Business Fit Magazine Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz

3
Powerful
Keys to
Claiming Your
Freedom
The truth about
emotional
strength
Dressing
successfully
for the workplace

Today’s Inspired Latina is a book series of inspiration and hope, a poignant collection
of 27 personal stories that will activate your passion in each book. It’s a positive,
empowering read for anyone sitting on a dream and thinking it can’t come true.
Today’s Inspired Latina shows that it can! Learn more at www.todayslatina.com
acqueline Camacho-Ruiz is an award-winning entrepreneur,
international speaker, philanthropist and author of ten
books. She is founder of The Fig Factor Foundation and the creator of
the Today's Inspired Latina book series and international
movement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.todayslatina.com / www.facebook.com/todayslatina

Verónica Sosa
Publisher
www.businessfitmagazine.com

FIT FEATURES
Strategies to help
achieve ultimate
success
Amy Throw
p.18
How big
difficulties could
become blessings
Jeanette Salvatierra
p.36
Jacqueline
Camacho-Ruiz
Live a life of
significance
p.8
Jeff Lazarus
Pioneer
p.30
Viola Edward
Speech on receiving
the Doctorate
Honoris Causa
p.44
How emotionally
tough are you?
Barbara Roux-Levrat
p.53
Are you aware of
Brand Priming?
Gemma Rubia
Rodrigo
p.28
Stylist to monetise
your life and
business
Alexandra Stark
p.50

REACH OUT
For information on advertising or
placing an article in Business Fit
Contact us:
Email: hello@businessfitmagazine.com
editor@businessfitmagazine.com
Phone: +32 468 218 887
Publisher & Founder
Verónica Sosa
Business Fit International
Advisory Board
Viola Edward
Dalal Akoury
Vikki Thomas
Mindful
communication
with empathy
Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu
p.26
What’s holding you
back and ideas
that can propel you
forward
Gabriela Rodil
p.48
Choosing a
substainable
lifestyle
Dr. Amit Kaur Puri
p.14
From Ballerina to
Conservationist
Nazli Denis Kuruoglu
p.40
Collaborators
Sarah Ali Choudhury
Nazli Deniz Kuruoğlu
Viola Edward
Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu
Dr. Amit Kaur Puri
Gemma Rubio Rodrigo
Gabriela Rodil
Moni Rodriguez
Barbara Roux-Levrat
Jeanette Salvatierra
Alexandra Stark
Amy Throw
Helen Venables
General Editorial Coordinator
Claire Morley
Art and Design Director
Leo Collier Bett
Graphic Designer Adverts
Javier Sanchez
Business Fit Marketing Director
Luis Teràn (Ninweb)
Social Media Team
Ana Daniela Colmemares
Rub Diaz
Copyright © 2018 by
Verónica Sosa.
All rights reserved.
This Magazine or any portion
thereof may not be reproduced or
used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written
permission of the publisher.
M-20318-2017

Spice It Up
Named the youngest Asian woman to run a
restaurant at the age of just 20, Sarah has gone
on to capture the delights of Indian cuisine
through her recipes which have featured in
print and online publications locally, nationally
and internationally.
Sarah is on a mission to transport the flavours
of Indian cuisine into simple, achievable recipes
that can be enjoyed by all. She is a firm believer
that everyone can make a delicious Indian meal,
no matter how much experience they have in
the kitchen.
Full of enthusiasm and a true love of cooking,
Sarah takes great delight in teaching people
simple meals and recipes from all over India.
Sarah loves to dispel the myth that all curries
need numerous complex spices – and loves to
tackle the intimidation that can so easily lead
people to pick a jar of curry sauce off a shelf
rather than cook from scratch.
Sarah had been recognised as an inspirational
and motivational speaker and has spoken at
numerous events including at the Chartered
Management Institute, the Federation of Small
Businesses for London, the Elite Business
Women’s Network as well as Universities,
Colleges and Schools. Sarah has also presented
and hosted various award ceremonies.
Sarah is the recipient of multiple awards
including winner of The Venus Influential Woman
of the Year (sponsored by Mercedes-Benz), and
finalist for The Venus Inspirational Woman of the
6

Aubergine, Red Pepper & Potato Bhaji
Year (sponsored by Bournemouth University).
She is currently Lead Ambassador for the
Venus Awards for 2018. Sarah was one of eight
selected finalists out of 8,000 contestants in
Tommy Miah’s International Indian Chef of the
Year competition. Sarah has also won New Kid
on the Block in the UK Small Awards, launched
in 2017 to recognise the achievements of small
businesses in the UK. Sarah has appeared in
the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who guide for
2017, and was given a standing ovation by
the Bangladesh Catering Association for her
contribution to The Asian catering industry.
A restaurateur, TV chef and owner of a Gourmet
Indian Event Catering business, above all Sarah
is a home cook, passionate about feeding her
family healthy and delicious, home-cooked
Indian food.
Sarah is an Ambassador for the UK Nepal
Friendship Society and Child Nepal, and has
worked to provide meals for the homeless in
her local area through Let’s Feed Bournemouth.
A keen advocate of women’s rights, she is also
a supporter of the Janaki Women’s Awareness
Society. She is the Brand Ambassador for The
Asian Restaurant Owners Network (ARON).
Sarah greatest achievement is to recently
receive a Covenant Award from The British
Armed Forces at their Commandant's Parade in
the Military Academy.
Here Sarah shares one of her favourite Indian
recipes with us
Ingredients
4 tbsp Oil
2 tsp Panch Phoran
1 Medium Onion peeled and chopped
1 Inch Ginger peeled and grated
5 Cloves Garlic finely chopped
1 tsp Salt or to taste
1 tbsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tbsp Tomato Puree
1 Potatoes peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
1 Aubergine cut into 0.5cm cubes
2 Peppers green/red, cut into 2.5cm pieces
2 cups (500ml) Water
2 tbsp Chopped Fresh Coriander
Method:
Heat oil in a saucepan over a medium heat.
When hot, add the panch phoran and cook
until sizzling then add the onion, ginger and
salt, stirring occasionally.
When the onion softens, add the coriander
powder, chilli powder, turmeric and tomato
puree and continue stir frying until the oil
comes to the top of the mixture.
Add the potatoes and stir fry for about 2
minutes. Add the aubergine and peppers,
stirring for another 2 minutes.
Pour in the water, cover the pan and cook
for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables
are soft. Garnish with fresh coriander.
You can use other seasonal vegetables
such as courgettes and tomatoes.
Paanch Puran is an equal amount of the
following:
Fennel seeds
Mustard Seeds
Fenugreek
Nigella Seeds
Sarah Ali Choudhury is an award-winning Indian food
expert, TV chef and food columnist. Sarah is passionate
about sharing the joys of Indian cuisine – whether through
TV, radio or print media, live cooking demonstrations, social
media or bespoke teaching
7

Interview
Jacqueline
Camacho-Ruiz
Live a life of significance
8

Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz is an award-winning
entrepreneur, international speaker, philanthropist
and author of eleven books. She is founder of The
Fig Factor Foundation focused on unleashing
the amazing in young Latinas and the creator
of the Today's Inspired Latina book series and
international movement. Jacqueline is a regular
guest on local and national TV, radio and print
publications. As a two-time cancer survivor,
Jacqueline possesses wisdom about life well
beyond her years. She is one of the few Latina small
airplane pilots in the US.
Who are YOU?
That is a loaded question. What I know for
sure is that I am a dreamer at heart. I am an
individual who automatically sees the beauty in
people and things and then starts to imagine
all the magic which can happen if you believe.
I am both strategic and whimsical and have
realised that the combination of these two
powerful forces leads me to manifest many
things in my life and the lives of others. I believe
in no boundaries to dreams and possibilities. I
believe that love and placing the best interest
of others in your radar, is the best way to build
authentic relationships. People come and
go, but your authentic self in the process of
connecting with others is always the GPS that
guides you through the journey called life.
What’s the single best piece of
business advice that helped
shape who you are now?
The single most important piece of advice that
I have been given is to be authentic and bring
my positive energy wherever I go. I took this
important advice to heart and it has opened
doors I never imagined in business and in life.
Why?
It is a great foundation to build any solid
relationship.
What the biggest mistake you
have ever made in business and
what you did you learn from it?
I have been an entrepreneur for a third of
my life and one of the biggest mistakes I ever
made in business was to not value or charge
appropriately for my services. I gave too much
of my time, services and ideas for a small cost
to “help my clients,” but in the end, I would feel
resentment with myself for overworking and
not getting the compensation that I deserved.
It was my fault. Since then, I have applied my
value to my services and walked away if I did
not feel it was a good fit for my company. I am
no longer willing to give my resources away
without being properly compensated.
What’s your definition of
success?
The definition of success was shared with
me by one of my most important business
mentors, Brian Marshall. It is to live a life of
significance. I believe that when you do infuse
your personal and business life and create
an alignment of profitability and impact, you
are able to make a bigger difference. I don’t
believe in “waiting” to see if I can make an
impact, I believe in incorporating the service to
others while I continue to build my profitable
business.
How will you finally know you
have succeeded in business?
Success is not a destination to me, it is a
journey which begins daily with your attitude. If
I know I am adding value to others in business
daily while being profitable, I know that I am
successful, but I don’t ever feel that I have
reached the top - the journey continues as
long as there is a business in need and I have
value to add.
What was your motivation to
achieve what you have?
My inner positive energy and desire to make
an impact with the people around me through
example. I love life and all of its amazing parts,
whether good or bad, and that drives me to
continue to strive to be the best every day. I
don’t go to bed without getting a little closer
to one of my dreams and helping at least
one person get closer to his or her dreams
too. This has been such a wonderful way to
9

