tricks to it that will hopefully make it stick more for you and me!
REMEMBER, THIS MIGHT STOP YOU SELF SABOTAGING
First things first, we might all need a reminder of why micro-actions are so powerful, and the biggest reason for me is that when you use micro-actions, you’re so much less likely to trigger self-sabotage. Self-sabotage is often triggered by significant, bold actions because those set off your brain’s self-protection mechanisms, often in ways that aren’t logical. For example, if you decide to start a five workout a week plan, but your brain sees exercise as something that has caused you embarrassment and shame in the past, that could lead to actions that would be deemed as self-sabotaging. But start with maybe just one workout, or even one walk a week, and you sneak under the radar of your brain. I know that probably sounds a bit crazy, but honestly, this works! THE RESULTS WITH A BLAST START ARE AN ILLUSION
It would be best if you reminded yourself that although the blast start might get you results initially, it’s not going to in the long term. It’s an illusion that many of us are sold, and to do micro-actions work, we have to remind ourselves that the go big or go home approach doesn’t work. POSITIVE ASPECTS JOURNAL
Having a positive aspects journal is an excellent tool since you’re consciously emphasizing those micro-actions and reminding yourself of their impact. The shifts and changes you see with micro-actions might be smaller than with a blast start, but acknowledging them gives you added motivation to continue with them. ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORT
Accountability and support are always helpful; think about where can you find that? It may be from friends and family or a Facebook Group. MANTRAS AND AFFIRMATIONS
You could even add in some mantras or affirmations – something like ‘every small step I take is getting me closer to my goal’ – or something less cheesy than this!
e v lo
you r
e v lo
you r
e v lo
you r
se
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fir s
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t s fir
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Ways To Do An Aura Cleanse & Why You Should Be Doing Them
Why Cleanse your Auric Field? Have you ever been in a happy mood, then spent time with a negative person, only to find that your joyful spirit left?
by Samantha Diaz
Well, that's because you soaked up some of the energy of the negative person. Our auras can also harbor the energies of unwanted thought forms (such as negative self-images and negative self-talk) and unprocessed emotions. Drugs (prescribed or not) and even food can also taint the aura. All these negative energies can unbalance our energy field and cause blockages to our field's natural flow of energy. When we carry these negative energies, we may feel anxious, tired, depressed, ungrounded, sick, etc. But good news! We can clear our fields through different aura cleansing modalities. EVERYONE CAN DO IT THEMSELVES! IT'S SO EASY!
There are many aura cleansing methods; some are so simple techniques you can do, you can even do some RIGHT now. 1. With your intention, you can imagine white light - you can do this anywhere anytime if you're around a bunch of people, you can do it quickly with your intention, but the most effective way is to sit comfortably and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and relax; allow your body to unwind for a few minutes. Visualize your body filled with white light. Imagine the white flushing out any tense body aches you may have in your physical body. Let the white light restore your body and remove any foreign energy. Take your time. Next, expand the light beyond your body at least two feet beyond your body or however far it feels right. Let the white light push out any more negative energy you may have into the universe, where it will be neutralized into the cosmic field. Do this until you can imagine you are completely engulfed in white light like a giant egg is around you. You feel energized, lighter, and cleansed.
2. Make your aura cleansing mist out of the water and essential oils such as sage or lemon. In a spray bottle, mix a few drops of essential oil in spring water. Shake it up and spray it toward yourself from arm's length (avoiding your eyes, of course). We have smudge mist available here if you don't want to DIY it. 3. Crystals are great aura purifiers. Crystals traditionally used for this are clear quartz, selenite, or black tourmaline. In our energy cleansing kits, we have quartz crystals. To use a crystal, you sweep the crystal repeatedly through your energy field, head to toe, with the intention that it will absorb any negative energies. You can even carry one with you in your pocket or purse. 4. This is a no-brainer. Drink purified water, but if possible, spring water is best. Be sure to drink the amount you need to stay hydrated throughout the day. For example, your weight is 100 pounds; divide that by 2, which gives you 50 ounces (oz). This means you should be drinking 50 oz (or 1.42 liters) each day. 5. One of my favorites, take a warm sea salt bath. 6. Smudge yourself with a sage or cedar bundle. We have this in our energy cleanse kit. In a fire-safe bowl, light the end of it and blow out any flame so that there are just a few embers burning and creating a small amount of smoke. Wave the smudge stick around your body from head to toe, allowing the sage smoke to purify your field. A quick prayer you can say out loud while cleansing your field is, " May the sage cleanse my hands, my feet, my heart, my throat, my eyes, and my soul. Thus, enabling me to see, feel, touch, and hear about the beauty of this world. May this space be cleansed by the smoke of sage in a way that the smoke carries my prayers to the highest of heaven to be accepted. Amen!" 7. GO OUTSIDE - Sunlight is a natural energy purifier. Take a walk in nature. It is a naturally calming and cleansing effect. You will feel MORE joyful, balanced, healthy, and energetic when you do an energy cleanse.
