Angom Brahan’s Post

Was just reading the foreword by Doug Tallamy...WOW! Here's a small sample... “Every once in a while, a book comes along that meets an important need most people don’t know they have. Sarah Jayne’s Nature’s Action Guide is such a book. Sarah could have called her book Conservation for Dummies—not that she wrote it for true dummies, but because she has identified a subject everyone needs to know but almost no one was ever taught: how to share our spaces with the natural world.” … “Sarah wrote Nature’s Action Guide as a complement to my book Nature’s Best Hope. My last chapter suggested 10 things homeowners could/should do to help share their property with nature. After reading my book, Sarah set about trying to enact each of these suggestions in her own yard but quickly realized that, even as an experienced gardener, she didn’t know enough to be successful. And if she didn’t know enough, many other budding conservationists were likely to struggle as well. Sarah’s solution was to write Nature’s Action Guide, a step-by-step, easy to use manual that explains how each of us, regardless of our background or gardening experience, can accomplish all of the goals I propose in Nature’s Best Hope, as well as several I only hinted at! Restoration biology is a relatively young scientific discipline a few decades old. Practicing restoration in human-dominated landscapes, in comparison, is in its infancy and we are still learning what works and what doesn’t work. One of its many distinguishing features is that Nature’s Action Guide is current, explaining state-of-the-art conservation in suburbia with the most up-to-date best-practices available. Even a half-hearted attempt to follow Sarah’s action items is guaranteed to improve the biodiversity potential of your landscape and thus the productivity of your local ecosystem. For this, we all owe Sarah Jayne our heartfelt thanks and gratitude—because, whether we appreciate it or not, we all depend on those same ecosystems.” Douglas W. Tallamy

Ladies and gentlemen, Today, I stand here contemplating a fundamental inquiry: What does it entail to be human? In my view, being human is a voyage of self-exploration, an endeavor to grasp our significance in the grand scheme of existence. To be human involves embracing our intricacy. We are a blend of paradoxes, capable of both immense kindness and profound cruelty. Recognizing and reconciling these contradictions within ourselves is where our humanity resides. Being human is about forming connections. It's about cultivating relationships, sharing moments, and finding comfort in companionship. These instances of connection remind us that we are not solitary beings in this expansive universe. Being human requires empathy. It's the capacity to comprehend and share the emotions of others, to empathize with their perspectives and experiences. Empathy propels us to extend a helping hand and effect positive change in the lives of those around us. Being human also involves embracing our potential for growth and transformation. We are not static entities but ever-evolving, learning from our missteps, and endeavoring to evolve into improved versions of ourselves. In essence, being human is a remarkable, intricate, and awe-inspiring voyage. It's about accepting our imperfections, appreciating our diversities, and finding significance in the connections we forge throughout our journey. Thank you.

Thanks Tima. I agree with your observations. However, as unpopular or disliked as it is, the human development movement maintains that this growing global polarisation is necessary for us to emerge on the other side with true understanding, empathy and compassion. This compassion and empathy that is currently rare, is not a body of cognitive knowledge to be learned. It is a stage of human awakening and development which only occurs when the human being is ready. And every human on the planet is on their own individual journey. The vast majority of the world is at amber- orange stage, with the leading edge being green touching teal). There are a few individuals beyond teal). It is only at teal, do we begin to transcend and include (universal acceptance). We started at red (prehistoric man - Ghangis Kahn). Make no mistake, I am not sharing this in order to promote under-responsibility- as in “well it’s necessary, and beyond our control”. But 12 years of intense self enquiry and standing on the shoulders of giants of the movement enables some of us to see this from a global perspective, from a universal perspective. It’s this perspective that is necessary for us to understand and accept the views and perspectives of others. And without this universal acceptance, we as a race are going around in circles, "tit for tat". We may not have to forget, but we must forgive, in order to go forward.

I don't know what Fridays are supposed to look like. I don't believe in "supposed to___". When I stepped out of the box some years ago, it dissolved. There is no box. A business doesn't need to look a certain way. There is no such thing as business dress - it's a construct. An entrepreneur doesn't need to hustle or be salesy or "get ahead of the competition". There is no competition. Every business has a different flavour and resonates with a different person. You get to BE you. I get to BE me. We get to breathe to our own individual rhythms. We get to embody peace and freedom and kindness and Love in the way it feels good for us. We get to BE together on our beautiful Mother Earth with different ideas, opinions, strengths and desires. We get to gather at our collective table, our world, and gift ourselves as we are, to our collective, appreciative of the gifts we receive from one another. Thank you for BE-ing at our collective table. Let's break bread and share conversation, celebrating our common desire to UN-become who we are not and live the individual truths that are in our hearts. Pick up the talking stick and share what's in your heart. I'm listening...