Interview
create a compound effect which allows me
to manifest so many amazing things in my
personal and professional life; always infuse
with authenticity and love.
What are the 3 most important
attributes a person must have if
they want to become wealthy?
Start with the mindset. One must have
a perspective of abundance to allow the
opportunities to flow. Second, create a game
plan which includes how you will encapsulate
your intellectual property so it becomes the
value that others cannot resist paying for.
Finally, sharpen your abilities constantly. As
long as there is a new day, there will be a new
opportunity to create abundance.
Does the “Balance” in life exist
to you? I f so how do you achieve
it?
No, but integration does. I believe in creating
a beautiful synergy between my personal
and professional roles. I believe that the
integration of our multiple roles into actionable
deliverables allows us to live fully and amazingly.
For example, if I have a tour or a speaking trip,
I sometimes take my children to expose them
to that part of me. My husband and business
partner, Juan Pablo, oftentimes shares and
integrates our roles in order to make it happen
every day.
I have come to
understand,
value and
appreciate
the magic of
connection with
others
10

How do you take care of your
body, mind and soul?
I have an entire list of things I do to take care
of my body, mind and soul. Here are some of
them:
• Write in my gratitude journal
• Take a walk with nature
• Enjoy a delicious green vegetable juice
• Take my daily vitamins
• Get a good night's sleep
• Enjoy the stars from my outdoor jacuzzi
• Fly to lunch on a sport’s plane
like “everything you will do in life will be with
people, through people and for people”
and “masterminding with others” - but now
I do. I have come to understand, value and
appreciate the magic of connection with
others. This is the epitome of pure potentiality:
our ability to connect with others. Relationship
capital is the best wealth available.
Branding or bragging?
Absolutely branding. The idea of encapsulating
one’s ideas, thoughts and innovations to
elevate others is fascinating. When the line
of branding and bragging are crossed, the
authentic connection is lost and far from
relating to others. Our network has access to
a lot of information and influencers and they
follow those who are aligned with their core
values, they can smell the need to brag a mile
away. Sustainable connections are created
with the proper branding, not bragging.
• Exercise
• Draw with my .38mm colour markers
• Meditate
What’s your next milestone?
I have a few of them, but one of the most
important, at the moment, is the work
that I am doing in Mexico with my partner
Gloria Romo to build a youth centre. A place
where young people in my hometown in
Aguascalientes, Mexico, can find themselves,
by exploring various activities which align them
with their true passion. This is a labour of love
and I will continue to work on this until I see it
manifested. My goal is to have it built and open
to the public by 2021.
What do you think about
relationship Capital?
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved selfdevelopment
books. At times, I did not
understand what they meant with concepts
11

Interview
What type of shoe you are?
I am a pointy high heel with colours.
If you were in the jungle what
kind of animal you will be?
I would be a monkey that approaches this
fascinating world with curiosity.
What is your favourite quote?
My favourite quote is one that I made up: “The
best gift you can give others is your positive
attitude.”
12 Photograph: Daisy Jimenez

The best gift you
can give others
is your positive
attitude
13

Environment
Choosing
A Sustainable
Lifestyle
Dr. Amit Kaur Puri
14

“Sustainable Living is a lifestyle which attempts
to reduce the use of the Earth’s natural resources
and personal resources. Climate change, global
warming, depletion of ozone layer and resource
depletion are real and their impact on human and
animal lives can be devastating. Altering our lifestyle
and adopting actions for sustainable living is an
opportunity for us to reduce our carbon footprint
or environmental impact.” – Dr. Amit Kaur Puri,
Founder and President of AKP Healing India
AKP Healing India promotes sustainable
living to reduce the carbon footprint by
altering methods of transportation, energy
consumption and diet. Dr. Amit Kaur Puri is
an adept Ethno botanist, Environmentalist and
Social Worker who believes in the concept of
Sustainable Living and is working to promote
a shift to sustainable patterns of development,
and break the link between economic growth
and environmental damage. Time and again
she has proven that many solutions exist by
taking initiatives and engaging likeminded
people to work toward the same goals.
Projects and initiatives led
by AKP Healing India for
Sustainable Living:
1. Workshop on Hydroponics or soilless
farming of exotic vegetables like red, green
and yellow capsicum, baby corn, Chinese
tomatoes. Growing herbs like basil, oregano,
rosemary, lemon grass, mint, tulsi, turmeric,
ginger on window sills, creating green spaces
in urban environments offsetting carbon
emissions.
2. Project - Joy of climbing tree. The joy of tree
climbing is beyond any measure. It improves
cognitive abilities by engaging all four brain
hemispheres—including both hemispheres
of the cerebrum and of the cerebellum,
it optimises brain structure, function, and
working memory. The next time you pass a
tree, remember to stop and look up. Lay down
your gear, take off your shoes, and try reaching
for a branch. It’s easy to rediscover one of the
happiest instincts you are able to experience.
3. Gift a plant initiative by AKP Healing India.
Substitute short lived floral bouquets with
beautiful indoor plants.
4. We use banana leaf to serve food as it
is one of the most eco-friendly, disposable
food serving systems. It degrades quickly and
unlike a metallic/porcelain utensil, it requires
very little cleaning with water or soap. Great
for a water scarce India. The antioxidants
(polyphenols) in banana leaves are reported
to help fight cancer. Another research says the
leaves contain polyphenol oxidase which help
fight Parkinson's disease. So serving hot food
on a banana leaf can provide health benefits.
It is hygienic. A simple sprinkling of water is
enough to clean a banana leaf. When you are
eating in places with questionable hygiene it
is always preferable to eat from a banana leaf
rather than an inadequately-cleaned plate.
5. AKP Healing India Mission: To plant ten
million trees by 2020. We have already planted
8.5 million saplings. As a founder president of
AKP Healing India, Dr. Amit Kaur Puri took an
oath to cover Mother Earth with green plants
by 2020.
A question for us all
What we are doing to the forests of the
world is but a mirror reflection of what we
are doing to ourselves and to one another.
What a pity to be thoroughly aware of the
detriments of something and still do the same
thing collectively! On top of that we don’t
compensate for the damage we cause to the
environment. The solution lies in planting
trees on a massive scale. Trees bring rain and
no one can deny the fact that water is life. We
need water, we need fresh air and we need
a pollution-free atmosphere. It is as essential
as breathing. In our situation, it must be
everyone’s responsibility to plant trees for the
sake of sustainable social development and
economic growth.
6. Mindful Observation of Natural Beauty
is simple but incredibly powerful because it
helps us to notice and appreciate seemingly
15

Environment
simple elements of our environment in a
more profound way. This exercise is designed
to connect us with the beauty of the natural
environment, something which is easily missed
when we are rushing around in the car or
hopping on and off trains on the way to work.
Stop
Take a pause and appreciate:
Wild delicate flowers
Trails
Creepers
Mosses
Flattering leaves
Breathe
Smile
And now proceed
7. Aerial sowing of seed bombs via helicopter/
drones converting denuded hills into lush
green forest.
8. Throw and grow project by seed bombs
9. Adopt the Green Ganesha concept
(Ganesha is the elephant-headed god in
Hinduism. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati.)
10. Workshop on using natural cleaners:
Use of reetha berries as natural soap and
shampoo. Vinegar and water can clean most
surfaces, and the saponin from quinoa is a
natural laundry detergent. By using natural
cleaners, you are reducing the amount of
plastic packaging being made, and the amount
of chemicals being introduced to the water
system.
11. “Your kitchen can be your medical store” -
A very successful project launched by Dr. Amit
Kaur Puri
12. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Reduce your
need to buy new products. If there is less
waste, then there is less to recycle or reuse.
Learning to reuse items or repurpose them
for different use from which they are intended
for is essential in waste hierarchy. Recycle old
glass bottles or aluminium cans. Keep a recycle
bin at your home and try making more trips to
recycling station than to the landfill.
13. Composting - Don’t Waste Your Waste
Project.
14. No to Plastic, as plastic never goes
away. It takes millions of years for plastic to
decompose. Plastic can be found swirling in
the ocean’s surfaces. It badly affects marine
life. Every year large numbers of mammals,
seals, sea birds are killed after ingesting plastic
or getting tangled up in it. It’s time for all of us
to switch to reusable bags when we shop and
use earthen utensils as much as you can.
15. Hug a Tree Challenge by AKP Healing India
16
Dr. Amit Kaur Puri is the founder and President of AKP Healing
India, Scientist, Ethnobotanist and social activist. She is working for triple
E’s- Environment, Education and Empowerment. Her contributions to
make a greener and healthier world are highly appreciated. She has
published more than a hundred research papers and authored three
books.

