Josephine Kwakye

All too often we find people scrunching up their nose at the mention of self-love, as if it’s a bit cheesy and self-indulgent. But learning to love yourself is one of the most powerful and important things you can do in life. Your heart is your power and when you become the source of love in your own life it changes everything. Your relationships, your career, your health – they all flourish when you start to love yourself.

But while we all know deep down that it’s important to love yourself, we find the area that people get most stuck on is actually knowing how to do it.

At Project Love, we like to look at self-love as an art that can be practiced and mastered over time. When we practice self-love, we cultivate a loving and healthy relationship with ourselves and something magical happens – we become our own best friend.

As Oscar Wilde once said, “to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance”.
So how do we start that romance? How do we learn to love ourselves?

Well here are 7 ways you can start practicing the art of self-love straight away:

1. Nourish yourself

If you’re totally new to the practice of self-love then start with focusing on nourishing yourself. Nourishing your body is the most basic form of loving yourself, so this week become mindful of what you put in your body – give it what it loves. Start your day with a green smoothie, treat yourself to a raw chocolate snack and make time to cook yourself a nutritious dinner full of superfoods. The way we feed ourselves reflects how we love ourselves. So get good at nourishing yourself and you’ll lay strong foundations to self-love.

2. Take yourself out on a date

If you’ve never taken yourself out on a date before then make this the month that you do it. Solo-dating is all about spending quality time with yourself and doing something special, just for you. It is one of the most powerful (and fun) things you can do when it comes to practicing self-love. By doing something special for yourself – something you’d only normally do with someone else – you’re giving yourself the love and attention you’d normally only give out to others. You’re finally turning your love in on yourself. We’ve had clients do anything from treating themselves to coffee and a cake at their favourite cafe to taking themselves away on a spa weekend. Whatever people do, they always come away buzzing from it.

3. Start a gratitude journal

It has been proven that just by writing down 5 things that you’re grateful for each day, you can train your brain to be more positive, treating yourself to an overall feeling of happiness. It is a key tool when it comes to practicing self-love because it has us step into an attitude of gratitude, love and abundance.

So buy yourself a notebook and at the end of each day, for the next week, write down 5 things you’re grateful for and see how good it feels to end your day this way.

And as well as giving thanks for things that have happened to you that day and the people in your life that you’re thankful for, also include yourself in your gratitude practice. Find at least one thing you can thank yourself for each day and you’ll see your relationship with yourself shift into an incredibly loving place.

4. Make your body happy

It is essential when learning to love ourselves that we focus plenty of time and attention on our bodies. How we feel in our bodies directly affects how we feel in ourselves. Often feelings of loneliness and lack of love actually stem from our own disconnect with our bodies. You want to keep that gorgeous body of yours feeling energised and full of vitality. So it’s important that as part of your self-love routine you do things that make you feel great in your body; whether that’s yoga, running, 80’s Aerobics or dancing like Beyonce (a particular favourite of ours)!

5. Express yourself

It’s so important to find ways to really express yourself and feel free to be totally you. Whether it’s dancing, writing, singing, painting, acting, sculpting, cooking, making music, sketching, DJ’ing, pottery or poetry – everyone has something that does it for them. It’s often something we did naturally as children. It’s always something that makes us feel fully alive.

So what is it for you? When do you feel you can really let go and be who you truly are? If it’s not something you do at the moment, then think back to earlier years. What makes you come alive and really connect with the deepest parts of yourself? Now go and make time for it in your life. Whether it’s unleashing your inner Rihanna on the dance floor, singing like no-one’s listening or painting in big bold brush strokes, just for the fun of it, it’s essential that you make time to do the things that allow you to really express yourself from the heart.

6. Write a loving letter to yourself

Pick up a pen and with the same love and fondness you’d write to a dear friend, write a letter to yourself. Write about the things in your life right now that make you happy and the people in your life that bring you joy, inspiration and kindness. Reflect on how you’re feeling, give yourself a pep talk if you feel you need one and document your dreams and wishes for the future. If there’s something in your life that you’re struggling with at the moment, see what advice and encouragement you can give to yourself, celebrate your achievements and sign your letter off with love. Then pop that letter in the post and enjoy receiving it a few days later!