Signs In Your Dreams That Indicate You're Remembering A Past Life
by Samantha Diaz
just begin magazine
Dreams are said to be a series of thoughts and sensations that occur to you while you're asleep. Your body is at absolute rest when you are sleeping, and you dream of things that can be entertaining, romantic, scary, bizarre, and sometimes even illogical. They are, in one way or the other related to our subconscious mind. Sometimes, they can also show signs that indicate that you are remembering a past life. There are many reasons behind the occurrence of different kinds of dreams and categories they are classified into. Mostly dreams are two kinds, one that you remember and the one that you can't. The dreams you can remember are the ones who have managed to have a profound impact on your mind, and sometimes they can mean something too. After thousands of researches, psychologists have found that particular dream signs indicate you remember your past life. As bizarre as it sounds, you should have an at the signs that could indicate the same. Some moments in life are captured by our memory, like photographs. They are the same images from the past life that occur in dreams and guide you through the way. The dreams of your past life act like pillars that guide you in your future life so that you don't repeat the same mistakes all over again. To find out what these signs indicate you remember your past life, continue reading! Here are the dream signs that indicate you remember your past life.
People and places that don't necessarily exist.
People and places play the most crucial part in our day-to-day life. Sometimes we forget one of the other, but just by placing two of them beside each other, things start to make sense and form a picture. When we see people who belong to our present life, in our dreams, we know who they are, but somehow it's the opposite of what we understand in our past life. You behave and appear differently in your dreams.
We all had experienced a specific dream when we were absolutely unable to recognize our own selves. This is an indication of your past life. Your face remains the same, but other than that, everything else is different. Your behavior, surrounding and even your name is different. You have the same pattern of dreams with no major changes in them.
Your future is always changeable as it depends upon your present actions. This is the reason why dreams that speak of your future are forever changing. This isn't the case with the dreams of your past. Everything happens to remain the same no matter how many times you see it. This occurs because the events have already happened, and you cannot change them anymore.
Your current injuries and accidents are also present in your dreams.
Things that matter to you now will always find their roots in the past. This is just one of the weird things that our mind does. If you are facing a severe injury in your present life and it has been hurting you awfully, then you are going to find it exactly on the same spot in the dreams related to your past. Constant feeling of being incomplete or missing something in your dreams.
Dreams directly or indirectly portray our deep-rooted desires. If you sincerely desire something in your present life, you will find it missing even in your past life. It is this constant feeling of missing something. Deja vu.
Almost all of us have experienced this at least once in our lives. It is like reliving a moment. You know what is going to happen or what someone is going to say next. Feeling older than your actual age.
It is said that souls live forever; it's the bodies that die. But some people feel a little more. They feel like their soul is a million years old. Their soul is ripened, dusted, and tired over time. Their approach to things is very different from most people of their own age. This is an indication that your soul has reincarnated.
H O R O S C O P E S
June 2021
Mi gente hold on tight! Tenemos another eclipse on the 10th. Can we manifest some goals under that phase? Let's think before we rush because there's havoc vibras coming from multiple retrogrades. Starting with Jupiter, Neptune, and let's not forget Mercury and Saturn from the end of last month. Pero don't use your Despojo Kit just yet, we have a fun spring fling that can maybe lead to summer lovin' thanks to Mars in Leo. Plus the Summer Solstices arrives on the 20th right before Mercury in Reggaeton ends. Great way to shake off the confusing energy, enjoy some sun and Cancer's cozy season. Find your sign and see how you can maneuver through these alignments!
CAPRICORN December 22January 19
AQUARIUS January 20February 18
PISCES February 19March 20
ARIES
March 21 - April 19
TAURUS
April 19-May 20
Be ready to be extra ready Capricorn! Mercury in reggaeton visits your 6th house of organization and everyday work. Set two alarms, have your coffee on a timer and leave for your trek early due to late traffic. This will last till June 22nd so just be more organized especially for travel and work. The Gemini new moon eclipse on the 10th will bring so much expression to what we want to manifest. So speak your truth loudly and put your focus on...
Amor could be in a weird cycle due to this months Mercury Retrograde. Affecting your fifth house of love, people from the past can come back or unresolved feelings can resurface. Take the time to learn from the past and let it go. Just in case, back up your technology and take it easy if your plans for the future aren't piecing together. The Gemini eclipse on the 28th is an amazing time to connect la vibra of la luna to bring vibrant dynamic duos together. So maybe manifest an old friend for help rather than a crazy ex. Pisces let's use the Mercury Retrograde energy to spend some loving time with family and loved ones. Since it lands on your fourth house of home maybe speccing time with them can help. If you're looking for a new home or apartment don't sign anything just yet! Wait till after June 22nd when Mercury spins back and the post shadow phase reveals the real deal. The Gemini new moon also helps bring more love from your other half or bestie! The twin vibra is so fuerte that even conversations that day can inspire.....
Aries let's rewind to Mercury Retrograde which started on the 29th of May till the 22nd of this month. Be mindful with the words we use seeing it will affect our 3rd house of communication. So expressing ourselves clearly is important and receiving messages from others isn't taken the wrong way. The Gemini Lunar Eclipse New moon on the 10th can help us get excited to brainstorm and get a clear vision of what we want. Por lo menos that can be a clear request we can out out there. The next day (11th) Mars in Leo can help us express better too! Is this the time to pursue.... Stability sister don't freak out you will survive all the retrogrades and eclipse! Mercury went retrograde on the 29th of May hitting your house of money, what can help? Just use this phase to plan, prioritize and balance that coin nena. This is not the time to spend, start investments or splurge, wait till after the 22nd. The Lunar Eclipse on the 10th can be your friend during these crazy vibras. Think of your financial goals, be creative with check and balance y let the twin energy bring you the right partners for success. Speaking of partnership the next day Mars in Leo...