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Mindset & Emotion
What mindset
runs your "mental
operating system"?
Strategies
To Help Achieve
Ultimate Success
Two Subtle Shifts and four proven practices for guaranteed success and
significance in business and beyond
18

If you're anything like other entrepreneurs I’ve
coached, you are constantly working in your
business. Creating programs and products,
delivering services, managing finances, leading
a team and much more. Sometimes you
feel successful and believe your work has
significance. Other times you’re overwhelmed,
overworked, and discouraged. If you desire less
overwhelm and more joy, more success and
deeper significance, you’re on the right page!
As a seasoned entrepreneur and business
coach, I'm delighted to reveal two mindset
shifts and four proven strategies that have
powerfully impacted my clients’ businesses.
To expand your success and achieve deeper
significance in life and work, follow these
practices.
Choose the right mindset
First, assess your perspective. Reading
"Mindset" by renown psychologist, Carol
Dweck five years ago changed my life. Her
research shows that our mindset, not just
our abilities and talents, bring us success.
According to Dweck*, success in any area of
life can be dramatically improved by how we
THINK about our efforts. Entrepreneurs with
a fixed mindset believe their efforts don't
make much difference because results are
predetermined. Another hallmark of a fixed
mindset is looking at every situation through
the lens of "success or failure". Fixed mindsets
create an urgency to prove yourself over and
over. Fixed mindsets keep us stuck.
On the other hand, entrepreneurs with
growth mindsets believe basic qualities can
be cultivated through our efforts and that we
can change and grow through application and
experience. A passion for stretching yourself
and sticking to it even when things get tough is
a hallmark of a growth mindset.
What mindset runs your "mental operating
system"? Be honest with yourself, is it fixed or
growth oriented? By consciously, consistently
choosing a growth mindset, you will grow,
learn and evolve as an entrepreneur and as
a result, so will your business. You and you
19

Mindset & Emotion
alone have the power to choose your mindset,
behaviour, and results. Choose wisely, choose
often and commit.
Second, ask yourself, am I working on or in my
business? Working IN your business means
delivering your services/products, managing
your team, paying your taxes. You get the drift.
Working ON the business includes activities
that keep your funnel of new business full. As
busy entrepreneurs, we must be vigilant in
working ON our business while simultaneously
working in our business. If we don’t, at some
point, our funnel will be empty.
Here are four proven strategies to work ON
your business for ultimate success:
1. Block time in your calendar weekly to
cultivate new relationships. 30% of your time
should be devoted to business building. Make
phone calls, send thank you notes to current
clients, ask for referrals, get out of your office
and network.
2. Make a personal connection with prospects.
In our current state of the world, the personal
touch is disruptive and it pays dividends over
time. Pick up the phone, send handwritten
notes or interesting articles. The point is to
make it personal and they'll remember you.
You can send emails and text messages and
post to social media- but in the ever-increasing
world of technology, the power of authentic
relationships trumps all. When was the last
time you received a handwritten note? How
did you feel when you did?
4. Manage your thoughts or they will manage
you - have you ever gotten through most of
the day and realised that you spent 70% of
your time on busy work - cleaning your office,
responding to emails, sending emails - but
realised you did not actually accomplish the
top three actions on your goals list? Perhaps
you were avoiding the critical actions because
you were frustrated with a co-worker, puzzled
by a prospect or worn out from family
challenges. These thoughts consumed your
mind preventing you from achieving your
goals.
Use the control chest technique
Your feelings should never drive the train
of your daily actions. To help you manage
your feelings, try my “control chest” thought
experiment. Imagine a beautiful small chest
with a lid and lock. Now take that “consuming
thought” place it in the chest and lock it. You
can come back it when you want to. But now,
the negative thoughts and feelings are locked
up and have no more control over your day.
This simple strategy has helped my clients
stay focused on the business of growing their
business- feelings no longer drive the business,
the entrepreneur drives it.
The secret to success is found in our daily
routines. Take your first step to ultimate
success today!
* Carol S. Dweck , PhD, MINDSET, The New
Psychology of Success, 2016 Ballantine Books
3. Block time into your daily calendar for
business creation - program developmentanything
that will help you serve more clients
in the future. A slow steady trickle of this
activity will help your business grow. It is not
rocket science but many fail to attend to these
matters.
20
Amy Throw is a serial entrepreneur, executive coach, speaker,
strategic thinking partner and confidante to women executives,
entrepreneurs, and companies who value women in leadership. She
is the creator of Full Circle 7, a comprehensive, holistic approach to
Executive Presence that concentrates on seven key elements that
encompass leadership and character potential. - www.amythrow.com

Pashion Fashion
Why
Colour & Style
How we present ourselves in the workplace
can alter how people see our personal and
company brands. The right colours make us
feel positive about ourselves
At a time when the workplace is increasingly
competitive, many professionals no longer
want to look ordinary and anonymous. They
need to make their mark in the workplace
and they want to be confident about what
suits them to showcase their very own,
authentic personal brand. Given we make
up our minds about someone within the first
few seconds of meeting them, it follows that
our first impressions alone can alter future
relationships between client and service
22

provider, boss and employee, or colleagues.
However, it’s also never too late to change!
So, can colours and styles that you wear really
help you achieve more at work? Whether
we like it or not, how we present ourselves
in the workplace can alter how people see
our personal and company brands. In fact,
knowing how to put a capsule corporate
wardrobe together in the colours and styles
which best suit your skin pigment, body shape
and personality could be key to your success.
Employers realise the importance of building
loyalty and employee confidence, but also
need to ensure their employees fit in well
with the company brand. Your brand exists
through the people who deliver it. Employers
are increasingly understanding that employee
confidence is key; as is enabling individual
personalities to shine through, as long as they
are congruent with the company product,
brand or service. Managers should, for
example, be exuding authority but also be
approachable. Employees should be seeking
to be professional and memorable for the
right reasons.
We know that colour is influential. Research
participants who wore red in one study
reported feeling more physically attractive,
which is interesting because primary red is the
only colour that suits absolutely everyone. In a
study published in the Journal of Experimental
Social Psychology, subjects who donned white
coats which they thought belonged to doctors
did better on tests than those who wore
casual clothes, or those who thought the coats
belonged to artists.
So how do we know which colours truly suit us?
Colours are compared with the pigments that
sit underneath our skin to determine which
colours of clothing and accessories lift the
face, and which ones are more unflattering.
Colours fall naturally into four groups and
we give these the names of the four seasons.
Each season represents one quarter of the
colours in the universe and this is the colour
palette which will suit you and with which you
The right colours
make us feel positive
about ourselves
can build a wardrobe to always make you look
radiant and healthy. Autumn skin palettes suit
rich, warm earthy colours while Springs suit
warm, bright clear colours. Winter skin palettes
look gorgeous in deep, vivid cool colours and
Summers suit cool watercolours.
The right colours make us feel positive about
ourselves and give us a healthy and vibrant
appearance meaning that associates are more
likely to buy into our confidence and leadership
qualities which gives us a competitive edge. The
wrong colours can make us look drained and
typecast and can alter our moods negatively
which affects the way we behave and the
impression we give to everyone around us.
Workplace attire has changed. In the past,
we were always told to stay away from bright
colours, patterns and prints at work, for
the risk of it looking too unprofessional and
showy! Now, we are blessed with a more
accepting workplace where we are venturing
away from a sensible black, blue, white and
grey ‘uniform’ and opting for smart designs
and splashes of colour paired with gorgeous
neutrals. Furthermore, if you look like you take
care of yourself and have thought about your
appearance, you are more likely to win new
business, do well in presentations and build
successful work relationships.
The truth is, it is harder these days to get a job
and progress in your career. We are needing
to work harder and smarter, and part of that
is by standing out in a positive way and being
noticed for all the right reasons. When we
liaise, present, network and manage, we need
to look and feel good.
23

1. Wear clothes that fit you. Very baggy shirts
and oversized jackets may look slouchy and unkempt.
In the same way, tight fitting dresses,
skirts and shirts could give your colleagues and
clients the wrong impression.
2. Get to know your red. Red is powerful in the
workplace as long as you are wearing the right
red for your skin pigment. For example, if you
are a Winter, opt for deep burgundy and blue
based reds. If you are a Summer, try Cherry
red variations. Autumns are best in fiery brick
reds and Springs in bright and warm Geranium
reds. Alternatively keep it subtle with just one
item of red, like a bold red lipstick, or a scarf or
tie for a man.
3. Pair bold shirts or blouses with neutral
jackets or vice versa. Work clothes don’t have
to be boring, but you don’t want to dazzle and
distract with a rainbow of colours. One impact
colour and two neutrals are a good rule of
thumb. Add an extra colour with your blouse,
belt, scarf, bag or shoes to make your outfit
‘pop’, it will make you more memorable to
everyone you meet.
4. Quality speaks loudly, so pay attention to
getting good quality shirts, blouses, jackets,
accessories etc. for work. That extra investment
will send the message that you are worth it!
5. Accessorise! A silk scarf will soften an
otherwise harsh tailored suit, or layering
necklaces could give an edge to your outfit
dependent on your ideal style.
6. Know your audience - wear something that
suits the job and the atmosphere. For example,
if you’re meeting with a fashion editor, what
you wear is going to be different compared
with if you’re meeting with an investor.
7. Wearing uncomfortable shoes will make
you walk in an odd way so wear something you
can move happily around in.
24
Helen Venables was so inspired after she got her own
colours analysed she became a stylist herself. Climbing the
ranks firstly as Franchisee Director, in 2012 Helen became
Managing Director of House of Colour. www.houseofcolour.
co.uk

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Join us in Joshua Tree to experience the sacred stillness of the desert and the
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Register Now
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Questions: 2019GIC@gmail.com
25

