The four directions

 

Last Monday, I along with 5 others, engaged in a unique reflective exercise called The Four Directions Sculpture. I learned of this activity at the Authentic Leadership in Action program through the Shamballah Institute back in 2008. It was taught to us by the ever-enlightening Otto Scharmer. I found great success with it later that year when working with the Organic Food Council of Manitoba on a strategic plan toward financial sustainability.

The activity has you “sculpt” your current situation using objects and then view your “sculpture” from the four directions – at which point, you are asked a series of questions to stimulate reflection. The whole point is that you eventually change your “sculpture” to reflect your new found discoveries – and model your emerging future. Every time I use this tool – either personally or professionally – the results are profound. Interestingly enough, many participants tend to be very skeptical when engaging in this. Before they begin, they can’t see the value in it. But because it is so concrete, it can surface some amazing revelations.

Want to know more? Get in touch.

Become a world changing entrepreneur

The Women’s Entreprise Centre of Manitoba is kicking off 2010 with an exciting series of seminars for women business owners as they build and develop their enterprises. Why is it so exciting you may ask? Well because iNSPiRED PRACTiCE will be part of this great line-up! I will be delivering an INTERACTIVE and ENGAGING seminar called Change the World at Work. You probably know all about it right? Because you’re so cool. But just in case, here’s a little refresher:

Through scenarios and basic strategies, Change the World at Work assists business owners in integrating sustainability into their day-to-day decision-making, operations, professional practices and workplace culture.

The meaning behind Change the World at Work is two-fold. It represents the notion that a shift must occur as much inside of our workplaces as outside of them. We can build resilience and long-term sustainability in our sectors – especially as entrepreneurs - by changing the way we do business during the hours of 9 to 5.   The concept also expresses a growing desire by many entering the new world of work to see their personal values reflected in their workplace. 

I am a business owner and when I began, I knew I needed to break free from traditional business models if I really wanted to see long-term success. (It’s not 1999 anymore folks and staying power in the market is no longer determined by bottom line alone.) Equally important was my desire to grow a business that met my standards of social responsibility, accountability and corporate citizenship. And trust me, I have HIGH standards.

For iNSPiRED PRACTiCE, we designed a win-win-win business model. We call it our triple triumph model. It is important to us and our clients that we “walk the talk”. This means demonstrating not only the feasibility but viability of a business that:

• Contributes positively to the social fabric of our communities;
• Protects the integrity of our natural environment; and,
• Generates meaningful opportunities to support our economy.

Want to learn more? Then sign yourself up, my friends. Click here to register.

31 Days of Boldness, Genius + Magic

Welcome 2010! We’re back! iNSPiRED PRACTiCE is up and running again. The year has started beautifully. It’s all about beginning it now. And right now life is FULL. We have been travelling… trying… coordinating… creating… connecting… dreaming… dancing… sledding… sliding… savouring and more.

You may notice that our iP blackboard looks a little different in 2010. In fact, it isn’t a blackboard at all. We’re lightening things up this year and that calls for a different format and a whiteboard to boot.

The New Year started off with me taking the big LEAP. On January 1st, my fiancé of 2-and-a-half years and I tied the knot in la belle province at Le Chateau Frontenac (Quebec City). It was a MAGICAL way to start 2010. We went dog sledding in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier and even tobogganed in our wedding duds for a little rush of adrenaline and FUN.

This month is full of adventure and movement. Boldness and hope.

Genius and rebirth. Magic and joie de vivre.

What a great print from Stella Girl to encourage wonder and beauty in the night time. Good sleep = more energy. And that is exactly what January calls for. Yoga, bellydancing, running and zumba are keeping me on my toes. It seems I along with others have a real desire to take fitness to the next level with the Easy Tone Go Outside footwear. Can’t wait to get my hands on a pair…

Like everyone else I have made a list of key resolutions for 2010 and chosen my word of the year: LEAP. January is one of those months for “starting” and “finishing”. That extends into the work I am doing through iNSPiRED PRACTiCE. There are some exciting developments coming in February to announce shortly and April will bring a unique REBIRTH for us on the dawn of our 3rd birthday.

Begin it now. These are the words guiding our work at iNSPiRED PRACTiCE. As a company, trail blazer and innovator, we endeavour to build a better world. A huge part of that commitment is working to inspire others. We do nothing alone in this world. Nothing in isolation. MyLifeList.org is a brilliant site that marries our ability to dream big with an empowering online community which results in the ultimate goal achievement. What are your life goals? How will you make them happen? 