GEMINI May 21-June 20
CANCER June 21-July 22
LEO
July 23-August 22
Mercury went retrograde in your sign last week impacting your first house of self and how people view you. Any new goals you might be thinking of can take a back seat. If anything, use the Lunar Eclipse in your sign on the 10th to give you a sign, new inspiration or maybe manifest that twin energy that can help you. The next night we have Mars enter Leo tremendo fuego heating things up till July 29th. Let the spotlight and Leo charm stimulate... Your 12th house of healing and karma can have a softy crab feel all los sentimientos during Mercury Retrograde. Use this transit to set up boundaries, communicate how you want to be treated and don't take sh** from anyone. The Lunar Eclipse in Gemini can even help you heal a bond between you and another mate. Geminis being twins want to have a great karmic balance between each other entonces la luna will be on your side. Mars in Leo the next day however can spark a blaze!
Leo this month things might not be too clear in your world but don't freak out. Mercury en reggaeton started May 29th shaking up your 11th house of friends, hopes and technology. Make sure to communicate clearly with your friends but don't say what you mean when heated. For que things might turn real ugly real quick. The New Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 10th is a beautiful time to do a friendship spell so you don't f**k it up! The next day on the 11th Mars is in your sign and things can get real fiery for….
VIRGO
Mercury in Retrograde can be the big reveal to your career side it affects your tenth house. Be careful what is offered to you during this time, don't say yes without using your Virgo super powers and be easy on you boo. The new moon in gemini eclipse on the 10th can help you during this arroz con mango at work. Use la luna to brainstorm and dig deep creatively as to what you would want your career goals to look like. Then on the 11th Mars enters Leo which would be a perfect time to pursue your passions with...
LIBRA
Yes the night sky is overwhelming but only for the first half of the month. Mercury ya esta en retrograde touching your ninth house of higher education and travel. I would say to travel after this transit and maybe if you're focusing on school or certification then take your time and don't force yourself to finish fast. The Gemini lunar eclipse on the 10th can help you find your other half? Or maybe spark new ideas for your higher education or personal growth. Either one can definitely come your way under...
August 23September 22
September 23October 22
SCORPIO October 23November 21
Scorpio please don't be the toxic ex who tries to return during Mercury Retrograde. It's in full effect hitting your Eighth house of partnership and financial taxes. So maybe certain relations can be tested whether in love or money. Be careful don't close any deals now and if old relationships come back learn from it y ya! The Gemini new moon on the 10th can help bring up great conversations which...
SAGITTARIUS November 22December 21
Fiery sis all the eclipses, retrogrades and new season will be a much needed healing and revision time. Mercury in retrograde pops into your fifth house of amor. For singles don't accept no ex pero if you're dating, take your time and ask all the important questions. That way a month from now you're not tangled with a person who has opposite views. Sags in relationships need to hold space to heal parts of their past, don't let old feelings surface and attack. Truly learn to let go. The new moon in Gemini can help you bring more love into your other half. So it's not completely doomsday during retrograde!
WANT MORE?
Read the full horoscopes on Sisther Pravia's website or schedule a one on one reading!
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WORKPLACE
WELLNESS
WORKPLACE
WELLNESS
WORKPLACE
WELLNESS
WORKPLACE
WELLNESS
Continuing Your Journey This month, we celebrate the anniversary of Just Begin and truly that means we are celebrating YOU! This past year we have embarked on an interesting road none of us planned on and yet, we have all grown by sharing the same world experience of a global pandemic. As the light grows at the end of the tunnel, it is time that we continue our journey and move forward, much like the continuation of Just Begin as we move forward from our first year. Moving forward gives us an opportunity to look back and see where we have come as it helps us assess a wider scope of our lives. These moments are built into our lives if you look at the seasons’ change and this month, we will change from Spring to Summer. Spring shows us things will start to move and grow again, Summer helps us bloom and exist in beauty. It is time to breathe…all together now, deep inhale, and release your exhale. It is time to move forward.
By Dr. Claire Muselman
Moving forward at this time in our lives and in society can be a little scary. Prior to the pandemic, many of us were on an autopilot mode of going to the grocery store and picking out the same items, waking up and heading to the gym without much intention or thought, grabbing coffee, and out the door to work, day after day. When the pandemic hit, it caused the world to shake up and awaken in a new manner, shifting the focus to the intention of how to operate daily life safely? How do I protect myself? How do I protect my family? How do I help others along the way? Moving out of this into what we will consider our new normal also shakes up our patterns in life because after 15-months of operating in this manner, we need to utilize some effective change management once again. This can be scary, and I am here to remind you that moving forward is a cool adventure because it never has to be big. Forward is progress and the little steps will lead to the bigger steps, and this creates momentum to get you moving in a new direction. As we move into this new direction, there are lessons we should all take with us from this pandemic experience. Each day we can wake up and try to do our best is a day well spent. Taking time for yourself IS productive work. You must fill your own cup first to get the job done more efficiently. Shifting your perspective to focus on your needs first can change your life. Those first few moments when you awake in the morning can set the tone and trajectory for the day. Abraham Lincoln once said that when given six hours to chop down a tree, he will spend the first hour sharpening his ax because sharper tools get the job done more efficiently. This was his productivity secret and one I hope you consider at the forefront of your mind as we move forward in life creating new scripts to live by and patterns to keep us moving forward.