7. Shower yourself in feel-good vibes

We have far more power than we often realise to generate the feelings we want to experience in life, no matter where we are or what’s going on around us. We just have to learn how to tap into those feelings. An easy way to do it is to think back to a time in your life where you felt full of joy, happiness, peace or fulfilment – whatever it is you want to feel – and then find a photo of you from that time that really reminds you of what it was like to feel that way, so much so that you start to feel that way again just by looking at the photo.

Now put that photo somewhere where you’ll see it every day: save it as your phone screensaver or print it out and stick it up on your bathroom mirror. Whenever you need a boost to your day, take a look at that picture and let yourself bathe in those feel-good vibes.

By Selina Barker

Healthy living is what we all strive for but for many of us it is an item that we either hear about or see in a shopping window, something nice to have one day. In our first step towards living a better life lets all celebrate August together with great energy and excitement, for it is Wellness Month! So on that note Happy Wellness Month!! To show our true appreciate for our personal well-being lets all do more things, that make us feel healthier and be happier! Wellness needs to be a conversation that we are all having, a part of and adding to in order to improve our emotional state of mind. We have all heard the saying “health is wealth” and if we hold this to be truth how long will we continue to prioritize material success above our well-being. Without our health we are paralyzed and by reading this article it is my hope that you become an Ambassador of Mental Wellness. A healthy mindset is key to establishing a healthy lifestyle which will dramatically improve how you interact with everything in the world. We live in a fast pace world where busy is a badge of honor and being physically active is viewed as a luxury and not a necessity. We all will have our date with father time, today I ask you “how exquisite do you want this dance to be?” each day we are creating a piece of it. If we can each commit to focusing on doing the right things daily, we can all enjoy this dance and age like fine wine .

So today I ask you to be a part of the conversation of putting wellness front and center. Before I continue, I would like to provide you with a definition of wellness that will gives us all a greater context on what we are trying to accomplish here today.  Wellness: the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, we’re thriving! This definition brings awareness to the important making the connection between being both physically and mentally active.

As human beings a large portion of our success is tied to our identities which is rooted in our physical and mental health. Unfortunately, since we cannot visually see our mental health many of us neglect and ignore this massive part of our being. In an effort to normalize and promote mental wellness I want to encourage you to engage in more discussions that connect to your emotions and your thoughts. Furthermore is request is not a passive ask, it is an aggressive ask to take this seriously!! It is instrumental for our mental development to be able to have these types of conversations consistently. At a basic level when I reference the term “physically fit”, I am referring to the discipline that is required to strengthen our bodies, muscles and tendons. To be physically strong is more than just looking and feeling great, this discipline impacts our moods, our conversations with self, others and it also helps to prevent illness and injuries. Too many of us take our physical health for granted and it massive ripple effect. Therefore it is fine time that we start to view our daily activities in connection to our best self. This simple activity can have an immense impact on your bodies and the life that you are creating for yourself.

Conversely, when I mention the term “mentally fit”, at a basic level I am referring to our ability to have healthy relationships with ourselves, others and to be a positive contributor to the world. Mental fitness impacts not only how we interact with the world but also how we view and process external events and messages. In the same way that every object can be viewed from a multitude of angles which paints a uniquely beautiful picture. We all must understand that we are experiencing and internalizing life from a very limited point of view. To be mentally fit is to be proactive in breaking down our external world in a constructive way that creates greater perspective, builds stronger character while raising our standards and thought processes.

We are all highly emotional and habitual creatures, based on this we must strive to create routines that will reduce some of our emotional decisions along our life long journey. When we are making many of our decisions on emotion this is an indicator that we are not in control of ourselves. That said we should all aim to go to bed excited about a vision of a healthier and brighter tomorrow and its endless possibilities to be better. This will help us to increase our level of commitment in order to weather the storm(s). In reading this article my goal is to raised your consciousness around wellness and the need to make this a part of our regular conversations. On that note I would like to leave you with 4 tips to not only get this conversation started but to sharpen your mental astuteness and to turn you into an active Ambassador of Mental Wellness.

