National Indigenous Peoples Day

In cooperation with Indigenous Peoples’ national organizations, the Government of Canada designated June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day. June 21 is the summer solstice and is the longest day of the year. It is a time for celebration and the perfect time to celebrate the culture and heritage of Indigenous Peoples.

It is a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the cultural diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. In the southern Ontario area there are Chippewas, Ojibway, and Mohawks to mention a few. The word “Toronto” means “the meeting place” and there are many urban indigenous peoples in Toronto as well. This creates a beautiful tapestry of different cultures in Toronto.

Let’s look at the deeper meaning of re-acquainting ourselves with our indigenous friends and neighbours. Our earth is in trouble and many of the answers to regaining balance again lie within the wisdom of the indigenous culture.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, I attended a medicine wheel ceremony. Since it was the summer solstice as well, I felt this would be a meaningful way to celebrate. The ceremony was led by two beautiful indigenous women.

After the introductions, they used an abalone seashell to mix the tobacco leaves, the sweetgrass, the sage, and the cedar. Then they lit the mixture and using an eagle feather began to smudge all the attendees. Smudging is a way to create a cleansing smoke bath that is used to purify the body, aura, and the ceremonial space.

In cooperation with Indigenous Peoples’ national organizations, the Government of Canada designated June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day. June 21 is the summer solstice and is the longest day of the year. It is a time for celebration and the perfect time to celebrate the culture and heritage of Indigenous Peoples.

It is a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the cultural diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. In the southern Ontario area there are Chippewas, Ojibway, and Mohawks to mention a few. The word “Toronto” means “the meeting place” and there are many urban indigenous peoples in Toronto as well. This creates a beautiful tapestry of different cultures in Toronto.

Let’s look at the deeper meaning of re-acquainting ourselves with our indigenous friends and neighbours. Our earth is in trouble and many of the answers to regaining balance again lie within the wisdom of the indigenous culture.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, I attended a medicine wheel ceremony. Since it was the summer solstice as well, I felt this would be a meaningful way to celebrate. The ceremony was led by two beautiful indigenous women.

After the introductions, they used an abalone seashell to mix the tobacco leaves, the sweetgrass, the sage, and the cedar. Then they lit the mixture and using an eagle feather began to smudge all the attendees. Smudging is a way to create a cleansing smoke bath that is used to purify the body, aura, and the ceremonial space.

The gift of the north is the place of winter, white snow that reminds us of the white hair of the elders. It is the place of wisdom, the place to think, analyse, understand, problem solve, and gain insight, to name a few.

The gift of the west is place of darkness, the unknown, going within, of dreams, of prayer and meditation. It is the place of testing, of perseverance, reflection, silence, respect for elders and awareness of our spiritual nature, to name a few.

The gift of the east is the new day, renewal, new beginnings, and rebirth. It is the place of innocence, spontaneity, joy, hope, trust, warmth of spirit and the capacity to believe in the unseen, to name a few.

The gift of the south is the sun at its highest point, the place of summer, of fullness, youth, physical strength and vigor.  It is the place of the heart, generosity, sensitivity, compassion, loyalty, noble passion and love, to name a few.

The medicine wheel is the representation of all things connected within the circle of life. There are over 100 relevant traditional teachings given of the medicine wheel.  Each teaching holds its own meaning and purpose. When we explore these teachings, we see it is a way to see the relationship we have to mother earth. It offers balance and simplicity and answers to these troubled times.

My invitation to you is to explore the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium. It is filled with indigenous wisdom. Contact me for the upcoming events.

