In This Issue: Just Think,Real Talk,Marketing Buzz...
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JUST THINK 95: "DOES MY BEHAVIOR REFLECT WHAT I THINK GOD IS?"
by Shelli Tinae
twitter.com/ShelliTinae
theMindofShelliTinae.blogspot.com
Over the weekend I attended the 21st Century Woman's Conference and the Keys to Thrive in the 21st Century Conference, presented by Dr. Jewel Pookrum. For those of you unfamiliar with her, she is a surgeon who specializes in brain activity and functioning and makes outstanding connections with the brain and spirituality.
During her lecture she asked the audience to ponder on this question: "Does my behavior reflect what I think God is?"
Wow! This was a very mind stimulating question because although I know I am PERFECT, sometimes I feel that I express less than my perfection would allow. My behavior, which includes my actions towards myself, others and the earth – doesn’t always show how divine of a being I truly am. Sometimes the negative distractions of doubt, fear, anger or sadness are precursors to negative behavior.
Often, we don't even know we're in that negative field until after the behavior has been played out. The way to be a positive reflection of God is to always stay present in the moment and feel from within our connection to God. This awareness will allow us to extend behavior that is compassionate, loving and nonjudgmental. This is also an extension of our character which we have the ability to upgrade. This is not about being phony, but it is about doing the mental work to be reflections of our divine creator.
What do I think God (The One) is?
I think God is the infinite creator of the universe and all energy and life forms in the universe. We are created in the image (imagination/mind) of God so therefore we are extensions and living expressions of God.
The Law of Mentalism
This also means that we have no limitations - except for the one's we create in our negatively programmed minds. You can live out your mental limitations or you can live out the advantages you have for just being a creation of God. As you live and breathe in the mind of God - you also have access to all the wisdom produced in its divine mind. The law of mentalism states, "The all is mind; the universe is mental." If we exercise the power of our minds, a reflective behavior of God will surely follow.
Now this isn't to say that we will all end up having the same behaviors because, after all, we are individual fragments of the creator so our journey to experience The One Creator are rightfully individual and unique. Allow your inner light to shine and BE the reflection of God that you know exists. Allowing our behavior to be a reflection of God is not far-fetched if we let the mental work prelude our actions.
REAL TALK:"BRANDON MARSHALL’S MENTAL HEALTH BATTLE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BLACK AMERICA"
by Cedric Shine
twitter.com/NativeNotes
NativeNotes.net
Brandon Marshall, star wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins recently revealed in a press conference that he suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. According to the National Institute of Health, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be described as “an illness that causes “pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image and behavior.” Marshall, no stranger to the media with tales of domestic abuse and driving under the influence; last week decided to go public with his disorder in order to raise awareness about the disorder and eventually plans to lobby Congress for funding to assist research efforts. Though BPD is less known than Schizophrenia or Bi-Polar Disorder, it affects over 6 million Americans.
Marshall stated during the press conference,
“Right now, today, I am vulnerable. I am making myself vulnerable. And I want it to be clear that this is the opposite of damage control. The only reason why I’m standing here today is to use my story to help others who may suffer from what I suffer from.”
Marshall has allowed himself to be vulnerable to ridicule from his peers that he’s not a man, not strong enough to carry the weight of his own problems. Everyday citizens sometimes lack sympathy for big shot athletes and entertainers because they wonder how they can complain when they have the world handed to them. However countless stories from Princess Diana to Michael Jackson remind us that just because someone is rich and famous that doesn’t mean they’re happy.
One of the reasons why this story is so remarkable is because often in the black community especially amongst black males mental health is not discussed therefore not treated. Though the causes are not fully understood, it’s believed that BPD may result from a combination of traumatic and stressful events during maturation from childhood to adulthood. After reading some of the causes of BPD how can anyone be surprised that young black males are affected by this disorder?
Many Americans who suffer from BPD struggled with abandonment issues in their childhood. Black America is facing record numbers of young black men being raised in single parent homes and their sense of abandonment is alive and well. When children can’t understand why their parents are not together often the children blame themselves and many struggle with that emptiness well into their adulthood. For example, Hip-Hop Mogul, Jay-Z suffered with feelings of abandonment up until his mid-thirties stemming from emotional issues he faced after his father left the family at age 12.