4 Tips to Being Mentally Sharp:

1. Be Intentional: Our minds are absolutely brilliant and need to be pointed it in the right direction in order to perform well. Intentionality requires us to be more present, thoughtful and purposeful in using our minds. It is critical that we always remember that we are at our best when our thoughts and actions align. To be more successful in more areas of our lives we need to be mentally proactive in regards to the direction that we need to and need not go in. This includes the conversations that we need to be having with who. I say this to increase your awareness on how easy it is for us to end up on a different road than the one we intended to be on. This can happen especially when we are not completely committed to a specific outcome or expectation.

2. Increase your Positive Vibration: One indicator that allows us to know that we are learning and growing as people is our ability to challenge ourselves and to make changes. For example, being able to say “no” to our late night cravings, saying hi to more people on a regular basis or trying to do something new! We have to elevate our thinking and in doing so we can elevate our personal vibration. We all feed off of each others energy and it is important that we do an energy check regularly to ensure that we are giving off the right type of energy. When we can change our relationship(s) with how we see and interact with the world we create better overall experiences. There is a saying that says “short term losses for long term gains” or in other words, it is not about what you are giving up in the short term it is about what you will be getting in the medium to long-term.

3. Check-in with Yourself and Those Around You: It is absolutely critical to be able to acknowledge how you are feeling. It is said that if we can properly articulate how we are feeling you can drastically reduce your stress levels and begin to trace the path of your discomfort. Be sure to take the time to be more in-tune with yourself and those around you.

4. Create a Clean and friendly Environment Around Yourself: It is said that cleaning is therapeutic and there are many reasons for this finding. With a little bit of effort we are all able to see great results in a relative short period of time. As well cleaning helps to bring about a greater level of consciousness to our lives, the more conscious we are, the better of a job we tend to do. Furthermore, being in a clean environment can improve our thought process while helping to inspire new ideas. Be sure not to limit the amount of environments that you can clean/impact with your midas touch. Always remember we are all special and the simple things that we do can make a huge difference such as sharing a powerful quote or hearing words that bring warm thoughts to our hearts and minds.

By Christoff Kyere

Jacinda Ardern had already sealed her position as a great leader early in her premiership of New Zealand, by empathetically steering her country through the aftermath of a terror attack and the deadly eruption of a volcano. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and Ardern targeted not just suppression of the virus, but its complete elimination. Though there have been a few scares, her strategy largely proved successful; New Zealand, a nation of nearly 5 million people, has seen fewer than 2,700 cases and only 26 deaths. Ardern and her cabinet ministers took a six-month, 20% pay cut in 2020 to show solidarity with people who had lost their livelihoods owing to the pandemic.

Ardern’s party won landslide reelection in October, fueled by her star power, her straight talk, and the fact that her government’s heavy restrictions on international travel made it possible for life to continue with relative normality within New Zealand’s borders. She has also adopted world-leading climate and gender-equity policies. In March, New Zealand became the first country to require that banks, investment managers, and insurers disclose the effects of climate change on their businesses. And last year, Ardern’s administration made it easier for women to negotiate with their employers for more equitable pay.

This month we would like to recognize the Jacinda Arden as our leader of the month. It is important to put a light on those that lead with the intention of improving the lives of others. On that note we would like to thank you for being a positive contributor to New Zealand and the world at large.

By Maria Aspan & Eamon Barrett

The month of July is a time to celebrate for several reasons, one being that it is the beginning of summer and another being that it is Leadership Month. Leadership is something that we all need to be more conscious of because it has a massive impact on how we see ourselves and how we operate within the world. That said there are several reasons why I am absolutely in love with leadership as it applies to everyone and it is a total game changer.

I am not sure if any of you have ever seen the movie Limitless featuring Bradley Cooper. For those of you who haven’t it is about a man who stumbles upon a secret pill that gives him superhuman capabilities when he takes it. The main character is able to study and understand different subject matters within days opposed to a life time after taking the pill. He is also able to learn new languages within hours and able to slow things down in the moment so that he can produce his desired outcome. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and after watching it I started to ponder more on ways to increase my ability to be brilliant.

