Charlene Day | The Compassionate Disruptor

Hope Is Still Alive

Ominous climate change trends

“2019 Doomsday Clock Statement – It is still 2 minutes to midnight.” from The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2019 Doomsday Clock Statement concerning the issue of global warming. It is from the Science and Security Board – Editor, John Mecklin.

Before we get carried away with the doomsday word, I see HOPE. I know the threat is here and it is time to wake up. The answer to picking up the pace of decarbonization is through grassroots organizations.

“The existential threat from human-caused global warming is ominous and getting worse. Every year that human activities continue to add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere irreversibly ratchets up the future level of human suffering and ecosystem destruction that will be wrought by global climate disruption. The key measure of improvement on the climate front is the extent of progress toward bringing global net carbon dioxide emissions to zero. On this measure, the countries of the world have failed dismally.

Global carbon dioxide emissions rates had been rising exponentially until 2012 but ceased growing from 2013 to 2016. Even if this emissions plateau had continued, it would not have halted the growth of warming. Net emissions need to ultimately be brought to zero to do so, given the persistence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for up to thousands of years. The ominous news from 2017 and 2018 is that world emissions appear to have resumed their upward climb.”

“There is still time to rescue the world from truly catastrophic effects of climate change. For such a rescue to become reality, however, progress toward decarbonization must pick up pace dramatically, and very soon.”

Grassroots groups to the rescue = Hope

In my opinion, the way we are going to make the changes we need to lower our carbon emissions is going to come from the people, not the governments.  As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

I want to introduce you to one such group. Unify Toronto. Out of a group of people meeting through the Pachamama Alliance, this group was formed. They have organized many outreach efforts and are working with Paul Hawken’s Drawdown. Project Drawdown is the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming by 2050. Drawdown is that point in time when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere begins to decline on a year-to-year basis. Drawdown Toronto is a group that has been formed this year to bring awareness and action into this part of the globe.

One current challenge coming up is called the Drawdown Eco Challenge. You get to choose your challenge.  You can choose from Women and Girls, Materials, Transport, Food, Buildings and Cities, Electricity Generation or Land Use. In each sector there are different options to choose from. They can be a one-time action or something you are going to do daily or as often as you can. Feel free to join our Drawdown Toronto team and play along to make a difference. This is a way to generate more hope.

Another way to get involved is to attend a symposium called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream. These happen monthly and can be life changing. To register for the next one click here.

Hope to see you either online or in person as we make the changes that mother earth is waiting for.

Hope is still alive,

Charlene

Team Approach to Miracles

After an hour and a bit of sleep, I am woken up to hear my granddaughter is on her way to my place for her home birth. My body goes into overdrive as the birthing pool is not yet assembled. She is a few weeks earlier than expected. I throw clothes on and get to work preparing the birthing room and the pool. Thankfully I had help.

The pool had to be inflated and then filled with warm water. It was inflated when she arrived but not filled yet. Now my attention goes to her needs as her doula. Thankfully her partner could join the team to monitor the water situation. Half way through filling, we ran out of hot water. Now the pots and kettles must be employed. Lots of action now. The midwife arrives and very quickly assesses that the baby is due to arrive very soon. She calls for back up.

Now the team consists of two guys working on filling the tub with pots of hot water, two midwives and one doula. Some people ask what the difference between a doula and a midwife is. The fast answer is the doula concentrates on the mother’s needs and the midwives concentrate on the baby’s needs. If there is no doula present the midwives take care of mother and baby.

The other “member” of the team was a voice coming through the computer my granddaughter brought with her. That voice was Shawn Gallagher who has recorded hypnobirthing audios to help mothers go through the whole birthing process. My granddaughter was listening to her during her labour. So now we add one more to our little team.

Once the birth pool was filled enough my granddaughter got into the pool which eased the intensity of the contractions a little. Water births promote more efficient uterine contractions and improved blood circulation resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby. So, within the hour of getting into the tub little baby Shawn was born, coming out into the world through some warm water before being placed on my granddaughter. 5:25 a.m.