Spirituality
MINDFUL
COMMUNICATION
WITH EMPATHY
“Mindful communication” is a way of
communicating. “Empathy” is a whole
attitude in Life. Both concepts are often
described in more scientific texts. “Empathy”
was first debated by art-critics and then by
psychologists, while “Mindfulness” comes
from religious texts, especially from Buddhist
philosophy. To combine both, is a reverence
to the traditions in East and West. “Empathy”
refers to the relationship between artist
and spectator; the intentions of the artist
are transmitted by vibrations and energies,
which the spectator catches first by intuition,
then in a more cognitive way. However, this
only works when the spectator is open to the
message being communicated. Then, they are
interconnected. This kind of relationship also
exists between a patient and the therapist –
with some differences, of course.
beings; therefore, “mindfulness” and “empathy”
have entered into sociology and the Human
Sciences. Biologists are researching into the
structure of our brain to find out if they can
identify the centre of empathy, mindfulness
and cooperation. The new digital world is
discussing the question of how to implement it
in the artificial intelligence of robots.
They all agree that empathy and mindfulness
belong to the nature of life in general, in
animals and human beings. It is one of the
main expressions of unconditional love.
In a more general way, mindfulness and
empathy mean the attention you give to the
artist, the patient, the other person(s), to other
dimensions in general. You are an individual and
at the same time there is an interrelationship.
You are actor and observer at the same time,
because you open your senses and are willing
to observe conscientiously. As if you are in a
double role. This allows us to “come to the
point” in a double sense of the word. You feel
what the other person feels, wants to express,
and both cooperate in the process of finding it
out – finally, you come to the point – together.
As stress is becoming a severe challenge in
our globalised world, the scientists of several
disciplines are researching methods to
rebalance the world and especially human
26

What does it mean exactly?
The most evident of natural mindful
relationships exists between a mother and
her baby. The whole development of the
baby depends on her – not only care and
devotion, but also, caresses and the emotional
attention she gives to her baby. There is a
deep connection between both: when the
baby smiles, it automatically triggers a smile in
the mother’s face – due to mirror neurons. In
a more spiritual dimension, it is our deepest
inner source and connection with the Cosmos
which invites us to show our love, friendly
feelings and interconnection. It is a real
necessity to make others feel good – and
myself, of course. As a refrain says: “the joy we
give to others returns in our own heart.”
Shared joy is double joy.
To be mindful with empathy means to focus
our concentration on what is going on, on
what we are doing right now. When we wash
dishes, we do this without thinking about
what we did in the past or will do in the future.
We are present. This means to pay our full
attention to our present activity – carefully, with
devotion and concentration. A mindful person
observes attentively him/herself and what’s
going on in his/her surroundings. Whatever
he/she is doing, it becomes a conscientious
act in cooperation with all senses. This kind of
conversation is a mutual process, one enriches
the other; it promotes us, gives us the chance
to open our channels to joy and the inner
cosmic source, to express and grow creativity
and to develop constructive ideas.
Can we learn mindful communication and
empathy? – Yes, we can. Firstly, we must decide
clearly: Yes, I want to learn it. Then, learn
some techniques to help us, and finally, they
become so internalised, that they are in our
cells. Transformation and change come from
the heart, from the fire of love, and it leads to a
metamorphosis.
Thoughts alone do not have the power to
make changes, the light frequencies of our
heart are also needed to give them the
power and strength of transformation. The
creativity of human beings comes from the
unity of our three energetic centres: the “hara”
(Indian tradition), or upper “Dantien” (Chinese
tradition), our vital centre with our main
organs. The centre of intuition and proper
intelligence; the second centre is the heart
or middle Dantien. The last is the brain, third
eye or higher Dantien. There is of course a
subtle interconnection between them; they
are interlinked by a complex system of interdependence.
Only if they co-operate well and
in harmony are we are healthy. If one of the
centres predominates, the disharmony has
serious consequences. To give an example: a
person who lives mainly by thinking or making
plans, is in danger of being disconnected
from his/her heart, the centre of mindful
communication and empathy.
Mindful communication comes from the
heart and the powerful flow between the
three centres – which plays a crucial role in
the philosophy of martial arts. So, mindful
communication can be learned, as we said,
starting with myself on the path to discovering
myself. It is of course much more than a
technique; it is the expression of equilibrium
in the vertical and horizontal dimensions. It is
a whole way of life, a lovely process of lifelong
learning. Good doses of humour which come
from our heart will always help us on our path.
By discovering our deepest negative
convictions and our fears, we can identify the
areas which are in need of transformation.
Then we can enjoy the magical aspect of life
by laughing and loving, changing into luminous
flowers which can grow and disseminate their
beauty.
27

Business
Are you aware of
Brand Priming?
Gemma Rubio Rodrigo
Brands and more brands. We are always
surrounded by brands even if we don’t realise it. It is
important to know that the influence of brands on
prospects occurs at a non-conscious level. Priming
is subtle and unconscious. What happens in the
background or the images that we share, might be
as effective as what’s happening in the foreground
and we need to be aware of it, knowing that we are
less in control of our actions than we think we are.
In case you are not familiar with the Brand
Priming term, I will use the definition Malcom
Gladwell used to define priming in his
book Blink “Priming is a complex and often
unconscious mental operation that is taking
care of all the minor mental details in our life,
keeping tabs on everything going on around
us”. The implicit memory, whereby exposure to
certain stimuli influences the response given
to stimuli presented later.
Pay attention to details
Subtle cues in marketing, come from many
directions, such as brand logos, colours, and
typography, all without the awareness of
people being influenced. This affects later
behaviour in some ways. You need to pay
attention to each and every single detail when
you create a marketing campaign. Branding
also works by creating a connection in the mind
of the prospect, which leads to an unconscious
association with an emotion.
28

Everything you share, will create the image a
prospect has about your company and your
brand, transmitting a great feeling through
all your communications. Using images is one
of the most powerful ways. When you chose
an image for your campaign, the image itself,
is not the only important thing, you also need
to think about what you want to communicate
with it; how you want to make your prospects
feel when they see it and when they use your
products.
The quality, the atmosphere, the feeling, the
way you place the objects on the image, how
attractive the people look in the image, the way
they smile, we need to think about every little
detail. Everything is important and needs to
match your company’s principles and values.
All those details make people identify with
your brand. When you show them an amazing
product with a great image, they will wish they
were the people in the image. Let’s make them
dream and want to be part of it!
Use the right words
The same happens when writing a message
about your image or communications, you
also need to pay attention to the font you use,
the way of communicating, the words you
use. When you make it easy to understand for
everyone, by using words they use in everyday
life and you use them in a positive way, this will
make them love the message!
If there is a person in the image, it is also
important that she is looking at the text,
guiding the consumer to see it.
And don’t forget your logo! I suggest including
your logo in all the great images or landscapes
you share on blogs, social media and
advertisements. By Including your logo, people
will associate the great feelings the image
produces, to your brand. It also helps them
to become familiar with your brand and your
principles.
The importance of colour use
The colours you chose, will also affect the way
you make your prospects feel. Pay special
attention when using one or another. Think
about the market. We want to reach out to
your target. Each group “fits” better with
certain colours.
There are many factors leading us to choose
one colour or another for our brand
personality. However, it’s important we also
pay attention to the personality associated to
people who use certain colours. To name a few;
people who like red, are usually extroverted
and dynamic; people who chose grey, are
more conformist and passive.
On the other hand, the use of recurrent
emotions and practices help us to encourage
our prospects to identify with them. Actions
and emotions which occur at that moment,
with words, such as: evolving, feelings,
improving, showing, will make us feel more
involved in the process.
Write, showing your prospects the implicit
and explicit values demonstrated by the
campaign/promotion, as well as, to which
groups or organisations you feel closer and
to which ones you belong. Write, showing the
Groups you want to be identified with, making
references as to how, when and where lies
your association with them.
Knowing these simple actions and behaviours
can shape our emotions and how we feel
about them, I’d like to mention what Daniel
Kahneman wrote: “Being amused tends to
make you smile and smiling tends to make
you feel amused”. We need to be aware of
that when creating our marketing material to
promote our products or services, because
what feeds your brain, is what makes you
make the decision to buy.
Gemma Rubio Rodrigo, helps companies to Define what is Fine for
them by using the wits of marketing, branding, communications, UX and
personal branding. She has made her goal to help companies and individuals
in improving systems and procedures, online platforms and even apps, to
create efficient and effective operations. 29

Interview
JEFFLAZARUS
p i o n e e r
Jeff Lazarus is an author, agent and business coach.
Jeff’s Branded With Authority coaching business
helps authors to create a thoughtful strategic plan
for their book. With a range of topics from strategy,
innovation, customer engagement, selling-skills,
presentation skills and relationship building, Jeff
often shares his knowledge and methods through
workshops, consulting and keynotes in a variety of
industries, His books include Dogtology: Live. Bark.
Believe and Catakism: Bow to the Meow. www.
jefflazarus.com
Who are YOU?
If you go into a bar and order the Jeff Lazarus
cocktail, you’ll be served the following:
• One tall clear glass
• 3 large ice cubes
• Equal parts of creativity,
strategy and execution
• A twist of wit and humour
30

