“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”

— Carlos Santana

Dear Positivity Friends,

Are you ready for your latest dose of positivity? While curating stories for this #Postivity® edition, I have been amazed by how much good is going on all around us. That’s why I am so excited to share stories of people doing remarkable things and demonstrating what being a positive force is all about. 

For the last two years, our #Positivity® community has brought me so much joy. It’s great knowing that in these difficult and polarizing times that we can together focus on the positive and what we have in common. Being intentional about #Positivity has also made me think about staying motivated and finding purpose in life each day. What’s my secret to building happiness and success daily? I am sharing my top tips in my column. So, let’s keep being positive and motivate each other to see the glass half full!

As always, I hope that you are enjoying my newsletter. If you missed an edition, our last newsletter can be found on my website. Please do share and encourage your family and friends to sign up! 

With hope and positivity,

Food Forward, a Los Angeles-based non-profit, is helping to recover perishing produce and redistribute to communities in need of more fresh fruits and veggies. Due to inflation and COVID-19, the ability of rural or food-desert-based communities to buy fresh produce has been disrupted. Since 2009, the non-profit has redirected 250 million pounds of food from landfills and delivered over a billion servings of fresh produce to food insecure communities. The organization has mastered the logistical challenge of rerouting produce destined for landfills to communities in need. Currently, Southern California is the largest exporter and importer of produce in the country. Therefore, Fast Forward is well-position to help communities in need. Thus far, they have recovered and distributed fresh fruits and vegetables across Los Angeles, 11 more Californian counties, and six adjacent states and tribal lands. From its refrigerated food distribution center in south east LA, the group works with 350 direct partners coordinating food donations.

For the past six years, students and teachers at Scotts Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield have undertaken a unique project. As part of their curriculum, students are raising guide dog puppies for a non-profit organization, Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The puppies, which are being trained for visually impaired owners, are bringing so much joy to the classroom and helping everyone stay happy. Students are greeted each morning by the dogs at the main entrance of the school. The pups then travel to different classrooms throughout the school building. There are two dogs in the sixth-grade classes each day, in addition to two dogs who remain in the office for any student in need of comfort. Beyond keeping everyone calm, the puppies are teaching the children responsibility and providing them with comfort and companionship throughout the day. According to the teachers, the dogs have really helped change some shy and even disobedient students, who have a hard time leaving home or staying in class.

In the past decade, a growing number of deaf-owned and -operated restaurants, cafes, and food trucks have emerged everywhere from Austin, Texas to Paris, France. While most are independent ventures, there is a growing trend among many deaf people to forge a stronger sense of community by establishing and patronizing deaf-owned businesses. Co-owner of Mozzeria, Melody Stein and her husband Russ, who is also deaf, opened a pizzeria with locations in Washington D.C. and San Francisco. Born into a family of restauranteurs, her motivation is to create a safe communal space for fellow deaf patrons. Melody views Mozzeria as an example of how marginalized groups can establish economic power in a world where they’re often excluded from mainstream activities. One of the ways deaf-owned businesses fulfill this aim is by creating employment opportunities for the hard of hearing, who often face challenges finding work. It has also helped the deaf community worldwide to enter food service — an industry that once seemed inaccessible to many.

How do you get your children to love music? On our upcoming podcast, professional musicians and music teachers, Ana Nikolic and Filip Pogady, share practical tips on how to encourage your kids to get excited about music education. And, why it’s never too late to learn an instrument yourself, and how music brings us all together.

‣ Poker is not just a card game. According to Alec Torelli, a championship poker player and coach, it is a metaphor for life. Tune in to the latest Common Denominator podcast to hear him explain how poker provides perspective on the essential life skills we all can learn from playing the game.

‣ The secret to any company’s success is its employees. Renowned entrepreneur and CEO of three companies, Kerry Siggins will discuss why it’s so important to build an employee-centric culture at your company and how she makes employee happiness the focal point of her business model.

Available on your favorite podcast app and YouTube

Spreading #Positivity®

Thank you, readers, for sending us your photos with your comments. We are so excited that you are helping spread a positive message everywhere you go! Let’s keep spreading #Positivity® together! Send us your photos and we will feature them in the next newsletter and on Facebook.

For all the latest developments, don’t forget to follow us on social media!

With a busy work schedule and a bustling household, how do I stay positive and energized? What helps me get out of bed every morning? Everybody needs a dose of inspiration and motivation once in a while. For me, it’s simple. I follow a few daily mottos that keep me grounded and focused. 

Before I share those motivations, it is important to note that a positive frame of mind has always helped me approach each day with an open-mind. I have always had the perspective of viewing challenges as opportunities, which has helped shape my experiences tremendously. With that background, here are my top four motivations:

Motivation #1: The recognition that you live once.

It is a popular expression now and one that I truly believe has helped me to live life to the fullest. Because you only have one life to live, it shapes the opportunities that you seek and the risks that you take. I always encourage my family and friends to seize the promise of every day and to pursue their dreams with the idea to make every day count. That’s why I look at every day as a chance to learn something new and grow as a person.

Motivation #2: The pain of regret is a powerful motivator.

On an episode of The Quote of The Day Show, Les Brown said “pain is life. It’s everywhere. And it’s the pain of regret that can be the most unpleasant of them all.” A great quote by Les Brown that is vital to bear in mind always. We can escape the pain of regret by being courageous, overcoming our fears, and taking leaps of faith to create a fulfilling life. Don’t live any day with regrets. I always stay focused on leading a happy and healthy life. 

Motivation #3: I have seen the other side and I don’t ever want to go back.

All of our journeys are unique. Mine is not unlike many entrepreneurs who struggled to start their businesses and worked very hard to gain success. The memories of many hours and hardships keeps me grounded. Success does not come easily and often involves hard work and sacrifice. 

Motivation #4: People are relying on me!

I have a responsibility to my family and my employees at my company. The trust that everyone has placed on me is an incredible motivator to show up every day. I am who I am because of my wonderful family and a great organization of employees who fuel my success. 

Everyone’s motivations are different. Perhaps you have family advice handed down by generations that you follow? Or maybe you have learned along the way? Whatever is the case, it is always good to find some inspiration. Hope my mottos help you lead a positive and productive life daily!

#Positivity®