CHANGE IS YOUR FRIEND My mother always told me as a child the one guarantee in life is change because change is inevitable. She told me this at a very early age and therefore, I have seen change as a positive and something that comes consistently. This is not the case for everyone and there are very real feelings surrounding resisting change. It can create feelings of losing control. If we shift the focus to looking at change from an embracing standpoint where it is looked at through a lens of opportunity and adventure, we are more likely to have a positive relationship with change. Understanding the why behind any change also creates a more susceptible rationale in our minds to be able to undertake what is coming next. When a moment arrives when things seem to be changing at a rapid pace, taking a deep breath, and resetting your mind can make a huge difference. The first step is awareness. Notice yourself getting caught up in the moment and think to yourself, “I know this pattern.” Acknowledging this feeling can help you gain control over the situation. Once the awareness has been acknowledged, take a mindful minute repeating a mantra. Set a timer and repeat a positive mantra that works for you. Anything from “I got this” to “I am strong” or “I am capable” or even “I embrace this moment” … a phrase that brings you peace. This awareness and resetting in the moment can help us gauge our responses and emotions to help with our overall reactions. This is where our control with change comes into play because we can break the string of upcoming worried thoughts by controlling our response and overall reaction to a situation.
KINESTHETIC PROCESSING I process information, change, and ideas the best by being active. While embracing change and working to move forward during a time of our lives where it may seem more difficult than before, try a walking meditation, and make it part of your daily routine. Not only are you able to literally take a step forward, but this practice is also another mindfulness trick to bring you into a state of happiness and weather permitting, overall bliss. One way to practice a mindfulness walk is to say to yourself “thank you” with each step you take. You can do this for a minute or longer as needed and it will help your mind shift into a state of gratitude while you take in the movement, the outdoors, the sun, the air, and life all around you. Another way to practice this method is to count your steps as you inhale, then count your steps as you exhale. Try to keep the breath even by taking an equal number of steps as you inhale and as you exhale. If you would like a challenge to build your own resilience during this practice, increase the exhale one step longer than the inhale, adding an additional second of breath as you continue moving forward. This does not have to be completed outside and can be done indoors or on a treadmill, anywhere where you can find space for movement and refocus on yourself. To get the most out of this practice, walk somewhere quiet, quiet enough that you can notice your breath, and walk slowly with intention. On days I am unable to find a quiet place, I put in my air pods as they have a noise-canceling function to block out the sound around me. By focusing on your breathing and finding a quiet place filled with movement,
you may be surprised by how quickly your mood changes. This can be done with stairs too if you can find a quiet staircase to walk up and down if you need a different change of pace. By learning to shift the focus of chatter and uncertainty in our minds through focusing on our breath, body, and relationship with the world around us, your space in the present moment shifts into a different relationship with one another.
ASSESS YOUR PERSONAL INVENTORY A lot came into focus this past year, especially when looking at what we value to our core. Change can amplify exactly what we value in life. Our values are shaped by family, friends, and lived experiences. Creating awareness around what we value to our core begins with a look at our moral compass. What guides you through uncertainty? We each have our own values and what we focus on during times of change, even in the most subtle manners. Cultivating an awareness around these values and the patterns depicted over time can allow us to measure decisions in the future. Take a moment to think about what you value. Does it align with how you are focused on life? How are you focused on the present moment? Do these values mirror who you are? Take a moment to look in the mirror. Is this you? Is this who you want to be? Some ideas surrounding values can include security, creativity, freedom, honesty, family, communication, authenticity, safety, love, friendship, independence, productivity, culture, wealth, influence, health, peace, spirituality, beauty, nature, respect, community, or anything else you find important within your own life. Understanding what is important to you can help you make decisions to ensure you are heading in the right direction! Cultivating awareness and knowing what we value allows us to begin to live in a space in accordance with our own values and helps us remain true to ourselves through challenging times.
VISUALIZE Awareness is always the first place to begin. It is the first step in creating change; however, it does not necessarily lead to action. Awareness assists in the foundation to begin making informed choices starting right now and into the future. Our next step is to visualize what comes next. Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool. My nephew just graduated from high school this past month and during his time in high school, he ran track. One of his favorite coaches would have them do visualization drills before big events. He would become so detailed in the moments while working with the student-athletes, down to the time they would cross the finish line. At the state track meet a few weeks ago, this coach came within 0.08 seconds of the visualization time the student-athlete relay team visualized. The mind is powerful! Many other athletes have similar experiences in training for competitive events. To believe you can accomplish your goals, start by visualizing these real possibilities for you and the life you are moving forward with on this journey. Having a clear vision for the future creates an ease for you to visualize your desires. This becomes clouded when we are faced with multiple viable decisions. What to do when this occurs? Take a moment to breathe. Find a comfortable space to visualize what you would like to happen. When you can get quiet, you are able to clear the mind and explore opportunities. Trust your intuition. You know the answer within, which sounds cheesy and much easier than living it; however, you will be able to find the nudge you need to move forward with the path or decision necessary.