To your good health,

Charlene

Also, check out my other blogs:

• https://charleneday.com/drawdown-awakening-dreamer/
• https://charleneday.com/project-drawdown/
• https://charleneday.com/awakening-the-dreamer-2/

10 Foolproof Tips to Protect Your Mental Health

Here are a few ways in which you can emotionally support yourself and your mental health:

1. Meditate – meditation is an important habit for improving focus, concentration, clarity and attention span, as well as having a calming effect. Benefits include: relieving stress, trauma and anxiety, calming the fight or flight trigger, counteracting aging, relieving depression, reducing insomnia, improving the immune system, increasing energy, improving communication skills, enhancing empathy, improving health, being more present, refreshing the mind, clearing the mental clutter and getting into a more expansive state. Meditation also introduces you to your inner self, your witness, your observer. Great moments of inspiration and creativity can come from those still spaces during meditation where you can connect with your inner guidance.
2. Adopt an attitude of gratitude – gratitude connects you with creative thought and brings you closer to the source energy. Gratitude aligns you with abundance and increases your faith.
3. Check in with your body – a mindful practice – this practice is to counter your daily frenzy of multi-tasking and bring you to a centered mindful place. A place of presence. Being with your body as it is with no judgment. It’s important to take time out for yourself, even if it is just for a moment.
4. Get moving –  exercise boosts energy, improves mood, reduces stress, releases endorphins, improves self-confidence, boosts brainpower, sharpens your memory and increases your creativity.
5. Hydrate your body – water is important for the brain. It improves blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improves memory, counteracts mental fatigue, and maintains the balance of body fluids. Water also energizes muscles and keep joints more lubricated, helps your skin look good, improves the quality of sleep, keeps your bowels moving and aids kidney function, and eliminates toxins.
6. Pop some probiotics – probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health. Your mental and emotional balance hinge on a healthy gut environment.   Almost 95 percent of serotonin (the neurotransmitter in the brain that releases feel-good chemicals) is made in your belly.  You can keep your gut bacteria “healthy and happy” by including vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruit, and beans in your diet and supplementing with a good probiotic.
7. Get your sleep – adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Adults require as close to 8 hours of sleep per night as possible. Sleep problems are not only a symptom of depression, but also a contributor to it, so get adequate sleep.
8. Keep a positive support system – having a good support system can help you tackle conditions like stress and depression. Surround yourself with people who love and care about you.
9. Laugh out loud – do some laughter yoga. Laughter yoga is a unique exercise routine, which combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. Forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter.
10. Spend time in nature – going outdoors can improve your physical and mental health. So, no matter what you do outside enjoy the beauty, peace and serenity of nature.

Yes, there are many more ways to protect your mental health. Find and adopt what works for you. Wishing you a week of love, vitality and contentment.

To your good health,

Charlene

Also, check out my other blogs:

• https://charleneday.com/laughter-yoga/
• https://charleneday.com/how-are-you-using-your-mind/
• https://charleneday.com/meditation-the-great-liberator/

What No One Tells You About Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart: you need to be resilient. People are drawn to become entrepreneurs as they are looking for freedom of purpose, time, money, and relationships. Entrepreneurs want more ease, flow, happiness and want to be in control of their destiny. Entrepreneurs are values-driven and have learned to think differently.

Here are some traits I have seen over the years interacting with and coaching many entrepreneurs. They:

• are risk-takers and rule breakers
• have an unquenchable desire, lifelong learners
• are passionate, energetic and creative
• are obsessed with goal setting and setting outcomes
• are able to encompass both excitement and fear simultaneously
• can handle uncertainty
• are decisive, highly self-motivated and self-possessed
• bounce back from adversity, resilient and flexible
• identify and service unmet needs
• create value through solutions
• initiate change, are innovators
• take advantage of change
• value self-reliance and self-awareness
• strive for excellence
• know the value of mentorship/masterminds
• are highly optimistic, have a winning attitude
• know the value of mentorship/masterminds
• are highly optimistic, have a winning attitude
• deeply interested and care for others, have great people skills
• deeply interested and care for others, have great people skills
• are genuinely interested in developing sincere, long lasting relationships
• desire to inspire others
• do what is right and meaningful, are ethical, have high integrity
• are big picture thinkers and future driven
• see problems as opportunities
• creatively identify the solutions to problems
• want to make a difference

With persistence and determination, entrepreneurs create businesses or opportunities that make a difference for themselves and others. Entrepreneurship is growing as more and more people are looking for more time and money freedom.