One symptom of BPD is that the person affected will have a negative self-image, no matter how successful they are. When a young black man grows up in a society that criminalizes him from birth and builds prisons based on his 4th grade literacy level it’s not alien that he would view himself in a negative light. Brandon Marshall also stated, “”For so long, I’ve been just trying to get help.” Marshall should be commended for actively seeking help but just think of the young men of color who don’t have the resources that Brandon Marshall has at his disposal.
The negative stigma surrounding mental health in the black community has to cease. Too many young men are battling depression, BPD, bi-polar disorder and the list goes on but they’re afraid to seek help for fear of being viewed as weak. These types of disorders untreated harm not only the individual affected but also their family and friends. Brandon Marshall should be applauded for having the courage to make himself “vulnerable” so that others can find the strength to do the same and seek help.
MARKETING BUZZ:"DON'T OVERLOOK CUSTOMER SERVICE BASICS"
excerpt from Businessweek by"> Karen E. Klein
Some key points from article focusing on customer service:
To compete with Web retailers, Micah Solomon recommends that small storefronts focus on first impressions, prepare scripts, and fulfill orders quickly
The liberal return policies and fast shipping that define Internet marketplaces have made customer service offered by many retailers better than ever, whether they operate brick-and-mortar storefronts or online sites, says Micah Solomon, co-author of Exceptional Service, Exceptional Profit. The problem, he argues, is that most individuals don't feel better about the service they receive—because of rising expectations, and because many smaller businesses don't do a good job keeping up with their larger counterparts. Solomon's tips for small business owners seeking to improve customer service:
1. Emphasize hellos and goodbyes. Ever wonder why hotels and resorts pay so much attention to the customer entrance experience? Solomon says it's because psychological studies show that people retain the strongest impressions of first and last encounters.
2. Train greeters. Have a friendly employee stationed near your door who has a great smile and is not overly aggressive. "You want someone who can figure out what the customer needs but doesn't give off the feeling they're checking for shoplifters," Solomon says.
3. Speed order fulfillment. The length of time customers expect to wait for orders has changed dramatically. "It's not even that you and I expect it faster than our parents did; we expect it faster than we did last year," Solomon says.
4. Hire selectively. It's nearly impossible to teach employees to have a genuine smile or a natural affinity for people. That's why you must hire optimistic, warm, and conscientious people, Solomon says.
5. Get the language right. Even a nice person can unwittingly use words that make customers uncomfortable or insult them. "An employee may want to tell a customer, 'You owe $100.' But it's better to say, 'Our records seem to show you have a $100 balance,'" says Solomon. "That gives everyone a chance to save face,."
6. Develop a system to make each customer feel that employees care. An area where small businesses can shine is in relationships. Encourage employees to get to know regular customers and greet them personally, if possible. "The problem is," he says, "when a company gets even a couple branches bigger, [it loses] that personal touch."
see full article here
HISTORY LESSON:"JANET EMERSON BASHEN"
Janet Emerson Bashen is an American inventor, entrepreneur, and business consultant. In January 2006, She became the first African American female to hold a patent for a software invention and was inducted into the Black Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007. The patented software, LinkLine, is a web-based application for EEO claims intake and tracking, claims management, document management and numerous reports.
Bashen is the founder and President of Bashen Corporation, a human resources consulting firm with a market niche in EEO compliance.
For more info visit The Diversity Advisory
EVENT RECAP:"LANCE ELAM PHOTOSHOOT"
By The Fabian photography
twitter.com/theFabe
www.TheFabian.com
See all the photos here
View his behind scenes video and interview from Christ James here
UPCOMING EVENTS
OneMusicFest: Sat Aug 27th @ Park Tavern/Peidmont Park.
Tix @ OneMusicFest.com
Miller Lite Concludes Their Exclusive Rooftop Brand Experiential Series
Wed, Aug 31 5:00pm - 9:00pm
The Reserve, 464 Edgewood Avenue Atlanta, GA 30312
RSVPs are granted through the MillerCoors system (http:://millerliterooftopseries.eventbrite.com)
Brand Ambassador & Model Resumes Accepted at www.ThinkGroupMedia.com
Don't Waste Ink...Think
Keep Haiti In Your Hearts"
sincerely,Think Group Media, Inc.