My drink is a unique blend of ingredients and is
very distinct. This is my brand. I am the one who
will propose an idea that you haven’t thought
about before. I’m not just an “outside the box”
thinker, I don’t even see a box. Innovation,
strategy and execution are fundamental
for me. As a creative, I find unique ways to
build and to express things personally and in
business. For example, I creatively expressed
my over-the-top love for dogs in my first book,
the humorous DOGTOLOGY. I called our
obsession with dogs a religion. I trademarked
it. I wrote a book that’s never been written
before. I then did the same thing for the love
of cats; CATAKISM; Bow to the Meow. I am an
idea machine, which means I need more sleep!
What is your definition of
success? How did you finally
know you had succeeded in
your business?
My definition of success is not measured by how
much money I am making or what client I have
recently signed. Sure, those matter to me and
are important to my business and livelihood…
BUT…it’s most important for me to be happy.
Happiness = Success is my equation. What
makes me happy is the real question here and
my answer is this: to be my own unique self
and to make a mark on others. To be healthy
and with love around me. In business, I want
to see other people succeed and to be happy.
At this point in my life, I would say that I am the
happiest that I have ever been.
Branding or bragging?
Branding. Always branding. Unfortunately,
these two very different actions commonly
get confused. Bragging is telling us how great
you are, what things you have accomplished,
why people like you, how much wealth you
have, what you are doing, who you are being
seen with, etc. Branding, particularly personal
branding, is letting us know what you stand for,
what you represent, what to expect when we
hire you, the image and the message that you
intend to put out into the universe. This is why
I focus so much on personal branding, so we
know who it is we are buying. If you think we
are not buying YOU, think again!
What is the single best piece of
business advice which helped
shape who you are now?
My professional life began in pharmaceutical
sales. It was very rewarding and allowed me to
really work on my communication skills, selling
skills, scientific acumen while becoming the
strategic thinker and creator I am today. It was
fun. An account I had been working on hadn’t
produced the results I had hoped, and I was
worried it would affect my year-end review.
My manager at the time was one of the greatest
leaders I had the pleasure of learning from. He
told me about the concept of the, “man in the
mirror”. Could I look at myself in the mirror and
be proud, had I done everything possible, to
the highest standard and ethically? In actual
fact the account had undergone changes, so
our relationships were no longer there. My
manager gave me a good score and I earned
my increase, because I had done my best.
What is the biggest mistake you
have ever made in business and
what you did you learn from it?
Without a doubt it was not staying true to
myself. What had appeared to be a great
business opportunity felt wrong from the start,
for the simple reason that it didn’t seem like
“me” or felt the type of thing I would feel proud
to publicise being involved in. However, I still
proceeded with it, after all, I had been told by
so many what a great opportunity it was, and
they couldn’t all be wrong. Not only was I never
excited or having fun, circumstances not in my
control changed and the result never panned
out. Not only did I not earn what I had expected,
I had spent significant time and energy. The
worst part is that I wasn’t having fun or doing
something that I truly believed in. That would
have made the result easier to swallow. Now
I only invest my time into endeavours which
represent me well and which I believe in, NOT
based on what others are doing.
What is your favourite quote?
My all-time favourite comedian is George Carlin
and he had some really great quotes about
business. One of my favourites is: “Trying to
be happy by accumulating possessions is like
31

Interview
trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches
all over your body”. This gives us a fun visual
but is also in line with something that I strongly
believe in. At one point in my life, I owned a
large house and had two of everything but was
not happy or fulfilled. It wasn’t until I sold that
house and started over in a small apartment
I truly learned what is most important in life
- loving yourself. Achieving this milestone is
what set the new standard for me and from
there I built a stronger foundation. For me, it’s
not about how many sandwiches I have, it’s
about having the sandwich which tastes great,
is good for my body and ready at the right
time. Extra peanut butter please!
power of listening. I’ve become so tuned in to
this underdeveloped and underutilized skill
that it’s a clear competitive advantage for me.
Hey, I’ve even gotten the girl by being a good
listener! Most people don’t think of listening
as a sexy topic and don’t spend much time
working on it, but the benefits are endless. I’ve
led workshops with worldwide corporations
on listening as well as taught it in college and
written a book about it. My dog used to listen
to me all the time; my stories, my complaints
about life, the score of the game, etc. He got
lots and lots of bacon out of the deal. Listening
has many rewards.
You are a pioneer, what are you
creating now?
I love being a pioneer. It’s so much fun and
rewarding. I come up with ideas and plans
which people don’t understand or tell me why
they don’t recommend it. Months or years
later, they’re doing exactly what I came up
with. Sometimes I get a very neutral response
to an idea or no response at all and then find
out weeks later the person is doing something
similar. This used to bother me a lot but now I
take it as flattery and acceptance of my ideas.
My latest creation is how someone can be part
of a bigger business and part of a community
of influencers. Imagine being an entrepreneur
and you and your business are tied to an actual
agency that does branding, publishing, digital
media, product development and licensing,
paid speaking and more. The new model is
in the works now and I’m really excited about
it. My goal is to provide top value for those
around me. We will all be drinking the Jeff
Lazarus cocktail. The first round is on me.
What is your major discovery in
life? And how has it influenced
your life?
Discovery is what keeps life interesting. I’ve
discovered so many wonderful things in life,
including the essentials like: dark chocolate,
rock music, hockey, Caribbean beaches, you
know, things that make me feel alive. The
one discovery that has had a profound effect
on me personally and professionally is the
32

What is your next milestone?
As an “ideas guy” and innovator, I have many
milestones ahead and I love figuring out
what they are. I do know that the inclusive
agency I am building is a milestone for me in
business. It will mark a point in time where
I can help entrepreneurs and influencers
in a very comprehensive manner and how
they can become part of something bigger.
My publishing label in 2019 will become my
contribution to authors. I will deliver a highend
opportunity with full distribution into retail
and with a quality book that many can’t even
imagine. Leave the imagining to me, I’ll take
care of it. A major personal milestone for me
soon will be my next dog. I love dogs to no end
and am convinced that they are all my soul
mate. It’s time for one to come and get spoiled
daily by me. I consider this a major milestone
because my happiness metre will go through
the roof.
Innovation,
strategy and
execution are
fundamental to
me

Interview
I find unique
ways to
build and to
express things
personally and
in business
Which woman inspires you and
why?
My mother is such a great inspiration, always
has been and always will be. I witnessed her
create a very powerful career after raising two
children but more importantly, it’s how she
does it. She spent decades as a well-respected
person in business and never left her family
out along the way. What is truly inspiring about
her is the way that she follows her instincts and
beliefs at the risk of making the “unpopular”
decision. She does what she believes is right
and not what others tell her to do. It’s gratifying
to see that she has so many friends and people
in business that respect her. She is vibrant,
creative and as fun-loving as anyone but does
not make excuses or accept poor excuses by
others in life. Just like many, she has endured
the losses of loved ones and illness but never
uses those as an excuse for anything. She is
a true survivor of life’s challenges and still at
the top of her game. Today, she spends time
helping out the veterans in the United States
and local animal charities. Where do you think
I get my dog-craziness from?
34

35

Body
How Big Difficulties Could
Become
Blessings
In 1999 everybody was worried about the Y2K
information catastrophe: every computer was
supposed to struggle, shoot down or even
explode at midnight on December 31st, just
on the turn of the century.
Jeanette Salvatierra
36

Nothing catastrophic happened with the
computers. Many companies updated their
systems, resulting in an improvement of their
services to their customers. Consultants and
hardware/software companies increased their
profits. Everybody was happy.
I recall the event well, since I was working at
the time for a large hardware and software
corporation. And because I thought I was
dying.
That same year for the fifth time I was told I
would lose my eyesight totally. And that fact
was a real catastrophe for me, comparable
to death. I felt like my world was ending, that
I’ll be useless, worthless. I felt devastated and
angry at the same time. I became a desperate
person, seeking for a cure, trying any method
I was told could work. I became anxious, angry
with others who I thought were more deserving
of my fate. I was even angry with God.
Until one day, five years later, when my son,
eight years old at the time told me “Mom, we
should be grateful because you’re not going to
die” after I confirmed to him that I didn’t have
cancer and I was just getting blind.
Because behind every
difficulty lies an
opportunity.
I used to say that this was the moment that
gratitude saved me for the first time. From
that moment until today, gratitude has been
my daily spiritual and emotional practice, that
allows me to regain a positive attitude, even
confidence in myself and a brighter future for
me.
I didn’t die in a physical sense but I was
definitively reborn as a more caring, wiser
version of myself. After a lot of thinking I
quit my corporate job, started a couple
of entrepreneurships in my motherland
Venezuela, moved to the United States and
decided to get certified as a life coach. My
purpose was to share what I’ve learned about
gratitude, personal change, life difficulties,
how to overcome them and continue to be a
successful and happy person.
My life has changed a lot since 1999. I’ve
discovered talents I didn’t know I had, such as
coaching. I regained my self-worth, my courage
and confidence, while sharing my story with
others to inspire and to positively impact their
lives.
Life has many challenges. And difficulties come
in a variety of flavours: some more bitter than
others, some pass; others stay. But we always
have the power of choice. We decide either we
remain paralysed by fear or act, inspired by
necessity or love.
During my coaching life (my new career) I’ve
had the opportunity to meet many people,
some facing divorce, aging parents’ dementia,
illness, financial losses, death of a loved one.
And none of them have remained hurt or
defeated, once they decided to get out of their
current situation, identifying and facing those
fears that prevent them to act and overcome
those difficulties, turning them in most cases
into blessings.
I suspect you might think: “It sounds too easy
to be true … My case is the worst… I don’t know
where to start… Maybe I’m a lost hope case”.
Every situation is different. Every person has
his or her own story. But I can assure you that
37

Body
when you change your perspective, when you
start to acknowledge what is good in your life,
even if the only blessing you can be grateful
for is being alive, you’ve started your way to
healing, to regaining confidence, to solving
your problems. It’s just a matter of time,
perseverance and allowing others to help you
when necessary. Letting others love you when
you think you can’t love yourself.
I was even angry
with God
I’d like to invite you to practice gratitude every
day, as a means for boosting positive thinking
and emotions. It will also help you to awaken
your curiosity, your creativity to answer
questions such as “What I can learn from this
situation?”, “How can I live with this situation
from now on, since I can’t change it?” and so
many others we usually ask ourselves in times
of trouble.
Because behind every difficulty lies an
opportunity. To change yourself for the better,
to improve your life. To turn everything to
something you can be grateful for, into a new
blessing.
Sometimes help and love come in the most
unpredictable forms. I strongly believe in the
power of the word, either spoken or written.
That’s why I love to blog and contribute
with other bloggers. In February 2018, in
partnership with my good friend and colleague
Glenda Travieso, we co-created “Celebrando
Lo Femenino”. An online community in
Spanish where we blog and speak about the
empowerment of women, feminine power
defined as the emotional/creative/nurturing
side of every human being, regardless their
gender. Last May we launched or first virtual
summit, where 33 renowned motivational
speakers and experts presented provocative
ideas to develop feminine power in areas
such as relationships, nutrition, personal
finances, sexuality, entrepreneurship, among
other topics. Our plans with Celebrando in
2019 include an expansion to reach English
speaking people around the world.
Sometimes help
and love come
in the most
unpredictable
forms
38
Jeanette Salvatierra impacts lives as an author, speaker, life/
career coach, mentor and advisor in business development and social
entrepreneurships. Co-creator of "Celebrando Lo Femenino", she
holds degrees and accreditations in Coaching (Martha Beck Institute),
psychology of happiness, Leadership, a degree in Computer Engineering
and an MBA. Author of the awarded book "Living in Gratitude Mode".

