tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89145816833449755992024-03-13T10:34:50.757-07:00Brian Kelly's BlogBrian Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868727456587449120noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-64735029063909462592015-04-19T21:39:00.000-07:002015-04-21T00:27:35.205-07:00Introducing the International Tribunal for Natural Justice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_bG3CO3qpI/VTR1Xj09BjI/AAAAAAAABKo/jQbWvDOWb1M/s1600/ITNJ.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_bG3CO3qpI/VTR1Xj09BjI/AAAAAAAABKo/jQbWvDOWb1M/s1600/ITNJ.png" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Introducing the International Tribunal for Natural Justice</b><br />
April 20, 2015<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Charles De Montesquie said, "there is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of law and in the name of justice." The very nature of freedom relies upon the holding of accountability on those who intend to destroy it. <br /><br />The inherent responsibility of "the people" to take an active stance against all forms of tyranny, oppression and injustice, no matter the title, position or standing of the perpetrator, has become self evident. The so called leadership of this world has failed us. Heinous acts of terrorism are committed everyday on this planet. Not by religious radicals with home made bombs as the media would like us to believe, but by men in suits using not guns as weapons but dollar signs, hiding behind their position and stature to escape all forms of justice and accountability. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">I am proud to stand behind the ITNJ and give my full support to this timely initiative designed to restore balance where little now exists. </span><span style="color: blue;">This announcement letter was written by one of their own, Paul Conant, to his network of friends and family. I was fortunate enough to be on that list. As Paul says at the bottom, if it resonates then consider sharing this information with others. As an official Advocate of the ITNJ, I do my part by sharing with you here now.<br /><br />To all those who have worked tirelessly to make the ITNJ a reality, I solute you for your service. A job well done. Although, I'm certain this is just the beginning. Let freedom reign. ~BK</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Dear Beloved Friends and Family,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
I am writing to all of you to introduce you (and in many cases re-introduce you) to the International Tribunal for Natural Justice (ITNJ), an initiative to which I have dedicated many months of volunteer effort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
I apologize if this comes across as spamming in any way – the truth is that we are working to make this endeavor as universally beneficial as possible as so we need to reach out to our communities in order to make that happen. This is why I am personally sending out this email. If you don’t want to receive any more emails on the subject contained herein just let me know!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Also, before reading this letter I kindly ask that you approach this thoughtfully. If you do not have time to thoughtfully read it now then please come back to it when you have a better moment. The message contained here is intense – nonetheless, with my full personal responsibility and liability, I attest that the issues it speaks to are necessary for us as a collective to address.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Now, without further ado…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
The ITNJ initiative has arisen as a response to the disregard for the rule of law exhibited by (alleged) public officials, corporate directors, and “world leaders” everywhere who have deliberately privatized and weaponized the governments of the world against their own people. It is the culmination of years worth of work and research on the part of many people from a diverse set of backgrounds who are dedicated to safeguarding a viable future for humanity, and who recognize that we the people must take responsibility for holding our governments to account when they violate basic human rights. Whenever the community at large neglects to do this then it sets a precedent that allows continued violations to take place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Such violations include but are not limited to:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Starting wars based on lies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Wantonly pillaging the ecosystem</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Authorizing torture</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Authorizing slavery</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Holding non-violent and peaceful people in prisons</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Engaging in organized child abuse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-left: 0.5in;">
Use of the mainstream media to knowingly spread lies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Use of the private banking sector to systematically impoverish the world</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i>Deliberately training police and military to escalate rather than neutralize conflicts</i>…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Unfortunately the list goes on and on… Today we know conclusively that many of these activities are being facilitated by politically and financially powerful individuals and governmental and corporate organizations who perennially avoid being brought to account for their actions due to their influence and ability to maneuver about the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
There is an extensive back-story behind this tribunal and it’s purpose. To summarize as succinctly as possible: many legal scholars, researchers, and activists who make up the ITNJ’s body of volunteers have discovered conclusively that the courts in America as well as the rest of the world are actually for-profit corporations <i>masquerading</i> as legitimate representational bodies. Not only that, but <i>most of the world’s</i><b><i>countries</i></b><i> are themselves <b>corporations</b> too</i>…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
In America, Title 28 of the U.S. Code § 3002(15a) outrightly defines the “United States” as a “federal corporation”! Furthermore, these corporations are actively engaged in a war against the people today, which was discovered by 2,000 researchers who followed a gun case in D.C. that exposed deep currents of corruption running through the “justice” systems of the world. To explain how this works in one email is unfortunately not possible – however, for a more extensive view of this story, go here: <a href="http://itnjcommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Significance-of-the-Rod-Class-DC-Gun-Case.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://itnjcommittee.org/wp-<wbr></wbr>content/uploads/2015/03/<wbr></wbr>Significance-of-the-Rod-Class-<wbr></wbr>DC-Gun-Case.pdf</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Much more data showing how all this works can also be found at the official website for the Committee to Support the ITNJ –<a href="http://itnjcommittee.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">itnjcommittee.org</a> – where we will be posting more documentation and confirming research over the next several days and weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
When you realize that the basic fact of the matter is that the various “governments” of the world do not truthfully represent the people but in actuality <i>merely <b>pretend </b>to represent the people</i>, then you will start to understand why it is that so many “leaders” and corporate directors appear to be so incompetent and rapacious. When you see how the legal system has been co-opted to become nothing more than an “enforcement arm” of the banking sector – which has been used as a weapon to artificially usurp the very time and energy of people all across the globe – you will gain a solid understanding of what is happening in our world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Poverty, war, slavery, and even pollution are not inevitable – these things are merely <i>symptoms of a status quo that derives its “authority” through fraud, threat, coercion, and manipulation</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
However… have no fear! For we are the ones who are assisting the systems as they operate now, and it is none but ourselves who can change it. We are the very <i>energy source</i> that status quo requires to exist. And this is very good news, for it means <i>we are endowed with the ability to change it!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Of course, we cannot expect the system to change by itself without a sufficient amount of enlightened public participation. We cannot superficially inch and wrangle our way towards “civilization” through coercion and conflict – nor can we establish a peaceful and harmonious world strictly through our current manner of funding or voting. Instead we will only get there through education, cooperation, and by refusing to accept a world of needless suffering for ourselves as well as the rest of the human family. Unscrupulous public officials, predatory corporations, and war-mongering world leaders need to stand down – for the sake of our collective future – and one very important step towards making this happen is for the people themselves to convene a tribunal to lawfully hold the willing perpetrators accountable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">“Natural Justice” = <i>the Golden Rule <b>in action</b>. </i>And the twin pillars of Natural Law are:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-left: 0.75in;">
<span style="color: #141823;">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">Do no harm.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-left: 0.75in;">
<span style="color: #141823;">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">Do not allow anyone else to get away with harming you or another. (Especially when a systemic pattern of abuse has revealed itself conclusively to the whole community!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<i><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">When anyone anywhere has had their right to a peaceful existence stolen from them through immoral coercion of any kind it is an affront against all human beings equally, and it becomes immediately incumbent upon the community to fix the problem.<b> And this is the true and original purpose of any honest and valid court/judicial system: to assist the greater community in the preservation of our rights and life</b></span></i><b><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">Any institution that deliberately pursues differing or contrary aims cannot be rightly considered a true source of Law!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: #141823;">This is why the ITNJ was officially established and announced to the world on Feb. 14, 2015. </span>It is a valid court of the people, and it is here to set a basic precedent: that the rights of the people to a sustainable and peaceful life, and the community, resources, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to maintain such an existence are more important than the “rights” of corporate/legal-fictions to do whatever they want regardless of how their actions affect the living world and humanity.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">The ITNJ plans on being the first international court in the history of the world to be live-streamed on the Internet. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">We are inviting the world to participate – a feature of this court is that we will be using the principles of e-governance to allow the public to be a voice at this court, and we now have the technology that allows us to do this. To read more about this endeavor, please visit </span><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://itnj.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">itnj.org</a></span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">. On that site you will find our Constitution and Treaty under the “ITNJ” drop-down menu. And, as mentioned before, for more information, research, and to learn about how to participate/volunteer, visit </span><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://itnjcommittee.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">itnjcommittee.org</a></span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">We are reaching out to the people of the world for support. The more who sign the ITNJ Treaty, and the more donations from the people, the more effective and beneficial to the whole world it will become. We officially launch our crowd-funding campaign on the 27<sup>th</sup> of this month. Check out our website: </span><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://itnjcommittee.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">itnjcommittee.org</a></span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">. This means I am personally asking you to consider reading the ITNJ Treaty, and <i>sign it if is speaks to your conscience</i>. After all, this Treaty is for <b>everyone</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">And please consider making a donation - to make a donation NOW by visiting the site: </span><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://itnjcommittee.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">itnjcommittee.org</a></span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">To get on our mailing list and receive updates as things progress, you can go here -</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="http://www.itnj.org/get-involved/subscribe/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.itnj.org/get-<wbr></wbr>involved/subscribe/</a></span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter – if this message resonates with you, then I ask that you read the material in the links and/or share this letter with others on your social networks and help make it go viral. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">I wish everyone nothing but the best in the warm months ahead!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Many well wishes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">- Paul Conant</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-16777802669907937362015-03-12T20:37:00.002-07:002015-03-12T22:32:33.649-07:00Shatter the Matrix with Brian Kelly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DObmnZuwts/VQJPj8GSHDI/AAAAAAAABKI/tYTIqebCfPQ/s1600/shatter%2Bthe%2Bmatrix%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DObmnZuwts/VQJPj8GSHDI/AAAAAAAABKI/tYTIqebCfPQ/s1600/shatter%2Bthe%2Bmatrix%2Blogo.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Shatter the Matrix with Brian Kelly</b><br />
March 13, 2015<br />
<a href="http://goo.gl/zesSjK">http://goo.gl/zesSjK</a><br />
<br />
Link to listen on iTunes: <a data-reactid=".ab.$mid=11426224318332=2c690adbc42bdf21c11.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$range0:0" href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fshatterthematrix%2Fid974894272&h=pAQFdjlKJ" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shatterthematrix/id974894272</a><br />
<br />
This is a sneak preview! The live episode will go live on March 27th. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Pull up a seat in the Nebuchadnezzar, pop a red pill and join me on a trip deep down the rabbit hole as Aaron, Kary and I venture beyond the confines, controls and programming structures we all know as the matrix.<br /><br />What is the matrix? More importantly, how do we free ourselves from it?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Remember: All I'm offering you is the Truth...nothing more. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">FREE...YOUR...MIND. ~Brian</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<i><b>Show Description:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>When a seer of the future told Brian that he was no ordinary teacher – that his mission in this world was vast and without limit – it was all it took to light the spark that quickly evolved into an inferno of self inquiry, self discovery, self mastery, and a life dedicated to making the world a better place for all. So when an author posed a challenge that promised 29 days of giving could irreversibly and profoundly enrich the lives of all so willing to embark upon its virtues, Brian was more than primed to catapult himself into a living example of what it means, through altruism, to lead a truly MPowered life.</b></i><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="color: blue;">Have any suggestions, strategies or stories about shattering the matrix that have worked for you? Let me know in the comments, would love to hear from you! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<enclosure length="57777049" type="audio/mpeg" url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/shatterthematrix/STMX009_-_Brian_Kelly_.mp3"></enclosure></div>
</div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3414557/height/360/width/640/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bonus:</b><br />
<br />
Here is an episode of the new YouTube video blog I started a few weeks ago; Real, Raw & Uncut: a 6 Minute Series with Brian Kelly. Hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6SAQCbzsx8" width="640"></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-55988269592250741792015-02-11T18:12:00.000-08:002015-02-11T18:12:25.593-08:00Kiri Campbell's Debt-Free Trading System | Understanding the CreditExchange system, and why it can work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-caXZmSKYRcs/VNwKTLzYNpI/AAAAAAAABFw/h4Jl2ueGRxU/s1600/credit%2Bxchange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-caXZmSKYRcs/VNwKTLzYNpI/AAAAAAAABFw/h4Jl2ueGRxU/s1600/credit%2Bxchange.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Kiri Campbell's Debt-Free Trading System | Understanding the CreditExchange system, and why it can work</b><br />
February 12, 2015<br />
<a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2015/02/kiri-campbells-debt-free-trading-system.html">http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2015/02/kiri-campbells-debt-free-trading-system.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Another incredible piece and perspective by Justin & Julian of the Stillness in the Storm blog. This post does an incredible job of simplifying complex ideas down into digestible bite size doses of extremely potent data. Not an easy task by any means. The adoption which Justin speaks of below will be a direct reflection of the masses ability to comprehend this information. Indeed it will take time. However, if Kiri and her team are successful at swiping the card this week for the first official public transaction on record, I anticipate the learning curve will be fueled and supported by a great deal of new found excitement and interest. Which may end up being an extreme under statement :) Holding space for this to roll out without any major set backs. ~BK<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In mid-2013, <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/search/label/Kiri%20Campbell">Kiri Campbell</a> shocked the world by <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2013/07/kiris-deposits-15000000-of-value.html">depositing $15,000,000 in TSB Bank</a> attempting to access her 'value,' secured by the <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2013/12/definition-of-rebuttal-and.html">OPPT filings from late 2012</a>. This deposit was not honored by TSB and it created a storm of controversy which has overshadowed her work to this day.<br />
<br />
But Kiri did not give up, since that time she has focused her attention and energy on developing a system which does in fact allow people to 'access their value' but in a different way than what was discussed in the CVAC process. This method is essentially a trading system, a network of people who want to use 'credits' instead of National Currencies in some of their transactions. Click <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2015/02/strawman-trust-understood-kiri.html">here</a> to listen the ONE people interview discussing her system (interview is towards the bottom).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Julian and I wanted to produce a concise and easy to understand article about this system, why it can work, and why key knowledge and understanding is essential to keeping it free and honorable. As such, if more data is released we will issue updates or corrections as needed.<br />
<div>
<br />
<b>What is the short version of Kiri's system? </b>The system is nothing more than a trading platform, and does have infrastructural costs associated; maintaining the website, accounting etc. It is 'debt-free' in the sense that there is no fiat dollar cost (hidden cost for using the currency i.e. income tax), but at the moment it does <i>cost money</i> to use this system - per the information on the <a href="http://creditxchange.co.nz/help/faq.php#item-10" target="_blank">CreditXchange</a> site; see below for more information.<br />
<br />
Before we discuss the Credit Exchange System, we should first understand what 'money' really is and why we must gain knowledge in order to be free.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Money, Trade and Agreement</span></b><br />
<br />
"Money," as we use it today on Earth, is bank credit or paper notes which are Debt Instruments, allowing individuals to TRADE debt, acquiring things that are <i>valued</i>. Lawful Money (backed by gold and silver) has not existed since 1933. When you 'buy' something, you are taking an IOU (a bank note or electronic credit) and exchanging it for goods or services. For all intents and purposes, modern day money systems are nothing more than a Trading platform which uses IOU's as the device for exchange. <b>The real thing that is being transferred is 'value' which is a subjective determination dependent upon the individual receiving it. </b>We discussed this deeply in <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2013/08/rvgold-bait-and-switch-secular-value-vs.html" target="_blank">RV/Gold Bait and Switch? - Secular Value vs Absolute Value - Hidden History of Gold</a>.<br />
<br />
In the past, we used other representations of value: Gold coins, Silver Coins, Tally sticks, etc. which all accomplish the same thing: they facilitate the <i>flow</i> of goods and services between parties. In reality it doesn't matter what the representation (device) is; it is JUST A SYMBOL. If we wanted to use live stock, we could. So what is the key concept to 'get' in relation to money, credit and trading systems?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What is the REAL mechanism that makes money powerful?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3eIbDCrPFpQ/VNvQYjMWFjI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/yS50NTKuJv8/s1600/6283728978_bcfa20008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3eIbDCrPFpQ/VNvQYjMWFjI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/yS50NTKuJv8/s1600/6283728978_bcfa20008a.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I know it can be very confusing trying to understand how this all works. <b>The key concept is simply this</b>: <i><u>A mutually agreed exchange method between 2 or more individuals facilitated by a SYMBOL of value</u></i>. If two people agree that a glass of water is something that represents value, then they can use it to exchange things. "I need ten glasses of water for my 12 eggs."<br />
<br />
<b>Thats all ANY money or a trading system really ever does.</b> There maybe fancy rules, there may be complex legal concepts attached to the device (like <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-ucc-connection-how-uniform.html" target="_blank">FRN's</a>), but at the end of the day, it always comes down to: <b>what is the agreed symbol of value and are you willing to accept it</b>. That being said, Kiri's system is not much different from many of the other systems available; bitcoin, <a href="https://angellucci.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/acs-focus-on-cyclos-online-and-mobile-banking-software/" target="_blank">Cylos</a> (Angel Lucci's System), FRN's etc. <b>The big difference is:</b> 'who is in the system' and what is the <b>totality</b> of agreements that are in place when we choose to use it.<br />
<br />
For example, FRN's are the <i>product</i> of the Federal Reserve System, which when used by people creates a contractual relationship between them and government. Using FRN's in daily life creates an implied agreement that you are an agent of government, and are subject to the rules of employee's of governments: to file taxes, pay income tax, accept the authority of government, etc. This hidden contractual relationship is the major reason as to why FRN's are so detrimental to human life. Over the past 100 years of using FRN's more debt has been created then any other time in history, which requires REAL human energy to 'pay off' and as a result we are all <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/kiri-campbells-innocence-web-of-lies.html" target="_blank">SLAVES to the Federal Reserve System</a>. FRN's are the hidden tool for enslavement pushed by our would-be masters and actually cost money per dollar value that is paid for as income tax.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Moneyless Society</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX1ePn1QWR0/VNv-1ZkdmOI/AAAAAAAAHI8/5mGmk1x5Rts/s1600/white_background_earth_picture_170476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX1ePn1QWR0/VNv-1ZkdmOI/AAAAAAAAHI8/5mGmk1x5Rts/s1600/white_background_earth_picture_170476.jpg" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Take a moment and imagine a world where everyone consciously acknowledges their interconnectedness with all things, and chooses to ensure their actions and desires create harmony with others and the environment. In this world each individual is a Sovereign (rules themselves because they have attained a holistic level of knowledge) and chooses to help others willingly. On earth today in contrast, there are many things which many people 'only do for money' - <i>no one cleans toilets to help humanity, but they will happily do it for a paycheck - </i>is the socially acceptable moto.<br />
<br />
Money, as it is used today, is a tool to facilitate the flow of goods and services between unwilling or incompetent parties; ignorant debt slaves. Within Equity Law, the citizenry of every nation which uses money, is defined as incompetent and while this is a harsh statement, it reflects a truth. Because of constant conditioning and poor education most of the earths population could care less about their impact on others; as long as they get what they need (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-FekleBo4" target="_blank">Moral Relativism</a>). This creates constant war and environmental destruction, therefore chaos due ignorance within humanity as a whole, is balanced by a system which manages the slaves.<br />
<br />
But in a moneyless society, we can acknowledge the truth: <i>that almost everything we do has an effect on someone or something else</i>. And with this knowledge develop systems which encourage freedom, personal independence and harmony. The CreditXchange system has the potential to do just that, by revealing to people our true relationship to this thing called <i>money, </i>slowly educating the masses and eventually leading to the ideal of a moneyless society; if it is shared in this way.<br />
<br />
In a family environment, we provide goods and services without the need for money, which is a microcosmic example of the acknowledgement of interconnectedness mentioned above. In this sense, a moneyless society can work purely on <i>goodwill</i> and be a truly united one people; a human family.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Participation is the Key</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_GOedv75kQ/VNvPhv2lsGI/AAAAAAAAHII/ezN0SiZxBuw/s1600/iStock_000007773161XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_GOedv75kQ/VNvPhv2lsGI/AAAAAAAAHII/ezN0SiZxBuw/s1600/iStock_000007773161XSmall.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Just like when we travel to a new country, we need local currency, this system works by participation in exactly the same way. The more people that join the network the more we can use it to acquire goods and services. In this sense the credit exchange system is only as 'good' as the scope and applicability of it's membership base. Right now it appears that there are small businesses and individuals using the system, and it is limited to that scope; <i>one can not buy goods internationally at the moment.</i> But as it expands, and individuals use it, the system's scope will increase.<br />
<br />
Historically speaking, this is how ALL money systems have come to be used. The history of the Federal Reserve system is one nation after another being <i>forced</i> to accept FRN's. Consider operation <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2014/01/excerpt-from-new-tomorrow-1937-1941.html" target="_blank">Golden Lily</a>, where during the prelude to WWII, dynastic families were robbed of their assets of gold and forced to deposit them in the BIS, which forced their participation in the new FRN banking system.<br />
<br />
Therefore, the BIGGEST determining factor in any system's success is directly dependent on people agreeing to use it. <i><b>Do you see the common thread here?</b></i> As we mentioned above, what makes any trading system work is <b>mutual agreement</b>. Hence, each individual deciding to join and use the system will FORCE the big banking powers hands in a sense. And unlike in the past, where our agreement is implied under duress because we have no choice but to use the currency of our nation of residence, this system can be used by our <b>own free will choice; just like bitcoin and any other system out there. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Think about it like this</b>: if half the worlds population wanted to use the CreditXchange, then the other half of the world that does not, would need to negotiate to facilitate trade between them; this idea is already widely known under the banner of international trade. Since the big banking powers NEED people to use them inorder to maintain themselves, eventually if enough people used an alternative system, the banks would be forced to 'play' in order to survive; look to bitcoin as an example of this. Now this does not preclude them from trying all sorts of nefarious things to force people out of an alternative system, but if people educate themselves about what their true relationship to money is, then they will realize that the people have always had the power, not the banks.<br />
<br />
We have always been the Creditors, where banks and governments are debtors; this is the secret every Bank on earth acknowledges.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What will make this successful?</span></b><br />
<br />
What makes any system successful is participation, true knowledge of why it can work, and persistence in continuing to expand the network honorably. The more people that join, the stronger it becomes and the more power it has to negotiate with large institutions. Once a major business begins accepting this system (like walmart or oil company, etc) it will provide even more negotiation power for all who are involved. Eventually a critical mass will be reached.<br />
<br />
Cindy, from <a href="http://risetogether.weebly.com/blog" target="_blank">We Rise Together</a> was commenting that this system is not a new invention, it is simply a trading platform. And since it still uses "money" in some form, it is not the ultimate solution. I agree with this assessment, but we must remember that the CORE issue is each individual's knowledge and actions; or lack there of as a whole on earth.<br />
<br />
For example, in a family, each person agrees to help contribute (ideally) and then everyone works together to maintain their mutual quality of life. We discussed this in the article <a href="http://sitsshow.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-access-your-absolute-value.html" target="_blank">How to Access your Absolute Value - Manifesting Paradise through acknowledging our place in the Universal Community</a>. This concept is known under a different name: as 'paying it forward,' and the effect on the individuals employing this system, is a growing desire to act honorably with respect to others, and to create harmony in life instead of chaos. Alternative money systems <b>can</b> be used in this way, but a <b>conscious recognition of ourselves as the source of value, goods and services is key</b>. Ignorance of this devolves the system back into a power grab by greedy people, who fail to recognize that improving life for all, improves life for themselves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why is CreditXchange not like "real money"?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Az-LOx4hE/VNvRa6zqjkI/AAAAAAAAHIc/0e_XPH_3_qo/s1600/currencies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Az-LOx4hE/VNvRa6zqjkI/AAAAAAAAHIc/0e_XPH_3_qo/s1600/currencies.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Currently "Real money" is tied to a Central Banking system. What makes FRN's so powerful as a trading currency is that EVERYONE has been forced to use it; the reserve currency for every other currency on earth. This is why FRN's loss in buying power and the BRICS initiative is so damaging to FRN stability - alternative systems pull people out of the FRN system, and they begin to lose power. As such, an alternative system is limited to the people using it.<br />
<br />
Right now major companies and producers are not accepting it, but more and more people are joining, and eventually if a major company wants to continue doing business with this growing population, they will be forced to participate; expanding the power of the system in the process.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Specific Information about Kiri's Credit Exchange System</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All provided information is subject to change, as the system progresses.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OGLjc48uW0/VNvM6nsYM4I/AAAAAAAAHH0/zsUEUkWjFN0/s1600/ALP-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OGLjc48uW0/VNvM6nsYM4I/AAAAAAAAHH0/zsUEUkWjFN0/s1600/ALP-image.jpg" height="230" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>What is <a href="http://creditxchange.co.nz/" target="_blank">CreditXchange</a>?</b> It is a <i>Non-Bank Trading Platform,</i> using cards and credits, which are not debt based. The underlying intent and design: is a credit exchange system which is based on the value of each being, as described by the OPPT filings, however it does not directly access the $5 Billion ostensibly secured by the OPPT. Here is the website for more information <a href="http://creditxchange.co.nz/" target="_blank">http://creditxchange.co.nz/</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Is it a SWIFT compatible system? </b>Kiri and her team are working on SWIFT approval, which will allow the routing of <i>trade credits </i>("money" in her system) through SWIFT which converts it into normal bank credit; fiat money. Which could ostensibly be used like normal cash. This HAS NOT happened yet, but work is moving forward according to Kiri.<br />
<br />
<b>Franchise or Regional Branch</b><br />
<br />
This point is what gets most people confused, assuming that because <i>there is any cost associated</i> it must just be another scam; <i>but is there any basis to this?</i><br />
<br />
In order to create a Central Hub or "Branch" in your area for <i>CreditXchange,</i> you need $5,000 to set up a franchise. <b><u>Individual card holders do not have to do this.</u></b> Kiri says this is needed because fiat currency (FRN's) purchases a set of the private exchange system. Think of it like a platform which uses cell phones to exchange, the system may work without hidden fees, but you still have to buy a cell phone to use it. Eventually, when enough people join the system, according to Kiri, this will not be needed. The Franchises, at present are only available in New Zealand; Australia is on target to begin opening centers soon.<br />
<br />
<b>How much does a card cost? </b>Cost for an individual card $40.<br />
<br />
<b>What does it cost to get started? (pulled from the CreditXchange site and could be inaccurate as updates are pending)</b><br />
<br />
In the FAQ section of the site we found this:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>New account set-up fee $99</li>
<li>$15/month cash and $15/month trade</li>
<li>NO listing fees!</li>
<li>6% transaction fee (for purchases and sales)</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
**Kiri did mention an update to the website is needed, possibly indicating some of these fees no longer exist. Until then, here is what is available on the site, and is subject to change as membership increases.<br />
<br />
A fee list associated with different account types is shown so you may choose your account type when clicking on "Become a Member". Here we can see the fees are no longer there for Membership, Transactions and Listings:<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LujTuLRCFxA/VNvLjjNzODI/AAAAAAAAHHs/-JgPR2C-15I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-11%2Bat%2B9.35.36%2BPM.png" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<b>How do I get Credits in this system? </b>Credit Voucher System is one way to top up your account. This Credit Voucher is your debt-free digital currency all members can use to top up their accounts. The voucher uses the anti-debt credit technologies to provide a debt-free currency. The benefits of the Credit Voucher is that instead of borrowing credit or distributors lending credit, you can now purchase credit for a 10% fee instead of repayments and interest. Because the Credit Exchange is not a bank or a financial institution, we can offer our members a credit exchanging facility, as opposed to a lending or borrowing system, which means all our members are effectively creditors and shareholders of the Credit Exchange Systems.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusions</span></b><br />
<br />
We are going to be watching this development intensely, and I encourage everyone to develop a personal understanding of the mechanics I attempted to describe above.<br />
<br />
This is not a new idea, there are many, many systems like this which have been around for decades. <b>What makes this the potential Paradigm changer that people can recognize their true relationship to money, and we can liberate ourselves from systems which create debt and slavery. </b>That being said, as more and more people begin using this system, asking major companies to accept credits, it will build in power and scope. Again this is not some 'new invention' what makes the real difference is each person educating themselves and sharing that knowledge with others; when that happens it really won't matter what system is used - as it is the knowledge of how to exchange honorably, which makes a system benefit humanity.<br />
<br />
But this won't happen by magic. As Kiri shared in the ONE people interview recently, "<i>it won't come falling out of the sky</i>" it will work because we actively choose to direct our focus and attention in using it, and sharing the core knowledge with others, so they can realize at a conscious level that it is a better way.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
- Justin</div>
<br />
Here is some additional information on the CreditXchange site:<br />
<br />
<b>Our Tools & Technologies consist of:</b><br />
<br />
1. The Revolutionary Anti-debt Credit Technologies that govern the Credit Exchange System - This means that debt backed currencies can become a thing of the past and eventually phase out as the concepts begin to evolve and take shape.<br />
<br />
2. Smart Card Account for tablet and mobile buying and selling with individuals, businesses etc.<br />
<br />
3. Smarter Eftpos Card designed to be used wherever there is eftpos. This gives you greater freedom and choice of where you can spend your credits.<br />
<br />
4. QR Code Scanning Tablet, great for local businesses that don't have Eftpos and more cost effective system to using Eftpos.<br />
<br />
5. Credit Exchange App, Buy or Sell with our awesome app, now your ability to take payments or send payments is not restricted to conventional methods.<br />
<br />
6. Online Account for a convenient way to manage all your accounts. Send and receive credits, manage all your purchases or sales all from the convenience of your online account.<br />
<br />
7. Tradexchange is the best way to advertise all your products goods or services to members as well as non-members. If you are buying then the Tradexchange is the first place to look when buying if you are wanting to sell then the Tradexchange is the most cost effective way to sell and the first place buyers will look.<br />
<br />