Trust the nudge. Exploring opportunities within the mind works well because our mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality. Visualization is such a powerful tool. It helps us create and rehearse experiences to determine the path we take the next step forward on to continue our journey.
VISION BOARDS I love vision boards and have four around my house. Each symbolizes something different and meaningful to me. Vision boards are helpful in visualizing your future and where you want to go next. This is a fun activity to do with friends, children, or others looking to cultivate meaningful goal setting and purposeful intention of forward momentum. Find images and words that resonate with you. I prefer to look on Pinterest and through magazines or any type of print such as books, newspapers, or even the mail. Pay attention to your intuition. Any images or words that represent where you want to go and what you want to achieve are perfectly cut out and arranged for your visions to take shape. Place this vision board somewhere where it can be visible. I have one in my bathroom so I can review it while I brush my teeth, and another by the entryway to my house so whether I am coming or going, I am reminded of the life and goals I have set for myself. Vision boards serve as a physical representation of your desires. Get creative and have fun!
JOURNALING Journaling is one of the best manners to get your ideas and feelings out, out on paper, and out of your mind. You can use journaling to create additional momentum in moving forward by writing out your dreams, goals, ambitions, desires, and anything else you would like to explore by telling a story. While writing and exploring the details, create the story in a present tense form. Instead of writing, “I want to be successful”, try “I run a successful organization” or “I am a successful entrepreneur” and then add the details! This is where your creativity can flow.
ACCOUNTABILITY With forward momentum, there can be setbacks and life can come out of left field to surprise you. Sharing goals with people with whom you respect to hold you accountable and offer meaningful advice or suggestions on how to get there can be the added support needed for you to accomplish the next steps in your life. I like to call this group my “Board of Directors” where I have colleagues, friends, mentors, and former direct leaders. Other people may describe these as “Accountability Buddies” or Mentors. When detours arrive, I can reach out to this network of amazing people to help me navigate processes or situations I have not encountered before. This group also helps keep things in perspective and helps refine ideas I have. This group of people comes from a place of authenticity and honesty to help me realize the adjustments I need to make to continue with a clear vision of the future. Sometimes they push me out of my comfort zone and other times they help me realize the achievements made along the way I may have skipped over. These people are important to have in your life because they will be the support, personally and professionally, for you to move forward and take on life with anything it throws at you. We just made it through an incredible year of resilience, strength, and perseverance. Now is the time we get to celebrate the movement forward to create an incredible space moving forward. Take the first step. Now is the time… Just Begin.
WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR WELL-BEING AT WORK
The workplace is where many people spend a large portion of their lives. Although the working conditions and environment may be different depending on the type of work being done, the importance of maintaining workers' mental health remains the same. So, just how important is mental health in the workplace? It turns out it is essential for many different reasons. This article will explore how workplace stress or psychological concerns can impact an employee and some strategies and options to avoid workplace burnout. Many research studies have found that employees who are negatively impacted by psychological concerns decrease overall productivity and an increase in the chance of injury and absenteeism from the workplace. On the other hand, employees who practice self-care or utilize the available mental health services report lower stress levels, leading to a reduction in tardiness, termination, and injury.
Some Questions
If you are currently employed by yourself or by an employer, ask yourself these questions: How many times have you have felt mentally or emotionally exhausted while on the job? Have you ever woken up in the morning before heading off to work and felt a wave of anxiety or dread wash over you? Has there been a time (maybe more than once) that a coworker or supervisor acted in an inappropriate or bullying manner towards you? How did this impact you at the time? And now? If you answer any of these questions, it may be essential to consider taking action to improve your well-being overall and at work. Luckily, there are actions you can take towards feeling better!
What steps can you take to improve your psychological health in the workplace? Good question! First, you might want to start a discussion with your coworkers or create your own list of ways to promote and encourage mental well-being at work. Consider posting this on the communal fridge in the lunchroom or any high-traffic common area. It can be motivating to hear how others take care of themselves and encourage your colleagues to share their self-care strategies. Here are some tips to get you started: Take your breaks (all of them) If you sit most of the time, take a walk around the office every 30 minutes to give your eyes a break and increase blood circulation Keep hydrated (water is best, but mixing up your drink selection can help) Bring healthy snacks and pack your own lunch Write out your frustrations in a journal Organize social events with coworkers during lunchtime Stretch or practice chair yoga Learn to practice mindfulness at work Take sick (or mental health) days off Use an app to help work through stress Talk with family, friends, or a therapist about how you're doing Ask your employer to see if you have access to an Employee Assistance Program that may offer short-term counseling solutions What are some ways you can take care of yourself at work?
HIGHER SELF 1. "I AM TRYING MY BEST WITH WHAT I HAVE" 2. "MY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE"
EGO 1. 2.