Thank you all for your kind messages following yesterday’s post! It means so much that the lessons I've shared resonate with you. Sundays are my day for self-reflection, peace, and fellowship, and today I want to share a lesson I’ve learned on repeat. Life has a funny way of teaching us that support doesn’t always come from the people you’ve known the longest. Sometimes, it’s the ones you’ve just met who lift you up the most and lead you to your becoming ( your personal Hero or Savior journey). Growing up in a large family and a close-knit, faith-based community, I believed support would naturally come from those closest to me. But I’ve realized that’s not always the case. Even Jesus, with His 12 disciples, faced betrayal yet continued His path to becoming our Savior. It’s a powerful reminder that true growth often comes from unexpected places. I’m incredibly grateful for my husband & kids, five siblings,mother in law, my aunties, and friends. That support and bond has taught me the magic of perseverance, especially in business. The support we receive is a bonus, and those who offer it are like guardian angels sent by God during tough times. Trust me in business you have soul crushing times so you need your people! This support remind me that no matter what, there's always a reason to keep pushing forward and that's the nugget for today: Keep going and those who support you are your people! Those who can’t fully support you and only love parts of you may unintentionally contribute to self-destructive patterns. It’s important to set boundaries because you can’t move forward positively without learning to distinguish the people that are there for you and those who are not.

No matter where you are in your coaching journey, you are welcome here.

In a polarised political landscape, bridging the gap is essential. Intersectionality—a concept recognising the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender etc. can provide the solution because by nature, we are intersectional beings. By embracing intersectionality, we co-create to not only address current disparities but also promote inclusivity and cooperation across divides so our impact is sustainable. We are concerned with how unsafe so many of our community members are feeling and we believe as leaders, we must come together to ensure no one is left behind. By mobilising and becoming more resourceful, we can systemically address all of these overwhelming issues we are facing as a society. This approach ensures all voices are heard, tackles root causes of inequality, and fosters a more resilient and cohesive society. Embracing intersectionality is key to building a future where diverse experiences contribute to sustainable solutions rather than polarised divides that endanger the fabric of civilisation. #intersectionalitymatters #futureforall

"This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on seas and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls." - John Muir As we enter into a new day, new week, new month, let's remember to notice and appreciate the goodness around us. Taking in the beauty and wonder in the natural world (even visual representations) can give us a greater sense of well-being and a connection to something bigger than our individual selves. Connecting with other people and with animals can have a similar effect. Allowing ourselves to receive what is offering itself to us is a skill that can be developed, with practice. What have you already received today? Birdsong, the scent of lilacs, the delight of a blooming flower? A smile, a fresh breeze, a hug, a question, someone's time and attention? A Practice For You: 🌿 Today, notice what you are receiving. 🌿 Remember that the little things count - see how small you can go. 🌿 Write it down - keep a running list. 🌿 Express appreciation, either silently or with written or spoken words. 🌿 At the end of the day, review your list, maybe even share it with someone. 🌿 Notice how you feel - body and emotions - when you attend to receiving. 🌿 Where in your life might you benefit from noticing, allowing, appreciating? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ♻️ Repost this if you think it can help someone in your network. Thank you!

More interesting things from Liz Postlethwaite. You can also hear her speak about some other (?) parts of her work on the podcast I make: https://lnkd.in/eYeTag7N

Today marks a milestone for me– my 55th birthday. And today as I'm thinking about it, I'm embracing where life has brought me. The storms I've weathered have shaped me, and I look forward to the future with optimism. Through the years, I've learned invaluable lessons: 1. Resilience is key. Every challenge has been an opportunity for growth. 2. Authenticity matters. Being true to oneself leads to genuine connections. 3. Gratitude transforms perspective. Appreciating life's small joys creates lasting happiness. 4. Continuous learning keeps us young at heart. 5. Integrity is non-negotiable. It's the foundation of trust and success in all aspects of life. These insights have profoundly impacted both my personal and professional life. I approach each day with a more positive outlook, cherishing relationships and finding fulfillment in helping others. As I step into this new year, I'm excited about the possibilities ahead. Here's to embracing life's journey, learning from our experiences, and making the most of every moment. Thank you to everyone who's been part of my story. Your support and friendship mean the world to me. Here's to new adventures and continued growth! Silva 425.269.7229