8. Mobile Area Merchant (Account Manager) Each month, you receive a full statement of account activity as detailed as a typical credit card or bank statement. Credit Exchange may extend credit to members in good standing in the form of a Credit Voucher. Each account has a set limit and can only be extended by visiting your Mobile Area Merchant. They are responsible for managing your account and providing all members with up-to-date information, services, tools and technologies from the Credit Exchange System and Exchange Education Centers. It is also their duty to manage any misuse of the Credit Exchange systems under the guidance of each Distributor.<br />
<br />
9. Credit Voucher System is one way to top up your account. This Credit Voucher is your debt-free digital currency all members can use to top up their accounts. The voucher uses the anti-debt credit technologies to provide a debt-free currency. The benefits of the Credit Voucher is that instead of borrowing credit or distributors lending credit, you can now purchase credit for a 10% fee instead of repayments and interest. Because the Credit Exchange is not a bank or a financial institution, we can offer our members an credit exchanging facility, as opposed to a lending or borrowing system, which means all our members are effectively creditors and shareholders of the Credit Exchange Systems.<br />
<br />
10. Credit Assurance and Insurance is available from your Mobile Area Merchant. This gives you greater security if you, your property or business suffer a loss (Eg. Flooding or Earthquake damage, theft, income loss) and the list goes on.<br />
<br />
11. Currency Exchange provides a free currency exchange service. If you are wanting to exchange your currency for Credits, you can do so by making a cash deposit with your Mobile Area Merchant. We use DPS Technologies so we can also accept Mastercard, Visa American Express and all Debit cards as well in exchange for Credits.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LujTuLRCFxA%2FVNvLjjNzODI%2FAAAAAAAAHHs%2F-JgPR2C-15I%2Fs1600%2FScreen%252BShot%252B2015-02-11%252Bat%252B9.35.36%252BPM.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LujTuLRCFxA/VNvLjjNzODI/AAAAAAAAHHs/-JgPR2C-15I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-11%2Bat%2B9.35.36%2BPM.png" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-91974896561339068282015-02-10T17:29:00.000-08:002015-02-10T17:52:22.271-08:00The End of Debt Slavery? Perhaps...You Decide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="tr_bq" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECrV9G0OdI8/VNqfn0vSqRI/AAAAAAAABFg/lbr8_T85Wpo/s1600/debt%2Bslavery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECrV9G0OdI8/VNqfn0vSqRI/AAAAAAAABFg/lbr8_T85Wpo/s1600/debt%2Bslavery.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>The End of Debt Slavery? Perhaps...You Decide</b><br />
February 11, 2015<br />
<br />
<i>Note from Brian: this article contains a substantial amount of research and information which proves, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that humanity does in fact operate within a global slavery system designed to control the population through debt and banking. Much of this information is not new. However, it will be new to many. The content of this post, specifically the links to supporting articles and videos are a great starting point for any friends or family who are new to this information, or even on the fence still trying to figure out what to believe. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If there is too much information here and the reader is not interested in diving into all of it, I suggest scrolling to the middle where I share a quote from Colonel Edward Mandell House, providing verifiable evidence of the gross coercion at play behind the scenes in the build up to the creation of the Federal Reserve. This quote alone will likely inspire digging into the rest of the material presented here. To the people who may end up reading this content and diving into this material for the first time, this information will be shocking at the very least. Before you get mad, angry or upset, please understand that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As you read this post, this system, designed to control and manipulate the masses for the benefit of the few is failing. In fact, the whole reason for me putting this out now, is to highlight recent developments which lead myself and many others to believe, this failure may be taking place sooner rather than later. Be strong. Keep the Faith. We are all in this together. Humanity will prevail. Our destiny guarantees it. Namaste ~BK</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>For live real time updates, make sure to check out www.consciousconsumernetwork.tv. The world's first alternative media live streaming news platform.</b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This is a long story that spans back nearly two years. In fact, it spans back to the dawn of the Federal Reserve and the installment of debt into modern day money mechanics. </span><span style="color: blue;">For those with a reasonable level of awareness of how the debt and money system works, this will be pretty simple to grasp. For everyone else,</span><span style="color: blue;"> in order for this information to make any level of remote sense, a significant amount of research and digging will be in order. I will do my best to provide a few links and videos to help initiate that process.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br />Before I do so, let me say this. It is easy to judge that which we do not understand. This is the type of high profile story, with global ramifications beyond which my mind can even fathom at this point, which will undoubtedly bring with it a great deal of judgment, criticism and skepticism. So be it. Goes with the territory. This story needs to be told and I will do whatever I can in my power to help get the message out. Wayne Dyer once said, "the ultimate form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about."<br /><br />So, before you reject, seek to understand.<br /><br />This article I put out back in August, 2013 is a great start: </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/kiri-campbells-innocence-web-of-lies.html">http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/kiri-campbells-innocence-web-of-lies.html</a>.<br /><br />Within that article, there are also links to a few other key blog posts, which provide a substantial amount of additional data to help illustrate the underlying story and statement of facts presented herein. Here are the links to those two articles, previously posted here on this blog. To this date, these are the most widely read blog posts I've ever pieced together and have since been shared on hundreds of other blogs all over the internet.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/proof-all-of-your-debt-is-pre-paid.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-decoration: none;">Proof ALL Your Debt is PRE-PAID</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> </span></span><br />
<a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-united-states-private-for-profit.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The United States -- A Private for Profit Federal Corporation -- Bankrupt & has to Pay Our Bills</span></a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/your-birth-certificate-was-made-into.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Your Birth Certificate Was Made Into a Bond...it's Worth Billions!</span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">The following is an animated short video that went out back in 2010, called Meet Your Strawman. In just a few minutes the creators of the short have captured in a fun and playful way the concept of the strawman (the creation of the corporate fiction aka: YOU), as well as the story behind its creation. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ME7K6P7hlko" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">For a deeper read into how the strawman works, I highly recommend reading Mary Elizabeth: Croft, How I Clobbered Every Bureaucratic Cash-Confiscatory Agency Known to Man, which can be read here. There are also free pdf versions available for download all over the internet by searching the title on Google. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thecrowhouse.com/Documents/mary-book.pdf">http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/mary-elizabeth-croft-how-i-clobbered.html</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Still not convinced?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">This is a direct quote from Colonel Edward Mandell House, on the Federal Reserve System, as stated to then President, Woodrow Wilson. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Edward Mandell House On The Federal Reserve System</div>
<br />
<br />
The Federal Reserve is the real (hidden) government of the United States Corporation. What is unknown to most Americans, is that Washington D.C. is merely the Federal Reserve System's puppet.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<i><b>"Passage of the Federal Reserve Act was a major milestone on the 'road to serfdom' that this entire progression outlines.</b> The conspiratorial nature of matters is exemplified in comments by one of the major actors in the triumph of the Federal Reserve, Edward Mandell House, who had this to say in a private meeting with President Woodrow Wilson: </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>'<b>[Very] soon, every American will be required to register their biological property in a national system designed to keep track of the people and that will operate under the ancient system of pledging. </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i><b>By such methodology, we can compel people to submit to our agenda, which will affect our security as a chargeback for our fiat paper currency.</b> </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i><b>Every American will be forced to register or suffer being unable to work and earn a living. They will be our chattel, and we will hold the security interest over them forever, by operation of the law merchant under the scheme of secured transactions. </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>Americans, by <b>unknowingly or unwittingly delivering the bills of lading to us will be rendered bankrupt and insolvent, forever to remain economic slaves through taxation, secured by their pledges. </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>They will be<b> stripped of their rights and given a commercial value designed to make us a profit and they will be none the wiser, for not one man in a million could ever figure our plans and, if by accident one or two should figure it out, we have in our arsenal plausible deniability. </b>After all, this is the only logical way to fund government, by <b>floating liens and debt to the registrants in the form of benefits and privileges. </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i><b>This will inevitably reap to us huge profits beyond our wildest expectations and leave every American a contributor to this fraud which we will call 'Social Insurance.'<br />'Without realizing it, every American will insure us for any loss we may incur and in this manner; every American will unknowingly be our servant, </b>however begrudgingly.<br /><b>The people will become helpless and without any hope for their redemption and, we will employ the high office of the *President of our dummy corporation to foment this plot against America.'” </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>Editor's Note: President, referring to the President of the United States of America AKA, the United States Corporation."</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Now that there is sufficient background in place, let's fast forward to present day, February 11th, 2015. Last Friday a platform called Credit Xchange <a href="http://www.creditxchange.co.nz/">www.creditxchange.co.nz </a>(website currently down to increase server capacity) was launched in New Zealand, by Kiri Campbell and her team of Freedom Fighters. Below is the first public announcement about this new program.<br /><br />There is still much information coming out now as to how this system will work. Since I am still in the process of understanding its inner workings, I will hold back any explanations, so as to avoid unconsciously providing any misinformation.<br /><br />I will say this. This development may not be "THE" answer. However, from my assessment it represents one of major importance. The likes of which, carrying the capacity to create a tsunami of positive change, likely to follow as a result.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cWv5TpTz2Oo" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Let me take this moment to send a HUGE thank you to Kiri Campbell and her team for your unwavering commitment and collective service to humanity. This is an exciting time to be alive and I'm honored to be sharing this mission of Operation Liberate Humanity with all of you who read this blog and beyond. Victory will be ours!<br /><br />More on this coming soon...<br /><br />In closing one of my favorite YouTube videos ever created to accompany the famous speech by Charlie Chaplin from the movie The Dictator:<br /><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WibmcsEGLKo" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-35126159077303978922015-01-26T20:43:00.000-08:002015-01-26T20:46:10.164-08:00One People -- One Planet -- Limitless Possibilities -- Mpowered Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoeDDlF5DJE/VMcMw2LtEWI/AAAAAAAABE8/m3KJOLsQcNI/s1600/first%2Bwinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoeDDlF5DJE/VMcMw2LtEWI/AAAAAAAABE8/m3KJOLsQcNI/s1600/first%2Bwinner.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>One People -- One Planet -- Limitless Possibilities -- Mpowered Life</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January 27, 2015</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://empoweritforward.org/mpowered-life-announces-partnership-with-a-very-gifted-artisan-in-the-city-center-of-ubud-in-bali-indonesia/#sthash.GQn8CJUi.dpbs">http://empoweritforward.org/mpowered-life-announces-partnership-with-a-very-gifted-artisan-in-the-city-center-of-ubud-in-bali-indonesia/#sthash.GQn8CJUi.dpbs</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">As you can see, our 9 Gifts of Gaia concept has evolved much since writing the posts, here on this blog, about the Journey to Discovering Purpose. What a journey it has been! What an incredible feeling it is, waking up everyday, doing what I love; helping people.<br /><br />I've been so blessed to attract the perfect team. All of whom share the same heartfelt intention and vision of making the world a better place, by dedicating our lives to something as simple as placing our individual and collective focus on the Empowerment of others. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">The question that drives us, and one which we continue to ask ourselves daily is, "what would the world look like, if people everywhere made it their daily intention to support one another, no matter the circumstances?" We don't have the answer to this question, yet the limitless possibilities within the notion are enough to keep us on the course, to do what we can to help make it so.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">It doesn't take money to make a difference. It just takes Love. Action. Commitment. Follow through. I'm so grateful for all the amazing support for my work and this project. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I pledge to show my deep level of gratitude by Empowering it Forward to as many others as I can. This is my commitment and promise. Everything is possible if we just believe. I BELIEVE~BK</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>2015 ~ The year the Impossible becomes the Inevitable</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />Below is our latest update on Indiegogo. If you have the means, donate $1, support the movement and get it on the next raffle! Just wait until you see what we will be giving away! ;)<br /><br />http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437<br /><br />#Empoweritforward</span></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">14 Days to Go & We're Making Great Headway!</span></b><br />
<br />
Despite a slow week of donations, the supportive energy coming in through our fan page and from people getting involved has been through the roof! 671 shares on Facebook is HUGE!<br />
<br />
We've also transitioned this project from idea phase to full blown action! Since our last update, Brian Kelly, our Founder, has made a move over to a small village in Bali, Indonesia, called Ubud. This area is home to some of the most talented, yet under supported artisans in the world. Unfortunately, many of them cannot afford to pursue their passion for the arts, as they simply don't make enough to sustain themselves and their families. <br />
<br />
We are on a mission to change that and will do so with your support. In just two weeks, Brian has already formed relationships with a small handful of rural artisans, living outside of the main city center, hearing their personal stories, and finding out how their lives would change if they had an outlet to offer their art on a wider scale. <br />
<br />
This video update is with our first chosen artisan partner, Geru Bug. Geru is a traditional Balinesian wood carver with a beautiful story.<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SBN7Jm7h0KM" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
The winner of this beautiful hand carved mask from Geru will be announced later today on Facebook! Just wait until you see what we have in store for our next winner. All it takes is to share this campaign and you're in!<br />
<br />
Thank you all so much for being a part of this project! Don't forget to share the campaign and use #empoweritforward on Instagram and Twitter, and help us make Empowerment go viral right now! The more we raise in this campaign, the more sustainable opportunities & lifestyles we will be able to create!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8y4v6--cEA/VMcTv55lIYI/AAAAAAAABFM/fcc_eenVtD0/s1600/IMG_9075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8y4v6--cEA/VMcTv55lIYI/AAAAAAAABFM/fcc_eenVtD0/s1600/IMG_9075.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The story of Geru:</b></div>
Mpowered Life is very pleased to announce that we have established a partnership with a very gifted artisan in the city center of Udud in Bali, Indonesia.<br />
<br />
Geru Bug is carving Balinese masks since 15 years, which he offers through a small storefront. He carves the masks at his home and it takes about 3 days for a large mask to complete.</div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
Geru is 32 years old and shares a house with 5 more family members. His family has a long tradition in wood carving which is where Geru derives his inspiration for his creative art from.<br />
<br />
He uses waru tree wood from Karanasum which is part of the hibiscus family. Geru considers his artistic expressions to be a combination of traditional and modern art inspired from his higher self. His masks represent his passion and zest for life.<br />
<br />
We are not surprised that Geru is not happy that the world of plastics has reached the island of Bali. If he would have the power to do so, he would change that.<br />
<br />
Through our partnership, Mpowered Life will be able to offer these masks in our online storefront once it’s established. Being able to sell more of his beautiful masks would enable Geru to enhance the life of his family and create an empowered future for his local environment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;">Here is our first campaign update video. Had no idea this would create such a buzz! So incredibly grateful for all the love & support <3 ~ BK</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rSmuR1J4z5A" width="640"></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-87488100691129278642015-01-14T19:53:00.000-08:002015-01-15T01:43:27.737-08:00One Human Family; Food for All<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3whb3eozqDg/VLeKl3SefwI/AAAAAAAABEc/1rM64Znyi7w/s1600/one%2Bhuman%2Bfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3whb3eozqDg/VLeKl3SefwI/AAAAAAAABEc/1rM64Znyi7w/s1600/one%2Bhuman%2Bfamily.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>One Human Family; Food for All</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
January 15, 2015</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Thank you Sherry Sawyer for posting this video on our Empowerment It Forward Facebook page. Tears of joy, welling up in the corner of my eyes as I watched it and now write this post.<br /><br />I didn't think it was possible to embody the message of the Empower it Forward movement in only one minute. I was wrong...</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">"Based on an ancient story about hunger and sharing, this animated video is part of Caritas’ “One Human Family, Food for All” campaign. The “allegory of the spoons” teaches us that when we struggle to feed only ourselves, everyone goes hungry. But when we focus on our neighbour’s hunger, we discover there are ways to feed everyone."</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qhU5JEd-XRo" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Will be contacting this group to see how we may be able to get involved and help out with their efforts. There are enough resources on the planet to provide food, clothing, shelter and a proper education to every human being multiple times over. Ending poverty is not a fantasy. It is more possible now than ever before. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9TryTX2tuE/VLeLjFLS8oI/AAAAAAAABEk/27NAYAQ2LnI/s1600/empower%2Bfb%2Bbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9TryTX2tuE/VLeLjFLS8oI/AAAAAAAABEk/27NAYAQ2LnI/s1600/empower%2Bfb%2Bbanner.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">By supporting this campaign, you will assist us in co-sponsoring a project to bring a new water desalination technology (the Desolenator) to a school in a water deprived village in Tamil Nadu, India.</span><br />
<br />
<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/empoweritforward" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">#empoweritforward</a><br />
<a href="http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hIwWrctufVA" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-54834499726550116192015-01-10T16:40:00.001-08:002015-01-11T03:05:01.878-08:002015: Lights, Camera, Action!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuxA-ilsD_w/VLJK9mai2QI/AAAAAAAABEM/W5mF-HTAaTk/s1600/action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuxA-ilsD_w/VLJK9mai2QI/AAAAAAAABEM/W5mF-HTAaTk/s1600/action.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>2015: Lights, Camera, Action!</b><br />
January 10, 2015<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Doesn't matter which way it's sliced, action always beats intention. Action represents the very distance that separates our dreams from our reality. The question then becomes, what kind of action creates the highest impact? I've looked at this question many times over the past few months. All of my combined life experiences loop me right back around to this...</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">"If you focus on how you can help, how you can serve other people, and how you can make the world a better place, nothing will be impossible for you. If you help people get what they want from life, you can get anything you want out of life." - Zig Ziglar</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">How long will it take to turn things around on this planet if people everywhere adopted this mindset? What are we capable of when we Unite for a common purpose? How many need to jump first before we decide to follow?<br /><br />Time to take the leap...<br /><br />Here's my plan. It's just the beginning. If you're inspired, donate $1 to help make it happen. Want to get involved? Email me. A wise man once said, t</span><span style="color: blue;">aking bold focused action, creates explosive results. No more wasting time. The mission starts now... </span><span style="color: blue;"><br /><br /><a href="http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437">http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437 </a> (Campaign copy also below)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hIwWrctufVA" width="640"></iframe><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
"Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">by Uwe Uehle</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The empower it forward project is an idea whose time has come.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Think global - act local is a philosophy everybody is familiar with. There is a latent desire in each of us to contribute with our own gifts and inner potential towards ideas that are much bigger than we are as individuals. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Nothing is more rewarding than to make another being happy. This is one element of the unconditional love often being talked about - but what does it take to get there?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Imagine a world in which individuals decide to empower others no matter what the circumstances. Can we see & feel the real beauty that is at the core of every being we come in contact with, no matter how many layers of conditioning are hiding the true essence?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">We live in times of much confusion and uncertainty about the future of our species. Are our so called leaders really able to deal with the problems humanity is facing?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The empower it forward movement tries to counter the division of people on all levels with a focus on love & unity.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Envision a world in which all the creative potential is being released by a people that does not focus on projecting criticism anymore but employs methods of tangible empowerment towards each other to enable everybody to live to the fullest regardless of personal background or circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">A smile or random act of kindness is a simple act of unconditional love that can not only transform an individual - but impact communities and even larger groups of people. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Now imagine what the creation of opportunities, support of causes and empowerment towards self-sustainability can do for an individual and an entire culture.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">When people make a conscious decision to help with any form of suffering they come across - being it poverty or lack of basic living condition supplies like water or food - they will realize the power that is latent in each of us. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">You have probably heard the expression that to change something you need to build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Do you agree that we have arrived at a point where the old model of competition and scarcity should be made obsolete by a world of exchanging value of any kind based on mutual empowerment towards building sustainable communities and a way of life that promotes harmony with nature and the environment?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">How about we shift our consumer behavior towards supporting businesses and commerce that is not focused on profits but on how much sustainability can be created and how many lives we may impact with our purchase?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">How about becoming an active part of a movement that is focused on maximizing sustainability and empowerment month after month on all levels of society from individual to communities that just need that initial support to kick start a new wave of decentralized but interconnected mutually empowering communities in alignment with the growing awareness that teaching somebody how to fish is of more long lasting value than just giving one or a few fish?<br /><br /><a href="http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437">http://igg.me/at/empoweritforward/x/9285437</a></span><br />
<div class="i-tagline" id="tabanchor" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Benton Sans', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 36px; line-height: 46px; margin-top: 15px; word-break: break-word;">
Be the Change You Wish to See in the World. Join the movement; Empower it Forward.</div>
<div class="i-byline" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Benton Sans Medium', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="i-keep-it-together" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="i-icon i-glyph-icon-30-location" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; display: inline-block; font-family: igg-glyphs-30; font-size: 25px; line-height: 1; speak: none; vertical-align: middle;"></span> <a class="i-byline-location-link" href="https://www.indiegogo.com/explore?filter_city=Bali&filter_country=CTRY_ID" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 30px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;">Bali, Indonesia</a></span> <span class="i-keep-it-together" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="i-icon i-category-icon i-glyph-icon-30-smallbusiness" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-left-radius: 12.5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12.5px; border-top-left-radius: 12.5px; border-top-right-radius: 12.5px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; display: inline-block; font-family: igg-glyphs-30; font-size: 25px; height: 25px; line-height: 1; speak: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 25px;"></span> <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/explore?filter_category=Small+Business" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; margin-left: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;">Small Business</a></span></div>
<div class="i-description" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Benton Sans', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"></b></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1136791/files/20150107123203-Empower_banner.jpg?1420662723" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img style="background-color: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 30px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 38px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
We believe in the power of community and have seen first hand how it connects and empowers people from all walks of life. The <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">#empoweritforward</b> project grew out of a simple desire to take an active stand against all forms of human suffering, by putting focus on Empowering each other, no matter what the circumstances. When we do so, we fill each other with up with new levels of hope, confidence, joy and a renewed positive outlook on life, providing ample amounts of fuel, ripe for Empowering our individual & collective creative Spirit. </div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">Empowerment comes in many forms. A good deed. A random act of kindness. The sharing of wisdom. A hug or a smile. It doesn't take much to Empower another. This project, by 9 Gifts of Gaia, is aimed at connecting people & communities around the world and impacting lives through the most simple act of Love; Empowerment. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1130491/files/20150104070027-9GOG_THE-OUTCOME_01.jpg?1420383627" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 955px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 639.416846652268px;" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;">If you 1) share this Indiegogo campaign on any social media <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">with the #empoweritforward hashtag</b> and 2) shoot us an email to<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">brian@empoweritforward.org </b>with a screenshot or a link of where you shared it, we will not only enter you into a raffle for a <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">free chance to win</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">lots of Empowering prizes & perks </b>throughout the campaign. We will also send you a free PDF digital download (as well as customized .jpg for social sharing) of our custom Empower It Forward cards!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;">Start spreading the message of unity & hope by Empowering others today!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;"></b></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1138130/files/20150108081144-EIF_CARD.jpg?1420733504" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 687px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 570.952702702703px;" /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137131/files/20150107155840-Our-Plans-with-Your-Support.jpg?1420675120" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">Artisans from around the world (many living in rural communities) don't have the means to sell their work on the international market. We hope to give them a platform to do this, and reach customers on a global scale. Within a few days of launching this campaign (using my own funds), I will be making a move from Morocco to Bali, Indonesia. Aside from low costs of living combined with local access to cheap organic materials for t-shirts and apparel, it is also home to some of the most skilled and talented artisans in the world. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1131131/files/20150104135836-artisans.jpg?1420408716" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">By helping us reach our goal of $9,999 you will take part in the launch of a project that will touch the lives of many, while creating awareness, and empowering men & women through entrepreneurial development. </b>This goal will also allow us to buy materials, cover purchasing costs, shipping, marketing and promotions. Above all we hope to connect communities through Empowerment by growing new partnerships that will create even greater opportunities for rural artisans. If we don’t reach our entire goal, the funds raised for the Empower it Forward Project will still go directly toward production, marketing, and shipping of our various offerings, simply on a smaller scale. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></b><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></i></b>
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137176/files/20150107162846-Our-First-Project.jpg?1420676926" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></i></b></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</i></b></span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />February: Poverty Eradication Initiative (Kiva)</b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">We believe All h</b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">uman beings are born with unlimited potential, unlimited capacity & unlimited creativity. EVERYONE is a creator. </b>One of the greatest challenges, however, is that poverty stunts creativity. How can people be Empowered to create freely when 50% of the planet lives below the poverty line?</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">The solutions to the world's greatest social issues will not come from governments or political leaders. They will come from people.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU.</b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">People just like the ones seen in the following video from Kiva, our first of many cause partnerships:</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSN2WdqXwfc" style="border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 360px; margin: 20px 0px; width: 600px;"></iframe></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.</i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Access to financial solutions empowers people living in poverty to transform their lives, their children's futures and their communities. </i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137132/files/20150107155950-Why-Kiva.jpg?1420675190" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/47edd0af04f74fe8a5d623d88e2b00ec.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/6b40cbe3393b4c1988e96be1f9276ce3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our Empower It Forward plan with Kiva:</b> As loans are paid back, they are then re-distributed back out, further extending the reach and potential of each loan made, Empowering the lives of not one, but many entrepreneurs who need the support. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137177/files/20150107162921-Clean-Water-Project_The-Desolenator.jpg?1420676961" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Desolenator will provide families with the ability to turn salt water and contaminated water into pure drinking water. </b>The technology has the potential to provide water independence for up to a billion people living in coastal and water stressed areas - using the power of the sun alone. Join our journey to disrupt the global water crisis!" - The Desolenator Team</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">We will be Empowering It Forward 10% of our entire funding campaign</b> to pre-order Desolenators to co-sponsor a project at a school in a water deprived village in Tamil Nadu, India. Details will be announced in an update within the first few days of the campaign!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 502.654867256637px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/caa5602063fb45a8874ebe68c75cb8b3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 314px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 556.133802816901px;" /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 502.654867256637px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Check out & support their crowdfunding campaign which is live now here on Indiegogo: <a href="http://igg.me/at/desolenator/x/9285437" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">http://igg.me/at/desolenator/x/9285437</a></i></span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <iframe class="embedly-embed" height="326" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fplayer.vimeo.com%2Fvideo%2F113633017&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F113633017&image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F499021803_1280.jpg&key=64da7ba9305b45b68029ce9f0c7e4d75&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=vimeo" style="box-sizing: border-box;" width="580"></iframe></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"> How the Empower it Forward Project works with your support. </span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1138223/files/20150108085141-9GOG_The-Project_03.jpg?1420735901" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Here's how you can get involved. </b>Be part of the change in the world, show your support & be rewarded in the Empower It Forward Project.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1138912/files/20150108163319-Empowerment-Perks.jpg?1420763599" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1141566/files/20150110065915-Empower_Perks_02.jpg?1420901955" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Opt Out Reward Option:</b> Want to support the movement but not interested in the rewards? No problem. Just fill in the field in the upper right of the campaign that says "select a contribution amount below," & we'll donate the cost of the reward toward funding our Desolenator sponsorship!</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1141466/files/20150110052859-Other-Ways-to-Help.jpg?1420896539" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137135/files/20150107160154-Vision-for-the-Future.jpg?1420675314" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Imagine a world </b>where business and commerce are redesigned to be used as tools for Empowering life on planet Earth. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px; width: 354.467213114754px;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1130137/files/20150104013943-buckminster_fuller.jpg?1420364383" style="background-color: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; height: 382px; letter-spacing: 0px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 484.688172043011px;" /></span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">This is not a fantasy</b><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">. It is already a reality...</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/5200fcde98d64c3b81858e584129eba4.jpg" style="background-color: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">A focus more on People & less on Profit </b>represents a small shift in thinking, carrying within it the capacity to make a huge shift in people's lives. $1.3 Trillion spent in e-commerce last year alone, presents a tangible opportunity to leverage consumer spending to support global empowerment. $9 may not seem like much, but when multiplied enough times, by enough people, throughout a large enough network of inspired businesses, $9 can help bring Empowerment to the world.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our message is simple: If you're going to shop, shop with purpose. Start supporting people & brands that make a difference.</b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137140/files/20150107160302-Why-Argan-Oil.jpg?1420675382" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">While living in Morocco we discovered one of nature's best kept secrets: </b>Pure Certified Organic Moroccan Argan Oil. The New York Times has called Moroccan Argan oil “Liquid Gold,” which created a global demand for the oil, most commonly used as a moisturizer and for it's natural anti-aging benefits. </i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">We have secured a source through a Fair Trade Women's Co-operative for the highest quality, 100% pure oil.</b> Fair Trade empowers women workers and women-owned businesses around the world. Buying via Fair Trade guarantees women workers have access to health care, rights, and the freedom from harassment. Women around the world often face unequal treatment in terms of wages and rights and come up against discrimination. Farms that are Fair Trade certified empower women through education and leadership roles, not only within their families but also within the cooperatives where they work.<i style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"></i></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; display: inline !important; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0px;"> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/01f8f8a2ff6b4b779b6523cd64bce5ef.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 316px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 507.210191082803px;" /></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Empowering Fair Trade women's co-operatives </b>combined with leveraging the global demand for the oil allows us to maximize our giving potential.</i></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/2f9bc07ac4654221a07aea00b1e78fc6.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">People Helping People</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/67e65cb2e8e6422d911e613da612fedb.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137143/files/20150107160341-What-We-Have-Already-Accomplished.jpg?1420675421" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">As an independent radio host & blogger,</b> I got a jump start in putting the message out that this project is coming. Lots of buzz created and connections made. In these three blog posts (<a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose.html" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose_19.html" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">here</a> & <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose_21.html" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">here</a>), I share some of my story and how this project came to be.</i></li>