"NOTHING IS EVER ENOUGH" "NOTHING MATTERS"
How to Maintain Workplace Wellness At Your Office
Workplace wellness has become a primary concern for business owners and leaders in recent times. Having a safe and clean work environment requires doing things to help employees stay mentally fit and healthy. The parameters of workplace wellness go beyond food, exercise, and sleep. A good workforce can ultimately level up your business and bring in more productivity. According to a survey done by Career Builder, these are the top five reasons for missing regular workdays: a. Constant tiredness (29%), b. Sleeplessness (26%), c. Aches and pains (24%), d. Increasing anxiety (23%) and, e. Weight gain (18%). Hence, what can you do for your employees as a business owner or employer to promote workplace wellness? Here are a few essential tips to enforce wellness in your organization or office and let your employees be the force to drive your business's potential to its highest. Be a Responsible Employer
As a business owner or employer, you should be familiar with the needs and necessities of your employees. Ensuring workplace wellness is an essential aspect of work culture in any organization. It plays a vital role in building the reputation of your business in the market. No marketing or promotional strategy can beat "word of mouth." According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of employees recommended their company as a good workplace if it made efforts toward employee well-being. Therefore, as a responsible business owner, you must include employee wellness in your business plan. After all, when you keep your employees happy, your work culture and ethics are marketed invariably.
Offer Personalized Wellness Programs
A lot of business owners today are incorporating wellness programs into their business operations. Offering wellness facilities as benefits to your employers provides a great benefit to their well-being and helps to draw better talent to your company. According to a recent report by Aflac, 61% of employees agreed that their company's wellness program helped them to make healthy lifestyle choices. Hence, including personalized wellness programs isn't only beneficial to the employers and increases your credibility as a business owner. Decrease the Sedentary Work Style
Many corporate businesses follow the cabin or desk work structure. A sedentary lifestyle is the root cause of some health problems. Therefore, allowing your employers to move out of their chairs greatly benefits their well-being. You can include different work methods. For example, A business meeting room where all the people have podiums to stand instead of chairs to sit. It is all about being innovative and giving another dimension to the usual things in life. Organize Fitness Contests or Competitions
Wellness at the workplace can also be propagated by encouraging employees to participate in various fitness-driven activities and creating a team environment with friendly competitions. It is not necessary to do something high-end and over-the-top. Just simple activities like providing your employees with a fitness track band to check and submit their walk routine would go a long way. Provide a Safe Physical Environment
The mental health of an individual is often drawn from what is happening around them. A clean and safe physical work environment contributes abundantly to the wellness of your employees. Hence, it must be taken care of. An excellent physical environment can include: 1. Clean and neat workplace 2. Facilitating healthy food service in the office 3. Meditation breaks 4. Using stairs over elevators 5. Walking paths or jogging tracks 6. Cycling or basketball within the office premises
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4 Best Stops in San Francisco WRITTEN AND PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA DIAZ
There is a lot to see and do in the hilly mega-city of San Francisco, and I love every minute of my stay there. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge already welcomed me dearly with its shimmering orange and red tones as I arrived in the late evening over sunset. I hope my tiny San Francisco travel guide will make it easier for you to wander around, so here are my 4 top things to see and do in the city! Let's dive right in, shall we?
#1 Visit The Golden Gate Bridge This suspension bridge was built way back in 1933, and possibly one of the most famous US symbols recognized internationally. It spans the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait, and connects the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Aside from walking or biking across while enjoying the marvelous view, you can also drive on. The Golden Gate Bridge, stopping at Vista Point for a great view over San Francisco and the bridge. #2 Get Spooky At Alcatraz Alcatraz Island is one of San Francisco's most outstanding attractions as it was a former prison that is now turned into a National Park. Alcatraz is known for holding notorious prisoners such as George Kelly and Al Capone. It can be a guessing game on how the weather will be on the island, so better be prepared with a coat or umbrella to be sure. You can book an Alcatraz Tour where you cruise on the official ferry to the island. Be sure to book in advance as the cruises are often fully booked. There is an audio tour for the cell house part, but the rest of the island can be explored in small guided tours or on your own. #3 Wander Through The Famous San Francisco Chinatown Did you know San Francisco has actually four Chinatowns? However, San Francisco's most famous and oldest Chinatown in the US is located along Stockton Street and Grant Avenue. So what can you do here? Stop in to visit some of the temples like the Tien How landmark, visit the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, definitely stock up on some delicious dim sum and other Chinese delicacies, and enjoy roaming around the streets beyond the Dragon's Gate. And did you know, Chinatown is one of the major tourist attractions of San Francisco, drawing more visitors annually than the Golden Gate Bridge?
#4 Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39 People often confuse themselves if Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are just the same. So, let me explain. Pier 39 is a part of Fisherman's Wharf. Pier 39 is famous among travelers from near and far and is the number one spot to see masses of cute sea lions. From here, you can also join a cruise through the San Francisco Bay, savor some of the best seafood in town, or shop around the various little stalls. Don't forget to take your camera as there are always some exciting street performers around here. There are so many awesome things to do in San Francisco, and I feel like I will be back to experience more of it. Dare to wander off your planned adventures. You never know what you will find along the way! Overall, history, culture, and fun are what San Francisco is made of, from the Golden Gate bridge, awesome old Victorian-style houses and beautiful neighborhood architecture and subcultures, steep cable car rides, the chilling Alcatraz tour, and a lot more!