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39

Environment
From Ballerina to
Conservationist
Nazli Deniz Kuruoğlu
40

Nazli Deniz Kuruoğlu, was a Turkish ballerina and
elected Miss Europe in 1982. In retirement she
has become an advocate for conservation, the
environment and empowering women in Turkey.
When I retired I moved to the town of Caferli
in Kuşadası, I wanted to live in harmony with
nature so became a farmer. For the past 18
years I have been involved with conserving
historical, cultural and natural heritage by
developing and transforming buildings;
improving the quality of life for inhabitants
here; encouraging the growth of eco-tourism
and providing a role model for neighbouring
villages
In 2014 I founded the Caferli Embellishment
and Solidarity Association. Using volunteers,
we renovated village houses, we painted
walls, vases and garbage bins and cleaned the
streets. We had a big oven constructed in the
main square for women to bake bread and
cook local food to sell in order to contribute
to their families’ income. Unfortunately, it was
torn down by the town mayor.
So, I bought a hundred-year old stone house
in ruins and had it renovated, staying true
to the original design. It became a threebedroom
Boutique Hotel which supports the
Association. Adjacent to the hotel we rebuilt
the oven for the women to use again. I also
rented an unused stone house, restored it
and transformed it into a Cooperation Building
and I invited non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) and other authorities of neighbouring
villages and towns to visit our village.
Cyclists, hikers, off-road groups, NGOs, artists
and art lovers visited and National TV and
press promoted the village. International
artists painted on one of the town walls, but
unfortunately the artwork has been erased
due to the mayors’ disapproval. However, I
did not give up. Our association organised an
art workshop with well-known artists and we
had several book-signing days with authors
including Mrs. Ayşe Kulin, who wrote Last Train
to Istanbul.
During the Autumn Festival, lots of villagers and
NGOs erected stands and musicians, acrobats,
folk dancers and theatre performers took part.
Dance and ballet recitals were performed by
modern dance teachers of the Mimar Sinan
University.
41

Environment
Other projects we have been involved with
include donating books to local schools;
organising photography exhibitions, writing
workshops, and ecological studies. I have
received several awards for these efforts
including: The Culture and Art award
from KUKSAD for the Embellishment and
Development of Caferli; a plaque from Girit
Friendship, Culture and Unity Association for my
contribution to international activities; as well
as Certificates of appreciation from different
institutions, foundations, organizations and
NGOs.
I did not give up
despite the problems
we encountered
Mehlike Hepdemir, the children and women
rights supporter activist, is involved with our
association and this has helped us with publicity
on very important and delicate matters such
as rape and violence. For the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
we organised art exhibitions (paintings,
sculpture, caricature, ceramics, photography)
and talks by experts. To commemorate World
Water Day, we organised an awareness
activity with children in state protection and
we held a seminar on drug abuse and a panel
on paedophilia. We explained details of the
Istanbul Convention (Action to prevent and
combat violence against women and domestic
violence) to different political groups, local
administrations, the press and NGOs, again
with Mehlike Hepdemir, who was then one of
the trainers on a project about this convention.
Again in 2016 and 2017 we organised panels,
participated and organised several workshops
and held signature days for the elimination of
violence against women and child abuse.
42

The environment is very important to me,
so I was involved in founding the Kuşadası
Environment Platform. In 2017, we organized
a panel to discuss the possible harmful impact
Geothermal Power Plants will have on the
ecosystem As always, participating villagers
and NGOs had their own stands and dance
shows and concerts were held.
In 2017 I was invited to attend the Bozcaada
International Ecological Festival to show an
introductory film on environment, directed by
Cenk Behramsu. I also took part in the Ecology
and Environment Platform in Bergama. In 2018,
I was asked by the Municipality of Kuşadası to
be the co-founder of KUŞAKK -Cooperation
for supporting women in entrepreneurial,
manufacturing and management fields.
With other volunteers in the cooperation we
initiated a new concept that provided women
with a new job opportunity: Weaving the
symbol of birds - that are found on the roofs
of the historical town buildings - on bags,
meshes and shawls. We get a lot of attention
and invites from other villages where we open
stands, sell the goods and organise workshops
to promote our vision. This helps us to expand
our work.
To support more women, we also organised a
project called “Creative handcrafts throughout
generations” and presented it to GEKA (South
Aegean Development Agency). We are hoping
it will prove to be successful. I am continuing to
work on the local, social, cultural, environmental
and ecological matters actively for both Caferli
Embellishment and Solidarity Association and
KUŞAKK Cooperation.
43

Mindset & Emotion
Viola Edward Speech
on receiving the
Doctorate
Honoris
Causa
In July Viola Edward was awarded an honorary
Doctorate by The Academy of Universal Global
Peace affiliated to United Nation University for
Peace in recognition of her 46 years of studies and
work focused on the expansion and development
of holistic well-being. The ceremony was held at the
University of Westminster in London. Here, Viola
shares with us her acceptance speech.
"We are all human beings right from the start of
our lives; but we are not fully developed human
persons at birth. That development requires
time, motivation and the right conditions. As
so many of you know already, being safe and
accepted within the tribe (be it family, peer
group, organisations, etc.), while also being
totally free to be and become your real self,
has always been a very rare combination of
circumstances". Inspired by Dr Louis Cox.
Today, I find myself before this tribe meeting,
thankful to life for its infinite opportunities and
profoundly grateful to have found my way to
learn how to learn, grateful to have become
a useful, dynamic part of this work of human
transformation.
I feel safe and accepted among so many
wonderful tribes. Finding and creating my
own freedom has led me to being able to
help others to break free, to open up their
search and become personally creative and
successful.
44

The quote above mentions that we are human
beings from the very start of our lives and one
of the most essential elements sustaining that
vitality, right from the very start of life, is the
miracle of our breath.
Physiologically, the breathing process is
constantly there within me, a characteristic of
my normal functioning, instinctively underlying
the human wonder of what I am, loving,
nourishing, growing, sustaining, and healing.
The breath is there within me, every minute of
my life, so simply accessible.
Choosing to learn more about the breathing
process, I became aware of the astonishing
transformative capabilities contained therein.
I discovered how my breath, with loving care,
knowledge and consciousness, could become
a trusted personal vehicle, helping me progress
on the spiral of my journey through life.
Our planetary system orbits a central sun.
The moon cycles our earth, creating a regular
pattern of tidal flows in the seas. Our earth
rotates on its polar axis, giving us nights and
days with the wobble in the spin creating the
cycle of the seasons. I am conceived, born,
raised, and as I follow my life's seasons, mature
and die, I can repeat the habitual patterns that
may hook me into pain and suffering.
How can I break free from this
seemingly endless repetition?
My passion in life has been a search for the
understanding of how to lift myself off that
flat cycle, transforming the dynamics of the
journey, learning how to ride this fascinating
spiral and develop the many dimensions of the
potential of my personal humanity.
I have witnessed profound changes in
personal lives and also in the effectiveness
of business endeavours and what have I
learned as a Psychotherapist and Breathwork
Trainer? Through many hours of hands-on
experience with the wonderful effects of
conscious breathing on our physical health
and our positive outlook, I have learnt that if
Breath, Thought and Action dance to the same
rhythm, we achieve what we want in life in a
meaningful way.
If Breath, Thought and
Action dance to the same
rhythm, we achieve what
we want in life
So how could I benefit by
learning to harness conscious
breathing?
The breath develops awareness of my full
personal potential and would seem to be a
fruitful starting point. The following actions
would continue to build my inner strengths.
- Unlearning my dysfunctional habits, relearning
healthy alternatives and then becoming that
human person capable of many creative,
beautiful and meaningful creations.
- Healing from addictions and freeing myself
from the limitations created by myself and
others.
- Shining and expanding for present and future
sustainable generations.
- Inspiring myself and others to new
possibilities.
Viola Edward, is a Relationship Expert for Professional Women.
Psychotherapist, Mentor and Breathwork pioneer with over 25 years of
experience. She is the Founder of Feminine Capital Forum and the Co-Owner
of KAYANA International Breathwork. Author of two books: “Breathing the
Rhythm of Success” and “Who Makes the Bed?” 45

Sounds Like Women
women empowering, music & social project.
Who we are?
We are a group of international
female vocalists, musicians, who
write and produce songs to raise
awareness about women’s most
pressing issues like inequality,
domestic violence and racial –
internationality based biases.
I wrote and co-created with singers
powerful songs that carry important
messages, inspired by real women’s
stories. We come from different
countries backgrounds, cultures -
from all over the World. But
collaborating together on this
album's songs and release we are
hoping to be women’s empowering
voice, that will be given to those who
aren't have opportunity to speak.
What’s our goal?
By making this album we want to
raise awareness about women’s
most pressing problems and at the
same time empower those who
suffer 46from
them. Through the songs
we want to give a voice to those who
don’t have the opportunity to speak
for themselves. By releasing and
promoting our songs we hope to
reach a massive female audience
but also male listeners, because we
believe that actual change is
possible only through an open and
peaceful dialog between the
genders. We also want to reach
decision makers in governments,
NGOs with similar goals to ours as
well as media and private companies
who can make a real change.
Moreover, we would love to give our
direct support to a few residential
homes for female victims of all sorts
of gender based oppressions,
funding music therapy for them and
giving singing and song writing
sessions. For more information
and to support our project please
go on:
www.soundslikewomen.com