</span></ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Partnered with a small collection of artisans </b>who believe in our mission and vision.</i></li>
</span></ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Conducted market research </b>on: Argan Oil & organic cosmetics, apparel development and fulfillment, international shipping practices, import/export regulations (for the oil). </i></li>
</span></ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Secured a direct line to a women's co-operative</b> in Morocco for the purest, highest grade, certified organic Argan Oil.</i></li>
</span></ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Developed a wide range of marketing graphics,</b> promotional materials and strategies, web copy and blog posts, etc.</i></li>
</span></ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Building a team of networkers, affiliates, artisans and strategic partners.</b> A few of which have offered their services for free because they resonate with the concept so deeply. See below from Tony, a retired Ad Exec contractor, turned supporter:</i></li>
</span></ul>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/fundrazr-platform/story/6b205dc567964adc91302f789cfd19a1.jpg" style="background-color: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; height: 261px; letter-spacing: 0px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 616.535433070866px;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137759/files/20150108015426-Our-Story.jpg?1420710866" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">In 2011 a 29 Day giving challenge changed my life</b>. This is that story and a major part of the inspiration for launching this project: How Giving Changed My Life</span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QhUveGzPHE" style="background-color: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; height: 360px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 20px 0px; text-align: center; width: 600px;"></iframe></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">(Click <a href="http://youtu.be/SLDuvU7SXHc" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to watch another interview on how this project was inspired & the vision for the future) </i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1131103/files/20150104134143-DR6.jpg?1420407703" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">In 2011, I received my first big taste of how rewarding it can be to Empower others </b>less fortunate, when I was invited by my High School Health teacher to go on a trip to the Dominican Republic, with her non-profit <a href="http://una-vida.org/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">Una Vida</a> (One Life in Spanish). In a small village called La Descubierta, very close to the Haitian border, we mixed cement by hand and laid concrete flooring in many of the local homes, helping to reduce the likelihood of disease caused by dirt floors. The trip was designed to give high school students an opportunity to see the great contrast of life in a developing nation. An experience uniquely designed to illustrate how blessed and fortunate we are, with hopes of planting seeds within their consciousness, that would one day grow into beautiful flowers, inspiring a life of service. A very BIG seed was planted on that trip. I just wasn't expecting it to be within me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">The DR is also where I was first introduced to an Una Vida</b> creation, called <a href="http://una-vida.org/purpose/the-madres/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">Madres</a>. This was the project that inspired our concept of Empowering rural artisans by supporting their craft & creativity. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1131113/files/20150104134541-madres.jpg?1420407941" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 413px; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle; width: 619.5px;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://una-vida.org/purpose/the-madres/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0eb4b6; text-decoration: none;">The Madres Jewelry Collective</a> was created in 2011</b> in Los Pinos del Eden, Dominican Republic, a rural mountain community near the Dominican-Haitian border. In a culture burdened by inequality and steeped in economic woe, women in poverty often have few resources to support themselves and their families. By paying fair wages in an area with little formal employment, our program empowers mothers to invest in their future and the future of their families. Madres employs both Dominican and Haitian women, building solidarity between two cultures that have endured centuries of mistrust stemming from colonial legacies and competition for scarce resources on an impoverished island. By providing sustainable incomes and opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, Madres is fostering enduring change in Los Pinos.</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />"We rise by lifting others." - Robert Ingersoll</b></span></div>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
</span></h3>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137145/files/20150107160431-Upcoming-Projects.jpg?1420675471" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sustainable Community Project: (Bolo Eco Village)</b></i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Bolo means 'together'</b> in Wolof, the main language in Senegal & is a heart expression of a new way of community life, in which abundance is created through activities within the community, with a primary focus to directly satisfy the needs of the community in an uplifting environment. Bolo is a community stimulated to express our unique talents under a common vision, the vision of sustainability. This is not just a sustainable community, it's a prototype for a new way of life. One that is <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">in harmony</i> with nature and the environment." </i></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1130471/files/20150104063017-let_s_build.jpg?1420381817" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Have ideas for causes to support?</b> Send them in and be a part of the selection process! We're mapping out our campaigns for 2015 now. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><img src="https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/1137150/files/20150107160543-Risks-_-Challenges-banner.jpg?1420675543" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our Greatest Challenge </b>-- Establishing Credibility & Earning Trust</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">People have a hard time giving their trust to companies they've never heard of before. There are so many non-profits and charities (we are neither) who have faced an extreme amount of bad press and scrutiny for misusing/misappropriating funds, as well as not following through with their promises and commitments.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Solution: Prove ourselves. </b>Our aim is to make our entire business model COMPLETELY transparent. As funds come in and are disbursed out to that month's campaign there will be verifiable evidence and proof (by way of tracking and digital screen shots) that funds ended up where promised. This is also the reason why we plan to be extremely selective whe<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; letter-spacing: 0px;">n it comes to causes we'll support. Causes where funds go directly to individuals, groups and projects ensure we have oversight as to fund distribution. Earning trust takes time and most importantly consistency.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-84939516265431340872015-01-06T18:11:00.000-08:002015-01-06T18:25:19.352-08:00Empower Others and Make a Positive Difference in Their Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmpbkZWNq2A/VKyVp9q1IkI/AAAAAAAABDo/2hL6feyuRk4/s1600/empowered3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmpbkZWNq2A/VKyVp9q1IkI/AAAAAAAABDo/2hL6feyuRk4/s1600/empowered3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Empower Others and Make a Positive Difference in Their Day</b><br />
January 7, 2015<br />
<a href="http://tinybuddha.com/blog/empower-others-and-make-a-positive-difference-in-their-day/">http://tinybuddha.com/blog/empower-others-and-make-a-positive-difference-in-their-day/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This beautifully written story hits close to home right now, for so many reasons. This concept of Empowerment is not a new phenomenon. But, how deep have we truly gone in understanding the depth of its meaning. Perhaps, much more importantly, what it "feels" like to be truly Empowered, or even better yet, to Empower another. One could argue, this concept of Empowerment is one of the greatest acts of Love a human being can offer. So much yet to be explored in the possibilities and implications of a truly Empowered human race. From my vantage point we are ripe for this shift in focus, to one of offering unconditional empowerment to each other on every level and in all ways imaginable. Shall we give it a shot? What could we possibly lose when there's so more to gain?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;">When we Empower each other, we Empower ourSelves...I AM EMPOWERED <3</span><br />
<b>“Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit. We cannot flower and grow without it.” ~Jess lair</b><br />
<br />
One of the more important lessons I learned as a child came from my father.<br />
<br />
One day a beggar knocked on our door looking for a giving hand. Though I was a small child, I still remember how he looked. He was old, with an untamed beard and tattered clothes. He had a wretched odor; I imagine he hadn’t showered in months. He was, more likely than not, homeless.<br />
<br />
I remember how my father treated him. I remember my father inviting him into our home, seating him in our kitchen, opening the fridge, and feeding him a hearty meal. I don’t remember much more than that, yet my father’s actions that day taught me an important lesson. It was a lesson about how to treat others. It was a lesson about empowerment.<br />
<br />
<b>Recently, I have gone on a journey in the world of altruism. I sought out “good people” in order to understand the characteristics that define them. What piqued my interest were not just their acts of kindness, but also an understanding of their inner world.</b><br />
<br />
The inspiring, kind people who I met throughout my journey are incredibly influential teachers. It is worthwhile understanding their insights, the way they approach life, and more specifically the way they treat others. Meeting them has had a profound effect on my life.<br />
<br />
One of the lessons I learned through my interaction with them was the importance of empowering others.<br />
<br />
Each of our inner circles is growing and encompassing more people: children, significant others, friends, colleagues, and random people we meet and don’t know as intimately. As the circle grows, so too does our influence.<br />
<b><br />Every nod, every smile, every interaction can completely change the course of someone else’s day. We can either wield that influence in a positive or negative way. The people who I met chose the former.</b><br />
<br />
The following I would like to dedicate to those special people who identify with their fellowmen, and use their influence to empower them.<br />
<br />
<b>Empowering others is one of the most important acts of kindness one can do for his fellow man.</b><br />
<br />
Empowering others means not criticizing them.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means not judging them.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means not being cynical toward them.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means praising the struggling student in the class on his or her progress—any progress, no matter how small.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means curbing your ego.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means connecting to the best elements that lie within you.<br />
<br />
Empowering others is contagious.<br />
<b><br />Empowering others means giving them the feeling that they are loved.</b><br />
<br />
Empowering others is to understand that the cashier at the supermarket, the waiter at the café, the guy who pumps your gas, the doorman, the street cleaner, and the janitor are not transparent. They are people just like us.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means smiling at these people, inquiring about their wellbeing, thanking them for the services they provide, and wishing them a good day.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means being happy for them, and praising them on their accomplishments. Praising them in any way possible. Always.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means identifying with them.<br />
<br />
Empowering others is easy. It does not require any effort.<br />
<br />
Empowering others means smiling when someone else approaches.<br />
<br />
Empowering others also empowers us.<br />
<br />
<b>Empowering others makes the world a better place.</b><br />
<br />
Empowering others means to be moved by the American poet and author Maya Angelou, one of the most important figures in the American Civil Rights Movement, who said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-10561703490304179622015-01-02T01:43:00.001-08:002015-01-02T01:49:50.097-08:00Mark Corske's Engines of Domination -- A Lifting the Veil Documentary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bccwpWt5QUQ/VKZj0armLHI/AAAAAAAABDI/ooql9K7GlVY/s1600/mark%2Bcorske.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bccwpWt5QUQ/VKZj0armLHI/AAAAAAAABDI/ooql9K7GlVY/s1600/mark%2Bcorske.jpg" height="269" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Mark Corske's Engines of Domination -- A Lifting the Veil Documentary</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January 2, 2015</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Happy New Year! As I write this post, I'm sitting here feeling very grateful I made it out of 2014 in one piece. There's something about the new year that gets people's blood pumping. Excitement and anticipation fills the air. While congruently, the world seems to be spinning out of control in a downward spiral, there is also a palpable sense of deconstruction underway. Bringing with it a great deal of hope and faith that a new reality lurks in the distance, waiting to greet all those who have committed so much time and energy to reveal the great deception playing itself out in our world today. So many working tirelessly to expose the facade of the reality matrix for what it is.<br /><br />Someone sent me the link to Mark Corske's documentary last night and I was blown away by the angle he has taken to reveal what he calls the "Engines of Domination." I've watched plenty of amazing documentaries over the last few years, whose aim is to expose the system and help shake people out of the coma that allows it to continue. But this one, WOW! Mark does an absolutely incredible job of simplifying and analyzing the complex web of deception which has allowed the reality we see around us to come to be. He argues the point that, the world as we know it is not the result of human nature. Not even close. It is the result of a small handful of murdering psychopaths who hijacked our reality not long ago and bent it to satisfy their thirst for power and control. Very soon, the masses will sleep no more. Let's make 2015 the year we have ALL been waiting for!<br /><br />PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO FAR AND WIDE!! THIS NEEDS TO GO VIRAL!! ~BK</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JWq5YnH6n6c" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-43263344071555257122014-12-31T04:17:00.000-08:002014-12-31T04:17:02.999-08:00How the Elite Stay in Power<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5Tsz7now1o/VKPpB07I-DI/AAAAAAAABC4/9FSu6OP9QNs/s1600/JFK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5Tsz7now1o/VKPpB07I-DI/AAAAAAAABC4/9FSu6OP9QNs/s1600/JFK.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>How the Elite Stay in Power</b><br />
December 31, 2015<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Love the simplicity in the message of this video. It is our compliance the gives the system power. The answer: STOP COMPLYING WITH THE SYSTEM. It's that easy. When enough know this is all it takes, the system that enslaves humanity will come falling down like a house of cards. I hope this video and others like it go viral. These are the tools needed to awaken the masses. The facade is crumbling down all around us. Knowledge is power. Awareness is key. BUT, it must be followed through with Action. It doesn't have to be a bloody battle. Time to Unite & re-claim the power that was, is and always has been rightfully ours. ~BK</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gGKogwbO240" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-50302269838347349772014-12-22T02:53:00.002-08:002014-12-22T02:53:57.814-08:00Lisa Harrison Interviews John Lamb Lash -- Parts I & II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIgQk-PH53s/VJf1UyGiFXI/AAAAAAAABBA/8D9nt648eYk/s1600/lisa%2Bharrison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIgQk-PH53s/VJf1UyGiFXI/AAAAAAAABBA/8D9nt648eYk/s1600/lisa%2Bharrison.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Lisa Harrison Interviews John Lamb Lash -- Parts I & II</b><br />
December 22, 2014<br />
http://the-one-network.org/john-lamb-lash-w-lisa-m-harrison-pt-2/<br />
<br />
Note from BK: As of January, 2015, the One Network will be launching our new platform. We need the support of our listeners to help make it happen. Please join us so we can keep the Truth flowing throughout 2015! <a href="http://the-one-network.org/join-us/">http://the-one-network.org/join-us/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Part I of this interview has rocked me to me core. Do I have any way of verifying everything that John as shared as Truth? No. But it certainly does "feel" pretty damn spot on. Another, slightly more cliche' way of saying it: it resonates. And it seems to have resonated with over 2,000 others already as well, based on some of the comments I've read on YouTube and Facebook.<br /><br />The story of Sophia that John shares with Lisa is no new development. In fact, it's ancient, dating all the way back to the Nag Hamadi texts. However, as Lisa mentions in Part II, which I'm just listening to now, it's the fullest picture of the story that has ever been painted for public consumption. Lots to discuss on tonight's radio show, that is for certain. We will have Alfred Webre on to talk about all the other unfolding events, which seem too be bubbling to the surface at warp speed now. Hang on to your butt's folks, we ain't seen nothin' yet! ;) ~BK </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tEV9u8aMH7w" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KsPghH2egnk" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-15149980446013349332014-12-21T10:43:00.000-08:002014-12-22T07:51:10.257-08:00My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part III The Final Chapter -- Where the Story Begins...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPDjfjEjWu4/VJb5L7uA4wI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wXjAIpBXZtc/s1600/TWR_CAMPAIGN_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPDjfjEjWu4/VJb5L7uA4wI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wXjAIpBXZtc/s1600/TWR_CAMPAIGN_01.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part III The Final Chapter -- Where the Story Begins...</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
December 21, 2014</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>"Together We Rise, Divided We Fall" ~BK</i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Parts I & II to this story can be read <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose.html">here</a> & <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose_19.html">here</a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<b><i>"When we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, we grow numb to something important in ourselves and succumb eventually to a spiritual paralysis."</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">That's what this little story of mine is really all about. I've woken up from the fog of complacency. I believe this shift within me is the result of a massive shift playing itself out within the collective, across the entire plant, and beyond. In fact, I'm certain this is the case. My hope is that this set of posts will bring others who share my passion forward. This is my message:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkZe5uQLEvg/VJWzjIxi2CI/AAAAAAAAA84/oCLyUuxJGzc/s1600/unity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkZe5uQLEvg/VJWzjIxi2CI/AAAAAAAAA84/oCLyUuxJGzc/s1600/unity.jpg" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">The true mission of this business we're rolling out, isn't about selling shirts, Argan oil, jewelry or any "thing" for that matter. It's about putting our energy into a project we feel strongly will make a difference, and hopefully inspiring others to create generosity projects of their own. It's about enriching our lives by enriching the lives of others. Spiritual rhetoric doesn't end suffering, it doesn't stop child sex trafficking, it doesn't stop the spraying of chem trails, or shift the energies of war, greed or hate. Only committed people that share similar core values and a vision for a better world can accomplish such a feat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<b><i>"We need to awaken to a common consciousness of all being inhabitants of Earth. This consciousness is not to be found in some distant place. It will not be found on a computer screen. It lies in our hearts, in our ability to share the pain of our fellow human beings. It is the spirit that says: “As long as you are suffering, whoever you are and whatever your suffering may be, I suffer also.”</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">It is only recently that I had to take a good long look in the mirror and ask myself, what am I really doing to change the status quo? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">My name is Brian Kelly & this project is an outward manifestation of an inward desire to help make the world a better place. This is my story...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ-omcN1fwE/VJW3iKJKGnI/AAAAAAAAA9E/mKN_38dWwSU/s1600/mother%2Bteresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ-omcN1fwE/VJW3iKJKGnI/AAAAAAAAA9E/mKN_38dWwSU/s1600/mother%2Bteresa.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">It's already seeded in our youth. Take a look and see a beautiful example of how easy change can be...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/99WLYiHvk0o" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Part I was all about my personal journey, where I fell, how I picked myself back up and what I learned along the way. In Part II I laid out all my research and findings as well as my personal plan to be part of the Revolution of Change. In Part III I will reveal the project in more detail, focusing on the aspects of finding a team of like minds and building a tribal community of world changers.<br />
<br />
This whole project started with a very simple idea. Secure, package, sell 100% pure organic Moroccan Argan Oil to raise funds for sustainable community projects. Here is the chart I showed in my video with Hope, showing the explosive global demand for the oil. Plus, this stuff is amazing for the body on so many levels, it was a very exciting prospect to leverage a high demand product like Argan Oil, as a means to support our first intended project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auLn-_W3zFg/VJW64kmVVVI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/iw2PVrE0W8I/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bdemand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auLn-_W3zFg/VJW64kmVVVI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/iw2PVrE0W8I/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bdemand.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZINcXWM1ls/VJa7eYUYxcI/AAAAAAAAA9s/8J_usOUJxWw/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bliquid%2Bgold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZINcXWM1ls/VJa7eYUYxcI/AAAAAAAAA9s/8J_usOUJxWw/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bliquid%2Bgold.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmjWtA3cX_8/VJa7feIFmiI/AAAAAAAAA90/fW9RAUwNq-U/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bmiraculous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmjWtA3cX_8/VJa7feIFmiI/AAAAAAAAA90/fW9RAUwNq-U/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bmiraculous.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">The need to promote, support and rally around sustainability is very real and has a direct impact on the lives of all 7+ billion of us. This concept underwent many series of evolution.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPx81Os0fY/VJVlORjOFsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/xwGQUIW10EU/s1600/let's%2Bbuild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPx81Os0fY/VJVlORjOFsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/xwGQUIW10EU/s1600/let's%2Bbuild.jpg" height="156" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDeGlHAfaY/VJbAQJHI_cI/AAAAAAAAA-E/EX1CYNhSmXM/s1600/bolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDeGlHAfaY/VJbAQJHI_cI/AAAAAAAAA-E/EX1CYNhSmXM/s1600/bolo.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Which leads me to my next revelation.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #14: IDEAS ARE ALWAYS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF EVOLUTION. EMBRACE THE PROCESS OF CHANGE.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
First creation: Essence of Sahara<br />
Objective: Discover & deliver nature's best kept health and wellness secrets from Morocco for the healing of mind, body & soul.<br />
Challenge: Major disconnect from our personal experience. Inauthentic. It felt like we were a couple guys launching a cosmetics company.Also, the same reason why we had to evolve only from supporting sustainable communities. No personal experience makes connecting to a project very difficult.<br />
<br />
First evolution: Essence of Gaia<br />
Same as above: Same as above, but a broader scope of offerings from around the world.<br />
Evolution of concept: Moringa grows wild on Bolo land. The addition of this mega super food added an exciting new prospect for the developing project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaAovjLouNQ/VJcCvRFzkwI/AAAAAAAABAM/8I5FudFjHKY/s1600/moringa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaAovjLouNQ/VJcCvRFzkwI/AAAAAAAABAM/8I5FudFjHKY/s1600/moringa.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Challenge: The same disconnect. No real experience based connection to the message. Still a major component missing to bring the whole thing together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGd2D5zOeoI/VJVqXhTZTNI/AAAAAAAAA68/yF5gdpIf0iY/s1600/EOG_01_test_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGd2D5zOeoI/VJVqXhTZTNI/AAAAAAAAA68/yF5gdpIf0iY/s1600/EOG_01_test_05.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After discovering Sevenly, the social business model and the generosity movement, it was time for a complete overhaul of the concept.<br />
<br />
Current Project: 9 Gifts of Gaia<br />
Mission: Raise funding & awareness to support some of the world's most worthy causes. Focusing on four key categories, as mentioned in Part II: poverty, education, innovation and sustainability.<br />
Vision: Inspire a global tribe of world changers. People from all around the planet ready to unite under a common vision for a new world.<br />
<br />
After my last post someone asked me what kinds of other projects we plan to support after Kiva. Here's a sneak peak into one of them we're looking at now. This one would fall into the poverty, innovation and sustainability categories:<br />
<br />
Instead of supporting the company direct, we would purchase the units and donate them to villages who lack access to clean, safe, drinkable water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/113219737" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<a href="http://vimeo.com/113219737">Desolenator old video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34962125">Desolenator</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
What we DO, taken from our FB Fan Page:<br />
<br />
For every item purchased we Pay It Forward $9 to a worthy cause. We offer custom cause apparel, print art, organic health & wellness products, hand made jewelry & more. Conscious commerce to Inspire, Empower and change lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IAPFFSQM_U/VJVto5_UgyI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CBMevlDvsHk/s1600/9_GOG_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IAPFFSQM_U/VJVto5_UgyI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CBMevlDvsHk/s1600/9_GOG_logo.png" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
Why 9?<br />
<br />
All about numerology. The number 9 is a number of universal love, spiritual awakening, consciousness and empathy, service to humanity, philanthropy, charity, selflessness, generosity, compassion, strength, responsibility, and all that is good within and among us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zOsw5lzEz78/VJcQSaeF6GI/AAAAAAAABAc/fEF1-mutWts/s1600/9GOG_The-Season-of-Gifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zOsw5lzEz78/VJcQSaeF6GI/AAAAAAAABAc/fEF1-mutWts/s1600/9GOG_The-Season-of-Gifting.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How it works:<br />
<br />
1. We Select A Cause<br />
One of the major challenges facing humanity today is a lack of funding & awareness for some of the world's greatest & most worthy causes. With your support, every month we'll launch a new cause campaign. Custom limited edition T-shirts and prints will be designed to share the mission of that month's cause.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjRfrS8kQNA/VJVvl-ifG7I/AAAAAAAAA7k/M1LlkJNH-tU/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_02_new2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjRfrS8kQNA/VJVvl-ifG7I/AAAAAAAAA7k/M1LlkJNH-tU/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_02_new2.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Cause Is Shared Through Social Media<br />
As each item is sold, awareness for the cause is raised, & 9 Gifts of Gaia Pays It Forward $9 to support the cause effort.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTbq96ohzHo/VJVv8q16C0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/uf6gV7_P6IQ/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_03_new_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTbq96ohzHo/VJVv8q16C0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/uf6gV7_P6IQ/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_03_new_02.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
3. We Change the World<br />
Buckminster Fuller said, "It is now highly feasible to take care of everybody on Earth at a higher standard of living than any have ever known. It no longer has to be you or me. Selfishness is unnecessary. War is obsolete. It is a matter of converting the high technology from weaponry to livingry." The world's next great journey, begins with YOU!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvMpm49w0-w/VJVwJttYJKI/AAAAAAAAA70/m2ZrEqobbbE/s1600/30-Day-Campaigns_new_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvMpm49w0-w/VJVwJttYJKI/AAAAAAAAA70/m2ZrEqobbbE/s1600/30-Day-Campaigns_new_02.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This initiative wouldn't work if I didn't fully believe the majority of humanity has a deep desire to help make the world a better place. This model gives anyone with a computer or phone with an internet connection an opportunity to help spread the message which will impact the lives of real people from all over the planet. We know this model works simply by researching companies like Sevenly and Tom's Shoes, another huge generosity based business success story.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XhSSdm2vA/VJbWyxYH_mI/AAAAAAAAA-U/s3SWgKc0ioo/s1600/tom's%2Bshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XhSSdm2vA/VJbWyxYH_mI/AAAAAAAAA-U/s3SWgKc0ioo/s1600/tom's%2Bshoes.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Even if people can't afford to buy a product or a shirt, helping spread the message by word of mouth and on social media is equally, if not more valuable, than making a purchase.<br />
<br />
<b>A transparent breakdown of the revenue model:</b><br />
<br />
Short sleeve shirts will sell for: $26 (avg price)<br />
Our cost depends on quantity of order: $8 (avg price for high quality shirt + printing)<br />
Pay It Forward amount: $9<br />
Profit before expenses: $9<br />
(Price for Argan Oil is still in development)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsuouj8vTPI/VJWIaaoSAxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/L3FhEdd13OY/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsuouj8vTPI/VJWIaaoSAxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/L3FhEdd13OY/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_01.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our launch goal is to sell 1,000 shirts/products in our first month. That's $9,000 that goes directly toward funding Kiva micro loans. In $25 loan increments, we affect the lives of 360 people.<br />
<br />
Our success will be judged not simply by profit, but by how many lives we touch. When we reach the above goal, this by itself is a huge accomplishment. I will happily film myself dancing in the street and put on YouTube for all to see. I promise ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2BSGNxgYis/VJbc1JWF1_I/AAAAAAAAA-k/yYmdtl7hh2Q/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2BSGNxgYis/VJbc1JWF1_I/AAAAAAAAA-k/yYmdtl7hh2Q/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
People like Mourice will be able to buy seeds to increase his farming production</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdLdGFqVOQ/VJbfWWhNYsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/7QfqWKP7IKo/s1600/Kiva%2Bborrower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdLdGFqVOQ/VJbfWWhNYsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/7QfqWKP7IKo/s1600/Kiva%2Bborrower2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mohammod can rebuild his house destroyed by the last war in Gaza</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve23qgOJ93A/VJbge8aTAUI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8WjAgcE8diQ/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve23qgOJ93A/VJbge8aTAUI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8WjAgcE8diQ/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower3.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hazina in Kenya can start her horticulture farming project. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAu2yQoGHjo/VJbimPVlfUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/m1hd3XEv6FI/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAu2yQoGHjo/VJbimPVlfUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/m1hd3XEv6FI/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower4.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chantha can pay for her son's tuition to attend the University in Cambodia</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That leaves $9,000 to cover all of our monthly business expenses and basic survival needs. Other costs will include marketing, sales, promotions, customer service, affiliate support, website management, social media management, operations, PR, shipping (oil), and a few other misc items.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzTM_WtiFas/VJWI2FpTHiI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/_n02eM16NZU/s1600/9GOG_BE-PURE_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzTM_WtiFas/VJWI2FpTHiI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/_n02eM16NZU/s1600/9GOG_BE-PURE_new.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That's not the end of the giving cycle. Remember, 98% of Kiva loans are paid back, usually within 12 months, considering most are very small amounts. As funds are returned, the process repeats, funding new entrepreneurial projects and pulling more and more people out of poverty, over and over and over again. The result: a self looping system of giving, that touches many lives.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ReXZABOI6U/VJQ5Zl0RbCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/HIaDJXbx5_o/s1600/kiva2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ReXZABOI6U/VJQ5Zl0RbCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/HIaDJXbx5_o/s1600/kiva2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMSIn0qGnls/VJQ4aQdqpGI/AAAAAAAAA3g/LxoR4ZCI6G4/s1600/kiva1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMSIn0qGnls/VJQ4aQdqpGI/AAAAAAAAA3g/LxoR4ZCI6G4/s1600/kiva1.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><br /></b><br />
As powerful as the fund raising aspect of this model can and will be, I believe the greatest effect will come in the raising of awareness for so many great initiatives that need the exposure. When the campaign gets spread throughout social media and on various blogs, even if the greater majority of people don't purchase a product, they still learn about the cause.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Prediction: 2015 will be the year which marks a major rise in the Generosity Based Business Model. Companies will form purely from a desire to make the world a better place. Existing businesses will change their models to incorporate a giving aspect that supports a cause. The concept of business, like money, will be redefined as a tool for CHANGE. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This creation represents our collective mission to be an example for other businesses that this model is the way of the future. How powerful of an idea it is to envision a world where it becomes common place for consumers to ask at each point of purchase, "what cause does this shirt, baseball glove, lamp, car, book, home remodeling project, fill in the ________ support?" In a world where 87% of consumers polled said they would switch from one brand to another if the brand supports a cause, the sustainability and livelihood of business will depend on the shift of focus from <b>Profit to People. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"One small act can create ripples of change." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Here is proof. This exchange is a great illustration of what it means to follow the energetic trial. <br />