Immerse Yourself in Other Cultures and Take Risks to Be Successful
BY MELISSA CANCIO
Taking risks to get to your goal is how you’ll end up being successful, at least in my eyes. It’s about the journey, right? Everyone has a different strategy though. I have a few that you may relate to. 1. Family/Friends: When coming into a world of ‘friends becoming family’ or even just the family your parents brought you into the world with; you create everlasting bonds. We figure out who we can be close with by reading their vibes and taking that risk to become vulnerable with them. I have that rare aspect that my family is huge and we’re all very close. I would say we’re a tight knit community for sure. Throughout my childhood and now, I’ve seen who I can ask for life advice, job advice, and just different topics you know you can discuss with the person. 2. Travel: This has been my escape ever since I was first on a plane. Everyone thinks I was born out of an airplane because I’m always craving to go somewhere new. Travel doesn’t always mean it has to be on a plane. Because of the pandemic, I’ve done so many more road trips to make up for the plane time lost. I really took the risk in choosing this because now you have to choose people who are willing to do this with you or you doing it on your own. Luckily, my current trip has been done with friends from all walks of life. So we’re in this together! 3. Job search: I think this will always be one of the toughest to even think of. Taking a risk in trying to get a job, leave for a promotion, or just retire are all so many areas every person I’ve met has experienced. I think one of the hardest parts is even trying to get that job or your dream job, for that matter. We all start somewhere, especially if you use your resources and network to the best of your ability. Get out of your comfort zones to do informational interviews or even just to message professionals. It comes back in full circle, for sure!
Because life offers so much to us, we end up usually choosing based on our gut. These three areas have helped me decipher some of the decisions I’ve had to make. Family/friends have taught me so much about the people I choose to share life with. They say that you are who you surround yourself with, so I make it a point to be among people of the same values for the long term aspect of my life. As for travel, I absolutely crave every new experience because it makes me more knowledgeable in life and really immerse myself in other people’s culture. When it comes to job search, I try my best to get out of my head and just go for it. In a two-month time frame, I did 33+ informational interviews just to create my network in the state I moved to for school. It’s not easy, but as long as you take the risk and make some sacrifices, you have more of a chance of becoming successful in all that you do! XO, MEL
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FIND YOUR COMMUNITY WHILE RIDING THE TRAIN OF THOUGHTS Written By Barbara Estrada
It’s taken me a while to write this story for several reasons that have me stuck on this train of thought. Don’t you hate when you get onboard the train of thoughts and it’s never on time? If this has completely confused you, stay with me. While living in Munich, Germany for almost a year, I’ve had to start anew. From navigating with new friendships to a foreign language that is not my mother tongue, transitions aren’t for the weak hearted, meant to sharpen you and amongst it all having a community to support you along the journey is essential to make the transition easier. And if you have ever been to Europe, you know public transportation is how people get around from point A to point B. I take the subway and every 2 minutes or so it stops. While I wait for my stop, I tend to look out the window and drift into a parallel Universe - my thoughts - as sights and nature sweep past me. In my suspended, little bubble, I glance at my surroundings and see people coming in and out of the train. I think of the many strangers we meet yet we don’t always interact with each other for reasons of embarrassment, rejection, and whatever other feelings that are rooted in fear.
Why is that? Now, You can stay on this train of thoughts and wait for the thought to come to you or you can do something about it where the thoughts come back to you thus initiating an action. An action that propels anyone, like myself, to just begin. It sounds rather cliché (and, “on brand”) given the name of the magazine, but that's what it’s about to cultivate a community that allows each and everyone of us to thrive. Before Munich, I was living in my home city of Miami, which is where the Editor-inChief of Just Begin magazine (all thanks to social media) and I met; however, I still felt a void during that time. The teenage life I once had before moving to Los Angeles for college had dissipated into a city I no longer recognized. With no community, my purpose was lost despite working in the “dream job.” Even with a successful career, at the time, I was feeling all these profound feelings of sadness that overwhelmed me into thinking I was forever lonely and believing this was abnormal. I’ve made choices in my life after realizing that the “secure” salary, nice apartment and job was never going to fulfill me, like in college, if I didn’t surround myself with the energy and people that would remind me of my calling. My time in Munich has reminded me that we all have reason. We all collectively suffer to survive and tell our tales, but it doesn’t always have to be a tragedy. Sometimes these tragic events in our lives fuel us to make choices we normally wouldn’t.
When I went to seek a therapist in my home city for mental health help, she reminded me that… These feelings and thoughts are valid. They were all a part of adulting. What once was an unfamiliar path led me to cultivating, fulfilling relationships (thanks to this magazine) because it’s given me a purpose. The same can be applied to a community. There’s this unspoken attitude that we take for granted when it comes to community and it’s the appreciation we sometimes lack when filling one another’s cup but when we do, we thrive collectively. It fuels us and our purpose. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Instead of tearing one another apart, why don’t we protect each other? There is power in building a community than allowing fear to navigate. This brings me back to that train of thoughts. It took a single thought to decide whether I would get off the first stop (in my case, my safety net) or stay onboard until it took me down an unfamiliar route (moving to Germany). I’m here to tell you to look at fear and step past it. After one year, I’m glad I made my choices the way I did. Both Just Begin and Germany have sharpened me into the best version of myself - And, still am working on it.