I am ever grateful that I have the opportunity to be who I am: an eco entrepreneur and world change maker. Now more than ever, we are all change agents able to support Haiti relief efforts. My contribution, although small, can make a difference. I am hopeful for the Haitians in the face of this tragedy. More than that, I am committed to the rebirth of their country. There are numerous ways you can help. Remember: If you make a donation by February 12, the Canadian government will match it.

Get inspired and change the world.

From me to you…

Got time? We need you.

Got time? VOLUNTEER for the Roncesvalles Village 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive!

DEAR friends,

As some of you may know, December 2008 marked my first holiday season in a new neighbourhood – Roncesvalles Village. My fiancé, Mike and I wanted to do something meaningful for our community and connect with our fellow neighbours. So we approached residents of Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village with a humble request to help us spread joy and hope to those in need. We invited approximately 1000 households to join in our mission to share the generosity of the holiday season through a food drive. The response was impressive – 2,000lbs worth of non-perishable food items made its way from Roncesvalles Village doorsteps to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

In 2009, 800,000 people relied on food banks in Toronto – nearly 300,000 of those people were children and 72,000 were first time users. The need is great but we can rise to the challenge.

We are calling out to those friends and neighbours who wish to VOLUNTEER some time to make this 2^nd Annual Holiday Food Drive an even bigger success. Want to join in?

We need volunteers to help us on the following dates/times:

• Friday, December 18 from 6pm to 9pm to go door-to-door to drop off donation bags with our letter of request.
• Sunday, December 20 from 10am to 2pm to pick up full food bags for transfer to Local Fire Hall 426 on Lansdowne Avenue.

Any time you can spare would be greatly appreciated! If you are available and interested in helping out, please contact Kristle at k@inspiredpractice.com by Thursday, December 17. (We will let you know meeting location at that point.)

As a THANK YOU for your time and support, iNSPiRED PRACTiCE (Kristle’s company) will be sponsoring hot coffee and sweet treats for all volunteers.   

Merrily,
Kristle Calisto-Tavares & Mike Foderick
Co-Chairs
Roncesvalles Village Annual Holiday Food Drive

Gifts for the Generations: Gen Yers

Finally, we arrive at Generation Y – my generation. We were born between the years of 1978 and 1991 and are now aged 18 to 31. Some of us are just on the cusp of the X and Y generations and might be more likely to relate as an Xer. But for me, I am Y all the way.

Black Mac ColcaSac (Cost: $33): Got mac? Then your Gen Yer might be interested in protecting this significant tech investment. The ColcaSac is a protective sleeve made of fleece and hemp from the Colca Canyon in Peru.

Glee Vol 1 & 2 (Cost: $12.99 each on iTunes): Who doesn’t love this season’s break out hit GLEE? The show has a great message and the music is phenomenal. Those beautiful voices belong to a seriously talented group of Gen Yers.

Taking IT Global Bamboo Tee (Cost: $35): Taking IT Global is an international youth empowerment organization that uses technology to mobilize young people in building a better world. This inspiring t-shirt is an ideal gift for any socially conscious Gen Yer.

(RED) Converse Chucks (Cost: $50): If you can’t walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, buy your own and make a contribution to many through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Gifts for the Generations: Gen Xers

Today we have a small sampling of gifts for Gen Xers. These folks were latchkey kids (born between 1965 and 1977). They grew up with the Brat Pack (think Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire) and were initially massive consumers of pop culture. Today, Gen Xers are more “balance” focused – family life is as important as work.

Clocky (Cost: $39): This little alarm clock is hilarious and extremely effective. Especially good for Xers trying to balance the demands of full work and kid schedules.

You Are Awesome Prints (Cost: $35): This collection of mini prints with inspiring messages will make any Gen Xer smile.

Moksha Yoga 10 Class Card (Cost: $140): A balanced lifestyle is a key value for this generation. I don’t have any statistics to refer to but I would guess that Generation X represents the largest demographic of yogis and yoginis in North America. For those who like yoga, a class card is perfect.

Splendid Sampler Gift Basket (Cost: $48): Filled with fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate, this gift basket gives a Gen Xer the opportunity to indulge. And like a typical Gen Xer, they won’t need much encouragement!