The bonding began, and my granddaughter was overflowing with love for this new little human coming into this world. My granddaughter is a natural and the midwives suggested that she become an advocate for birthing moms. She has experienced a hospital birth, a midwife clinic birth and now a water birth. They also thought I should rent out my room for other birthing moms as it had everything they all needed.

One of the things I provided was an electrolyte balancing drink throughout to all the members of the team including my granddaughter. The electrolyte balancing powder prevents dehydration. It bypasses the stomach and contains three types of carbohydrates for energy and stamina. This was added to water. It was especially important for my granddaughter as she needed that extra energy between contractions.

The other perk I provided was energy chews for all the team members. They were very appreciative as everyone was missing their sleep. Each chew contains a scientific blend of caffeine from natural green tea extract associated with energy and performance, plus key amino acids L-tyrosine, L-theanine associated with mental alertness and focus, energy-releasing B vitamins and vitamins D and C. So, each chew boosts energy naturally.

So, the result was one very happy mother, a very healthy new baby boy (featured in the pictures a few hours after being born) and a team of support people who witnessed one of life’s true miracles – a birth.

Team Approach to Miracles

Here’s to miracles coming your way in your life this year!

Charlene

Goals for 2019 – Happy New Year

We have all celebrated and now are welcoming in a new year. 2019 is a blank canvas. Now we can create with fresh minds and open hearts to pursue our passions, dreams and goals. It’s always exciting to be able to start over and recommit to our dreams and create fresh goals for 2019.

From a numerology perspective, 2019 adds up to be a “three” year. A “three” year’ means good things are on the horizon. It promises points of reflection and thrilling challenges. 2019 will help us improve our communication skills and challenge us when it comes to expressing our ideas. The Chinese New Year in 2019 starts on Tuesday, February 5th. According to the Chinese zodiac the year 2019 is the “Year of the Earth Pig,” a year of fortune and luck. 2019 is a great year to make money, and a good year to invest.

Now it is time for you to create the kind of year you desire with fresh goals. Every year I use the template below to create the year I desire. I write down which goals I desire under each of these categories. Then I pin it up where I can see the goals daily. Feel free to customize it to fit into your life. If productivity is one of your goals for this year, check out http://30lawsofflow.com/free-gift

Vocation or Creative Expression

Purpose/Career/Business

Work Habits/Activity(Time)Management

Financial/Money Management/Energy Exchange

Relationships

Business Associates/Networks/Leadership

Family/Relationships/Significant Other

Social/Friendships/Fun/Leisure/Travel

Health

Physical Health/ Recreation/Fitness

Physical Appearance/Personal Life

Physical Surroundings/Environment/Nature

Time and Money Freedom

Mental/Educational/Personal & Professional Mastery/ Attitude

Spiritual Growth/Quantum

Community Service/Contribution

2019 could be a pivotal year in your life, a year that you will look back on as the year you committed to yourself and your life. The year you made the changes in your life that you want. The question is; how are you going to make sure that you don’t get sucked back into repeating the same old patterns and habits from the past?

Remember, you are run by habits. 96% of anything you do is run by unconscious habits and patterns.

If you are like most people, you require support; a powerful, personal process that steps you through:
• Discovering the truth about yourself and your life
• Identifying your core limiting & supporting beliefs
• Supporting your action steps towards your goals

As a coach, I can assist you to get to the core of your beliefs (especially the subconscious ones) that are dictating your behavior and feeding your unwanted patterns.

Imagine. How would your life be different?

Just go to https://charleneday.com/contact to arrange a complimentary session to explore the possibilities

Here’s to a fantastic 2019! You absolutely can make it great!

To your success,

Charlene

Winter Solstice and Holiday Season

During the holiday season we look around and from the outside it is all about shopping, presents, overeating and day to day routines. Busy, busy, busy.

What about the inside? What is happening on the inside? When we look past the physical body and look at the invisible part of ourselves. The spirit part of ourselves. Or the spiritual part. The essence of who we really are.

What is happening there? My guess is, not too much. Why?

Because that part of us needs some solitude, some quiet time, some reflection time.  What are you doing to feed that part of yourself?

Are you meditating, reflecting, listening to the silence? Doing something that feeds your soul?

Our present society is divorced from nature. We are so out of touch with Mother Earth and so out of touch with ourselves as a result.