47

Spirituality
What’s Holding
You Back
And Ideas That
Can Propel You
Forward
Whether you think you
can, or you think you
can't; you're right
Put Fear in Your Pocket
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is
acting despite fear.
The bad news is that fear is not going anywhere.
The more you try to ignore it or pretend you
are not afraid (which sometimes happens via
rationalising things), the more power it will
have over you.
The good news is that you can embrace your
fear. I say take your fear with you. Acknowledge
the feeling, say ‘thanks for the warning’ and
then put fear in your pocket and go do it.
Ask for the raise, promotion, opportunity or
meeting. Get clarification in your performance
review to make sure you have a roadmap on
how to succeed.
When? Now.
Because there is no tomorrow—I mean that
in the most positive sense—you get to choose
how you take it today. Instead of thinking that I
am announcing the end of the world, think that
I am telling you to seize the day and not leave
for tomorrow what you can do and say today.
Now is all we have. You can’t do something
yesterday because it already happened. You
can’t do something tomorrow. You can only
think about it and—worse—worry about
48

it. Worrying is having a physical reaction to
something that is not happening. Worrying
doesn’t change the future, but it can certainly
ruin your now.
How you feel right now is important. It defines
how you show up at home, in the office, to
your manager and employees. Again, you have
a choice here. What do you want to focus on
NOW? I say find things right now in your life
that you love and that you are thankful for. You
will develop much better relationships at work
and in life.
Forrest Gump has been right all
along.
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know
what you’re gonna get." I like to say: life comes
in assorted packs. “The only certainty is that
nothing is certain,” said the ancient author and
natural philosopher, Pliny the Elder. There are
no guarantees, let alone extended warranties.
So, what do you do? The best you can. Always.
You try, and if it doesn’t work, you try something
else.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
We are beyond creative and are experts in film
editing. We edit out parts of what happened.
We have certain memories on a constant replay
in our heads. We can forget events completely,
and we can be triggered to remember things
that never happened.
And we are well-oiled and well-meaning
machines! Something happens, and we
associate a story with it without even realising
it. Here is a simple example: You don’t receive
the call you are expecting. You assume the
person doesn’t value you or your time. That
is the tip of the iceberg! Who hasn’t been
caught thinking, “He doesn’t care,” “She knew
this would upset me and she did it anyway,”
“They are doing this to test me,” or “My opinion
is not important because no one bothered to
ask,”? We also do it with ourselves: “I am not
good with math,” or “I don’t like rejection, so I
don’t ask for what I want.” And the list goes on.
It creates self-imposed ‘limiting beliefs.’
If only we used our powers for good and
assigned positive meanings to what happens.
To do that, we need to really mean it. We need
to consciously ‘re-think’ the stories—change
the narrative that often holds us back. Instead,
think and say things like, “I am proud of myself
for even daring to try,” or “I know that I can
master anything.”
I think Henry Ford was dead-on when he said,
“Whether you think you can, or you think you
can't; you're right.”
Make Yourself Useful
Luck is not a strategy. Luck is icing on the cake.
Take steps every day to be useful to others
and to the world. Have the mindset to be of
service, and you will be. Here are ways to do
that: Offer to help. Wash the few dishes in the
sink (yes, even if you didn’t leave them there).
Call people you love and say hello. Send the
‘thank you’ notes. Donate items you don’t need
anymore. Mow the neighbour’s lawn. Give a
heartfelt compliment or offer your seat on the
bus. At work: Say “hi” to people. Smile. Bring
pastries every now and then. Volunteer to
help with new initiatives or make the next pot
of coffee.
Be Your Own “Sponsor”
Let people know what you do—what is
accomplished and the difference it makes. No,
I am not suggesting you brag. I am suggesting
you give “status reports.” This will come easier
to the extroverts, I understand. If you are
on the shy side and don’t feel comfortable
announcing to everyone what you did, then
have one-on-one with the people that need to
know. Lean into the discomfort, “Fake it until
you make it.” At first it is a huge effort, and
eventually it becomes natural.
Pick any of these to get started and see how it
snowballs. You will start increasing your impact
anywhere you go.
49

Business
Stylise to
Monetise
Your Life and Business
How to increase your power, productivity and profitability
through your appearance
50

You are your brand. You’re a walking, talking
advertisement for yourself (it’s kind of like
being a business card on two legs!). Like it
or not, what’s on the outside does make
an impression. Whether you are working
on branding yourself as a coach, speaker,
business owner, real estate investor, etc, if you
want people to believe in you and your brand,
then the outside has to match the inside.
Here’s the good news: You totally have the
ability to change people’s perception based on
what you wear and how you present yourself.
My name is Alexandra Stark, Personal Image
& Branding Authority, international speaker
and founder of *Style Me Like A Star* based
in Düsseldorf, Germany. I consider myself
an agent of change who gives individuals
and business professionals techniques
and strategies for taking charge of their
appearance. I empower my customers to
significantly enhance their brand so that they
are able to boost their power, productivity, and
profits.
The role of a profession image
While spending many years observing people’s
career paths, I have witnessed how important
the role of a professional image is in setting
a person apart from the competition. I’ve
learned it’s better to craft the way others are
going to perceive you, rather than to sit back
and hope it’s going to happen on its own.
I have also learned over the years that the way
we choose to present ourselves affects the
way we THINK, the way we FEEL, the way we
ACT, and only then the others REACT.
Fact is: If you are not conscious about what
you are communicating nonverbally through
your appearance, you will fail to sell yourself
and therefore miss opportunities and lose
money. No style? No biz!
Impressions count
My friend Philipp recently told me a story
about the time years ago when he was
selected by his university professor to attend
a business event with very important people.
He ended up meeting his future boss at this
event. It turns out his professor had been
tasked with sending one of his best students
to the event. And while the professor had
five students with equal ambition and skillset,
John stood out because of his manners and
his way of dressing. His appearance gave him
the advantage over the others to attend this
event, make an impression on the CEO of a
huge company, and land his dream job. John
is just one example of the doors that can open
if you take advantage of creating a powerful
presence that impresses.
When i'm working on a personal image
transformation with my clients, I help them
identify what they want to be known for.
In my Style Me Like A Star program, I lead
them through a step-by-step transformation
that usually starts with a full makeover. Why
start here? Because it's the easiest and most
powerful way to send a message to the world -
through your visual appearance.
Nothing
contributes
to success
faster than
self-presentation!
Part of my Style Me Like A Star program
includes working on the inner game of mindset
and motivation because in the long term it's
your mindset and your confidence level that
gets you to crush it in your life and business.
As part of my work, I’m always interviewing
successful entrepreneurs and celebrities
about image, brand, and business success. In
March, I had the great opportunity to interview
Randy Zuckerberg, Marketing and Branding
51

Business
genius of Facebook, serial entrepreneur and
owner of Zuckerberg Media. She told me
“You must focus on selling the best version
of yourself” and “How you present yourself is
really important". She also said, “We are all in
sales, all the time, whether you think you are
or not. Any time that you are pitching for a
partnership, for investment, trying to recruit
great people to work with you, you're selling.”
Randy confirmed what I’ve always known – that
nothing contributes to success faster than selfpresentation!
Therefore, it should be your top
priority.
Not sure what you’re selling? It’s yourself. And
you don’t have to be Oprah to think of yourself
in this way. The most successful entrepreneurs
and business owners do create and, in fact,
become brands. Their brands are based on
the experience they promise and the values
they live by and share. What are the values that
YOU live and that YOU want the world to see?
It is also crucial to differentiate yourself to
stand out from the crowd. Be remarkable
and extraordinary to grab attention and get
noticed.
Tip #1: Have A Signature Style
We all know that we need a USP – Unique
Selling Proposition - in business. When it
comes to appearance and image, you need a
Unique Styling Proposition, a.k.a. a signature
style that is YOUnique.
Signatures don’t work for everyone, so don’t
feel limited. Celebrities often have a signature
style, only to change it again and again for the
next movie role or album release. A signature
is memorable and can be almost anything - for
example, a red lipstick, unique hats, patterned
scarves or ties, high heels, vintage jewellery.
Whatever you choose, DO think it through and
what it will say about you.
Tip #2: Use Colour To Convey A
Message
Colour can be quite powerful when it comes
to how you’re perceived. Too much colour can
be overwhelming while the wrong colour won’t
support you. Colours also convey emotions.
Bright colours and big prints work for a brand
that’s cheerful, while black and white suit a
more chic, upscale style and blue comes across
as serene and intuitive. Take a look at logos
and colours, you’ll see that similar businesses
use the same colours. That’s not an accident
as colour speaks loudly.
I empower my
customers to
significantly enhance
their brand
Tip#3: Be True To You
Last but not least, it’s all about authenticity. It’s
about taking the great things about you - your
personality, values, brand message and your
whole true self – and expressing them through
your appearance. The brand is you, so own it!
It's never too late to become who you want to
be if you are willing to put in the work. So, I
encourage you to see Style as a Business Tool
to achieve your goals and to dare to be the
best dressed person in the room!
52