The concept of this movie is still very real and relevant in our fast pace society. When I think about a limitless pill, I immediately see the natural connection to leadership. Although the movie embellishes the instant impact and effectiveness of the pill, leadership can give anyone a superhero strength. For instance, when one truly commits to being a better leader in any area of their life, the change can be felt and seen. Leadership changes our relationships with the world and how we interact with people and things. Leadership is such a powerful title under a simple word and for this reason it eludes many. There are several aspects of leadership which include believing in one self and their unique purpose. Leadership also speaks to the power of collaboration, gratitude, appreciation amongst other important things. As an organization that is dedicated to this vocation, we are happy to share the limitless pill of leadership with those that are ready to take the plunge and embark on a journey of living exceptionally.

With this in mind we encourage you to start being more analytical. The next time you catch yourself making a decision be sure to ask yourself, am I taking this decision with a leader or a follower mindset. Furthermore, what type of ripple effect can I expect, negative, positive or both? On that note we would like to wish you a Happy Leadership Month, be sure to take some time to discover the awesome beast that lies within you!!

Leadership is described as “the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization.” There are many forms of leadership and it can be seen all around us. Politicians, CEO’s, managers, athletes, teachers, community volunteers, are all just some of the many different forms of leaders we have in everyday society. Usually, we think of leaders and think of them as holding power and being the ones that have control over others, but there is a form of leadership that bucks this traditional thinking.

Servant leadership is a form of leadership that is the opposite of traditional leadership. In servant leadership, the leader supports and serves their team/community. They listen to people and try to make changes to better suit the needs of the people, rather than creating a judgement and assuming what is best for the people. True leaders want to see their people grow as human beings, they are not only committed to production or outcomes to define their success. This form of leadership is known to create better teams, a positive environment, reduced turnover, inspire a strong culture, and help prepare future leaders. In some cases, traditional leadership is needed, as it helps to reduce the time it takes to make a decision, and keeps things clear while assigning roles and responsibilities, especially in times of crisis. Striking a healthy balance between the two forms of leadership is ideal, and will have the most positive outcomes for everyone involved.

The NFL has had its fair share of great head coaches. Bill Belichick, John Madden, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula to name a few. That said I would like to shed more light on  one man who doesn’t get enough credit,  this is the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has been with the organization since 2007 and is one of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. He has been a foundation of stability for the Steelers organization.

Tomlin has never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, a streak running 15 years long, the oldest currently in the league. He does this by being a coach that practices traditional leadership, while also incorporating servant leadership in his tactics. He is a demanding voice in the organization and locker room, but he does so all while listening to the needs of his players and adapting to the multiple personalities that play for him. There have been many great players that have played for Mike Tomlin, and all of them have good things to say about the man. In interviews with his former players they have consistently mentioned how he treated them with respect, and patience, something not all NFL coaches have done. He tries to understand each player as a human being and not merely as a pawn he can use in a physical game like football. Players that have played for him have even mentioned he is like a father figure to them as he provides solid advice on and off the field.

Mike Tomlin is slowly being recognized as one of the best and has made a lasting impact on many lives. When he was first hired, Steelers fans were up in arms, but now he is one of the most beloved coaches not only in the fanbase but throughout the league. He is an exemplary role model and leader, he has won a Super Bowl, Coach of the Year and has a career record of 162-92-2. Today we are very proud to honor Coach Mike Tomlin, an individual who has been able to cultivate a perfect blend of traditional and servant leadership styles to create an inclusive culture of growth and success.

One of the primary consequences of poverty is the lack of access to a sufficient quantity of healthy and balanced food, which is what private charitable organizations, such as food banks, are trying to address. The fight against hunger is real. 

​This article discusses how food banks work, their impact on many individuals and families, and the unfortunate hunger cases that are continuously rising because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

What is a Food Bank?