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STAYING ACCOUNTABLE WHILE PUTTING AN END TO “PERIOD POVERTY” IN AMERICA THROUGH THE WORK OF NADYA OKAMOTO
Nadya is the co-Founder of August, a lifestyle brand working towards reimagining periods. At the beginning of 2020, the company’s journey began when they gathered to build a community catering to Gen Z in coming together to identify gaps in period care. Their mission is rooted in change with patience, time and conscious change sprinkled on top.
Women’s bodies are still being attacked in America with legislation limiting a woman’s choice, in this case, to decide whether they want to terminate said pregnancy. So, it comes at no surprise that femme care is added to the mix of misogynistic stigma where even women have felt uncomfortable talking about for centuries. What may that be? Period(s). Nadya Okamoto, 23 years old, has been using her voice for several years to lead the conversation around periods, and where else than on social media. The recent Harvard graduate’s, with a concentration in Sociology, driving force is more than a personal factor. “If you care about gender equality then you have to care about menstruation and breaking period stigma and period poverty. This is about fighting for the right to freely accessible period products for everyone for equal opportunity in education and beyond,” as she candidly shared with us over email.
She is also the Founder of PERIOD, a global non-profit organization fighting to end period poverty and stigma that Nadya founded at the age of 16. Under her leadership as Executive Director for five years, PERIOD addressed over 1.5 million periods and registered over 800 youth-led, campus chapters across America (in all 50 states) and over 20 other countries. PERIOD also annually distributes millions of menstrual products for free to people in need.
Some time in June of this year, August will be releasing sustainable, inclusive period products for a better period experience. Nadya has even received wide recognition from the press by being named: Teen Vogue 21 under 21, InStyle Magazine’s Badass 50, Forbes 30 under 30, Bloomberg 50 “Ones to Watch”, Huffpost Culture Shifters 2020, and People Magazine’s Women Changing the World to name a few. However, with her fast rise to fame at a young age, people in the period space have judged Nadya’s efforts in the social cause. The global organization she founded was under attack last year, which gained prestige for becoming what Nadya described as “the largest youth-led nonprofit in women’s health.” In early 2020, when other activists accused her of "performative activism" and silencing her peers, particularly people of color, she stepped back to heal, grow and reflect. A series of statements made from people who worked with her felt under attack and took to social media to express their experience working with Nadya. Nevertheless, choices and mistakes were made. Those who share the same passions to end period stigma as well as period poverty believe that there is much potential for Nadya Okamoto to grow as an individual and leader all while staying accountable. In a recent Instagram post published on her Instagram account, Nadya doesn’t associate herself with such a label as an activist. She writes on the subject matter, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt like being an activist was a main job title to have… it was just an element of how someone could describe my work.”
My advice to young people who want to make a difference is just go for it — take the risk! Find your people, find a mentor, and ask questions. For those who are already taking action in their communities and beyond, I’m so proud of you. Your efforts and Beyond her work as an organizer dedication will change the and entrepreneur, Nadya is also an world for the better. author. In October 2018, she released first debut book, “Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement.”
The book addresses the stigmas behind periods, a status quo created to exclude people with periods, the crumbling sexeducation in America that continues to promote an ignorant attitude around the topic and discriminations like the tampon tax, medicines that favor male biology, and more.
RETIRING FROM A CAREER TO THE BEGINNING OF A PROGRAM By Anailis Diaz
Meet Alex Perez, a passionate and driven individual who took a leap and just began after ending a career. Perez grew up in Miami, FL around the game of baseball. The sport became a big part of his life. He began playing baseball at the age of 5 at Shenandoah park skipping Tee Ball and going straight into Coach pitch. Alex attended Immaculata La Salle High School playing varsity baseball later earning a scholarship to continue his academic and athletic career at D-1 Powerhouse Virginia Tech. Like many, playing Major League Baseball for a living is a childhood dream. His next step: The MLB. In June of 2015, Perez was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 23rd round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft. “I worked so hard to get to this point in my life, I knew it was going to be hard but I had to keep working,” says Alex. Perez proceeded to play 4 years with the Twins in their minor league system. In 2019, Perez was released from the Twins. After his career with the Twins, Perez signed with the American Association’s Winnipeg Goldeyes before hanging up his cleats. “I gave myself a goal and I accomplished that goal. Playing in the major leagues is hard and requires a lot of sweat, blood and tears. I wanted to keep going and do it all, but I was ready to begin a life and not focus on an uncertainty,” says Alex
Perez could have stopped everything baseball and moved on from the sport but he did differently. He decided to just begin a new chapter in life and give back to the community. Alex says, “Baseball was and will always be a part of my life. I wanted to do something for the youth. I was always involved in camps and in my off seasons I would coach. I knew I would always want to give back.” Perez began an academy called Prodigy Baseball in December of 2019. He started off with one 10u team and has quickly worked his way up to coaching 3 different teams, from 9u up to 11u. As he strives to build his academy, Perez says he is determined to give these players as much as the game gave him. He has now focused his time and attention to molding the youth into the best possible ball players and people they can be. He says, “My goal is to give back to a game that gave me so much.”
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