How Emotionally
TOUGH Are You?
How do you react when you miss your train? Or
lose your Ray Bans? Or are facing bankruptcy?
Do you immediately get angry? Like: “Life, can
you give me a freaking break?!?!” Or do you feel
sad, like: “What a loser, you can’t even catch the
right train!” Or do you have suicidal thoughts?
How easily do you lose your peace and joy?
That’s the best way to know how emotionally
tough you are. Or are not. Becoming sad and
self-pitying reveals that you are operating
under a victim mentality: “the world is out
to get me and I can’t even manage the most
53

Mindset & Emotion
simple things. Poor me… ” Turning to anger is
an indication that you feel entitled: “the world/
God/the universe owes me and that bastard’s
not delivering…! Arghhh!”
Both of these emotions - or attitudes - make
our situations worse and rob us of our capacity
to solve problems.
Emotions are necessary
Emotional strength does not mean that
we have no emotions. Definitely not. In
fact, individuals who are afraid to face their
own emotions escape into a fantasy reality
by becoming addicted to drugs, alcohol,
entertainment, food, work, sleep… anything to
numb their feelings and take their minds away
from the unpleasant reality they feel incapable
of handling.
In other words, emotions are a necessary part
of life. You could call them the entertainment of
life! Too much entertainment, however, leads
to chaos! When we find that our emotions are
too easily triggered, we end up in an emotional
roller coaster - shifting quickly between
emotions all triggered by outer events, many
of them outside of our control. One minute
we are ecstatic because our team won the
football match; the next minute we feel like
sh*t because we spilled some milk on the
floor. These ups and downs rob us of energy,
life, and opportunities.
So, what does emotional
strength look like?
Being emotionally strong means that we are
neither dominated by our emotions nor afraid
of them. Instead, we are emotionally strong
when we are fully aware of our emotions and
can decide when and where to release them
and in what proportion.
For instance, we might let out a sigh of
frustration upon missing our train, but do
not let it go further than that and can quickly
shift into a problem-solving attitude. However,
when confronted with the death of a loved one,
the demise of our marriage or our childhood
traumas, we allow ourselves the necessary
time and intensity to mourn our loss - without
any shame. On the contrary, we dare to show
our vulnerability.
Accept life isn’t perfect
In practice, we can build our emotional
strength through a three-step process. I invite
you to do this exercise with me right now: think
of a difficult situation you are facing in your life.
Now go through these steps with me:
Firstly, shift into an attitude/emotion of
acceptance. Accept with all your heart that life
is not perfect and that we will all face challenges
in our lives. All of us. You are not a victim, you
are not the only one facing difficulties, you
didn’t get the worst lot in life. You are just a
normal human being.
Acceptance requires humility and the
acknowledgement that we are not gods and
thus not entirely responsible for everything in
life. We create our realities to some extent, but
not 100%. Do not try to look for who’s guilty…
or why it had to happen… or how it could have
been avoided… or what you or anyone else
could have done differently.
Just accept. Say out loud: “this is how things
are right now. I accept that _________________
(e.g. my daughter is sick/my husband died/
my business is not going well/I’m bankrupt/I
missed my train/I’m getting divorced.) I accept
it and make peace wholeheartedly with life/
God/the universe.”
If you have accepted the situation exactly as
it is, you will feel the peace that comes with
acceptance. It is a beautiful feeling indeed.
Peace is all we ever want anyways.
Don’t waste energy on useless
activities
Secondly, shift into an attitude/emotion of
problem-solving. Once there is acceptance,
there is no longer the need to fight or deny the
situation. Your energy is not wasted on those
useless activities. Instead, ask yourself what it
is that you could start doing right away to turn
54

this situation into a blessing. In which area is
this situation asking you to grow? How would
you need to change to be able to solve this
problem? What would you need to believe to
see this as an opportunity? How is this a gift to
you? How could this be a win-win?
Shift into action
Thirdly, shift into an attitude/emotion of action.
Once you have determined a possible solution,
move into action. Thought without action
leads to confusion. Work out a rough action
plan - you can refine it and revise it as you go
along. Do a to-do list. Determine what is the
first action step that you need to take and do
it immediately. In other words, get going right
away before your mind high-jacks you!
If you need help in developing your emotional
strength, work with a coach. Being emotionally
tough will save you so much suffering. Imagine
all the sadness and anger that we put our loving
souls through each day, many times a day - and
most of the time, totally unnecessarily! Decide
to walk a different path from now on. Decide to
take hold of your emotions, before they take a
hold of you!
Learn the truth about emotions: they are
totally malleable. They are clay in a potter’s
hands…and you are the potter! Yes, you can
become emotionally tough and find the elusive
happiness that we all seek. It’s always been
there.
Acceptance requires
humility and the
acknowledgement
that we are not gods
Barbara Roux-Levrat, is Europe's #1 expert in teaching women who are
“too nice” how to become kick-ass! She has been educated in the US, the UK
and Switzerland. She is the President of the Geneva Coaching Support Group
for Noble Manhattan. You may reach her at barbara@emotional-strength.
com 55

Travel Fit Stories
Journey to
Machu Picchu:
Finding My Way Back Home
The Three Powerful Keys to Claiming Your Freedom and Lead a Divine Rich Life
Moni Rodriguez
56

In the first of our new series, Travel Fit Stories, we
hear from Moni Rodriguez, taking the Inca Trail
and celebrating the changes in her life
I believe life is an adventure worth living. I have
always felt that unless we truly live life with
a sense of constant joy and awe, we are not
truly alive. Last July I went to one of the most
amazing places in the world. My first time in
Peru was a true discovery of colours, kind
spirits, delicious food and magic. Deciding
to do the Inca Trail was a very easy decision
despite some people warning me that it’s
not a walk in the park. I have always dreamt
of being able to visit Machu Picchu and when
my mentor mentioned the Adventure Club he
was putting together I got truly excited. But the
real journey started way earlier. For the last
year and a half, I have experienced significant
changes in my life at all levels.
The main big changes were the ending of a
long-term relationship and quitting corporate
life, which had not been fulfilling my goal of
following my passion. A month later, I was
launching my new career, as an author and
international speaker. I was also continuing to
mentor and support women to take back their
power and live a life of choice, not chores.
My trip to South America felt like the
culmination and celebration of all the shifts
and changes I had made to embark on my
true purpose in this world. I realised that I had
to realign many things with who I truly am. My
soul was screaming to be expressed in this
world and I decided to listen to it. I have always
followed my heart so this time the call was
huge and I had to surrender.
One of the major internal shifts I experienced
was the idea I had about love. In the past,
I had been unconsciously looking for the
perfect hero who would come and rescue me
from my inner wounds, I had been addicted
to the romantic sense of love. Deep down I
had felt I wasn’t strong enough to overcome
my shadows on my own. Now I have come
to realise, everything I need has always been
inside me. I needed to find my way back home,
re-discover myself and reconnect with my true
passions and values in life.
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Travel Fit Stories
I believe that change only happens if we are
ready to commit to ourselves and leave behind
old stories and beliefs. Without a change in
mindset, nothing really changes. Without truly
following your truth and the voice of your
heart, nothing really feels aligned with your
true purpose on this planet. My trip to Machu
Picchu felt like an external representation of
the inner journey I was taking.
Here are the three main keys that might inspire
you to reconnect with some aspects of your
journey, so you too can claim your freedom
and lead a divine and rich life.
Key Number One: Pain is
Temporary
When I was on my trip there were times where
the physical strength required was great and
I would need to stop until I could recover
the energy needed to continue. After hours
and hours of hiking all the way up to reach
the Dead Woman's Pass, I finally made it to
the top. Suddenly all the pain was gone, and
I could only think about the beautiful views. I
feel we experience painful situations to help
us move to a much more beautiful place in
our life and this experience really showed me
that pain is there to teach a lesson of resilience
and strength, not to make us suffer. If we slow
down and allow the experience to happen in
an accepting way, everything transforms.
able to manage it. My previous experience had
shown me I was stronger than I had realised.
Fear will try and limit us, dictate what we can or
can’t achieve. When we decide to try something
which scares us, we should remember past
experiences which showed us how strong we
are. We should set goals to challenge our own
beliefs of what’s truly possible for us.
Key Number Three: It’s All About
The Journey
Too often, we focus on reaching our final
destination, rather than experiencing the
present. We need to learn to enjoy every
moment, every single step, take in all the details.
I believe life is about learning to embrace every
situation which arises. During the Inca Trail we
had rain, sunshine and wind. Life too has ups
and downs during our journey through it. The
key to freedom is to be able to see the pain
and the joy we experience in life as part of the
same thing. Without the contrast of the rain we
wouldn’t appreciate the sunshine. This applies
to any situation in life when we need to learn
to let go and allow things to flow.
I hope you walk your journey with courage,
joy and passion. I wish you to open the door
to possibilities. I am sure you will walk this
journey enjoying more and stressing less by
remembering these three powerful keys. Life
is short. Make it memorable. Enjoy it!
Key Number Two: You Can
Climb Mountains
Sometimes in life, we feel we can’t achieve
something. My first trek had been in the
Himalayas, it showed me I could do anything
I put my mind to. Not only did I overcome my
fear of heights, I became passionate about
hiking in nature. When I decided to do the Inca
Trail, it never occurred to me, I wouldn’t be
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Moni Rodriguez Multi-Award Winning, #1 International Best-
Selling Author, Speaker and Women's Leadership Mentor, Moni helps
professional women transform stress and overwhelm into a life and
business full of peace, passion and joy. Moni contributes to raising
awareness of increasing the presence of feminine values in the world.
http://www.monirodriguez.com/