A food bank is a non-profit organization with the primary role of storing food donations from various sources and passing them on to charities (agencies) with direct access to people experiencing hunger. The goal is to supply and distribute food to hunger-relief foundations. It is also a network of programs run by volunteer agencies. Many of these organizations do a evert thing they can to relieve the hunger problem in the U.S. and beyond. 
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There are numerous food banks operating in different regions in the country. They vary from small to large scale operations, depending on the number of connections throughout their network and the size of the population that is in need of assistance. Second Harvest here spans over several counties and supplies more than 100 local agencies.

How Does Food Banks Work?

The ability of food banks to provide people in need with essential food and commodities depends mostly on donations from individuals and other charitable organizations. It is truly a product of collective effort. 

Food banks collect food from several sources like: 

• First-hand producers and farmers who donate fruits, vegetables, milk, etc. 
• Companies in the food industry provide all kinds of products: dry, frozen, refrigerated, canned, etc. Like Walmart, Sysco, and other local grocery stores. 
• The general public also donates money, goods, and non-perishable food. 

When the donations reach the food banks, they sort, manage, and store these food supplies in their warehouses with the greatest care for hygiene and food safety rules. The necessary equipment (facility, cold rooms, refrigerated trucks) are financed, such as operating costs by subsidies from communities, donations from companies, service clubs, and individuals.  

Fortunately, food banks are able to offer a wide variety of products and services to those who need them. People can enjoy food with all kinds of nutritious sources. This assistance aims to meet the basic needs of individuals who have difficulty eating or buying necessities to have a good quality of life. 

Distribution centers have always offered a free choice of what foods people can take with them. Thus, they leave the centers with products they have chosen from the different food categories: proteins, starches, vegetables, dairy products, etc. 

For most organizations, distribution is done weekly or monthly, i.e., people wishing to receive food aid must go to the establishment during the period scheduled for the distribution. Second Harvest themselves provides several Mobile Fresh locations throughout the month.  
 

Why Food Banks Are Important

The Fight on Hunger has been a lifelong issue that we will never give up fighting. But given the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, people need food aid even more. ​

More than half of households were already using aid measures like the national school meals program. The USDA said – In New York, for example, breakfast and lunch are free in schools. Despite the closure of schools since mid-March, the city has also set up distributions of free meals in front of the doors of 400 schools. And since the beginning of April, help has been open to all residents. San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties have been doing similar setups to make sure children are getting as much assistance as possible. 

The Need for Food Banks In Times of Covid-19 Pandemic

America’s food crisis was severe even before the Covid-19 pandemic. About 37 million people lived in households without sufficient resources to ensure constant access to enough food for active and healthy lives. 

The disastrous economic fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to leave tens of millions of people unable to purchase enough food to feed their families this holiday and probably until into the next year. 

During the quarantine/isolation period, food banks are particularly called upon to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people. Nationally, the demand for help in food banks and pantries has increased since the virus forced the economy to shut down, resulting in more than 40 million new jobless claims. We fear that the most recent escalation could create a similar lock down scenario like we saw earlier in the year. 

Because of the health crisis, hundreds of thousands of employees have been laid off. Likewise, thousands of self-employed people suddenly had to cease all their activities. Consequently, a large part of the population finds itself plunged into a situation where it can no longer meet its needs. 

Food banks have had to respond to agrowing and unforeseen demand for food aid like never before. 

Make A Difference Today!

What seems ordinary to some people may already be luxury and an essential provision for the most deprived. Food banks are the manifestation of the desire of individuals to help others and, therefore, create a better world. 

A large number of food distribution centers remain open to ensure continuity of food aid and, above all, to provide for families and assist them in their rehabilitation needs. 