<br />
I found Dr. Sandy on Etsy while looking for a birthday present for my mom. Part of our vision for this project is to find other talented, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs to have them join the giving movement by offering their products through our web platform. This is the conversation that transpired.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihLn_S0_kWI/VJQ6yVf-yMI/AAAAAAAAA38/3uj12FLj7Ek/s1600/aaa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihLn_S0_kWI/VJQ6yVf-yMI/AAAAAAAAA38/3uj12FLj7Ek/s1600/aaa1.jpg" height="264" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5lSO1UMIog/VJQ6yW2xs-I/AAAAAAAAA4E/iQTXPJkddEo/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5lSO1UMIog/VJQ6yW2xs-I/AAAAAAAAA4E/iQTXPJkddEo/s1600/aaa.jpg" height="291" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Hi Sandra! Just wanted to extend a big THANK YOU for your wonderful necklace and even more incredible service! My mom got the pendant, and opened it with me on Skype video and LOVED it :) ...and the hand written note is such a nice touch. You have proven yourself to be much more than a beautiful jewelry dealer. I would love the opportunity to work with you and represent your products on 9 Gifts of Gaia. As of this now moment, we're still a few weeks out from launching but making great strides daily. Let me share with you our mission statement to see if it resonates and then YOU can tell me if you are interested in learning more. Sound good?<br /><br />About 9 Gifts of Gaia: </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>9 Gifts of Gaia was founded in 2014 by a small group of change makers who shared the mission of leading a generation toward kindness and generosity, by the power of giving. Based on a core belief that all human beings have "unlimited potential, unlimited capacity and unlimited creativity", they began a journey to do their part in helping inspire social change in the one place it matters most, within the hearts of the people. Supporting the "pay it forward" movement worldwide, 9 Gifts of Gaia launches by partnering with Kiva, inviting customers to purchase products that gives $9 to help ease the strains of poverty by supporting under privileged entrepreneurs with great ideas in developing countries. 9 Gifts of Gaia is committed to this model of empowering people to empower themselves. Because the only way to make a lasting difference is by "being the change we want to see in the world."<br /><br />WE ARE THE VALUE </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>All of our products will be holistic, healthy, natural and eco-friendly. So your jewelry would fit right in. Of course we would have to discuss the details,, but let me know if this resonates with you so far. Thanks again for all you do!! <3" </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Brian</i></blockquote>
Here is her response which absolutely blew me away:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Dr Sandra Nov 17, 2014<br /><br />Wow, Brian, you have no idea how PERFECTLY 9 Gifts of Gaia resonate with me and my life's work. I have been in humanitarian work for many years and about 15 years ago was the head of communications for one of the world's largest health organizations. I traveled to Zambia to document the plight of the street children there and have visited people in both Africa and Mexico who are known as "pickers" -- people who live in the enormous garbage dumps in developing countries and make their living by picking through the garbage that others throw away. I wrote, designed and produced the bi-monthly international newsletter that reached out to people all over the world. My message was continually to reach out, lift up, help others to help themselves through compassionate outreach.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I was also the head of Humane Education at Best Friends Animal Society for a number of years, writing and implementing national programs on kindness and compassion for animals, with the intent that if we teach our children kindness and compassion to animals, it will translate and resonate to kindness and compassion for human beings.<br />In the work I did for developing countries, we focused on teaching communities about nutrition and helping them to start gardens, teaching them the basics of sanitation and health care, training midwives in basic nursing, teaching them how to dig clean latrines and provide assistance in creating channels for clean water. We trained women to have a trade so that they could come off the streets to feed their children and make a healthy living. Helping the world’s children has been a driving force of my life since I was very, very young, and continues to be my life’s mission and work.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The thread that runs through my jewelry is founded in that, and I have continually prayed for the voice of my creative efforts to be that very message. I am also an interfaith minister, honoring all paths and individuals, crossing the invisible barriers of separation as we are all one spirit under God. I have a reverence for life, and that includes all people, all nationalities and creeds, and all living beings to the tiniest among us. My bumper sticker on my car is Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” and I have a pendant that says that as well. This is the message.<br />I am also a fine artist, and I am attaching here a piece that I drew of a mother and child that I met in Zambia. The mother had lost her husband and 5 of her 7 children. She was care worn and yet had incredible strength of spirit. But her child was bright with hope and promise, with dreams of having a fine education and becoming a doctor. Mind you, they had nothing but the rags on their back – no home, no food, no shelter, no water, no possessions. But the hope of the world was in that child’s eyes. I started a book when I came back from Zambia called “The Angels of Africa” and I don’t know whether or not it will ever be finished, but I have morphed that narrative into other work over the past few years. It might take on a different form, but the message is the same. Anyway, that is what the drawing is. It is called "Madonna of the Fields."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I would be more than honored to have my jewelry in 9 Gifts of Gaia – and in fact, after the holidays I am starting a new line of sterling silver sculptured jewelry pieces that will carry the message through pieces that will last for literally hundreds of years. So more to come!</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Thank you so so so much for recognizing the message I have been trying to convey through my work. This is EXACTLY what I have been trying to do. My husband and I have another shop we are developing called “Living Spirit Wisdoms” where we will carry exclusively the universal messages of compassion, kindness, caring, empathy and grace through the wisdoms of sages and philosophers from around the world and through time, to keep those voices going, and reaching out to others to encourage them to reach out in turn.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>So thank you, Brian! I am 1000% on board with your mission and would be honored to have my work in 9 Gifts of Gaia. It is a wonderful concept and one which is resonate with my own life’s work.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>YES!!!</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And please gift your mom my very best. It was a joy to make her pendant and I hope she enjoys it for a long time to come.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Blessings, Sandra</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P.S. My personal email address is _____ Rather than writing in an Etsy convo, you can write to me there. Our phone number is ________ and we live in Sedona, AZ.<br />P.P.S. My doctorate is in Humane Spiritual Studies. </i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxbPmnJOFS4/VJQ8Cc4dV6I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/nYYjAfBsBnM/s1600/madonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxbPmnJOFS4/VJQ8Cc4dV6I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/nYYjAfBsBnM/s1600/madonna.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(this is Dr. Sandy's painting)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__89_O29-R0/VJQ8wdKxJjI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/uuedXxbjj6Q/s1600/9GOG_Pendant_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__89_O29-R0/VJQ8wdKxJjI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/uuedXxbjj6Q/s1600/9GOG_Pendant_01.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(these are Dr. Sandy's pendants. She has close to 1,000 five star reviews on Etsy)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More beautiful connection has since taken place, but you get the idea. Dr. Sandy is just one of the millions of beautiful souls all around the world who share a common vision for a better world. This is a great illustration of how power amplifies when we come together to rally around a unified vision. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The pendant on the left is one of our designs. The flower of life on the right is the one I bought for my mom. She LOVED it :). Dr. Sandy has nearly 1,000 5 star reviews on Etsy for her pendants. Delighted to have her as part of the Generosity Tribe!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b>Moral of the Story #14: WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF OTHERS ALL AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE SAME PASSION</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
All we have to do is find them....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here's one more example. Tony is a retired advertising executive who has represented the majority of the top 20 blue chip companies in the U.S. I hired him on Fiverr (global platform for contracting services) to help me with some taglines & slogans. To my surprise, he rejected the order. I got a strong sense he didn't believe in the authenticity of the project, likely as a result of me not explaining it well enough. He didn't understand what it was I was looking for, and as a result he didn't think I would like what he came up with and it wasn't worth me giving him a bad review. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Instead of getting angry or offended and walking away, I thanked him for the extreme dose of criticism, as well as his brutal honesty and candor. I think this shocked him a bit :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What ensued was my offering him an alternative. "Do the job and I'll give you a 5 star review just for being honest, whether or not I like what you come up with." He honored my genuine and heartfelt approach and accepted. This dialogue was ultimately what transpired. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QInpC9CHao/VJQ9SewoAtI/AAAAAAAAA4o/k7eP_NXnEkM/s1600/tony%2Bfree%2Bservice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QInpC9CHao/VJQ9SewoAtI/AAAAAAAAA4o/k7eP_NXnEkM/s1600/tony%2Bfree%2Bservice.jpg" height="267" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofd-tX6FK14/VJQ9RqXjYgI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Bndlp2K1Ws/s1600/Tony%2Breview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofd-tX6FK14/VJQ9RqXjYgI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Bndlp2K1Ws/s1600/Tony%2Breview.jpg" height="187" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tony now refuses to accept any payment for the work he does for me. This is a great example of how when we're passionate about what we're doing, others will share the passion and great things can get done without having a big budget to work with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One of the taglines he came up with: "Together let's do something amazing everyday." <3 He no longer allows me to pay him anything for his services. A true believer. Thank you Tony. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
An African proverb says, <i><b>“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”</b></i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Our vision for the future? Dr. Sandy is just the beginning. One day we hope to become a global market place for Generosity products that give back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As of this post, we're getting ready to launch our crowdfunding campaign around the 1st of the year to raise some startup capital. Looking to bring in $10,000, which will be used to develop out our website, purchase our first bulk order of argan oil for distribution to the US, Russia, Norway and a few other countries, to start. Also gives us a marketing and promotions budget to extend our reach on social media, offer samples, do giveaways, etc. It will be the smallest amount of funds I've ever launched a business with, but considering it's all web based I have no doubt in our ability to make it work!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eW5jcHH22RE/VJbvwgBfL_I/AAAAAAAAA_c/pzQXUKr26hg/s1600/will.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eW5jcHH22RE/VJbvwgBfL_I/AAAAAAAAA_c/pzQXUKr26hg/s1600/will.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
More confirmation: since posting the last two parts of this story, I've already received emails from people asking where they can buy shirts. We also have a few retailers lined up who are very interested in carrying our Argan Oil. All connections through people we know ;)<br />
<br />
Thus far, we've managed to accomplish quite a bit on our own with a small amount of support from a close friend to use for purchasing the web domain and theme, a few jobs on Fiverr, as well as a trip down to SW Morocco to find the Argan oil. Having Jorge Cortez as a business partner, who's a top notch graphic designer helps tremendously, as well. His work is incredible and we make a great team. Need some amazing art created for your project? Get in touch with Jorge direct here: <a href="http://jorge-cortez.blogspot.no/">http://jorge-cortez.blogspot.no/</a><br />
<br />
Here is a common factor that has stopped many people I've known over the years from launching a project, business or idea...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz_sq01E6d4/VJWG1i_hqsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/UqC4I3X4spo/s1600/citibank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz_sq01E6d4/VJWG1i_hqsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/UqC4I3X4spo/s1600/citibank.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(a snapshot of my current bank balance)</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Moral of the Story #15: IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME</b><br />
<b><br /></b>A lack of funds is a great excuse. I've used it myself many times to stop the momentum of pursuing something I'm passionate about. What I know now is that Passion & Purpose go hand in hand. The former leads directly to the ladder.<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">"If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose." </i>Or, as Bashar says, <b><i>"follow your highest excitement." </i></b></div>
<div>
<br />
This passion is what has led me to where I AM now. Creating a project I'm excited about. Finding others who share my excitement. Building a tribe of movers and shakers who want to change the world.<br />
<br />
Big corporations are dying because they have no genuine authenticity. What people are searching for en masse, is to be a part of something greater than themselves. To be a part of a larger global community of like minds and like hearts. People want connection. They want inspiration. They want to feel empowered and help others feel the same. I know because I'm one of these people. We are on the verge of great change on this planet. Change that has been prophecized for thousands of years. <br />
<br />
One of the many shifts we are about to see is a shift to what Amish Shah calls "The New Tribal Economy." Amish has a story very similar to my own. This video has provided much amazing inspiration.I highly recommend bookmarking and giving it a watch. He also lives in Encinitas where I'm from...cool synchronicity ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pNl3yQixhh4" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is the message I sent to Amish on FB after watching his video:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Great stuff Amish! I was forwarded your documentary by a friend and was absolutely blown away. The way that you are grounding key business fundamentals with higher consciousness is absolutely legendary! No surprise seeing you in Encinitas my former home town. Just what little pieces I've seen of your work have inspired a complete directional change with the project I'm working on now, so from the bottom of my heart thank you for the inspiration! Will be talking about you soon live on the radio as well Namaste brother!"</i></blockquote>
The program Amish is about to launch is called Tribe500. It's all about finding and building a tribe, using the internet and a series of effective marketing tools as a means of doing so. Right now, I'm trying to raise the first installment of $300 (total $900 over 3 months) for the course which starts on January 5th. If this story has inspired and you see the vision, I'm happily accepting heart donations, which can be sent to my paypal at 9giftsofgaia@gmail.com. 10% of the donation amount will go toward funding our first round of Kiva loans :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkqF1kfU1UM/VJcUHm92rjI/AAAAAAAABAw/awTGLPYAvUk/s1600/thank%2Byou3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkqF1kfU1UM/VJcUHm92rjI/AAAAAAAABAw/awTGLPYAvUk/s1600/thank%2Byou3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well folks, writing this series of posts has been quite the experience. Getting it out has assisted me greatly in the constant process of continuing to hone in on my mission and vision. I hope that sharing this story has offered some inspiration to anyone on the fence of pursuing a dream. It doesn't have to be launching a business. Passion and purpose can be found in an infinite number of forms. The key is in finding what that is for each of us individually. I hope that sharing my story of finding purpose in my own life, holds within it a few golden nuggets to help others find theirs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We are infinite beings with infinite potential. Lets Unite and use our collective power to make 2015 the year of great change, abundance and prosperity for ALL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to everyone for all of your incredible support!! And remember: </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAek8lSiFNQ/VJcTmymq_qI/AAAAAAAABAo/skyjGrczgOo/s1600/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAek8lSiFNQ/VJcTmymq_qI/AAAAAAAABAo/skyjGrczgOo/s1600/gratitude.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Please go and checkout our Facebook Fan Page and give us a like to receive updates. Will be getting on Tsu soon as well :) <a href="http://www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia">www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested in being a 9 Gifts of Gaia affiliate, send me an email to <a href="http://9giftsofgaia@gmail.com.%20/">9giftsofgaia@gmail.com. </a> Also we're looking for people with the following talents:</div>
<br />
Social Media Manager<br />
Content Developers (copy writers)<br />
Customer Service Rep<br />
Affiliates<br />
Web Development<br />
Re-seller contacts for the Argan Oil (spas, boutiques, salons, etc.)<br />
Promotions team for crowdfunding campaign<br />
Pre-launch promotions team<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember: Like I said in my "How Giving Changed My Life" video from Part I, "it doesn't take monster objectives to change the world. Sometimes all it takes is a smile." :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a few simple ideas that help to make the world a better place:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.iwanttomaketheworldabetterplace.com/ideas">http://www.iwanttomaketheworldabetterplace.com/ideas</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-the-World-a-Better-Place">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-the-World-a-Better-Place</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://life.gaiam.com/article/7-ways-make-world-better-place">http://life.gaiam.com/article/7-ways-make-world-better-place</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/jan/08/weekend7.weekend5">http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/jan/08/weekend7.weekend5</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I leave you with some more awesome Jorge Cortez designs :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></i></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_ERlbG5-c/VJNy5XYbs-I/AAAAAAAAA1I/pkAAIszOOP8/s1600/9_GOG_FB_page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_ERlbG5-c/VJNy5XYbs-I/AAAAAAAAA1I/pkAAIszOOP8/s1600/9_GOG_FB_page.jpg" height="233" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v7pa30dsY/VJNzRcMPv4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/By0Jmwe-P18/s1600/9_GOG_mockup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v7pa30dsY/VJNzRcMPv4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/By0Jmwe-P18/s1600/9_GOG_mockup2.jpg" height="441" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjXTuohxvvY/VJN0Dh_Ys0I/AAAAAAAAA14/BfLmoRrCgeI/s1600/9_GOG_mockup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjXTuohxvvY/VJN0Dh_Ys0I/AAAAAAAAA14/BfLmoRrCgeI/s1600/9_GOG_mockup3.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQvzfofu_I/VJNwy8h8T1I/AAAAAAAAA0E/gLRqSX3TKMU/s1600/9GOG_B_P_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQvzfofu_I/VJNwy8h8T1I/AAAAAAAAA0E/gLRqSX3TKMU/s1600/9GOG_B_P_05.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OyFLo1dn3g/VJNxEu6r7XI/AAAAAAAAA0M/6j1UnXeO48o/s1600/9GOG_KIVA_HD-1080_Helping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OyFLo1dn3g/VJNxEu6r7XI/AAAAAAAAA0M/6j1UnXeO48o/s1600/9GOG_KIVA_HD-1080_Helping.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9eJypIBbu0/VJNxFhIMSpI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mW6Be4sErtA/s1600/9GOG_TWR_LADIES_TSHIRT_HODDIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9eJypIBbu0/VJNxFhIMSpI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mW6Be4sErtA/s1600/9GOG_TWR_LADIES_TSHIRT_HODDIE.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wilFkUsaviA/VJNznrI1tdI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Ohi3oeAJ9ms/s1600/Rise_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wilFkUsaviA/VJNznrI1tdI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Ohi3oeAJ9ms/s1600/Rise_04.jpg" height="640" width="608" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtMOB1b7rs/VJNz5nIBPpI/AAAAAAAAA1w/g4I618fUmaw/s1600/shirt17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtMOB1b7rs/VJNz5nIBPpI/AAAAAAAAA1w/g4I618fUmaw/s1600/shirt17.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3egmBS7JJJE/VJMUX6v0awI/AAAAAAAAAzk/axtX7kODPmM/s1600/BK%2Band%2Bjeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3egmBS7JJJE/VJMUX6v0awI/AAAAAAAAAzk/axtX7kODPmM/s1600/BK%2Band%2Bjeff.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_75789030"></span><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-32935051770616859632014-12-20T07:01:00.003-08:002014-12-20T07:01:40.585-08:00Transpicuous News Dec 19 2014: Tantrums and Financial Terrorism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PgO6tNv2iU/VJWOtc6eNgI/AAAAAAAAA8o/mUNFKsW0O1Y/s1600/D%2BOne%2BNetwork.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PgO6tNv2iU/VJWOtc6eNgI/AAAAAAAAA8o/mUNFKsW0O1Y/s1600/D%2BOne%2BNetwork.png" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Transpicuous News Dec 19 2014: Tantrums and Financial Terrorism</b><br />
December 19, 2014<br />
http://removingtheshackles.blogspot.com/2014/12/transpicuous-news-dec-19-2014-tantrums.html<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Side note: Sorry everyone, apparently the first 2 minutes of the video (of me ranting and having a tantrum) somehow got cut in the editing process. .... yet another thing for me to rant about, no doubt. The missing section contains me ranting about the ridiculousness of everything in the past 72 hours or so, and that I felt I needed to bring this information out today.... the remaining video contains the entire news footage, so I guess you don't get to see D have a tantrum.... this time.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Well my friends, I'm back again, even though I said I wouldn't be recording any updates till after Christmas.<br />
<br />
In the past 72 hours, the world seemingly went to hell in a hand basket and I threw a few tantrums and did a lot of ranting. There are several major pieces of news that are coming out right now that we need to take a much closer look at: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and of course Russia..... allllll big pieces to watch.<br />
<br />
<br />
Severe language WARNING... just sayin'<br />
<br />
<br />
... and if I'm not back again before then ..... I am wishing you all a bright and happy holiday season!!<br />
<br />
<br />
D<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IQnmwm6SELo" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://the-one-network.org/transpicuous-news-ep-7-tantrums-and-financial-terrorism/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://the-one-network.org/transpicuous-news-ep-7-tantrums-and-financial-terrorism/</span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://rt.com/business/215683-saudi-impossible-cut-oil/">http://rt.com/business/215683-saudi-impossible-cut-oil/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>side note: isn't it interesting that less than a month ago Saudi/OPEC were saying that they are going to cut back on oil production?</i> ... <i>to boost oil prices?</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_dM4Zieid0/VJS8HQmvRDI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/QrOFsHFncSc/s1600/OPEC%2Boil%2Bcuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_dM4Zieid0/VJS8HQmvRDI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/QrOFsHFncSc/s1600/OPEC%2Boil%2Bcuts.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/oil-implosion-supply-or-demand-driven-here-very-simple-answer-thanks-saudi-arabia">http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/oil-implosion-supply-or-demand-driven-here-very-simple-answer-thanks-saudi-arabia</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rt.com/usa/215763-obama-russia-sanctions-sign/">http://rt.com/usa/215763-obama-russia-sanctions-sign/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-17/china-prepares-bailout-russia">http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-17/china-prepares-bailout-russia</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/russia-has-begun-selling-its-gold-according-socgen">http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/russia-has-begun-selling-its-gold-according-socgen</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-19/russia-busts-gold-selling-rumors-reports-it-bought-another-600000-ounces-taking-gold">http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-19/russia-busts-gold-selling-rumors-reports-it-bought-another-600000-ounces-taking-gold</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/17/us-cuba-usa-gross-idUSKBN0JV1H520141217">http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/17/us-cuba-usa-gross-idUSKBN0JV1H520141217</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/us-links-north-korea-to-sony-hacking.html?_r=0" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/us-links-north-korea-to-sony-hacking.html?_r=0</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/12/evidence-of-north-korea-hack-is-thin/">http://www.wired.com/2014/12/evidence-of-north-korea-hack-is-thin/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/102284428#." target="_blank">http://www.cnbc.com/id/102284428#.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://src-fla.us/index.php/news2e629/80-rant/412-sony-supposing">http://src-fla.us/index.php/news2e629/80-rant/412-sony-supposing</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/18/390790/deal-on-iran-nissue-very-close-putin/">http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/18/390790/deal-on-iran-nissue-very-close-putin/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390932/west-uses-resolution-as-political-tool/" target="_blank">http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390932/west-uses-resolution-as-political-tool/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390909/us-blocks-release-of-iran-coup-documents/" target="_blank">http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390909/us-blocks-release-of-iran-coup-documents/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rt.com/shows/sophieco/214403-terrorism-business-money-jihad/">http://rt.com/shows/sophieco/214403-terrorism-business-money-jihad/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390887/imf-to-hold-back-cyprus-bailout-funds/">http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390887/imf-to-hold-back-cyprus-bailout-funds/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/berserk-rampathon-algo-just-bought-sp-2130">http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-18/berserk-rampathon-algo-just-bought-sp-2130</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/deal-reached-to-allow-pension-plans-to-cut-benefits/ar-BBgAimc">http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/deal-reached-to-allow-pension-plans-to-cut-benefits/ar-BBgAimc</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rt.com/business/215663-switzerland-negative-rate-currency/">http://rt.com/business/215663-switzerland-negative-rate-currency/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rt.com/usa/216087-irs-tax-refund-delays/">http://rt.com/usa/216087-irs-tax-refund-delays/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fa-mag.com/news/u-s--budget-deal-stirs-pension-risk-fears-20225.html">http://www.fa-mag.com/news/u-s--budget-deal-stirs-pension-risk-fears-20225.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: cyan;">New Banking Order: Single Overarching European banking authority set for launch</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blacklistednews.com/New_Banking_Order%3A_Single_Overarching_European_banking_authority_set_for_launch/40058/0/38/38/Y/M.html" target="_blank">http://www.blacklistednews.com/New_Banking_Order%3A_Single_Overarching_European_banking_authority_set_for_launch/40058/0/38/38/Y/M.html</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-69049377341825772242014-12-19T07:39:00.000-08:002014-12-21T07:27:37.588-08:00My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUWtyeWnX9s/VJLb10qnZ-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/arXOHQumxyw/s1600/change2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUWtyeWnX9s/VJLb10qnZ-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/arXOHQumxyw/s1600/change2.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>My Story -- A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part II</b><br />
December 18, 2014<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This post is not just about a business idea, it's about "Inspiring a Revolution of Change".... ~BK</span><br />
<br />
In Part I, I told my personal journey of self discovery, which can be read <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose.html">here.</a> On my mission to find purpose, here's a quick recap from the last article of the major lessons I learned along the way:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>BE HAPPY</i></li>
<li><i>PROVIDE VALUE</i></li>
<li><i>BE OF SERVICE</i></li>
<li><i>HAVE FUN</i></li>
<li><i>GIVE, GIVE, GIVE & then GIVE some MORE</i></li>
<li><i>WE ARE ALL PART OF ONE HUMAN FAMILY</i></li>
<li><i>NEVER WORK A JOB JUST FOR THE PAYCHECK</i></li>
<li><i>NO MATTER WHAT, FOLLOW YOUR HEART</i></li>
<li><i>MONEY IS JUST A TOOL, TREAT IT AS SUCH</i></li>
</ol>
<br />
Part II is all about finding passion through inspiration and <b>taking action</b>. In this blog post I continue to share all of the most profound realizations I have had along my journey to finding purpose. These concepts and formulas can be used and adopted by ANYONE aspiring to make their dream a reality. This is my Story...<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #10: ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>"when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking & GO." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1nwyHHlaqU/VJQcFGDrzyI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/S98rYcvxPqo/s1600/bruce%2Blee%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1nwyHHlaqU/VJQcFGDrzyI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/S98rYcvxPqo/s1600/bruce%2Blee%2Bquote.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div>
<br />
If you have an hour to spare, I go into a lot of detail in my interview with Hope Girl on the current project I'm working on now, how it came to be, what the objective is and how it all plays into my personal vision for the future. A few of the videos I share below are also very beautifully dubbed into this interview. For the sake of redundancy I label which ones those are:<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SLDuvU7SXHc" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
As mentioned in the video with Hope, determining our "why" for this business concept was and continues to be our focus to this day. Answering this question has not only encouraged the biggest breakthrough, for this project specifically. It has also helped me to understand personally, what was missing from past business start-ups I was involved in, and quite possibly what made some of them fall short of reaching the level of success we had intended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAqawrUfMwo/VJSMUNtLv5I/AAAAAAAAA5w/rnzHznBhjFI/s1600/success.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAqawrUfMwo/VJSMUNtLv5I/AAAAAAAAA5w/rnzHznBhjFI/s1600/success.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Based on my personal experience in business, I would imagine, when posed with the question, of 'why' most entrepreneurs are in business, these would likely be the most common responses:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"To make money."<br />"To provide for my family."<br />"Because I love it."<br />"Because I enjoy the freedom of working for myself."<br />"Because I make a great income that allows me to do the things in life I enjoy"<br />"To make people's lives easier/better by..."</i></blockquote>
Through everything I learned throughout part I of this story, the above reasons were no longer good enough standing on their own. There had to be a greater purpose than just money, security, stability or even attaining total happiness. The realization here is that securing happiness for just myself is no longer good enough. Although, it is the very crucial first step to sharing happiness with others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUu8jwqvAoA/VJLi_aanZRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/ez7p9kfzbiU/s1600/entrepreneur1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUu8jwqvAoA/VJLi_aanZRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/ez7p9kfzbiU/s1600/entrepreneur1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79L8dnIJ8MA/VJLi_ZmrfEI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1KcV27hkE5g/s1600/entrepreneur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79L8dnIJ8MA/VJLi_ZmrfEI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1KcV27hkE5g/s1600/entrepreneur.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Being an entrepreneur is about improving people's lives by offering a product that solves a problem, simplifies a process, or by offering a service that gives people more quality time to enjoy family, etc. And of course, loving what you do, having freedom and providing for family are all part of what make up the thrill of becoming an entrepreneur.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
BUT, if business was designed to make people's lives better/easier or solve a problem, commerce as a whole seems to have missed the mark in a very major way. See for yourself:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Almost half the world -- <b>over three billion people </b>-- live on <b>less than $2.50/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>At least <b>80% of humanity lives on less than $10/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>22,000 children die each day due to poverty.</b> And they "die quietly in some of the poorest villages on Earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world"</i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>Nearly a billion people</b> entered the 21st century <b>unable to read a book or sign their names</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>Less than 1% of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Every year there are <b>350 - 500 million</b> <b>cases of malaria</b> (a curable disease), with <b>1 million fatalities</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Water problems affect half of humanity: some <b>1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water & 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>1.8 billion people</b> who have access to a water source within 1 kilometer, but not in their house or yard, consume around <b>20 liters of water/day</b>. In the UK, the avg person uses more than <b>50 liters/day flushing toilets</b>. The highest avg water use in the world is in the US, at <b>600 liters/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>1.6 billion people</b> -- a quarter of humanity -- <b>live without electricity</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>For every $1 in aid a developing country receives, over $25 is spent on debt repayment</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>In <b>1820 </b>the distance between the richest and poorest countries was <b>3 to 1,in 1992 it was 72 to 1</b></i></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
The stats above barely scratch the surface of the issues facing humanity today. More found <a href="http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats">here at this link.</a><br />
<br />
Are your eyes opened yet? What do you see in this picture?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di7_-mhVTZY/VJK1hXTEKAI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7ItD_yrpz0w/s1600/poverty%2Bstats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di7_-mhVTZY/VJK1hXTEKAI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7ItD_yrpz0w/s1600/poverty%2Bstats.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
$11 billion on ice cream in Europe!? Can you imagine how much opportunity around the world could be created with $11 billion, let alone $780 billion on military spending. I had to wipe my eyes and do a double take when I saw that one.<br />
<br />
<div>
Here's our main tenet at 9 Gifts of Gaia: All human beings are born with unlimited potential, unlimited capacity and unlimited creativity. No exceptions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-OcgElSjz0/VJSYkVds9CI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vrEtPGnxunE/s1600/capacity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-OcgElSjz0/VJSYkVds9CI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vrEtPGnxunE/s1600/capacity.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<br />
Every year we see multiple global summits that give the illusion that key issues are being addressed and steps have been put in place to solve them. This illusion of change has taken the power out of our hands, and into those who don’t seem to care or do anything about it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nobody is going to change the world for us, and if we continue living our lives and being so into our own lives while ignoring what is happening to planet Earth, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the outcome won’t be sunshine and roses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we've learned one thing it's that the solutions to the world's problems will NOT come from any so-called government or political leaders. They will come from people. People just like YOU. People just like me and millions of other creative minds from all around the world. This is why I believe deep down everyone is an entrepreneur. Everyone is a creator.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #11: WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, PEOPLE ARE SO INCREDIBLY CREATIVE</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFw3sxwJvd0/VJSTccXUe3I/AAAAAAAAA6M/e4pe5n-V2yg/s1600/creativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFw3sxwJvd0/VJSTccXUe3I/AAAAAAAAA6M/e4pe5n-V2yg/s1600/creativity.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