Intermission

 It’s time to pause for an intermission in our Gifts for the Generations series. We’ll be back to our regular programming tomorrow. Meanwhile…

Here’s a little something new and potentially educational to try during this intermission. The Living Planet City was created by World Wildlife Fund Canada. This is what the creators have to say about it:

The Living Planet City is a virtual city, but real communities in Canada and around the world are already using similar systems. In these communities, citizens are gaining a whole new understanding of energy, and actively engaging in the fight against climate change. They are lowering greenhouse gas emissions and securing a local, renewable energy supply, all while reducing their energy bills and creating good, green jobs. 

So what are your thoughts? Is this idealistic blather or our future reality?

Gifts for the Generations: Boomers

My parents are trailing boomers (born between 1958 and 1964) and I am totally fascinated by them. Boomers represent a massive generation that spans from 1946 to 1964. They are the original trendsetters. They also have an extraordinary work ethic which up until now has dominated everything. If you think your parents are going to soon retire due to their age – basically set up camp in their living room recliners - you are so very wrong. Boomers are reinventing themselves every chance they get.

Brain Age Games (Cost: $20): Last year I had planned to get my parents this game but I wasn’t totally convinced they would use it. (It does require a Nintendo DS to play.) But after a discussion, it sounded like something they wanted to try and on Boxing Day a silver DS and two Brain Age games were bought. Since then, my parents (especially my mom) and this game have been inseparable. She plays the memory testing games and brain workouts almost everyday. It’s a perfect size for travel too.

SportLoop (Cost: $20 ):Ok so this is a tongue-in-cheek gift that is still practical. My parents are now at that age when 20/20 vision turns into that far-sighted experience of “Wait. Where are my glasses? I can’t see.” Reading glasses are a must for most Boomers but now it means one more thing to keep track of. This little SportLoop is a creative solution that doesn’t scream senior citizen. 

Do You Mind? Game (Cost: $25): Many Boomers are beginning to empty-nest (although that may not be the case if they have male Gen Yers  at home – but that’s a whole other discussion). But mostly now they are raising dogs. These are their new “babies”. For hours of fun, get them this game.

Expandable Bathtub Caddy (Cost: $53): Ideal for a mother or mother-in-law. Made from bamboo, a highly renewable resource, this expandable bathtub caddy has a built in wine glass holder and fold away book support.

Plane To See Bag (Cost: $10): Boomers have a growing amount of disposable time and income. As such, they are really taking the tourism industry by storm. These frequent flyers can make perfect use of something so simple as this see-thru toiletries bag. They can prepare well in advance and don’t have to waste another flimsy plastic one supplied by the airport authority. Stuff the bag with some travel sized personal care products from here to complete this gift.

Gifts for the Generations: Veterans

We are all products of our generation. Shaped by our parents – yes – but also the circumstances in which we live. The events that made a mark on the world throughout our development. Since understanding the values and attitudes of the generations in the workplace is a part of the work we do through iNSPiRED PRACTiCE, I thought it only fitting that I share some gift ideas using a similar theme.

 VETERANS

 My grandparents fall into the Veteran generation (born 1945 and earlier). These are the people who don’t own CD and DVD players (gasp!) unless given to them by their children. Individuals within this demographic value things differently – they value the personalized macaroni picture made by their grand child more than some big ticket gift. They’ve lived their lives and time with family or thoughtful personalized gifts have a greater value than “stuff”.

Here are a few options that will warm the heart of any veteran this holiday season.

Family Tree Branch (Cost: $42): Although many family trees are designed for kids, I think they make more meaningful gifts for older generations. Veterans get to enjoy one of the greatest gifts there is: legacy. Crafting a custom family tree to frame and hang on grandpa’s wall is a touching homage to his legacy. You can make your own courtesy of Martha Stewart (oh Martha you have the best ideas!)

Apple Cider Sachets (Cost: $6): I love the smell of apple cider. Apple cider is steeped with tradition and winter goodness. These little sachets are the perfect packaging for such a classic beverage.

Family Crest Necklace (Cost: $72): I am a huge fan of Lisa Leonard’s artful jewelry. I think she has amazing creative vision. This nifty necklace allows you to personalize it with the first initial of your family name and for grandma to wear it with great pride. NOTE: If you want this item in time for Christmas, ORDER TODAY!

Eco Mule Slippers (Cost: $48): As one gets older, the feet get colder. Ensure your loved one has toasty pampered feet with these slippers made of hemp and terrycloth.

More gifts for the generations coming tomorrow. In the meantime, be sure to check out my other Inspired Holiday Gift Guide offerings on my personal blog Prairie Girl by Day.