If you or anyone you know wants to take part in mobilizing our objective to help reduce the hunger crisis in our country, visit us here to learn how food banks work and create an impact on the world!  ​

Written by: Second Harvest of the Greater Valley
 

https://www.localfoodbank.org/latest-news/the-impact-of-food-banks-in-our-society-today

 
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
 
Dr. King dedicated his life to ending racial and economic inequality. Through his journey he exemplified and embodied kindness & caring. It is clear that this theme was central to his upbringing as we see this in his character and through his messages. Furthermore it had undoubtedly allowed him to have an unprecedented level of understanding and vision of the people he led, taught and influenced. Research shows that teaching social and emotional skills like kindness, caring and peaceful problem solving in schools can have huge impacts on student’s lives and their circles. These skills not only improve our lives but can also create impactful change just as Dr. King did in advancing the call for greater equality. The teaching of Dr. King’s work inspires leadership and shows us all that when we speak and operate from a sincere place we can unify minds and hearts across the globe. That said we would like to honor Dr. King for his endless commitment and effort towards the struggle and emancipation of the oppressed. Dr. King you are a truly renowned hero and your astonishing legacy continues to live on today!

1. Tech Savviness

The days when employees could get by without possessing up-to-date technical skills are long gone. The Fourth Industrial Revolution — which refers to technologies such as autonomous vehicles, digital healthcare sensors, and facial ID recognition — is changing how we work, live, and interact with our peers. Employers want to hire candidates who are comfortable adapting to new technologies.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Forbes reports that emotional intelligence ranks high on employers’ wish list. Applicants who can recognize and respond to their own emotions and the emotions of others are in high demand, as this skill allows them to navigate the complexities of social interactions in the workplace.

3. Decision-Making

Every decision made by an employee can have an impact on the entire company. Job applicants who can demonstrate that they know how to identify and evaluate options and then make sound decisions that will positively impact company productivity, employee morale, and the team as a whole rank high on a hiring manager’s wish list.

4. Problem-Solving Capabilities

Hiring managers often ask interviewees to talk about a time when they solved a complex problem in a creative or innovative way. They ask this question to learn if an applicant can approach a dilemma from various angles and find out-of-the-box solutions. Candidates who possess refined problem-solving skills stand out from their peers.

5. Leadership

There are a variety of soft skills that help people become better leaders, including communication skills, problem-solving skills, and project management skills. Individuals who take time to work on the competencies that grow their leadership abilities may find that it’s easier to land the jobs they want.

6. Conflict Resolution

Conflict in the workplace can hinder productivity and increase employee turnover rates. This makes employees who have the ability to work through and move past disagreements with their peers valuable.

7. Written Communication Written communication encompasses everything from contracts to emails. Individuals who are unable to compose clear, concise, error-free messages are unlikely to get ahead in the workplace.

8. Verbal Communication

Strong verbal communication skills help people relay information clearly and concisely. This saves time and helps avoid the misinterpretation of messages. Hiring managers look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively

9. Creativity

A growing number of companies are turning to technology and automation to streamline processes. However, the need for creative individuals who can help design products and solutions for tomorrow remains strong.

10. Adaptability

Technology is ever-changing, and managers want to hire people who are willing to learn. The ability to adapt to change in the workplace is more important than ever.

11. Negotiation

It’s one thing to have a great product or concept. It’s another to be able to persuade people to buy into it. Strong negotiation skills are a must-have in the workplace, regardless of whether an employee works in sales or project management.

12. Willingness to Actively Help Others

Companies understand that if they want to gain a competitive edge, they need to hire managers who can build successful teams. Team members who work together and help each other so they can succeed as a unit are valued in the workplace.

13. Collaboration

Teamwork is a critical attribute in the workplace, and it’s not unusual for hiring managers to ask about your ability to function on a team. When companies are tasked with complex projects, employees’ ability to collaborate with others becomes increasingly important.

14. People Management

The ability to manage people is arguably among the most important leadership skills that hiring managers look for, because this skill has a direct impact on productivity and morale. Individuals who possess strong people-management skills can help lead teams through workplace transitions and periods of uncertainty.

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15. Critical Thinking

Critical thinkers understand that problems aren’t always black and white. They’re able to view a problem from all angles and understand how to analyze and evaluate the information they have, before they make a decision. It’s not surprising that employers look for candidates who are capable of high-level thinking about complex problems.

16. Time Management

Learning how to manage your time effectively will serve you well throughout your career. Not only will it allow you to accomplish more in less time, but strong time-management skills can help you focus and be more successful in the workplace.

By Michael Bruno