I have seen it for myself so many times in my life. As a businessman and as a person in general. Look around you, there's creative people and projects just about everywhere you look. Just imagine what happens when our creative juices are focused on a collective intent for a peaceful, sustainable, poverty free world...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>"Why hide your talent in the closet of complacency, when you have greatness within you." </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Moral of the Story #12: KNOW YOUR "WHY" </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"What's your why? When you know why you do what you do even the toughest days become easier." </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDQozjNjl6o/VJK4OTrMYtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/2_RZONLH-Uc/s1600/why.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDQozjNjl6o/VJK4OTrMYtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/2_RZONLH-Uc/s1600/why.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
The why doesn't start and finish just with business. It can apply to literally everything we do in life. "What's my why?" is just about the best filter we can use to determine the value of whether or not to DO one thing or the other, no matter what IT is. And like the quote above says, when our why is big enough, we will always find our how.<br />
<br />
Many of the videos and info that follow are all a result of researching "daring to be different in business." I had no interest in going back into business the old way it was done. My search for purpose was quite literally a combination of going within to see what resonates, as well as digging on the internet :)<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #13: SOMETIMES INSPIRATION NEEDS TO BE SEARCHED FOR</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"Don't waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin and inspiration will find you." </i></b><br />
<br />
Here are a few videos, also dubbed into the interview with Hope, that provided much needed guidance and inspiration on my own personal Journey to Why. Hard not to tear up watching this one in particular.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GJeWFoKZ63U" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2lU7YELZY/VJQmv2AkvVI/AAAAAAAAA20/0nGnae7AHk0/s1600/Inspirational%2Bquotes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2lU7YELZY/VJQmv2AkvVI/AAAAAAAAA20/0nGnae7AHk0/s1600/Inspirational%2Bquotes.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/neHwgakQcGI" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I gotta hand it to Sevenly for what they have accomplished. Dale Partridge and his undeniable success as CEO of Sevenly has been a HUGE inspiration for me and my partners. To raise over $4,000,000 in $7 increments, while helping over 1.3 million people in the process is not only inspiring, it's a miracle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What does this prove? One person with a great idea can make a HUGE impact...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You better believe Dale & Sevenly know exactly what their Why is. </div>
<br />
<b><i>"There's nothing more powerful than a great idea, whose time has come"</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is the email I sent to Dale to thank him for the inspiration:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
<i>Dale,<br /> <br />I'll keep this brief because I know you are a very busy guy. I too am an entrepreneur and interestingly enough, used to own and operate a business in Costa Mesa. Now in the process of launching a new business, I found Sevenly in doing research on "daring to be different in business." I felt strongly the entire way we do business was in need of a major over haul. When I found Sevenly and watched your "how it works" video I was blown away. Tears of inspiration flowed down my face...not afraid to admit it :)</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
<i>What you have created is nothing short of amazing. I know part of your mission was to inspire other businesses to be less profit and more people focused. Consider me a success story. 9 Gifts of Gaia will launch soon, donating $9 from every purchase toward helping to alleviate poverty, followed by what will be a series of other causes and paradigm shifting projects. So, I just wanted to say THANK YOU. You are a bright shining beacon of light this world needs right now. Keep up the good work my friend. Blessings & Namaste.</i></blockquote>
His response:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Wow thank you man, that means a lot. :)</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> Keep fighting the good fight,</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dale </blockquote>
<b>Moral of the Story #14: IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS AN IDEA THAT YOU CONNECT WITH & ITS WORKING: MIRROR IT</b><br />
<br />
Actual advice shared with me by one of my mentors.<br />
<br />
There is absolutely no shame in copying someone's idea and adding a few twists to make it your own. These are the basic components and building blocks of innovation. Most commonly, new innovations are a product of taking an existing idea and improving upon it to make it better, more efficient, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ijAjvSR-V0/VJRR5PsJmPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ntOdmTlU5eg/s1600/innovation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ijAjvSR-V0/VJRR5PsJmPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ntOdmTlU5eg/s1600/innovation.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Sevenly is an incredible business concept. Leveraging business to support a cause is not a new phenomenon. All they have done, is taken a for-profit business model and placed the cause, as opposed to the product up front and center. That was <i>their </i>twist, and ultimately the main ingredient that resulted in such incredible success.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"You are confined only by the walls you build yourself." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
When diving deeper, one of the only major issues I could find with the Sevenly business model was their charity focused approach. Instantly I had major recall of all the horror stories I've discovered about so many of the major charities.<br />
<br />
Some of these stats are mentioned in the video with Hope, so no need to repeat again here. Although, if interested in exploring the deep levels of deception <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities1.page">here is a great article.</a><br />
<br />
Below is an excerpt from another article I found which helps to illustrate the fundamental issue between targeting symptoms as opposed to focusing on the actual cause:<br />
<br />
(this is a really great article) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/charity/against_1.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/charity/against_1.shtml</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i><b>Charities often target symptoms, not causes</b></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>The accusation is that charity helps the recipient with their problem, but it doesn't do much to deal with the causes of that problem.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Particular aspects of this are dealt with in the next two topics.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>It certainly is true that some charities do stopgap or 'band-aid' work, either exclusively or some of the time.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>But in fact, a lot of charity work is devoted to dealing with the fundamental causes of problems: for example trying to reduce global poverty, or doing research into diseases like cancer.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>These two examples highlight very different problems.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Combating cancer is a relatively simple scientific problem, while global poverty requires more than a scientific operation, or finding a better way to manage world resources.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Combating poverty involves slow processes of political, cultural and social change, with many stakeholders, significant opposition and serious issues of self-determination and coercion to be navigated.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>And long-term campaigns pose another ethical problem: should we spend to make a better world in 10 years' time if that means that people who we could have fed starve to death tomorrow?</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>The famous story of the boy and the starfish shows why using charity to fix individual problems can be very valuable.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtk4762egLo/VJLEarHKa9I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZnAxdhhKyZI/s1600/charity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtk4762egLo/VJLEarHKa9I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZnAxdhhKyZI/s1600/charity.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If I can just help one person, all of a sudden my life is filled with purpose...<br />
<br />
<b><i>"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters." </i></b><br />
<br />
If so many non-profits and charitable organizations lack transparency, and only target symptoms, not causes, then how can we circumvent the charity and get directly to the individual? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The answer? (at least one of many. Vid also in presentation)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lSN2WdqXwfc" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Truth be told, this whole concept of microfinance didn't sit right when I first discovered it. As an ex-finance guy, I walked away from the business with a very sour taste in my mouth. I felt that all loans were a scam and enslaved honest and hard working people to fictitious, userous debt. I didn't lie to my clients about the types of loans they were receiving, like many in the business did, but at the end of the day it was companies just like mine that played a major role in the housing collapse of 2008. As a result, I put the word "loan" in the same category of all the other 4 letter words that shouldn't be spoken.<br />
<br />
Challenging to grasp, especially knowing what I know now, after years of research into how debt, money and credit really work. So, I needed to dive into it a bit to fully understand the mechanics.<br />
<br />
The figures and videos shared below helped me to see the light...very quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKuwUuWxYEI/VJQqyfgrK_I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Yc5J-KVz5P8/s1600/kiva%2Bstats5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKuwUuWxYEI/VJQqyfgrK_I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Yc5J-KVz5P8/s1600/kiva%2Bstats5.jpg" height="211" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apk73JofbkM/VJMInahQ54I/AAAAAAAAAzU/7YYCUfUN5ek/s1600/KIVA_tekst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apk73JofbkM/VJMInahQ54I/AAAAAAAAAzU/7YYCUfUN5ek/s1600/KIVA_tekst.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
These statistics are mind blowing. Why more people don't know about this? A basic lack of awareness. Well, it's time for that to change...<br />
<br />
Synchronistically, I found this Ted Talk with Dr. Muhammad Yunus who won the Nobel Prize in 2006 for creating microcredit. Microcredit loans to date have pulled close to 100 million people out of poverty <b>by focusing on the cause, not the symptom.</b> These next two videos tell the story of how it all began. Worth watching if you have the time. Or bookmark and come back later. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6UCuWxWiMaQ" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
After watching this video, I purchased <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Banker-Poor-Micro-Lending-Against-Poverty-ebook/dp/B004OVEYO4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418905289&sr=8-1&keywords=banker+to+the+poor">Dr. Yunus' book, Banker to the Poor</a>, on Kindle and read through it in just a few days.<br />
<br />
Jessica Jackley, co-founded Kiva after watching Dr. Yunus' video above. More proof one person with an inspired idea can change the world.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Cqj0sgrNL10" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<b><i>"The proper aim of giving is to put the recipient in a place where he/she no longer needs our gift." </i></b><br />
<br />
These videos led me to some very profound realizations. For the first time in my life, I started to really understand that quote, "you're either part of the problem, OR part of the solution." The fire was lit. My commitment to becoming a part of the solution has never been filled with such extreme levels of passion and determination. Every fiber of my being is telling me, it's time to take a stand.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #15: GENEROSITY IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FORCES IN ALL OF CREATION</b><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 11pt; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 5mm; widows: 2;">"Generosity isn't just about what you do. It’s about who you are. </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 11pt; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 5mm; widows: 2;">Before it’s a matter of giving or of doing, it’s a matter of being."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
Here are a few quotes from Dr. Yunus' book that opened my eyes to not only the reality of poverty, but also the gross misunderstanding around it, as well as our absolute ability to render it a part of our past:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Once poverty is gone, we'll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations. They'll wonder why poverty continued so long in human society - how a few people could live in luxury while billions dwelt in misery, deprivation and despair.” </span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“When we want to help the poor, we usually offer them charity. Most often we use charity to avoid recognizing the problem and finding the solution for it. Charity becomes a way to shrug off our responsibility. But charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about the lives of the poor. Charity appeases our consciences.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“If you go out into the real world, you cannot miss seeing that the poor are poor not because they are untrained or illiterate but because they cannot retain the returns of their labor. They have no control over capital, and it is the ability to control capital that gives people the power to rise out of poverty.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.” </span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Poverty is the absence of all human rights. The frustrations, hostility and anger generated by abject poverty cannot sustain peace in any society. For building stable peace we must find ways to provide opportunities for people to live decent lives.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>“I believe that we can create a poverty-free world because poverty is not created by poor people. It has been created and sustained by the economic and social systems that we have designed for ourselves; the institutions and concepts that make up that system; the policies that we pursue.” </b></span></i></blockquote>
Here's the clincher...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDgsFFBRzc/VJLxfITz1aI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j3CUSaXdyME/s1600/mandela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDgsFFBRzc/VJLxfITz1aI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j3CUSaXdyME/s1600/mandela.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Grotesque MT Std Black; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>“The needs of people around the world are real and urgent, and how we respond to them will help to determine the future of the human race." </b></span></span></i></div>
<br />
Why such a strong focus on poverty? Because I believe when one person suffers, we all suffer and poverty results in more suffering than all the various other noble causes combined. I feel very strongly that until we can conquer this issue on a social scale we will be limited in our collective ability to evolve as a species. As I said before, people have within them infinite wells of potential and creativity. However, poverty stunts creativity in a very major way. Pull people out of poverty and what happens is creativity multiplies exponentially.<br />
<br />
So, it begs the question, if we carry within us the power to end world poverty, then HOW are we going to do it? This picture illustrates my prediction:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AG0adXXW0HE/VJSRIWyxuAI/AAAAAAAAA6E/jaa6dEAe2ec/s1600/entrepreneur2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AG0adXXW0HE/VJSRIWyxuAI/AAAAAAAAA6E/jaa6dEAe2ec/s1600/entrepreneur2.jpg" height="100" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In my many countless hours of research over the last couple of months, I've uncovered so many incredible opportunities. One of the biggest realizations (something I already knew but hadn't yet created a contextual understanding for), is that for every single challenge facing humanity today, a solution (if not many) already exist to turn it around.<br />
<br />
One of the most profound discoveries was this whole concept of social business, or generosity based business. I had no idea how big this movement really was. At the end of reading "Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus, there were a few quotes in particular he shared about the promising future of social business, which represented the ultimate landslide of inspiration I was very consciously seeking.<br />
<br />
There are quite a few passages here, but as far as I'm concerned, this information represents the major breakthrough needed to flip the script on causeless consumerism. These ideas are more than capable of shifting the entire framework of our collective connection to the web of global commerce:<br />
<br />
<i>"<b>A completely new world can be created by making space for the social entrepreneurs</b> and the social investors in the business world. This is a very important agenda for all of us. <b>Eliminating poverty will become so much easier if social entrepreneurs can take up the challenge of ending poverty and if social investors can use their investment money to support the work of social entrepreneurs." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>"To me, a world without poverty means a world in which every person can take care of his or her basic life needs. In such a world, nobody would die of hunger or suffer from malnutrition.</b> This is a goal world leaders have been calling for decades, but they have never set out any way of achieving it." <span style="color: blue;">(That's because they need it to keep humanity under control) </span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i>"Today, when we think of business we think of enterprises that are dedicated to making money - to profit maximization. To me, that's too narrow a definition of people as economic participants. <b>Human beings are much more complex than just being instruments for making money.</b> So I began to imagine another dimension - a dimension where human beings want to be of help to other people, to create a new kind of world through economic activity. <b>This requires a new kind of business - one that I call a social business."</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"A social business is a non-loss, non-dividend enterprise, <b>created with the intention to do good to people, to bring positive changes to the world, without any short-term expectation of making money out of it.</b> That is the subject of my new book, Creating a World Without Poverty. It describes how social business can change the world and end poverty on this planet." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"To free-market fundamentalists, social business might seem blasphemous. The idea of a business with objectives other than profits has no place in their existing theology of capitalism. Yet surely no harm will be done to the free market if not all businesses are profit maximizing businesses (PMB's). Surely capitalism is amenable to improvements. And sure the stakes are too high to go on the way we have been going. <b>By insisting that all businesses, by definition, must necessarily be PMB's and by treating this as some kind of axiomatic truth, we have created a world that ignores the multi-dimensional nature of human beings</b>. As a result, businesses remain incapable of addressing many of our most pressing social problems." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"<b>We need businesses that are not purely seeking profit, but dedicated to solving social and environmental problems." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"In its organizational structure, this new business is basically the same as the existing PMB. But it differs in its objectives. Like other businesses, it employs workers, creates goods or services, and provides these to customers for a price consistent with its objectives. <b>But its underlying objective - and the criterion by which it should be evaluated - is to create social benefits for those whose lives it touches. </b>The company itself may earn a profit, but the investors who support it do not take any profits out of the company, except recouping an amount equivalent to their original investment, over a period of time. <b>A social business is a company that is cause driven rather than profit-driven, with the potential to act as a change agent for the world." </b><br /><br />"<b>A social business is not a charity.</b> It is a business in every sense. It has to recover its full costs while achieving its social objective. When you are running a business, you think differently and work differently than when you are running a charity. And this makes all the difference in defining social business and its impact on society. "</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"There are many organizations in the world today that concentrate on creating social benefit. Most do not recover their total costs. Nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations rely on charitable donations, foundation grants, or government support to implement their programs. Most of their leaders are dedicated people doing commendable work, but since they do not recover their costs from their operations, they are forced to devote part of their time and energy, sometimes a significant part, to raising money."<br /><br />"How can the products or services sold by a social business provide a social benefit? There are countless ways. <b>For example, imagine: A social business that manufactures and sells high-quality, nutritious food products at very low prices to a targeted market of poor and underfed children. These products can be cheaper because they do not compete in the luxury market and therefore don't require costly packaging or advertising, besides not being under compulsion to maximize profit." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"The achievement of full cost recovery as a social business is a moment worth celebrating. Once a social objective driven project overcomes the gravitational force of financial dependence, it is ready for space flight. <b>Such a project is self-sustaining and enjoys the potential for almost unlimited growth and expansion. And as the social business grows, so do the benefits it provides to society." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Thus, a social business is designed and operated as a business enterprise, with products, services, customers, markets, expenses, and revenues -- but with the profit maximization principle replaced by the social benefit principle. <b>Rather than seeking to amass the highest possible level of financial profit to be enjoyed by the investors, the social business seeks to achieve a social objective." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>Do you see where this is headed yet?...<br />
<br />
Let these stats I found illustrate just how big the generosity movement has become.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO2Og8-h-YI/VJMBCPI1_xI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gn7uDCqLlY0/s1600/when-cause-and-price_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO2Og8-h-YI/VJMBCPI1_xI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gn7uDCqLlY0/s1600/when-cause-and-price_new.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><i>"47% of consumers have bought a brand at least monthly that supports a cause.”</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 18px; widows: 2;"><b><i>"75 % of young people donated money to causes in 2012, and 63 percent volunteered time."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
As far as I'm concerned, what these statistics equate to is: bona fide & unparalleled opportunity for a total over haul in the way we do business.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
For anyone who has ever had the desire to create a business & is simultaneously passionate about world change, NOW is the time to step up. Whether you're in business or aspring to start one, anyone brave enough to take the leap of faith and break the cycle, has a huge advantage over all the other businesses out there who haven't gotten the memo that it's time for change.<br />
<br />
I predict that in the very near future all businesses will be GBB's. What's GBB you ask? It's a "Generosity Based Business" and it goes something like this...<br />
<br />
What do you do for a living?<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I sell shirts online "<b>to"</b> alleviate poverty</i><br />
<i>I create health and wellness products <b>"to"</b> support environmental & sustainability projects</i><br />
<i>I offer inspirational art <b>"to"</b> support new projects and innovations to heal the world</i><br />
<i>I make custom jewelry <b>"to" </b>build a new paradigm school in Indonesia</i><br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Because I want to change the world and inspire others to do the same...<br />
<br />
What you just read above is my personal why: <b>I want to change the world and inspire others to do the same. </b>In their own creative ways of course. </div>
<br />
All of the above are not just creative examples I pulled together to illustrate a point. It's the GBB plan, mission and intention of 9 Gifts of Gaia. Poverty isn't the only cause we'll be focusing on, it's the first of many. As of this now moment our cause focus consists of four major categories. I call it our PEIS model (pronounced peace):<br />
<br />
<i>Poverty -- "If one person suffers, we all suffer."</i><br />
<i>Education -- "Education is not a privilege, it's a basic human right."</i><br />
<i>Innovation -- "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."</i><br />
<i>Sustainability -- "We do not inherent the Earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our children."</i><br />
<br />
And with the blink of an eye and a little hard work, the vision manifests into reality...<br />
<br />
But that will have to wait until Part III...most likely later today :) I'll also be talking about strategies I've found to find and build a team of passionate change makers. 2015 will be the year of the Tribal business. More to come on that concept, as well.<br />
<br />
Want to be a part of the Revolution for Change? Email me at <a href="mailto:9giftsofgaia@gmail.com">9giftsofgaia@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
Also, for a sneak peak into 9 Gifts of Gaia, please visit our FB page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia">www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia</a> and make sure to leave us a "like!" We'll be doing a raffle and giving away lots of cool stuff very soon :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-90241002296584644802014-12-18T05:46:00.000-08:002015-01-02T12:52:23.740-08:00My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ke0WNwqg3uM/VJLYzHLR2QI/AAAAAAAAAxU/927RSMQRkyE/s1600/my%2Bstory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ke0WNwqg3uM/VJLYzHLR2QI/AAAAAAAAAxU/927RSMQRkyE/s1600/my%2Bstory.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part I</b></div>
December 9, 2014<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Believe it or not, this is a short version of a very long story. It tells in two parts, which ultimately build up to the main inspiration of what I, and many others like me all around the world, are now focusing our energy on. If nothing else, I hope that this story inspires all those to read it to play a more active role in creating tangible and lasting world change. Just remember, the real work always starts and finishes within you. ~BK</span><br />
<br />
<b><i>"The riskiest thing we can do is maintain the status quo." </i></b><br />
<br />
For as long as I can remember, I've had a deep inner sense that something was a bit off in the world. Feeling inadequate and not worthy are common symptoms of adolescence, learning more about ourselves through our experiences, and going toe to toe with our own egos. This is normal (as much as I detest that word). I'm more referring to the feeling of life on Earth being out of balance. Incredible confusion because so much of what I saw just didn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
I remember standing in the welfare line with my dad waiting for our ration of food, milk, cheese, or whatever was offered on any given day. Having no understanding of what "financial hardship" was at the time, it was just hanging out with dad. There was always food when I was hungry, water when thirsty, a soft bed to sleep in, bath to bathe and a roof over my head every night of my life. There was also no shortage of love in our family and for that I am eternally grateful.<br />
<br />
As I grew a bit older and began to become more aware, I started to see the injustice in how the poor slept in the street, clothes torn and tattered, with an outstretched hand begging for just a few cents to buy a meal. I remember feeling helpless. The urge to want to help, but not knowing how it was possible to help so many was discouraging. Even then, it hurt. I could feel their suffering. I could feel the pain. The hopelessness. The sense of feeling lost in a world that doesn't care. Looking back on it now, that's where this story really begins...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xA4jVAiUp8o/VJLKBhMVy4I/AAAAAAAAAww/Bb0YnAmvH2o/s1600/complacency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xA4jVAiUp8o/VJLKBhMVy4I/AAAAAAAAAww/Bb0YnAmvH2o/s1600/complacency.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fast forward to the ladder part of my college years. Excited but nervous to get out into the world to shake things up. It all started with reading Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." After years of not knowing what I wanted to "DO" in my life or which "career" I would choose, I suddenly became very passionate about making money and becoming "successful." Even better was, I was starting to see all the possible ways of doing it. I began to learn concepts like, "wealth is a mindset," and "assets over liabilities," becoming fascinated by the idea of financial independence. Fueled by the motivation of not wanting to evolve into my adult life struggling financially, as my parents had, there was no shortage of determination. My goal: make lots of money and retire by the age of 30.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_bCOuvEMBM/VJLLNb-vN9I/AAAAAAAAAw4/qH7j5gjZ-Mk/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_bCOuvEMBM/VJLLNb-vN9I/AAAAAAAAAw4/qH7j5gjZ-Mk/s1600/money.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Within six months of graduation I moved to Los Angeles and was recruited by First Security Lending, a high profile mortgage brokerage in Hollywood. After my first six months there, I had passed all the exams to become a licensed Real Estate Broker in the states of California, Washington & Oregon. Traded in my Honda Civic for a $60,000 E-class Mercedes (that was delivered to me at my office) and had my first of many months making over $10,000.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"There is enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed." </i></b><br />
<br />
The world was my oyster. Everything I needed was at my finger tips. My boss turned business partner set me up with my own office in Orange County. At one point, I had four other loan officers and ten telemarketers cranking away to bring in new business. Within weeks of signing papers at the new office, I had my first $20,000 month & financed my first condo for 590k. I had only been in business a little over a year and a half and I already found myself on the fast track to success. Everything was perfect...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ErHlZ4QMdQ/VJGXC8K0vrI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/NpNPZ4Gm20U/s1600/mercedes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ErHlZ4QMdQ/VJGXC8K0vrI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/NpNPZ4Gm20U/s1600/mercedes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPga8_KpkHE/VJGXAbW0joI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ZNy84jwofyk/s1600/86%2Btortuga%2Bcay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPga8_KpkHE/VJGXAbW0joI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ZNy84jwofyk/s1600/86%2Btortuga%2Bcay.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsj0RQF54TI/VJHQfV9J1XI/AAAAAAAAAvA/h85MLUEwOBQ/s1600/money%2Bmoney%2Bmoney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsj0RQF54TI/VJHQfV9J1XI/AAAAAAAAAvA/h85MLUEwOBQ/s1600/money%2Bmoney%2Bmoney.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Las Vegas 2008 - this is what my life had become)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the summer of 2007, less than one year after purchasing my condo, I was on a week long vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my then girlfriend and another couple. Spending lots of money lavishly and not giving an ounce of thought to the possibility everything was about to change. After dropping close to $5,000 in just one week of partying in Cabo, it was time to head home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tired and hungover, I expected to be greeted by smiling faces and a new round of funded loans to replenish what I had spent on my trip. Instead, it was more like an energetic bomb had exploded. Everyone looked shell shocked. While I was gone, New Century Bank, our main sub-prime lender with whom we did the majority of our business, had gone belly up. Within a week a series of other lenders followed suit. The whole market began to crash. The most sobering part? I didn't save ANY money.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fast forward six months. It's a very humbling experience to have to pour out a cup of change from a grown up piggy bank (a 5 gallon water jug filled half way mostly with quarters), to take to Coin Star, and cash in for bills, just to buy a cheese burger at Jack In the Box for dinner. To not have gas money to fill the tank in my $60k car I could no longer afford while also now four months past due on my mortgage. A random knock on the door to be greeted by a process server letting us know we were being sued by our Homeowner's Association for not paying our dues. All this while trying to continue to pay out employees, leaving absolutely nothing left over for our own sustenance. What the hell was happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>"Greed does not rest until it is satisfied and it is never satisfied." </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The climax of this whole downward spiral experience was cooking pancakes by candle light in our cold shell of a home. Our electricity was cut off for excessive non payment. The gas was still on fortunately, and I have to admit, pancakes for dinner never tasted so good! It was in that moment I had the realization that would change my life. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wasn't going to die. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, things were difficult. Yes, in this moment my reality appeared to suck beyond measure. But, was it really that bad? I started thinking about all the people around the planet who, even despite my current circumstances, still had it WAY worse off than me. My problems, in that moment, became laughable. I actually laughed out loud. In all honesty, I think it was more like a half cry/half laugh, but whatever IT was, it was a release. It was confirmation that my situation wasn't that "bad."</div>
<br />
I quickly found myself grateful to be alive.<br />
<br />
Grateful to have friends and family who cared about me and who would be there if I ever needed a meal, a place to stay, a hug, or reassurance that everything was going to be ok. It was around this time my mom gave me a book to read called "The Power of Intention," by Dr. Wayne Dyer. This marked the beginning stages of my awakening. What followed was "ah hah" moment after "ah hah" moment. Remembering's of Universal Truths that lay dormant inside of my own consciousness, waiting to be triggered out by by pre-designed events, carefully orchestrated to assist in the process of becoming more aware to who I AM and "what" I'm doing here. Answers to the burning questions I held within me dating back to my youth started flushing in. What happened next, you ask?<br />
<br />
Liberation.<br />
<br />
I quickly realized it wasn't money I was after. It was happiness.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #1: BE HAPPY</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff4iNklSJdo/VJGp1rM0FuI/AAAAAAAAAug/4aoeCOB1Lmc/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff4iNklSJdo/VJGp1rM0FuI/AAAAAAAAAug/4aoeCOB1Lmc/s1600/happy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness." </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now armed with this new level of awareness, a clear head and an open heart, my work continued. Only this time I opted to implement the NATO approach -- Not Attached to Outcome. Along with Law of Attraction, one of the many new ideologies I began to adopt early in my awakening process. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the next few years, I received a Master's level education in what many call The School of Hard Knocks. Basically, hands on, high speed, high impact, high risk business training. Only this time, it wasn't only focused on the money. It was at this point I really started to grasp and better understand the concept and importance of "<b>value</b>." Success in business would be a direct reflection of how much value we could bring to our customers, strategic partners, employees, investors, et al. In retrospect, I still had much to learn but this was at the very least, a good start.</div>
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #2: PROVIDE VALUE</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"Strive not to be a success, strive instead to be of value." </i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once again, in 2009 I was back on the upswing. I was the President & CEO of an advertising and marketing startup, called SkyTek Digital Media. For a $30,000 investment we licensed and became sole distributors of a proprietary digital signage technology that was crushing the market in South Korea. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, I was learning how to draft PPM's (Private Placement Memorandums), write business plans, assemble teams, hire and train sales teams and virtually everything in between. In the winter of 2009, I got word of an event called CEO Space, which I raised funds for and received a Certification in Entrepreneurship. What a valuable experience this was for my own self development In one week, I received MBA level training in: Marketing, Branding, Sequencing, Strategic Planning & Execution, Sales Training, Intellectual Property, Raising Capital, Public Relations, Advanced Team Building, Systems Development, Social Networking, & Internet Marketing. I know it doesn't sound feasible to learn that much in seven days, but when it's laser pointed and focused for 10 hours a day straight, it's surprising how much can be accomplished. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got to hang out with hugely inspiring and powerful speakers and trainers, the likes of Les Brown, Lisa Nichols, John Assaraf and the founder Berny Dohrmann. It was at this event, we were trained to greet everyone we met with, "what's your WOW, how can I serve you?" This mentality of shifting the focus from self to others was invaluable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our business as a result, became all about empowering businesses through the virtue of cooperation over competition. All designed around the fundamental objective of maximum service to the customer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Moral of the Story #3: BE OF SERVICE</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others." </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shortly after, I attended an event in Atlanta, Georgia, called Gathering of the Angels, where I stood up, knees trembling and scared out of my mind, in front of a room full of angel investors to pitch the concept of Skytek. All in all, after everything was said and done we raised nearly $500k in seed capital. Everything seemed to be on the up and up. I even won some marketing awards for the unique plan I had developed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUR7qrezPCM/VJG0KlRDRXI/AAAAAAAAAuw/2iFAgNG_P0Y/s1600/skytek%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUR7qrezPCM/VJG0KlRDRXI/AAAAAAAAAuw/2iFAgNG_P0Y/s1600/skytek%2Blogo.jpg" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