December 21 is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the beginning of winter, the shortest amount of daylight, the lowest arc of the sun, and the return of longer daylight hours in the days, weeks and months to come. It is the time of hope for it promises the renewal and rebirth of all things.

The Winter Solstice supports us to go inside and listen to ourselves and to nature. Think of ways you and your family can acknowledge the power and beauty of Mother Earth, and how you can help to keep it as clean and healthy as possible for our future generations.

Cold winter is the time of inwardness and self-reflection when all of nature seems dead. Yet, the Winter Solstice carries hope for new birth and a fresh beginning. Winter is one of the seasons of the rhythms of Mother Earth. The rhythms that we have stopped listening to or relating to.

As Mother Earth nurtures us, so the Sun nurtures Mother Earth. Many people forget that life on Earth is totally dependent upon the energy of the Sun. Without the Sun’s warmth and light, there would be no life as we know it. Everything is so connected.

As we acknowledge the rhythms of Mother Earth and the Sun and the Moon, we will be more connected to ourselves. I encourage you to acknowledge the Winter Solstice and listen to what your body wants to do.

Do you need to sleep, slow down, take a break, meditate, reflect or just be still for a while? I highly encourage you to breathe and take time to listen both to yourself and to Mother Earth. There is such tranquility there. Serenity, peace, harmony, flow, wisdom, love and joy are all waiting for you. Take some time out to experience it.

Happy Holidays and Winter Solstice,

Charlene

The Most Awesome Squash Soup You’ll Ever Taste

It is winter time and it is cold outside now. Time for some hot soup. Here is a wonderful squash soup. A great crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

3 cups broth (chicken or veg)
1 butternut squash
1 sweet potato
1 apple
1/4 cup salted butter (preferably grass fed)
1/2 cup coconut milk (optional)
1/2 tsp green curry paste
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook squash, sweet potato, and apple in oven until soft inside.
2. Add ingredients to blender or Vitamix in the order they appear.
3. Blend and serve or pour into a pot and keep warm until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

To your good health,
Charlene

Making a Living While You’re Looking for a Job

While plenty of good jobs do exist, it could take you some time to land just the right one. In the meantime, here are a few tips on how to make ends meet while you’re looking for a job opportunity.

Workplace Stress

It may be a good idea to ease back into a full-time job by starting with something part-time or on the side. Take time for self-care by eating healthy, taking breaks and getting some exercise. If you feel like the stress will be too much to handle, use some of the tips in the Self-Care Checklist for Mental and Physical Health to help you out while looking for a job.

Pet Sitting

One of the best ways to get some income flowing in while you’re looking for a job is to start a side gig where you are only dependent on yourself for success. This lets you avoid the stress that comes with a regular job until you are a little more settled. One of the more popular side gigs that you’ll find is starting a pet sitting business. This is different than dog walking. Pet sitting involves becoming the primary caregiver for an animal while its owners are away. It typically involves making sure they are fed and watered along with playing with them for a bit. Some owners even want sitters to spend the night to take care of their pets. Here are a few guidelines to starting your own pet sitting business.

Sell Handmade Items on Etsy

If you are crafty and good with your hands, another side hustle that may work well for you is selling handmade items on Etsy, an online marketplace that allows creative people to sell their goods to anyone willing to buy. You can start your own business fairly easily, and as long as you offer something of unique value, you should make enough money to keep the business running well. The site includes thousands of handmade, vintage and one-of-a-kind products and gifts. Many shops will even customize orders, so offering this kind of service will serve you well.

Teach Musical Lessons

Another common side gig is teaching musical lessons. This, of course, requires that you know how to play an instrument or sing well enough to pass your knowledge on. If this sounds like you, check out these tips for getting started on building your own music teaching studio. This is a great business to get into because it gives people a skill that lasts for a lifetime, which is always a popular offering.

If these side jobs don’t fit you well, don’t stress – there are dozens more out there. You are only limited by your imagination, so if you have a good idea for your own business, now is the time to talk to an entrepreneur coach about it. The coach will help you find something you like and stick with it until that dream opportunity comes along.

Guest Blogger,

Rufus Carter