I recently attended a workshop for entrepreneurs highlighting a panel of experienced millennial entrepreneurs.

Here are a few tips they shared with the audience:

• ask why you are doing what you are doing – get clear on your why
• have a business plan and measurable goals
• get clear on the value of your products or services
• know that being an entrepreneur means lots of self development
• get good at prospecting and marketing yourself
• put yourself out there, go to events, be part of communities
• develop a team and your own community
• be consistent
• be authentic
• make sure you have a coach or mentor and be accountable
• ask for guidance
• work on your mindset
• be conscious of your vibration and choose the right one daily
• be aware of your values
• prioritize your day, decide on the 3 most important things to accomplish
• don’t get too distracted, shut out all the noise
• remember to be in the present moment
• find your preferred source of regeneration (i.e. meditation, dancing, journaling)
• acknowledge small wins
• it’s OK to fail your way forward
• practice saying no and discerning what is right for your business
• remember to value yourself, you are good enough

The panel of millennial entrepreneurs at that event were very transparent and they inspired me to write this blog. Hope you enjoy the wisdom that was shared. Feel free to reach out if you want an entrepreneurial mentor with 45 years of experience.

Here’s to your success.

Charlene

Drawdown – Awakening the Dreamer – Changing the Dream

“Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming” , was edited by the author and entrepreneur Paul Hawken along with a team of over 200 scholars, scientists, policymakers, research fellows, writers, business leaders and activists.

Drawdown contains 80 solutions that are ready today, and 20 additional forthcoming innovations that collectively can draw down atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to solve, not just slow, climate change by 2050. Climate drawdown is the point at which greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere begin to decline on a year-to-year basis.

The 80 solutions that make up the bulk of the Drawdown book are grouped into seven buckets: energy; food; women and girls; building and cities; land use; transport; and materials. To qualify for inclusion, a solution must have proven to reduce energy use through efficiency, material reduction or resource productivity; replace existing energy sources with renewable energy; or sequester carbon in soils, plants or help through regenerative farming, grazing, ocean and forest practices.

Hawken is quick to point out that the book’s seemingly brash subtitle is a bit tongue in cheek: this is the only “comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming,” he said. The book, along with an accompanying website, may be the first to provide the insight and inspiration, backed by empirical research and data, that could enable companies, governments and citizens to attack the climate problem in a holistic and aggressive way.

One of the ways I do this is by facilitating an experiential event called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream.

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream is a program of The Pachamama Alliance that serves as a galvanizing space for individuals to deeply explore the extraordinary possibilities inherent in a communion of technology with spirit. Through participation in this program, people are offered a new place to stand in looking at their world and their lives, and are empowered to formulate their own personal daily practices that contribute to the creation of a new dream for themselves as well as for our world.

The Pachamama Alliance is committed to finding ways to support a growing effort to help us awaken from the seductive trance of unlimited progress, unrestrained private interest and material accumulation. We are clear that there is now an unprecedented opportunity to live from a new vision, one made possible by the merging of two ways of seeing the world that until now have seemed to be totally distinct— a marriage of the technological skill of the modern world, with the earth-honoring wisdom of indigenous cultures.

Each of us can make new choices in our daily lives, to create new practices that we take on each day. Our invitation is for you to design practices for yourself that have you be ‘in action’ consistent with creating an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this planet as the guiding principle of our time.

Come and find out what makes you come alive and what’s next for you.

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium June 9 at 11:30. Get your tickets at Eventbrite.

Please feel free to contact me to find out more.

To your good health!

Charlene

To read more on global issues here are 2 more of my blogs:

• Awakening the Dreamer
• Project Drawdown, Reversing Global Warming IS Possible