http://thenationalnetworker.blogspot.com/2010/06/blue-thing-6-featured-deal-of-week_26.html\</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.6720008850098px;"><i>Brian Kelly and SkyTek WIN Big with two Awards in Marketing</i></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Brian Kelly, CEO and president of SkyTek Digital Media in Costa Mesa, a new advertising company specializing in digital signage, announced the company was awarded Best New Product/Service at the San Diego Chapter’s 2010 American Marketing Association’s American Marketer of the Year Award ceremony. The “AMYs” are awarded to those who succeed connecting businesses with their customers and are judged according to effectiveness, quality, style, and execution.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>SkyTek was also named a Finalist at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards for the category of Most Innovative Marketing Plan!</i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, a year later just as we were building momentum, the whole thing fell apart due to a greedy business partner and a corporate attorney who got busted stealing from some elderly clients at his church. A perfect combination of crazy and shocking. Like I said before, this was all part of my "school of hard knocks." At least things could only go in one direction from here! At least, that's what I hoped :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After SkyTek went down I was then recruited by a guy to help him launch a concept to bring back drive in movie theaters....accept with a major twist :) Here's a quick vid of me at a red carpet event talking about it (only 2 min):</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PHP9r2qI7Jk" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While working with LiTEBOX I had another major breakthrough. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Moral of the Story #4: HAVE FUN</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing." </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>My philosophy now: if it's not fun, it's not worth it</b>. I got to attend all sorts of awesome events, watch Incubus (one of my then favorite bands ) play from backstage, meet the band Bush and lots of other cool perks. But unfortunately once again, startup challenges reared their ugly head. My boss ran out of money, couldn't pay me or his bills and the whole thing fell apart. Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away within a year. Fortunately, I was able to reconcile my anger toward him before he passed. A lesson in itself. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Going without pay for four months wasn't without it's share of consequences. How I pulled through it though would present what I now consider one of the major defining moments of my life. Here is that story. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8QhUveGzPHE" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(this video is also embedded in the interview with Hope Girl below)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Moral of the Story #5: GIVE, GIVE, GIVE & then GIVE some MORE</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."<br /><br />"There is no such thing as a small act of kindness." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
This was right around the time I had just gotten back from a humanitarian trip/mission with my High School Health teacher, Lynne Moquete (Ms. Moquete). Every year she arranges for a group of her students to go to the Dominican Republic to help build homes for the homeless, put down cement in homes that have dirt floors, or whatever other projects need development to better serve the community, in a little village called, La Descubierta. The idea is to help students gain a sense for what life is like out of the "American bubble." It goes without saying, this trip changed my life in so many ways.<br />
<br />
The group is called <a href="http://una-vida.org/">Una Vida.</a> They also have an amazing women's cooperative program that makes authentic Dominican jewelry to enhance and empower the lives of the woman villagers there in the DR. Thank you Lynne for everything you have taught me about living a life of Service.<br />
<br />
A few take aways from my experience. First of all, the majority of the town lives way below the poverty line. But what shocked me the most was how inherently happy everyone appeared. These are people who have struggled their entire lives to make ends meet. But on the flip side, were so incredibly grateful for what they did have. The community was more like a family than anything else. Children wandered the streets with no supervision and if strayed too far away from home would be returned by the neighbors. Never any worry about crime or kidnapping.<br />
<br />
Lynne calls them a "front yard society," as opposed to "the backyard culture" we have grown so accustomed to in "developed nations." People hang out in the front and everyone knows each other and helps one another.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ll2ldx3mcSA/VJLpTrIJ4sI/AAAAAAAAAyo/IMCS9k7i3Nk/s1600/una%2Bvida2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ll2ldx3mcSA/VJLpTrIJ4sI/AAAAAAAAAyo/IMCS9k7i3Nk/s1600/una%2Bvida2.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hytrzx9-PEs/VJLpSgqg9qI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lCKQK0MPRqs/s1600/una%2Bvida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hytrzx9-PEs/VJLpSgqg9qI/AAAAAAAAAyg/lCKQK0MPRqs/s1600/una%2Bvida.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No running water in the homes. Electricity that only ran for random parts of the day (less than 8 hrs/day) and baths were taken in the local water hole. Despite all of these "supposed hardships" these people were as happy as could be. Talk about putting things into perspective. During those two weeks I lived with a host family in a tiny little shack barely able to speak a word to any of them. I got by with my broken high school Spanish but it wasn't much. They spoke NOT A WORD of English. It didn't matter. By the end of the two weeks that was my family. Mom and dad and brothers and sisters. All this without the use of language to communicate. Helped me to understand the gross limitations of language.<br />
<br />
This family would give you the last shirt on their back if needed. <b>MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH. </b>My walls came crashing down.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #6: WE ARE ALL PART OF ONE HUMAN FAMILY</b><br />
<br />
"<b><i>Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living." </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The job that I refer to in the giving video was with a company called ADT Security, where I was hired as a Sales Manager for their home security division. After five grueling interviews they finally offered me the job and despite my better judgment of taking on a gig in corporate America, I accepted and got to work.<br />
<br />
Major financial struggles resulted in me disregarding my moral #3 (have fun).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjBBgXI8LbQ/VJH7NvMjdqI/AAAAAAAAAvg/MEgDLiCLDDM/s1600/adt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjBBgXI8LbQ/VJH7NvMjdqI/AAAAAAAAAvg/MEgDLiCLDDM/s1600/adt.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This was my first time getting a taste of true Corporate America. It was also my first time since working in finance where I wasn't running the show or at least part of the core leadership team. It paid good money and I was able to offer a lot of value, but there was a few things I didn't resonate with. First, we were trained to sell "peace of mind." But, it didn't take me long to realize we were actually pushing fear. "Did you know one in five homes in the next five years will either have a break in or a fire?" <br />
<br />
Secondly, I don't do corporate hierarchies well. I had three bosses at that job. Challenging? Completely. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Moral of the Story #7: NEVER WORK A JOB JUST FOR THE PAYCHECK</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was around this time that the Universe guided me to cross paths with a young, inspiring up and comer, Jake Ducey, at my yoga studio. This 20 year old kid quit his full ride basketball scholarship to travel around the world, on only $8,000, in search for life's purpose. He then came home to write a book about his journey called "Into the Wind" to inspire today's youth to follow their hearts and do what they love. On a flight to Sedona, Arizona for the weekend, I was only able to make it to about page 30 in, before I realized I had to quit my job.<br />
<br />
Here is a short video with Jake's message:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/c4HRDdD-U7A" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jake is now getting ready to launch his second book published by Penguin, foreword written by his mentor, Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. If you want to see more of Jake, I highly recommend watching his Ted Talk. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFQ1nCobL4Q">Click here for the link. </a><br />
<br />
Update: Check out Jake's new book that just released today Jan 2, 2015 here: <a data-reactid=".4z.$mid=11420224570576=2966dc4ab8c55a85749.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$range0:0" href="http://amzn.to/13M0cIL" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/13M0cIL</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Shortly after meeting Jake I bought three of his books to support his mission to build a school in Indonesia. I figured I would give them away as gifts to anyone who could use the inspiration carried within his message. I decided to put in my two week notice on the first day of getting back from Sedona. The challenge; I had two "main" bosses, so I would need to give the "I'm moving on" speech twice. Also, unless there was some sort of regional event, they were never under the same roof at the same time. There I was sitting in my office on that next Monday morning, sweating bullets of the hard talk I was about to have with my direct boss. Then, lo and behold out my window, I see Dorian (my other boss) driving up and parking his car. What!? The one day I need to quit and coincidentally (I don't believe in coincidences) both my bosses are under the same room. I call this Divine Intervention :)<br />
<br />
Then, I looked next to my desk and realized I had both extra copies of Jake's book sitting next to my desk. A flash of inspiration flushed over me. In that moment I realized why I was guided to buy the two extra books. As Dorian walked into the side door of the main office, I had a flash back of our interview; he asked me to look directly into his eyes and guarantee him that I was his man for the long haul. I was hired to help turn around sales in the San Diego office. I did so reluctantly even though in the back of my mind I knew this would not be a long term gig for me. Not having any money or sustenance does crazy things to people, I've learned.<br />
<br />
Here's how that conversation went:<br />
<br />
DJ (his nickname): Hey BK, how was your trip!? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Me: It was great boss, thanks. I'm glad you're here, I really need to talk to you.<br />
DJ: What's wrong, are you ok? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Me: Yeah, I'm great. (after he sat down, this was when I passed him the book across my desk) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
DJ: What's this<br />
Me: This is a book I'm giving you, authored by my friend Jake Ducey. It's about his journey of traveling the world in search for life's purpose. (I offered a few more inspiring details from the story). I'm hoping that when you read it, you will understand why I have to put in my two week notice today. (GULP)<br />
DJ: You're leaving man? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Me: Unfortunately yes. I feel I have a mission in this world to help people and I don't feel like I can do that to my fullest potential here.<br />
DJ: ............... (long pause that must have lasted 30 seconds at least, which is a long time if you really think about it) He looked down at his feet.<br />
(This is the moment he blew me away) Looking at me straight in the eyes,..<br />
DJ: BK, I can't tell you how fucking proud of you I am. I had a funny feeling this wasn't the gig for you. I could see you were meant to do great things, and if you're following your heart, how could I be mad at you for that? Then he went on to say this..<br />
"As much as I want to tell you if whatever you end up doing doesn't work out you can always come back, I'm not going to. Because I don't want you to have a safety net. If you're going to do this go out and do it right!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This comment rendered me speechless. I was quite literally shocked. Even more shocking, I got the exact same supportive response from my other boss (slightly less animated) five minutes later. This was the validation from the Universe I needed for me to know I was doing the right thing." The next day I realized that the day I gave my two week notice was on the one year anniversary of the date I was hired. Coincidence? I think not ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Moral of the Story #8: NO MATTER WHAT, FOLLOW YOUR HEART</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RasDtQoPBcI/VJH5rw9Y4DI/AAAAAAAAAvU/HyXv6klgEXg/s1600/steve%2Bjobs%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RasDtQoPBcI/VJH5rw9Y4DI/AAAAAAAAAvU/HyXv6klgEXg/s1600/steve%2Bjobs%2Bquote.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>"Follow your heart. Life is too short to be side tracked by the things everyone else wants you to do." </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I knew leaving ADT was a major risk. After all, I had no backup job lined up, didn't know what I wanted to do next and the future was less than certain, at best. Was this going to stop me? Absolutely not. Taking risks is what life is all about. The biggest risks in life are usually coupled with the greatest possibilities of reward. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>"In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On January 6, 2013 I moved to Morocco. People always wonder how I've survived the last two years without a "job." Basically, between a bit of Google ad revenue here and there for my blog, offering Reiki distance healing sessions via Skype and most recently renting out a few apartments here in Morocco, these combined have allowed me to keep my head above water.<br />
<br />
I often tell people losing everything was the best thing that ever happened to me. It taught me to never "worry" about money. Whenever I've truly "needed" it somehow it always shows up. Whether it be a surprise donation to the blog (which is rare), a care package with a few bucks from my mom, or an unexpected opportunity to make a few bucks doing something totally random, it always shows up. I've learned to trust that, deeply.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose." </i></b><br />
<br />
Now is where I have a really great opportunity to be completely transparent t and lay it all out on the table. With all of my experiences in business, both good and bad, combined with growing up in a society plagued by greed and corruption, I became very turned off by money and even the idea of getting back into traditional business, on any level.<br />
<br />
I honestly thought that with the coming inevitable collapse of the banking system, we wouldn't need it anymore and we could all transition happily into a cash less, resource based economy, where no human Soul would ever have to worry again about having their basic needs met, ever again. While I truly believe this kind of system is coming and I will see it manifest into reality in my lifetime, it's naive to keep thinking it's going to happen "tomorrow."<br />
<br />
As it stands now, money (or more accurately currency) is still relevant to survival for the majority of people on the planet. Yes, it's true there are plenty of people living off the grid, growing their own gardens, building their own homes, tapping into their own untreated water supply (all of these things take some startup funds to actualize). However, the majority of humanity still depend on the purchasing of food, clothes, water, shelter, for our basic survival. To curse it, is to shut out an endless sea of incredible opportunities to use money as a tool for good.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #9: MONEY IS JUST A TOOL. TREAT IT AS SUCH </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"Money is a tool. Used properly it makes something beautiful. Used wrong it makes a mess." </i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_G4Q1wXNjQ/VJLXV26y-6I/AAAAAAAAAxI/R288ArWKvlQ/s1600/money2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_G4Q1wXNjQ/VJLXV26y-6I/AAAAAAAAAxI/R288ArWKvlQ/s1600/money2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is Part II (also a separate blog post)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUWtyeWnX9s/VJLb10qnZ-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/arXOHQumxyw/s1600/change2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUWtyeWnX9s/VJLb10qnZ-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/arXOHQumxyw/s1600/change2.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>My Story -- A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part II</b><br />
December 18, 2014<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This post is not just about a business idea, it's about "Inspiring a Revolution of Change".... ~BK</span><br />
<br />
In Part I, I told my personal journey of self discovery, which can be read <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose.html">here.</a> On my mission to find purpose, here's a quick recap from the last article of the major lessons I learned along the way:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>BE HAPPY</i></li>
<li><i>PROVIDE VALUE</i></li>
<li><i>BE OF SERVICE</i></li>
<li><i>HAVE FUN</i></li>
<li><i>GIVE, GIVE, GIVE & then GIVE some MORE</i></li>
<li><i>WE ARE ALL PART OF ONE HUMAN FAMILY</i></li>
<li><i>NEVER WORK A JOB JUST FOR THE PAYCHECK</i></li>
<li><i>NO MATTER WHAT, FOLLOW YOUR HEART</i></li>
<li><i>MONEY IS JUST A TOOL, TREAT IT AS SUCH</i></li>
</ol>
<br />
Part II is all about finding passion through inspiration and <b>taking action</b>. In this blog post I continue to share all of the most profound realizations I have had along my journey to finding purpose. These concepts and formulas can be used and adopted by ANYONE aspiring to make their dream a reality. This is my Story...<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #10: ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>"when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking & GO." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1nwyHHlaqU/VJQcFGDrzyI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/S98rYcvxPqo/s1600/bruce%2Blee%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1nwyHHlaqU/VJQcFGDrzyI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/S98rYcvxPqo/s1600/bruce%2Blee%2Bquote.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div>
<br />
If you have an hour to spare, I go into a lot of detail in my interview with Hope Girl on the current project I'm working on now, how it came to be, what the objective is and how it all plays into my personal vision for the future. A few of the videos I share below are also very beautifully dubbed into this interview. For the sake of redundancy I label which ones those are:<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SLDuvU7SXHc" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
As mentioned in the video with Hope, determining our "why" for this business concept was and continues to be our focus to this day. Answering this question has not only encouraged the biggest breakthrough, for this project specifically. It has also helped me to understand personally, what was missing from past business start-ups I was involved in, and quite possibly what made some of them fall short of reaching the level of success we had intended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAqawrUfMwo/VJSMUNtLv5I/AAAAAAAAA5w/rnzHznBhjFI/s1600/success.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAqawrUfMwo/VJSMUNtLv5I/AAAAAAAAA5w/rnzHznBhjFI/s1600/success.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Based on my personal experience in business, I would imagine, when posed with the question, of 'why' most entrepreneurs are in business, these would likely be the most common responses:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"To make money."<br />"To provide for my family."<br />"Because I love it."<br />"Because I enjoy the freedom of working for myself."<br />"Because I make a great income that allows me to do the things in life I enjoy"<br />"To make people's lives easier/better by..."</i></blockquote>
Through everything I learned throughout part I of this story, the above reasons were no longer good enough standing on their own. There had to be a greater purpose than just money, security, stability or even attaining total happiness. The realization here is that securing happiness for just myself is no longer good enough. Although, it is the very crucial first step to sharing happiness with others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUu8jwqvAoA/VJLi_aanZRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/ez7p9kfzbiU/s1600/entrepreneur1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUu8jwqvAoA/VJLi_aanZRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/ez7p9kfzbiU/s1600/entrepreneur1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79L8dnIJ8MA/VJLi_ZmrfEI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1KcV27hkE5g/s1600/entrepreneur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79L8dnIJ8MA/VJLi_ZmrfEI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1KcV27hkE5g/s1600/entrepreneur.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Being an entrepreneur is about improving people's lives by offering a product that solves a problem, simplifies a process, or by offering a service that gives people more quality time to enjoy family, etc. And of course, loving what you do, having freedom and providing for family are all part of what make up the thrill of becoming an entrepreneur.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
BUT, if business was designed to make people's lives better/easier or solve a problem, commerce as a whole seems to have missed the mark in a very major way. See for yourself:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Almost half the world -- <b>over three billion people </b>-- live on <b>less than $2.50/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>At least <b>80% of humanity lives on less than $10/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>22,000 children die each day due to poverty.</b> And they "die quietly in some of the poorest villages on Earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world"</i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>Nearly a billion people</b> entered the 21st century <b>unable to read a book or sign their names</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>Less than 1% of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Every year there are <b>350 - 500 million</b> <b>cases of malaria</b> (a curable disease), with <b>1 million fatalities</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Water problems affect half of humanity: some <b>1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water & 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>1.8 billion people</b> who have access to a water source within 1 kilometer, but not in their house or yard, consume around <b>20 liters of water/day</b>. In the UK, the avg person uses more than <b>50 liters/day flushing toilets</b>. The highest avg water use in the world is in the US, at <b>600 liters/day</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>1.6 billion people</b> -- a quarter of humanity -- <b>live without electricity</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i><b>For every $1 in aid a developing country receives, over $25 is spent on debt repayment</b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>In <b>1820 </b>the distance between the richest and poorest countries was <b>3 to 1,in 1992 it was 72 to 1</b></i></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
The stats above barely scratch the surface of the issues facing humanity today. More found <a href="http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats">here at this link.</a><br />
<br />
Are your eyes opened yet? What do you see in this picture?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di7_-mhVTZY/VJK1hXTEKAI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7ItD_yrpz0w/s1600/poverty%2Bstats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di7_-mhVTZY/VJK1hXTEKAI/AAAAAAAAAvw/7ItD_yrpz0w/s1600/poverty%2Bstats.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
$11 billion on ice cream in Europe!? Can you imagine how much opportunity around the world could be created with $11 billion, let alone $780 billion on military spending. I had to wipe my eyes and do a double take when I saw that one.<br />
<br />
<div>
Here's our main tenet at 9 Gifts of Gaia: All human beings are born with unlimited potential, unlimited capacity and unlimited creativity. No exceptions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-OcgElSjz0/VJSYkVds9CI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vrEtPGnxunE/s1600/capacity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-OcgElSjz0/VJSYkVds9CI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vrEtPGnxunE/s1600/capacity.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<br />
Every year we see multiple global summits that give the illusion that key issues are being addressed and steps have been put in place to solve them. This illusion of change has taken the power out of our hands, and into those who don’t seem to care or do anything about it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nobody is going to change the world for us, and if we continue living our lives and being so into our own lives while ignoring what is happening to planet Earth, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the outcome won’t be sunshine and roses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we've learned one thing it's that the solutions to the world's problems will NOT come from any so-called government or political leaders. They will come from people. People just like YOU. People just like me and millions of other creative minds from all around the world. This is why I believe deep down everyone is an entrepreneur. Everyone is a creator.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #11: WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, PEOPLE ARE SO INCREDIBLY CREATIVE</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFw3sxwJvd0/VJSTccXUe3I/AAAAAAAAA6M/e4pe5n-V2yg/s1600/creativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFw3sxwJvd0/VJSTccXUe3I/AAAAAAAAA6M/e4pe5n-V2yg/s1600/creativity.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
I have seen it for myself so many times in my life. As a businessman and as a person in general. Look around you, there's creative people and projects just about everywhere you look. Just imagine what happens when our creative juices are focused on a collective intent for a peaceful, sustainable, poverty free world...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b><i>"Why hide your talent in the closet of complacency, when you have greatness within you." </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Moral of the Story #12: KNOW YOUR "WHY" </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"What's your why? When you know why you do what you do even the toughest days become easier." </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDQozjNjl6o/VJK4OTrMYtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/2_RZONLH-Uc/s1600/why.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDQozjNjl6o/VJK4OTrMYtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/2_RZONLH-Uc/s1600/why.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
The why doesn't start and finish just with business. It can apply to literally everything we do in life. "What's my why?" is just about the best filter we can use to determine the value of whether or not to DO one thing or the other, no matter what IT is. And like the quote above says, when our why is big enough, we will always find our how.<br />
<br />
Many of the videos and info that follow are all a result of researching "daring to be different in business." I had no interest in going back into business the old way it was done. My search for purpose was quite literally a combination of going within to see what resonates, as well as digging on the internet :)<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #13: SOMETIMES INSPIRATION NEEDS TO BE SEARCHED FOR</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"Don't waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin and inspiration will find you." </i></b><br />
<br />
Here are a few videos, also dubbed into the interview with Hope, that provided much needed guidance and inspiration on my own personal Journey to Why. Hard not to tear up watching this one in particular.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GJeWFoKZ63U" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2lU7YELZY/VJQmv2AkvVI/AAAAAAAAA20/0nGnae7AHk0/s1600/Inspirational%2Bquotes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2lU7YELZY/VJQmv2AkvVI/AAAAAAAAA20/0nGnae7AHk0/s1600/Inspirational%2Bquotes.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/neHwgakQcGI" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I gotta hand it to Sevenly for what they have accomplished. Dale Partridge and his undeniable success as CEO of Sevenly has been a HUGE inspiration for me and my partners. To raise over $4,000,000 in $7 increments, while helping over 1.3 million people in the process is not only inspiring, it's a miracle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What does this prove? One person with a great idea can make a HUGE impact...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You better believe Dale & Sevenly know exactly what their Why is. </div>
<br />
<b><i>"There's nothing more powerful than a great idea, whose time has come"</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is the email I sent to Dale to thank him for the inspiration:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
<i>Dale,<br /> <br />I'll keep this brief because I know you are a very busy guy. I too am an entrepreneur and interestingly enough, used to own and operate a business in Costa Mesa. Now in the process of launching a new business, I found Sevenly in doing research on "daring to be different in business." I felt strongly the entire way we do business was in need of a major over haul. When I found Sevenly and watched your "how it works" video I was blown away. Tears of inspiration flowed down my face...not afraid to admit it :)</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
<i>What you have created is nothing short of amazing. I know part of your mission was to inspire other businesses to be less profit and more people focused. Consider me a success story. 9 Gifts of Gaia will launch soon, donating $9 from every purchase toward helping to alleviate poverty, followed by what will be a series of other causes and paradigm shifting projects. So, I just wanted to say THANK YOU. You are a bright shining beacon of light this world needs right now. Keep up the good work my friend. Blessings & Namaste.</i></blockquote>
His response:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Wow thank you man, that means a lot. :)</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> Keep fighting the good fight,</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dale </blockquote>
<b>Moral of the Story #14: IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS AN IDEA THAT YOU CONNECT WITH & ITS WORKING: MIRROR IT</b><br />
<br />
Actual advice shared with me by one of my mentors.<br />
<br />
There is absolutely no shame in copying someone's idea and adding a few twists to make it your own. These are the basic components and building blocks of innovation. Most commonly, new innovations are a product of taking an existing idea and improving upon it to make it better, more efficient, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ijAjvSR-V0/VJRR5PsJmPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ntOdmTlU5eg/s1600/innovation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ijAjvSR-V0/VJRR5PsJmPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ntOdmTlU5eg/s1600/innovation.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Sevenly is an incredible business concept. Leveraging business to support a cause is not a new phenomenon. All they have done, is taken a for-profit business model and placed the cause, as opposed to the product up front and center. That was <i>their </i>twist, and ultimately the main ingredient that resulted in such incredible success.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"You are confined only by the walls you build yourself." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
When diving deeper, one of the only major issues I could find with the Sevenly business model was their charity focused approach. Instantly I had major recall of all the horror stories I've discovered about so many of the major charities.<br />
<br />
Some of these stats are mentioned in the video with Hope, so no need to repeat again here. Although, if interested in exploring the deep levels of deception <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities1.page">here is a great article.</a><br />
<br />
Below is an excerpt from another article I found which helps to illustrate the fundamental issue between targeting symptoms as opposed to focusing on the actual cause:<br />
<br />
(this is a really great article) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/charity/against_1.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/charity/against_1.shtml</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i><b>Charities often target symptoms, not causes</b></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>The accusation is that charity helps the recipient with their problem, but it doesn't do much to deal with the causes of that problem.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Particular aspects of this are dealt with in the next two topics.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>It certainly is true that some charities do stopgap or 'band-aid' work, either exclusively or some of the time.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>But in fact, a lot of charity work is devoted to dealing with the fundamental causes of problems: for example trying to reduce global poverty, or doing research into diseases like cancer.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>These two examples highlight very different problems.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Combating cancer is a relatively simple scientific problem, while global poverty requires more than a scientific operation, or finding a better way to manage world resources.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Combating poverty involves slow processes of political, cultural and social change, with many stakeholders, significant opposition and serious issues of self-determination and coercion to be navigated.</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>And long-term campaigns pose another ethical problem: should we spend to make a better world in 10 years' time if that means that people who we could have fed starve to death tomorrow?</i><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>The famous story of the boy and the starfish shows why using charity to fix individual problems can be very valuable.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtk4762egLo/VJLEarHKa9I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZnAxdhhKyZI/s1600/charity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtk4762egLo/VJLEarHKa9I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZnAxdhhKyZI/s1600/charity.jpg" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If I can just help one person, all of a sudden my life is filled with purpose...<br />
<br />
<b><i>"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters." </i></b><br />
<br />
If so many non-profits and charitable organizations lack transparency, and only target symptoms, not causes, then how can we circumvent the charity and get directly to the individual? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The answer? (at least one of many. Vid also in presentation)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lSN2WdqXwfc" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Truth be told, this whole concept of microfinance didn't sit right when I first discovered it. As an ex-finance guy, I walked away from the business with a very sour taste in my mouth. I felt that all loans were a scam and enslaved honest and hard working people to fictitious, userous debt. I didn't lie to my clients about the types of loans they were receiving, like many in the business did, but at the end of the day it was companies just like mine that played a major role in the housing collapse of 2008. As a result, I put the word "loan" in the same category of all the other 4 letter words that shouldn't be spoken.<br />
<br />
Challenging to grasp, especially knowing what I know now, after years of research into how debt, money and credit really work. So, I needed to dive into it a bit to fully understand the mechanics.<br />
<br />
The figures and videos shared below helped me to see the light...very quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKuwUuWxYEI/VJQqyfgrK_I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Yc5J-KVz5P8/s1600/kiva%2Bstats5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKuwUuWxYEI/VJQqyfgrK_I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Yc5J-KVz5P8/s1600/kiva%2Bstats5.jpg" height="211" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apk73JofbkM/VJMInahQ54I/AAAAAAAAAzU/7YYCUfUN5ek/s1600/KIVA_tekst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apk73JofbkM/VJMInahQ54I/AAAAAAAAAzU/7YYCUfUN5ek/s1600/KIVA_tekst.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
These statistics are mind blowing. Why more people don't know about this? A basic lack of awareness. Well, it's time for that to change...<br />
<br />
Synchronistically, I found this Ted Talk with Dr. Muhammad Yunus who won the Nobel Prize in 2006 for creating microcredit. Microcredit loans to date have pulled close to 100 million people out of poverty <b>by focusing on the cause, not the symptom.</b> These next two videos tell the story of how it all began. Worth watching if you have the time. Or bookmark and come back later. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6UCuWxWiMaQ" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
After watching this video, I purchased <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Banker-Poor-Micro-Lending-Against-Poverty-ebook/dp/B004OVEYO4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418905289&sr=8-1&keywords=banker+to+the+poor">Dr. Yunus' book, Banker to the Poor</a>, on Kindle and read through it in just a few days.<br />
<br />
Jessica Jackley, co-founded Kiva after watching Dr. Yunus' video above. More proof one person with an inspired idea can change the world.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Cqj0sgrNL10" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<b><i>"The proper aim of giving is to put the recipient in a place where he/she no longer needs our gift." </i></b><br />
<br />
These videos led me to some very profound realizations. For the first time in my life, I started to really understand that quote, "you're either part of the problem, OR part of the solution." The fire was lit. My commitment to becoming a part of the solution has never been filled with such extreme levels of passion and determination. Every fiber of my being is telling me, it's time to take a stand.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #15: GENEROSITY IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FORCES IN ALL OF CREATION</b><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 11pt; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 5mm; widows: 2;">"Generosity isn't just about what you do. It’s about who you are. </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 11pt; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 5mm; widows: 2;">Before it’s a matter of giving or of doing, it’s a matter of being."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
Here are a few quotes from Dr. Yunus' book that opened my eyes to not only the reality of poverty, but also the gross misunderstanding around it, as well as our absolute ability to render it a part of our past:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Once poverty is gone, we'll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations. They'll wonder why poverty continued so long in human society - how a few people could live in luxury while billions dwelt in misery, deprivation and despair.” </span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“When we want to help the poor, we usually offer them charity. Most often we use charity to avoid recognizing the problem and finding the solution for it. Charity becomes a way to shrug off our responsibility. But charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about the lives of the poor. Charity appeases our consciences.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“If you go out into the real world, you cannot miss seeing that the poor are poor not because they are untrained or illiterate but because they cannot retain the returns of their labor. They have no control over capital, and it is the ability to control capital that gives people the power to rise out of poverty.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.” </span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Poverty is the absence of all human rights. The frustrations, hostility and anger generated by abject poverty cannot sustain peace in any society. For building stable peace we must find ways to provide opportunities for people to live decent lives.”</span></i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>“I believe that we can create a poverty-free world because poverty is not created by poor people. It has been created and sustained by the economic and social systems that we have designed for ourselves; the institutions and concepts that make up that system; the policies that we pursue.” </b></span></i></blockquote>
Here's the clincher...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDgsFFBRzc/VJLxfITz1aI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j3CUSaXdyME/s1600/mandela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDgsFFBRzc/VJLxfITz1aI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j3CUSaXdyME/s1600/mandela.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Grotesque MT Std Black; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>“The needs of people around the world are real and urgent, and how we respond to them will help to determine the future of the human race." </b></span></span></i></div>
<br />
Why such a strong focus on poverty? Because I believe when one person suffers, we all suffer and poverty results in more suffering than all the various other noble causes combined. I feel very strongly that until we can conquer this issue on a social scale we will be limited in our collective ability to evolve as a species. As I said before, people have within them infinite wells of potential and creativity. However, poverty stunts creativity in a very major way. Pull people out of poverty and what happens is creativity multiplies exponentially.<br />
<br />
So, it begs the question, if we carry within us the power to end world poverty, then HOW are we going to do it? This picture illustrates my prediction:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AG0adXXW0HE/VJSRIWyxuAI/AAAAAAAAA6E/jaa6dEAe2ec/s1600/entrepreneur2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AG0adXXW0HE/VJSRIWyxuAI/AAAAAAAAA6E/jaa6dEAe2ec/s1600/entrepreneur2.jpg" height="100" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In my many countless hours of research over the last couple of months, I've uncovered so many incredible opportunities. One of the biggest realizations (something I already knew but hadn't yet created a contextual understanding for), is that for every single challenge facing humanity today, a solution (if not many) already exist to turn it around.<br />
<br />
One of the most profound discoveries was this whole concept of social business, or generosity based business. I had no idea how big this movement really was. At the end of reading "Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus, there were a few quotes in particular he shared about the promising future of social business, which represented the ultimate landslide of inspiration I was very consciously seeking.<br />
<br />
There are quite a few passages here, but as far as I'm concerned, this information represents the major breakthrough needed to flip the script on causeless consumerism. These ideas are more than capable of shifting the entire framework of our collective connection to the web of global commerce:<br />
<br />
<i>"<b>A completely new world can be created by making space for the social entrepreneurs</b> and the social investors in the business world. This is a very important agenda for all of us. <b>Eliminating poverty will become so much easier if social entrepreneurs can take up the challenge of ending poverty and if social investors can use their investment money to support the work of social entrepreneurs." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>"To me, a world without poverty means a world in which every person can take care of his or her basic life needs. In such a world, nobody would die of hunger or suffer from malnutrition.</b> This is a goal world leaders have been calling for decades, but they have never set out any way of achieving it." <span style="color: blue;">(That's because they need it to keep humanity under control) </span></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i>"Today, when we think of business we think of enterprises that are dedicated to making money - to profit maximization. To me, that's too narrow a definition of people as economic participants. <b>Human beings are much more complex than just being instruments for making money.</b> So I began to imagine another dimension - a dimension where human beings want to be of help to other people, to create a new kind of world through economic activity. <b>This requires a new kind of business - one that I call a social business."</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"A social business is a non-loss, non-dividend enterprise, <b>created with the intention to do good to people, to bring positive changes to the world, without any short-term expectation of making money out of it.</b> That is the subject of my new book, Creating a World Without Poverty. It describes how social business can change the world and end poverty on this planet." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"To free-market fundamentalists, social business might seem blasphemous. The idea of a business with objectives other than profits has no place in their existing theology of capitalism. Yet surely no harm will be done to the free market if not all businesses are profit maximizing businesses (PMB's). Surely capitalism is amenable to improvements. And sure the stakes are too high to go on the way we have been going. <b>By insisting that all businesses, by definition, must necessarily be PMB's and by treating this as some kind of axiomatic truth, we have created a world that ignores the multi-dimensional nature of human beings</b>. As a result, businesses remain incapable of addressing many of our most pressing social problems." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"<b>We need businesses that are not purely seeking profit, but dedicated to solving social and environmental problems." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"In its organizational structure, this new business is basically the same as the existing PMB. But it differs in its objectives. Like other businesses, it employs workers, creates goods or services, and provides these to customers for a price consistent with its objectives. <b>But its underlying objective - and the criterion by which it should be evaluated - is to create social benefits for those whose lives it touches. </b>The company itself may earn a profit, but the investors who support it do not take any profits out of the company, except recouping an amount equivalent to their original investment, over a period of time. <b>A social business is a company that is cause driven rather than profit-driven, with the potential to act as a change agent for the world." </b><br /><br />"<b>A social business is not a charity.</b> It is a business in every sense. It has to recover its full costs while achieving its social objective. When you are running a business, you think differently and work differently than when you are running a charity. And this makes all the difference in defining social business and its impact on society. "</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"There are many organizations in the world today that concentrate on creating social benefit. Most do not recover their total costs. Nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations rely on charitable donations, foundation grants, or government support to implement their programs. Most of their leaders are dedicated people doing commendable work, but since they do not recover their costs from their operations, they are forced to devote part of their time and energy, sometimes a significant part, to raising money."<br /><br />"How can the products or services sold by a social business provide a social benefit? There are countless ways. <b>For example, imagine: A social business that manufactures and sells high-quality, nutritious food products at very low prices to a targeted market of poor and underfed children. These products can be cheaper because they do not compete in the luxury market and therefore don't require costly packaging or advertising, besides not being under compulsion to maximize profit." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"The achievement of full cost recovery as a social business is a moment worth celebrating. Once a social objective driven project overcomes the gravitational force of financial dependence, it is ready for space flight. <b>Such a project is self-sustaining and enjoys the potential for almost unlimited growth and expansion. And as the social business grows, so do the benefits it provides to society." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Thus, a social business is designed and operated as a business enterprise, with products, services, customers, markets, expenses, and revenues -- but with the profit maximization principle replaced by the social benefit principle. <b>Rather than seeking to amass the highest possible level of financial profit to be enjoyed by the investors, the social business seeks to achieve a social objective." </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>Do you see where this is headed yet?...<br />
<br />
Let these stats I found illustrate just how big the generosity movement has become.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO2Og8-h-YI/VJMBCPI1_xI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gn7uDCqLlY0/s1600/when-cause-and-price_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO2Og8-h-YI/VJMBCPI1_xI/AAAAAAAAAzI/gn7uDCqLlY0/s1600/when-cause-and-price_new.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><i>"47% of consumers have bought a brand at least monthly that supports a cause.”</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Jenson Pro'; font-size: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 18px; widows: 2;"><b><i>"75 % of young people donated money to causes in 2012, and 63 percent volunteered time."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
As far as I'm concerned, what these statistics equate to is: bona fide & unparalleled opportunity for a total over haul in the way we do business.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
For anyone who has ever had the desire to create a business & is simultaneously passionate about world change, NOW is the time to step up. Whether you're in business or aspring to start one, anyone brave enough to take the leap of faith and break the cycle, has a huge advantage over all the other businesses out there who haven't gotten the memo that it's time for change.<br />
<br />
I predict that in the very near future all businesses will be "to businesses". What's a "to business" you ask? It goes something like this...<br />
<br />
What do you do for a living?<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I sell shirts online "<b>to"</b> alleviate poverty</i><br />
<i>I create health and wellness products <b>"to"</b> support environmental & sustainability projects</i><br />
<i>I offer inspirational art <b>"to"</b> support new projects and innovations to heal the world</i><br />
<i>I make custom jewelry <b>"to" </b>build a new paradigm school in Indonesia</i><br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Because I want to change the world and inspire others to do the same...<br />
<br />
THIS ^^ is my why. </div>
<br />
All of the above are not just creative examples I pulled together to illustrate a point. It's the "to business" plan, mission and intention of 9 Gifts of Gaia. Poverty isn't the only cause we'll be focusing on, it's the first of many. As of this now moment our cause focus consists of four major categories. I call it our PEIS model (pronounced peace):<br />
<br />
<i>Poverty -- "If one person suffers, we all suffer."</i><br />
<i>Education -- "Education is not a privilege, it's a basic human right."</i><br />
<i>Innovation -- "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."</i><br />
<i>Sustainability -- "We do not inherent the Earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our children."</i><br />
<br />
And with the blink of an eye and a little hard work, the vision manifests into reality...<br />
<br />
But that will have to wait until Part III...most likely later today :) I'll also be talking about strategies I've found to find and build a team of passionate change makers. 2015 will be the year of the Tribal economy. More to come on that concept, as well.<br />
<br />
Want to be a part of the Revolution for Change? Email me at <a href="mailto:9giftsofgaia@gmail.com">9giftsofgaia@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
Also, for a sneak peak into 9 Gifts of Gaia, please visit our FB page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia">www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia</a> and make sure to leave us a "like!" We'll be doing a raffle and giving away lots of cool stuff very soon :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Here is Part III</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPDjfjEjWu4/VJb5L7uA4wI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wXjAIpBXZtc/s1600/TWR_CAMPAIGN_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPDjfjEjWu4/VJb5L7uA4wI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wXjAIpBXZtc/s1600/TWR_CAMPAIGN_01.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>My Story: A Journey to Discovering Purpose -- Part III The Final Chapter -- Where the Story Begins...</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
December 21, 2014</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>"Together We Rise, Divided We Fall" ~BK</i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Parts I & II to this story can be read <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose.html">here</a> & <a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-story-journey-to-discovering-purpose_19.html">here</a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<b><i>"When we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, we grow numb to something important in ourselves and succumb eventually to a spiritual paralysis."</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">That's what this little story of mine is really all about. I've woken up from the fog of complacency. I believe this shift within me is the result of a massive shift playing itself out within the collective, across the entire plant, and beyond. In fact, I'm certain this is the case. My hope is that this set of posts will bring others who share my passion forward. This is my message:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkZe5uQLEvg/VJWzjIxi2CI/AAAAAAAAA84/oCLyUuxJGzc/s1600/unity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkZe5uQLEvg/VJWzjIxi2CI/AAAAAAAAA84/oCLyUuxJGzc/s1600/unity.jpg" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">The true mission of this business we're rolling out, isn't about selling shirts, Argan oil, jewelry or any "thing" for that matter. It's about putting our energy into a project we feel strongly will make a difference, and hopefully inspiring others to create generosity projects of their own. It's about enriching our lives by enriching the lives of others. Spiritual rhetoric doesn't end suffering, it doesn't stop child sex trafficking, it doesn't stop the spraying of chem trails, or shift the energies of war, greed or hate. Only committed people that share similar core values and a vision for a better world can accomplish such a feat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<b><i>"We need to awaken to a common consciousness of all being inhabitants of Earth. This consciousness is not to be found in some distant place. It will not be found on a computer screen. It lies in our hearts, in our ability to share the pain of our fellow human beings. It is the spirit that says: “As long as you are suffering, whoever you are and whatever your suffering may be, I suffer also.”</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">It is only recently that I had to take a good long look in the mirror and ask myself, what am I really doing to change the status quo? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">My name is Brian Kelly & this project is an outward manifestation of an inward desire to help make the world a better place. This is my story...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ-omcN1fwE/VJW3iKJKGnI/AAAAAAAAA9E/mKN_38dWwSU/s1600/mother%2Bteresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ-omcN1fwE/VJW3iKJKGnI/AAAAAAAAA9E/mKN_38dWwSU/s1600/mother%2Bteresa.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">It's already seeded in our youth. Take a look and see a beautiful example of how easy change can be...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/99WLYiHvk0o" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Part I was all about my personal journey, where I fell, how I picked myself back up and what I learned along the way. In Part II I laid out all my research and findings as well as my personal plan to be part of the Revolution of Change. In Part III I will reveal the project in more detail, focusing on the aspects of finding a team of like minds and building a tribal community of world changers.<br />
<br />
This whole project started with a very simple idea. Secure, package, sell 100% pure organic Moroccan Argan Oil to raise funds for sustainable community projects. Here is the chart I showed in my video with Hope, showing the explosive global demand for the oil. Plus, this stuff is amazing for the body on so many levels, it was a very exciting prospect to leverage a high demand product like Argan Oil, as a means to support our first intended project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auLn-_W3zFg/VJW64kmVVVI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/iw2PVrE0W8I/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bdemand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auLn-_W3zFg/VJW64kmVVVI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/iw2PVrE0W8I/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bdemand.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZINcXWM1ls/VJa7eYUYxcI/AAAAAAAAA9s/8J_usOUJxWw/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bliquid%2Bgold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZINcXWM1ls/VJa7eYUYxcI/AAAAAAAAA9s/8J_usOUJxWw/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bliquid%2Bgold.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmjWtA3cX_8/VJa7feIFmiI/AAAAAAAAA90/fW9RAUwNq-U/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bmiraculous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmjWtA3cX_8/VJa7feIFmiI/AAAAAAAAA90/fW9RAUwNq-U/s1600/argan%2Boil%2Bmiraculous.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">The need to promote, support and rally around sustainability is very real and has a direct impact on the lives of all 7+ billion of us. This concept underwent many series of evolution.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPx81Os0fY/VJVlORjOFsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/xwGQUIW10EU/s1600/let's%2Bbuild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPx81Os0fY/VJVlORjOFsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/xwGQUIW10EU/s1600/let's%2Bbuild.jpg" height="156" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDeGlHAfaY/VJbAQJHI_cI/AAAAAAAAA-E/EX1CYNhSmXM/s1600/bolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDeGlHAfaY/VJbAQJHI_cI/AAAAAAAAA-E/EX1CYNhSmXM/s1600/bolo.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Which leads me to my next revelation.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral of the Story #14: IDEAS ARE ALWAYS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF EVOLUTION. EMBRACE THE PROCESS OF CHANGE.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
First creation: Essence of Sahara<br />
Objective: Discover & deliver nature's best kept health and wellness secrets from Morocco for the healing of mind, body & soul.<br />
Challenge: Major disconnect from our personal experience. Inauthentic. It felt like we were a couple guys launching a cosmetics company.Also, the same reason why we had to evolve only from supporting sustainable communities. No personal experience makes connecting to a project very difficult.<br />
<br />
First evolution: Essence of Gaia<br />
Same as above: Same as above, but a broader scope of offerings from around the world.<br />
Evolution of concept: Moringa grows wild on Bolo land. The addition of this mega super food added an exciting new prospect for the developing project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaAovjLouNQ/VJcCvRFzkwI/AAAAAAAABAM/8I5FudFjHKY/s1600/moringa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaAovjLouNQ/VJcCvRFzkwI/AAAAAAAABAM/8I5FudFjHKY/s1600/moringa.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Challenge: The same disconnect. No real experience based connection to the message. Still a major component missing to bring the whole thing together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGd2D5zOeoI/VJVqXhTZTNI/AAAAAAAAA68/yF5gdpIf0iY/s1600/EOG_01_test_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGd2D5zOeoI/VJVqXhTZTNI/AAAAAAAAA68/yF5gdpIf0iY/s1600/EOG_01_test_05.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After discovering Sevenly, the social business model and the generosity movement, it was time for a complete overhaul of the concept.<br />
<br />
Current Project: 9 Gifts of Gaia<br />
Mission: Raise funding & awareness to support some of the world's most worthy causes. Focusing on four key categories, as mentioned in Part II: poverty, education, innovation and sustainability.<br />
Vision: Inspire a global tribe of world changers. People from all around the planet ready to unite under a common vision for a new world.<br />
<br />
After my last post someone asked me what kinds of other projects we plan to support after Kiva. Here's a sneak peak into one of them we're looking at now. This one would fall into the poverty, innovation and sustainability categories:<br />
<br />
Instead of supporting the company direct, we would purchase the units and donate them to villages who lack access to clean, safe, drinkable water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/113219737" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<a href="http://vimeo.com/113219737">Desolenator old video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34962125">Desolenator</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
What we DO, taken from our FB Fan Page:<br />
<br />
For every item purchased we Pay It Forward $9 to a worthy cause. We offer custom cause apparel, print art, organic health & wellness products, hand made jewelry & more. Conscious commerce to Inspire, Empower and change lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IAPFFSQM_U/VJVto5_UgyI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CBMevlDvsHk/s1600/9_GOG_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IAPFFSQM_U/VJVto5_UgyI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CBMevlDvsHk/s1600/9_GOG_logo.png" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
Why 9?<br />
<br />
All about numerology. The number 9 is a number of universal love, spiritual awakening, consciousness and empathy, service to humanity, philanthropy, charity, selflessness, generosity, compassion, strength, responsibility, and all that is good within and among us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zOsw5lzEz78/VJcQSaeF6GI/AAAAAAAABAc/fEF1-mutWts/s1600/9GOG_The-Season-of-Gifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zOsw5lzEz78/VJcQSaeF6GI/AAAAAAAABAc/fEF1-mutWts/s1600/9GOG_The-Season-of-Gifting.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How it works:<br />
<br />
1. We Select A Cause<br />
One of the major challenges facing humanity today is a lack of funding & awareness for some of the world's greatest & most worthy causes. With your support, every month we'll launch a new cause campaign. Custom limited edition T-shirts and prints will be designed to share the mission of that month's cause.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjRfrS8kQNA/VJVvl-ifG7I/AAAAAAAAA7k/M1LlkJNH-tU/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_02_new2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjRfrS8kQNA/VJVvl-ifG7I/AAAAAAAAA7k/M1LlkJNH-tU/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_02_new2.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Cause Is Shared Through Social Media<br />
As each item is sold, awareness for the cause is raised, & 9 Gifts of Gaia Pays It Forward $9 to support the cause effort.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTbq96ohzHo/VJVv8q16C0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/uf6gV7_P6IQ/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_03_new_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTbq96ohzHo/VJVv8q16C0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/uf6gV7_P6IQ/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_03_new_02.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
3. We Change the World<br />
Buckminster Fuller said, "It is now highly feasible to take care of everybody on Earth at a higher standard of living than any have ever known. It no longer has to be you or me. Selfishness is unnecessary. War is obsolete. It is a matter of converting the high technology from weaponry to livingry." The world's next great journey, begins with YOU!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvMpm49w0-w/VJVwJttYJKI/AAAAAAAAA70/m2ZrEqobbbE/s1600/30-Day-Campaigns_new_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvMpm49w0-w/VJVwJttYJKI/AAAAAAAAA70/m2ZrEqobbbE/s1600/30-Day-Campaigns_new_02.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This initiative wouldn't work if I didn't fully believe the majority of humanity has a deep desire to help make the world a better place. This model gives anyone with a computer or phone with an internet connection an opportunity to help spread the message which will impact the lives of real people from all over the planet. We know this model works simply by researching companies like Sevenly and Tom's Shoes, another huge generosity based business success story.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XhSSdm2vA/VJbWyxYH_mI/AAAAAAAAA-U/s3SWgKc0ioo/s1600/tom's%2Bshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XhSSdm2vA/VJbWyxYH_mI/AAAAAAAAA-U/s3SWgKc0ioo/s1600/tom's%2Bshoes.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Even if people can't afford to buy a product or a shirt, helping spread the message by word of mouth and on social media is equally, if not more valuable, than making a purchase.<br />
<br />
<b>A transparent breakdown of the revenue model:</b><br />
<br />
Short sleeve shirts will sell for: $26 (avg price)<br />
Our cost depends on quantity of order: $8 (avg price for high quality shirt + printing)<br />
Pay It Forward amount: $9<br />
Profit before expenses: $9<br />
(Price for Argan Oil is still in development)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsuouj8vTPI/VJWIaaoSAxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/L3FhEdd13OY/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsuouj8vTPI/VJWIaaoSAxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/L3FhEdd13OY/s1600/9GOG_infographic_HD_01.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our launch goal is to sell 1,000 shirts/products in our first month. That's $9,000 that goes directly toward funding Kiva micro loans. In $25 loan increments, we affect the lives of 360 people.<br />
<br />
Our success will be judged not simply by profit, but by how many lives we touch. When we reach the above goal, this by itself is a huge accomplishment. I will happily film myself dancing in the street and put on YouTube for all to see. I promise ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2BSGNxgYis/VJbc1JWF1_I/AAAAAAAAA-k/yYmdtl7hh2Q/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2BSGNxgYis/VJbc1JWF1_I/AAAAAAAAA-k/yYmdtl7hh2Q/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
People like Mourice will be able to buy seeds to increase his farming production</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdLdGFqVOQ/VJbfWWhNYsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/7QfqWKP7IKo/s1600/Kiva%2Bborrower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdLdGFqVOQ/VJbfWWhNYsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/7QfqWKP7IKo/s1600/Kiva%2Bborrower2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mohammod can rebuild his house destroyed by the last war in Gaza</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve23qgOJ93A/VJbge8aTAUI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8WjAgcE8diQ/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve23qgOJ93A/VJbge8aTAUI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8WjAgcE8diQ/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower3.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hazina in Kenya can start her horticulture farming project. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAu2yQoGHjo/VJbimPVlfUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/m1hd3XEv6FI/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAu2yQoGHjo/VJbimPVlfUI/AAAAAAAAA_I/m1hd3XEv6FI/s1600/kiva%2Bborrower4.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chantha can pay for her son's tuition to attend the University in Cambodia</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That leaves $9,000 to cover all of our monthly business expenses and basic survival needs. Other costs will include marketing, sales, promotions, customer service, affiliate support, website management, social media management, operations, PR, shipping (oil), and a few other misc items.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzTM_WtiFas/VJWI2FpTHiI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/_n02eM16NZU/s1600/9GOG_BE-PURE_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzTM_WtiFas/VJWI2FpTHiI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/_n02eM16NZU/s1600/9GOG_BE-PURE_new.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That's not the end of the giving cycle. Remember, 98% of Kiva loans are paid back, usually within 12 months, considering most are very small amounts. As funds are returned, the process repeats, funding new entrepreneurial projects and pulling more and more people out of poverty, over and over and over again. The result: a self looping system of giving, that touches many lives.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ReXZABOI6U/VJQ5Zl0RbCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/HIaDJXbx5_o/s1600/kiva2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ReXZABOI6U/VJQ5Zl0RbCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/HIaDJXbx5_o/s1600/kiva2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMSIn0qGnls/VJQ4aQdqpGI/AAAAAAAAA3g/LxoR4ZCI6G4/s1600/kiva1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMSIn0qGnls/VJQ4aQdqpGI/AAAAAAAAA3g/LxoR4ZCI6G4/s1600/kiva1.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><br /></b><br />
As powerful as the fund raising aspect of this model can and will be, I believe the greatest effect will come in the raising of awareness for so many great initiatives that need the exposure. When the campaign gets spread throughout social media and on various blogs, even if the greater majority of people don't purchase a product, they still learn about the cause.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Prediction: 2015 will be the year which marks a major rise in the Generosity Based Business Model. Companies will form purely from a desire to make the world a better place. Existing businesses will change their models to incorporate a giving aspect that supports a cause. The concept of business, like money, will be redefined as a tool for CHANGE. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This creation represents our collective mission to be an example for other businesses that this model is the way of the future. How powerful of an idea it is to envision a world where it becomes common place for consumers to ask at each point of purchase, "what cause does this shirt, baseball glove, lamp, car, book, home remodeling project, fill in the ________ support?" In a world where 87% of consumers polled said they would switch from one brand to another if the brand supports a cause, the sustainability and livelihood of business will depend on the shift of focus from <b>Profit to People. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>"One small act can create ripples of change." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Here is proof. This exchange is a great illustration of what it means to follow the energetic trial. <br />
<br />
I found Dr. Sandy on Etsy while looking for a birthday present for my mom. Part of our vision for this project is to find other talented, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs to have them join the giving movement by offering their products through our web platform. This is the conversation that transpired.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihLn_S0_kWI/VJQ6yVf-yMI/AAAAAAAAA38/3uj12FLj7Ek/s1600/aaa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihLn_S0_kWI/VJQ6yVf-yMI/AAAAAAAAA38/3uj12FLj7Ek/s1600/aaa1.jpg" height="264" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5lSO1UMIog/VJQ6yW2xs-I/AAAAAAAAA4E/iQTXPJkddEo/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5lSO1UMIog/VJQ6yW2xs-I/AAAAAAAAA4E/iQTXPJkddEo/s1600/aaa.jpg" height="291" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Hi Sandra! Just wanted to extend a big THANK YOU for your wonderful necklace and even more incredible service! My mom got the pendant, and opened it with me on Skype video and LOVED it :) ...and the hand written note is such a nice touch. You have proven yourself to be much more than a beautiful jewelry dealer. I would love the opportunity to work with you and represent your products on 9 Gifts of Gaia. As of this now moment, we're still a few weeks out from launching but making great strides daily. Let me share with you our mission statement to see if it resonates and then YOU can tell me if you are interested in learning more. Sound good?<br /><br />About 9 Gifts of Gaia: </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>9 Gifts of Gaia was founded in 2014 by a small group of change makers who shared the mission of leading a generation toward kindness and generosity, by the power of giving. Based on a core belief that all human beings have "unlimited potential, unlimited capacity and unlimited creativity", they began a journey to do their part in helping inspire social change in the one place it matters most, within the hearts of the people. Supporting the "pay it forward" movement worldwide, 9 Gifts of Gaia launches by partnering with Kiva, inviting customers to purchase products that gives $9 to help ease the strains of poverty by supporting under privileged entrepreneurs with great ideas in developing countries. 9 Gifts of Gaia is committed to this model of empowering people to empower themselves. Because the only way to make a lasting difference is by "being the change we want to see in the world."<br /><br />WE ARE THE VALUE </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>All of our products will be holistic, healthy, natural and eco-friendly. So your jewelry would fit right in. Of course we would have to discuss the details,, but let me know if this resonates with you so far. Thanks again for all you do!! <3" </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Brian</i></blockquote>
Here is her response which absolutely blew me away:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Dr Sandra Nov 17, 2014<br /><br />Wow, Brian, you have no idea how PERFECTLY 9 Gifts of Gaia resonate with me and my life's work. I have been in humanitarian work for many years and about 15 years ago was the head of communications for one of the world's largest health organizations. I traveled to Zambia to document the plight of the street children there and have visited people in both Africa and Mexico who are known as "pickers" -- people who live in the enormous garbage dumps in developing countries and make their living by picking through the garbage that others throw away. I wrote, designed and produced the bi-monthly international newsletter that reached out to people all over the world. My message was continually to reach out, lift up, help others to help themselves through compassionate outreach.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I was also the head of Humane Education at Best Friends Animal Society for a number of years, writing and implementing national programs on kindness and compassion for animals, with the intent that if we teach our children kindness and compassion to animals, it will translate and resonate to kindness and compassion for human beings.<br />In the work I did for developing countries, we focused on teaching communities about nutrition and helping them to start gardens, teaching them the basics of sanitation and health care, training midwives in basic nursing, teaching them how to dig clean latrines and provide assistance in creating channels for clean water. We trained women to have a trade so that they could come off the streets to feed their children and make a healthy living. Helping the world’s children has been a driving force of my life since I was very, very young, and continues to be my life’s mission and work.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The thread that runs through my jewelry is founded in that, and I have continually prayed for the voice of my creative efforts to be that very message. I am also an interfaith minister, honoring all paths and individuals, crossing the invisible barriers of separation as we are all one spirit under God. I have a reverence for life, and that includes all people, all nationalities and creeds, and all living beings to the tiniest among us. My bumper sticker on my car is Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” and I have a pendant that says that as well. This is the message.<br />I am also a fine artist, and I am attaching here a piece that I drew of a mother and child that I met in Zambia. The mother had lost her husband and 5 of her 7 children. She was care worn and yet had incredible strength of spirit. But her child was bright with hope and promise, with dreams of having a fine education and becoming a doctor. Mind you, they had nothing but the rags on their back – no home, no food, no shelter, no water, no possessions. But the hope of the world was in that child’s eyes. I started a book when I came back from Zambia called “The Angels of Africa” and I don’t know whether or not it will ever be finished, but I have morphed that narrative into other work over the past few years. It might take on a different form, but the message is the same. Anyway, that is what the drawing is. It is called "Madonna of the Fields."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I would be more than honored to have my jewelry in 9 Gifts of Gaia – and in fact, after the holidays I am starting a new line of sterling silver sculptured jewelry pieces that will carry the message through pieces that will last for literally hundreds of years. So more to come!</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Thank you so so so much for recognizing the message I have been trying to convey through my work. This is EXACTLY what I have been trying to do. My husband and I have another shop we are developing called “Living Spirit Wisdoms” where we will carry exclusively the universal messages of compassion, kindness, caring, empathy and grace through the wisdoms of sages and philosophers from around the world and through time, to keep those voices going, and reaching out to others to encourage them to reach out in turn.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>So thank you, Brian! I am 1000% on board with your mission and would be honored to have my work in 9 Gifts of Gaia. It is a wonderful concept and one which is resonate with my own life’s work.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>YES!!!</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And please gift your mom my very best. It was a joy to make her pendant and I hope she enjoys it for a long time to come.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Blessings, Sandra</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P.S. My personal email address is _____ Rather than writing in an Etsy convo, you can write to me there. Our phone number is ________ and we live in Sedona, AZ.<br />P.P.S. My doctorate is in Humane Spiritual Studies. </i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxbPmnJOFS4/VJQ8Cc4dV6I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/nYYjAfBsBnM/s1600/madonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxbPmnJOFS4/VJQ8Cc4dV6I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/nYYjAfBsBnM/s1600/madonna.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(this is Dr. Sandy's painting)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__89_O29-R0/VJQ8wdKxJjI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/uuedXxbjj6Q/s1600/9GOG_Pendant_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__89_O29-R0/VJQ8wdKxJjI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/uuedXxbjj6Q/s1600/9GOG_Pendant_01.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(these are Dr. Sandy's pendants. She has close to 1,000 five star reviews on Etsy)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More beautiful connection has since taken place, but you get the idea. Dr. Sandy is just one of the millions of beautiful souls all around the world who share a common vision for a better world. This is a great illustration of how power amplifies when we come together to rally around a unified vision. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The pendant on the left is one of our designs. The flower of life on the right is the one I bought for my mom. She LOVED it :). Dr. Sandy has nearly 1,000 5 star reviews on Etsy for her pendants. Delighted to have her as part of the Generosity Tribe!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b>Moral of the Story #14: WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF OTHERS ALL AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE SAME PASSION</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
All we have to do is find them....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here's one more example. Tony is a retired advertising executive who has represented the majority of the top 20 blue chip companies in the U.S. I hired him on Fiverr (global platform for contracting services) to help me with some taglines & slogans. To my surprise, he rejected the order. I got a strong sense he didn't believe in the authenticity of the project, likely as a result of me not explaining it well enough. He didn't understand what it was I was looking for, and as a result he didn't think I would like what he came up with and it wasn't worth me giving him a bad review. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Instead of getting angry or offended and walking away, I thanked him for the extreme dose of criticism, as well as his brutal honesty and candor. I think this shocked him a bit :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What ensued was my offering him an alternative. "Do the job and I'll give you a 5 star review just for being honest, whether or not I like what you come up with." He honored my genuine and heartfelt approach and accepted. This dialogue was ultimately what transpired. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QInpC9CHao/VJQ9SewoAtI/AAAAAAAAA4o/k7eP_NXnEkM/s1600/tony%2Bfree%2Bservice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QInpC9CHao/VJQ9SewoAtI/AAAAAAAAA4o/k7eP_NXnEkM/s1600/tony%2Bfree%2Bservice.jpg" height="267" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofd-tX6FK14/VJQ9RqXjYgI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Bndlp2K1Ws/s1600/Tony%2Breview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofd-tX6FK14/VJQ9RqXjYgI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Bndlp2K1Ws/s1600/Tony%2Breview.jpg" height="187" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tony now refuses to accept any payment for the work he does for me. This is a great example of how when we're passionate about what we're doing, others will share the passion and great things can get done without having a big budget to work with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One of the taglines he came up with: "Together let's do something amazing everyday." <3 He no longer allows me to pay him anything for his services. A true believer. Thank you Tony. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
An African proverb says, <i><b>“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”</b></i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Our vision for the future? Dr. Sandy is just the beginning. One day we hope to become a global market place for Generosity products that give back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As of this post, we're getting ready to launch our crowdfunding campaign around the 1st of the year to raise some startup capital. Looking to bring in $10,000, which will be used to develop out our website, purchase our first bulk order of argan oil for distribution to the US, Russia, Norway and a few other countries, to start. Also gives us a marketing and promotions budget to extend our reach on social media, offer samples, do giveaways, etc. It will be the smallest amount of funds I've ever launched a business with, but considering it's all web based I have no doubt in our ability to make it work!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eW5jcHH22RE/VJbvwgBfL_I/AAAAAAAAA_c/pzQXUKr26hg/s1600/will.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eW5jcHH22RE/VJbvwgBfL_I/AAAAAAAAA_c/pzQXUKr26hg/s1600/will.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
More confirmation: since posting the last two parts of this story, I've already received emails from people asking where they can buy shirts. We also have a few retailers lined up who are very interested in carrying our Argan Oil. All connections through people we know ;)<br />
<br />
Thus far, we've managed to accomplish quite a bit on our own with a small amount of support from a close friend to use for purchasing the web domain and theme, a few jobs on Fiverr, as well as a trip down to SW Morocco to find the Argan oil. Having Jorge Cortez as a business partner, who's a top notch graphic designer helps tremendously, as well. His work is incredible and we make a great team. Need some amazing art created for your project? Get in touch with Jorge direct here: <a href="http://jorge-cortez.blogspot.no/">http://jorge-cortez.blogspot.no/</a><br />
<br />
Here is a common factor that has stopped many people I've known over the years from launching a project, business or idea...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz_sq01E6d4/VJWG1i_hqsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/UqC4I3X4spo/s1600/citibank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz_sq01E6d4/VJWG1i_hqsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/UqC4I3X4spo/s1600/citibank.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(a snapshot of my current bank balance)</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Moral of the Story #15: IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME</b><br />
<b><br /></b>A lack of funds is a great excuse. I've used it myself many times to stop the momentum of pursuing something I'm passionate about. What I know now is that Passion & Purpose go hand in hand. The former leads directly to the ladder.<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">"If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose." </i>Or, as Bashar says, <b><i>"follow your highest excitement." </i></b></div>
<div>
<br />
This passion is what has led me to where I AM now. Creating a project I'm excited about. Finding others who share my excitement. Building a tribe of movers and shakers who want to change the world.<br />
<br />
Big corporations are dying because they have no genuine authenticity. What people are searching for en masse, is to be a part of something greater than themselves. To be a part of a larger global community of like minds and like hearts. People want connection. They want inspiration. They want to feel empowered and help others feel the same. I know because I'm one of these people. We are on the verge of great change on this planet. Change that has been prophecized for thousands of years. <br />
<br />
One of the many shifts we are about to see is a shift to what Amish Shah calls "The New Tribal Economy." Amish has a story very similar to my own. This video has provided much amazing inspiration.I highly recommend bookmarking and giving it a watch. He also lives in Encinitas where I'm from...cool synchronicity ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pNl3yQixhh4" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is the message I sent to Amish on FB after watching his video:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Great stuff Amish! I was forwarded your documentary by a friend and was absolutely blown away. The way that you are grounding key business fundamentals with higher consciousness is absolutely legendary! No surprise seeing you in Encinitas my former home town. Just what little pieces I've seen of your work have inspired a complete directional change with the project I'm working on now, so from the bottom of my heart thank you for the inspiration! Will be talking about you soon live on the radio as well Namaste brother!"</i></blockquote>
The program Amish is about to launch is called Tribe500. It's all about finding and building a tribe, using the internet and a series of effective marketing tools as a means of doing so. Right now, I'm trying to raise the first installment of $300 (total $900 over 3 months) for the course which starts on January 5th. If this story has inspired and you see the vision, I'm happily accepting heart donations, which can be sent to my paypal at 9giftsofgaia@gmail.com. 10% of the donation amount will go toward funding our first round of Kiva loans :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkqF1kfU1UM/VJcUHm92rjI/AAAAAAAABAw/awTGLPYAvUk/s1600/thank%2Byou3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkqF1kfU1UM/VJcUHm92rjI/AAAAAAAABAw/awTGLPYAvUk/s1600/thank%2Byou3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well folks, writing this series of posts has been quite the experience. Getting it out has assisted me greatly in the constant process of continuing to hone in on my mission and vision. I hope that sharing this story has offered some inspiration to anyone on the fence of pursuing a dream. It doesn't have to be launching a business. Passion and purpose can be found in an infinite number of forms. The key is in finding what that is for each of us individually. I hope that sharing my story of finding purpose in my own life, holds within it a few golden nuggets to help others find theirs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We are infinite beings with infinite potential. Lets Unite and use our collective power to make 2015 the year of great change, abundance and prosperity for ALL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to everyone for all of your incredible support!! And remember: </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAek8lSiFNQ/VJcTmymq_qI/AAAAAAAABAo/skyjGrczgOo/s1600/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAek8lSiFNQ/VJcTmymq_qI/AAAAAAAABAo/skyjGrczgOo/s1600/gratitude.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Please go and checkout our Facebook Fan Page and give us a like to receive updates. Will be getting on Tsu soon as well :) <a href="http://www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia">www.facebook.com/9giftsofgaia</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested in being a 9 Gifts of Gaia affiliate, send me an email to <a href="http://9giftsofgaia@gmail.com.%20/">9giftsofgaia@gmail.com. </a> Also we're looking for people with the following talents:</div>
<br />
Social Media Manager<br />
Content Developers (copy writers)<br />
Customer Service Rep<br />
Affiliates<br />
Web Development<br />
Re-seller contacts for the Argan Oil (spas, boutiques, salons, etc.)<br />
Promotions team for crowdfunding campaign<br />
Pre-launch promotions team<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember: Like I said in my "How Giving Changed My Life" video from Part I, "it doesn't take monster objectives to change the world. Sometimes all it takes is a smile." :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a few simple ideas that help to make the world a better place:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.iwanttomaketheworldabetterplace.com/ideas">http://www.iwanttomaketheworldabetterplace.com/ideas</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-the-World-a-Better-Place">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-the-World-a-Better-Place</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://life.gaiam.com/article/7-ways-make-world-better-place">http://life.gaiam.com/article/7-ways-make-world-better-place</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/jan/08/weekend7.weekend5">http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/jan/08/weekend7.weekend5</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I leave you with some more awesome Jorge Cortez designs :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></i></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_ERlbG5-c/VJNy5XYbs-I/AAAAAAAAA1I/pkAAIszOOP8/s1600/9_GOG_FB_page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy_ERlbG5-c/VJNy5XYbs-I/AAAAAAAAA1I/pkAAIszOOP8/s1600/9_GOG_FB_page.jpg" height="233" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v7pa30dsY/VJNzRcMPv4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/By0Jmwe-P18/s1600/9_GOG_mockup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1v7pa30dsY/VJNzRcMPv4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/By0Jmwe-P18/s1600/9_GOG_mockup2.jpg" height="441" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjXTuohxvvY/VJN0Dh_Ys0I/AAAAAAAAA14/BfLmoRrCgeI/s1600/9_GOG_mockup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjXTuohxvvY/VJN0Dh_Ys0I/AAAAAAAAA14/BfLmoRrCgeI/s1600/9_GOG_mockup3.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQvzfofu_I/VJNwy8h8T1I/AAAAAAAAA0E/gLRqSX3TKMU/s1600/9GOG_B_P_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQvzfofu_I/VJNwy8h8T1I/AAAAAAAAA0E/gLRqSX3TKMU/s1600/9GOG_B_P_05.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OyFLo1dn3g/VJNxEu6r7XI/AAAAAAAAA0M/6j1UnXeO48o/s1600/9GOG_KIVA_HD-1080_Helping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OyFLo1dn3g/VJNxEu6r7XI/AAAAAAAAA0M/6j1UnXeO48o/s1600/9GOG_KIVA_HD-1080_Helping.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9eJypIBbu0/VJNxFhIMSpI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mW6Be4sErtA/s1600/9GOG_TWR_LADIES_TSHIRT_HODDIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9eJypIBbu0/VJNxFhIMSpI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/mW6Be4sErtA/s1600/9GOG_TWR_LADIES_TSHIRT_HODDIE.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wilFkUsaviA/VJNznrI1tdI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Ohi3oeAJ9ms/s1600/Rise_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wilFkUsaviA/VJNznrI1tdI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Ohi3oeAJ9ms/s1600/Rise_04.jpg" height="640" width="608" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtMOB1b7rs/VJNz5nIBPpI/AAAAAAAAA1w/g4I618fUmaw/s1600/shirt17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtMOB1b7rs/VJNz5nIBPpI/AAAAAAAAA1w/g4I618fUmaw/s1600/shirt17.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3egmBS7JJJE/VJMUX6v0awI/AAAAAAAAAzk/axtX7kODPmM/s1600/BK%2Band%2Bjeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3egmBS7JJJE/VJMUX6v0awI/AAAAAAAAAzk/axtX7kODPmM/s1600/BK%2Band%2Bjeff.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_75789030"></span><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-91712967604423622172014-12-17T04:56:00.001-08:002014-12-17T04:56:33.561-08:00One People Round Table Dec16, 2014 -- The OPPT Conversation Continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqFJQeRyUYo/VJF1Tb8bHoI/AAAAAAAAAt4/LzRapJowLhk/s1600/one%2Bpeople%2Bshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqFJQeRyUYo/VJF1Tb8bHoI/AAAAAAAAAt4/LzRapJowLhk/s1600/one%2Bpeople%2Bshow.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>One People Round Table Dec16, 2014 -- The OPPT Conversation Continues</b><br />
December 17, 2014<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Since broadcasting this show a few days ago, the majority of responses we've received have been very positive. Many seem to be grateful for our open-ness and transparency. However, there have been a few comments, eluding to time wasting focusing on "old stuff." My opinion is this: I have invested the last two years of my life into supporting and spreading the message of One People's Public Trust. I have also encouraged others to follow suit. If the possibility exists that I was a pawn in someone's sick game, then I want to know about. And equally as important, everyone else has a right to know too.<br /><br />As I said in the video, the key for me is awareness. A deeper level of awareness allows for more informed choices. IF there is in fact a tie to Slavery 2.0 in all this and we KNOW about it, then our power multiplies exponentially in that knowing'ness. Also allowing for accurate information to be shared with those around us accordingly. Eyes opened. No fear. We push forward, stronger and more empowered than ever. Together We Rise. ~ BK</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cXRC3TJYI5w" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-7275444130243435712014-12-03T03:37:00.000-08:002014-12-03T03:37:01.173-08:00RTS: Five Complete Lies About America's Debt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43bXG7QN28g/VH70ZvCfdEI/AAAAAAAAAsY/C4O-oNpM8Q4/s1600/D%2BOne%2BNetwork.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43bXG7QN28g/VH70ZvCfdEI/AAAAAAAAAsY/C4O-oNpM8Q4/s1600/D%2BOne%2BNetwork.png" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>RTS: Five Complete Lies About America's Debt</b><br />
December 3, 2014<br />
http://removingtheshackles.blogspot.com/2014/12/five-complete-lies-about-americas-debt.html<br />
<br /><span style="color: blue;">Comments from D and link to article below. ~BK </span><br /><br />US Congress is "struggling" to come up with their 2015 budget. I say "struggling" in quotes, because that is an extreme understatement. By December 11th 2014, US Congress has to come up with a 2015 budget for the government. .... almost two and a half months AFTER the beginning of the 2015 fiscal year began. Of course, as the elections set up a new floor of mess, the very act of passing anything in congress is a clusterfuk of epic proportions. Between the Keystone Pipeline insanity, the military budget cut ongoing arguments, the Immigration law fiasco, the begging for Ebola "emergency" funds (for an "outbreak" that the public is refusing to swallow)...... I'm going to go out on a limb here to say, the chances of US Congress coming to an agreement on the 2015 budget before the deadline, is pretty much 0%.<br /><br />I am going to prognosticate for a moment:<br /><br />Congress will shut down the government, just as it did in 2014 when they couldn't get past their squabbles. Last year, when they couldn't get anything accomplished, they basically wrote themselves a blank check for the coming fiscal year..... and read below to see how that panned out for them. But, in my opinion, I think that this time there is a much bigger agenda behind the shutting down of the government. I am watching this very closely, because there are a lot of alarm bells going off in my head right now.<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>The gold market is fixed.</li>
<li>The FOREX market is fixed.</li>
<li>Commodities are fixed- look at gold and oil in msm</li>
<li><a href="http://removingtheshackles.blogspot.com/2014/12/five-complete-lies-about-americas-debt.html#">THE STOCK MARKET<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" /></a> is fixed</li>
<li>Repeated bank "stress tests"- globally</li>
<li>The big banks have failed (soon to be made public?)</li>
<li>The Central Banks being called into question on gold reserves</li>
<li>The BRICs are moving into major positions in <a href="http://removingtheshackles.blogspot.com/2014/12/five-complete-lies-about-americas-debt.html#">FINANCE<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" /></a></li>
<li>China has cornered the worlds gold market and stock market- moving into position to be the new reserve currency</li>
<li>"ISIS" new gold coins to be launched</li>
<li>Iran moves against "ISIS" in Iraq (? or against gold currency?)</li>
<li>Arrests in various governments ARE taking place.</li>
<li>All "Medical" distractions have failed- ebola, polio, flu....</li>
<li>Japan shuts down government- Dec 14 elections forced</li>
<li>(Japan owns the largest piece of US debt instruments)</li>
<li>Staged distractions in Hong Kong - protests- while major financial changes are launched there.</li>
<li>Ukraine/Russia distraction no longer working</li>
<li>Syria distraction no longer working</li>
<li>"Banker" deaths, arrests, resignations reach epic proportions</li>
<li>"False Flag" events being outed instantaneously globally</li>
<li>Main stream media influence drastically reduced</li>
</ul>
<br />These points are just the main ones that are flashing in neon across my mind in this moment.<br /><br />The "New" financial system is online..... though not seen yet. "They" are struggling to"Press the Button" because every time they do, they discover another layer of fraud and lies by various countries (corporations) about their physical assets that are needed for them to be Basel III compliant. Not only that, but the very basic premise of "asset backed" currencies and financial backing is blatantly being called into question as the public can see the outright fraud in the currency/forex, and commodities/gold/oil/silver markets that are the supposed "backing" or "assets" of Basel III. This "New" financial system is just slavery 2.0 - that is clearly seen by those working to uncover the information on this. BUT.... as "they" push ahead with their system of financial corruption, "they" KNOW that it won't last.<br /><br />Please watch the next few weeks very carefully. IF the US government DOES shut down- regardless of whether they spin it as "Oh well, let's just start our Christmas vacation early this year" or due to arguments within Congress as the idiots push their agendas- There is something very big afoot. IF the US government goes into shut down again, watch for the slight of hand that will follow while the public is sipping nog and watching the Grinch steal Christmas.<br /><br />D<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sovereignman.com/trends/five-complete-lies-about-americas-new-18-trillion-debt-level-15661/">http://www.sovereignman.com/trends/five-complete-lies-about-americas-new-18-trillion-debt-level-15661/</a><br /><b>Five complete lies about America’s new $18 trillion debt levelby <a href="http://www.sovereignman.com/author/simonblack/">Simon Black</a> on December 2, 2014 </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dR69FJXWRgY/VH71DZZMBjI/AAAAAAAAAsg/i22o9vY_5Ok/s1600/five%2Bcomplete%2Blies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dR69FJXWRgY/VH71DZZMBjI/AAAAAAAAAsg/i22o9vY_5Ok/s1600/five%2Bcomplete%2Blies.png" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
On October 22, 1981, the government of the United States of America accumulated an astounding $1 TRILLION in debt.<div>
<br />At that point, it had taken the country 74,984 days (more than 205 years) to accumulate its first trillion in debt.</div>
<div>
<br />It would take less than five years to accumulate its second trillion.</div>
<div>
<br />And as the US government just hit $18 trillion in debt on Friday afternoon, it has taken a measly 403 days to accumulate its most recent trillion.</div>
<div>
<br />There’s so much misinformation and propaganda about this; let’s examine some of the biggest lies out there about the US debt:</div>
<div>
<br />1) “They can get it under control.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What a massive lie. Politicians have been saying for decades that they’re going to cut spending and get the debt under control.</div>
<div>
<br />FACT: The last time the US debt actually decreased from one fiscal year to the next was back in 1957 during the EISENHOWER administration.</div>
<div>
<br />FACT: For the last several years, the US government has been spending roughly 90% of its ENTIRE tax revenue just to pay for mandatory entitlement programs and interest on the debt.</div>
<div>
<br />This leaves almost nothing for practically everything else we think of as government.</div>
<div>
<br />2) “The debt doesn’t matter because we owe it to ourselves.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is probably the biggest lie of all. Two of the Social Security trust funds alone (OASI and DI) own $2.72 trillion of US debt.</div>
<div>
<br />The federal government owes this money to current and future beneficiaries of those trust funds, i.e. EVERY SINGLE US CITIZEN ALIVE.</div>
<div>
<br />I fail to see the silver lining here. How is it somehow ‘better’ if the government defaults on its citizens as opposed to, say, banks?</div>
<div>
<br />3) “They can always ‘selectively default’ on the debt”</div>
<div>
<br />Another lie. People think that the US government can pick and choose who it pays.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They could make a bing stink about China, for example, and then choose to default on the $2 trillion in debt that’s owed to the Chinese.</div>
<div>
<br />Nice try. But this would rock global financial markets and destroy whatever tiny shred of credibility the US still has.</div>
<div>
<br />Others have suggested that the government could selectively default on the Federal Reserve (which owns $2.46 trillion of US debt).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Again, possible. But given that the Fed (the issuer of the US dollar) would become immediately insolvent, the resulting currency crisis would be completely disastrous.</div>
<div>
<br />4) “It’s the NET debt that’s important”</div>
<div>
<br />Analysts often pay attention to a country’s “net debt” instead of its gross debt. If you have a million bucks in debt, and a million bucks in cash, then your ‘net debt’ is zero. It washes out.</div>
<div>
<br />Problem is, the US government doesn’t have any cash. The Treasury Department opened its business day on Friday morning with just $71.9 billion in cash, or just 0.39% of its total debt level.</div>
<div>
<br />Apple has more money than that.</div>
<div>
<br />5) “They can fix it by raising taxes”</div>
<div>
<br />No they can’t. Just look at the numbers. Since the end of World War II, US government tax revenue has consistently been roughly 17% of GDP.</div>
<div>
<br />They can raise tax rates, but it doesn’t move the needle in terms of revenue as a percentage of GDP.<br />In other words, the government’s ‘slice of the pie’ is pretty consistent.</div>
<div>
<br />You’d think with this obvious data that, rather than try to increase tax rates (ineffective), they’d do everything they can to help make a bigger pie.</div>
<div>
<br />Or better yet, just leave everyone the hell alone so we’re free to bake as much as we can.</div>
<div>
<br />But no. They have to regulate every aspect of people’s existence: How you are allowed to educate your children. What you can/cannot put in your body. How much interest you are entitled to receive on your savings.</div>
<div>
<br />All of this costs time, money, and efficiency. So do never-ending wars. The bombs. The drones. The airstrikes.</div>
<div>
<br />This isn’t about any single person or President. The problem is with the system itself.</div>
<div>
<br />History shows that every leading superpower from the past almost invariably fell to the same fate.<br />Great powers often feel that their wealth and success entitles them to spend recklessly and wage endless, arrogant wars. The Romans. The Ottoman Empire. The British.</div>
<div>
<br />History may not repeat but it certainly rhymes. And the lesson here is very clear: debt weakens a nation. It weakens a society.</div>
<div>
<br />Generations that will not even be born for decades will inherit these debts by complete accident of birth.</div>
<div>
<br />And the people in charge of the system have backed themselves into a corner where there is no way out other than to default– either on their creditors (creating a global financial crisis), the central bank (creating a currency crisis), or on the citizens themselves (creating an epic social crisis).<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-25324802544657970572014-12-01T04:49:00.001-08:002014-12-01T05:23:18.107-08:00Time for Action: Step 1 -- BE Inspired. Step 2 -- BE the Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qsyk9EpFI-k/VHxiRh_kYBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/RBfBMqqFpV0/s1600/be%2Bthe%2Bchange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qsyk9EpFI-k/VHxiRh_kYBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/RBfBMqqFpV0/s1600/be%2Bthe%2Bchange.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Time for Action: Step 1 -- BE Inspired. Step 2 -- BE the Change</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
December 1, 2014</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">Thank you Uwe Uehle for the incredible inspiration. This guy is so spot on, it's not even funny. We are the ones we've been waiting for. What can we create together? How much can we accomplish if we stop focusing on all of our differences, and start focusing on all the wonderful things we have in common? I'm ready....are YOU? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;">I Love you all...glad to be back <3 ~ BK</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oKAmujgS4mo" width="640"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/itvnQ2QB4yc" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/os5UTCc-kmk" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-80135372012749461322014-11-30T08:35:00.002-08:002014-11-30T08:36:19.528-08:00Hope Girl Blog: The One Network Speaks Out on the OPPT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNPJVV98eE4/VHtF8Fm1alI/AAAAAAAAAro/CsWuWCxl-p0/s1600/ftw%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNPJVV98eE4/VHtF8Fm1alI/AAAAAAAAAro/CsWuWCxl-p0/s1600/ftw%2Blogo.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Hope Girl Blog: The One Network Speaks Out on the OPPT</b><br />
November 30, 2014<br />
https://hopegirl2012.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/the-one-network-speaks-out-on-the-oppt/<br />
<br />
<br />
On Thanksgiving day, in one of the bravest interviews I’ve seen in a long time, Lisa Harrison, Brian Kelly, Dani, Mel Batty, and Mel V gave a no-holds-barred personal testimony regarding OPPT filings and their creator Heather Ann Tucci Jarraf.<br />
<br />
The “OPPT Filings” are a set of documents that were filed with the UCC (Universal Commercial Code) that allegedly foreclosed on all world governments and restored the value of monetary and banking systems back to the people. In December of 2012 several alternative media groups were used to spread awareness of the filings via the internet. This resulted in as many as 20 million people having an awareness of the OPPT filings around the globe.<br />
<br />
Two years later, millions of people have attempted to use the filings to stop the oppression of the governments over the people, yet the “foreclosed governments” certainly appear to still be open for business. Never the less, the effect that these filings have had on millions of people has proven to be quite profound in both positive and negative ways. While many alternative media groups reported on the OPPT filings, one group in particular, the One Network, took on the full responsibility of investigating and reporting on the filings and any follow up work from their lead creator Heather Ann Tucci Jarraf.<br />
<br />
The One Network (formerly known as 5D media) is comprised of a group of bloggers, radio show hosts and investigative reporters that have joined efforts in reporting news and perspectives that the main stream media will not disclose to the general public. For two years, several members of the One Network tirelessly reported on the OPPT filings, hosted weekly call in radio shows, established websites and facilitated the many people that followed what became the “OPPT movement”. Then they took it one step further, and shared a home in Morocco with Heather for the better part of a year. During much of this time, they were isolated and cut off from most communications with the outside world.<br />
<br />
This interview discloses the personal testimony of what they witnessed while in close living quarters with the woman who initiated the filings, that while seemingly had no effect on the governments, affected the lives of millions of people.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Some Highlights From the Interview </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The only reason why I agreed to do this interview is because I feel an obligation to share with everyone that was affected on the blog. I feel that responsibility to be that transparency we talk about. We want to give others who may have been misled an opportunity to heal.”-Brian Kelly </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“There were times when the hurt was so bad, you almost thought you wouldn’t come through it.”<br />
“We all stopped writing and Heather came up with a plan that we would all go dark.” –Dani </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“We were lured here to Morocco as a job to take down the 5D media platform…”<br />
“Through my daughter I was able to see the things that I wasn’t able to see before…”<br />
“The filings had an effect that triggered a lot of people. They spoke to many of us and people felt it. Don’t regret what you’ve done if you’ve done it while walking in empowerment.” –Lisa </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The love, the connection, the togetherness that we NOW have as a group brings tears to my eyes. It’s like a Phoenix rising.”- Mel B </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I knew in my heart that when the exposure, when the evidence was there that Lisa wouldn’t just stand there and go with the flow. I knew she would do something about it. I have been waiting for you guys to talk about it. It takes a lot of courage to go in and get into a story the way you guys have. People will look into this and may blame you that the OPPT didn’t deliver what it was supposed to deliver. You got in and got your hands dirty, and people will judge you for having that dirt on your hands, instead of thanking you for doing the work that they didn’t have to do” –Mel V</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">There is SO MUCH MORE in this interview it is really worth a dedicated listen. You can watch the interview here:</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SI1iZUw8QYQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To see the rest of this article please visit Hope's blog here:<br />
<br />
https://hopegirl2012.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/the-one-network-speaks-out-on-the-oppt/</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-39065028162708325852014-11-28T04:59:00.003-08:002014-11-28T04:59:49.081-08:00Mel Ve Interviews The One Network: Closure & Moving Forward <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SI1iZUw8QYQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Mel Ve Interviews The One Network: Closure & Moving Forward </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nov 28, 2014<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f8f0d3; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.1760005950928px;"><span style="color: blue;">Yesterday morning Lisa Harrison, D, Mel Batty and I sat down to talk with Mel V from Freedom Central to discuss our adventures of the past 2 years, our time in Morocco, the OPPT UCC filings, and our current direction. In this interview, we talk candidly regarding our personal experiences here in Morocco, and our current push to move forward and create our new reality, using the lessons of the past to guide and illuminate this journey into the future.</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-63791157667012284592014-09-13T00:26:00.001-07:002014-09-13T00:26:14.396-07:00Collective Imagination Sept 2 -- Follow up Conversation & Video with Heather & D<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8tGeqLmu8/VBPqIVVbl3I/AAAAAAAACI8/e1ZGdpacZEY/s1600/The-One-Network_Lisa_Brian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8tGeqLmu8/VBPqIVVbl3I/AAAAAAAACI8/e1ZGdpacZEY/s1600/The-One-Network_Lisa_Brian.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Collective Imagination Sept 2 -- Follow up Conversation & Video with Heather & D</strong><br />
Sept 13, 2014<br />
<a href="http://the-one-network.org/collective-imagination-sept-2-14/">http://the-one-network.org/collective-imagination-sept-2-14/</a><br />
<br />
On the Collective Imagination this week Lisa and I are again joined by Heather and D to answer many of the questions that were put forward by viewers prior to and since the release of last weeks show with Heather and Sacha Stone.<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/166027781&color=ff5500" width="100%"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L_CrEIl09m8" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
</div>
Brian Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868727456587449120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-61433614517954850582014-09-07T01:43:00.001-07:002014-09-07T01:43:39.913-07:00The Collective Imagination Relaunch Show with Heather & Sacha -- New Footage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jkOujz45sM/VAwXpmKeysI/AAAAAAAACIk/sXN284W8BwE/s1600/Heather%2Band%2BSacha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jkOujz45sM/VAwXpmKeysI/AAAAAAAACIk/sXN284W8BwE/s1600/Heather%2Band%2BSacha.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>The Collective Imagination Re-launch Show with Heather & Sacha -- New Footage</strong><br />
September 7, 2014<br />
<a href="http://the-one-network.org/the-collective-imagination-relaunch-w-heather-and-sacha/">http://the-one-network.org/the-collective-imagination-relaunch-w-heather-and-sacha/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">This is the footage we have been working on for quite a few days of our interview with Heather and Sacha. The quality is MUCH better than the raw footage Heather released on her site over a week ago. Even if you have already watched the other version I highly recommend giving this one a watch as well, as there are much better/tighter camera angles and the audio is a noticeably better quality. <br /><br />So much great information came out of this discussion. We've all received loads of feedback via email and Facebook, mostly thanking us for releasing video footage as opposed to our usual audio only platform. Pending good enough internet in Morocco, we hope to put out more videos like this one in the future. Also, here is a link to the transcript, for those who prefer to read. Enjoy! ~BK<br /><br /><a href="http://the-one-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TCI-Transcript-Heather-Sacha.pdf">http://the-one-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TCI-Transcript-Heather-Sacha.pdf</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6WxYIpUJt5o" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
</div>
Brian Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868727456587449120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-6481256288535367172014-08-28T15:01:00.000-07:002014-08-28T15:01:20.873-07:00Max Igan Interviewed by Lisa Harrison at Boom Festival 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVNHjbmtm9M/U_-gIIa-X6I/AAAAAAAACII/ZcZ1MFDDGHg/s1600/crowhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVNHjbmtm9M/U_-gIIa-X6I/AAAAAAAACII/ZcZ1MFDDGHg/s1600/crowhouse.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Lisa Harrison Interviews Max Igan at Boom Festival 2014</strong><br />
August 28, 2014<br />
<a href="http://the-one-network.org/max-igan-at-boom-festival-2014-portugal/">http://the-one-network.org/max-igan-at-boom-festival-2014-portugal/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">I haven't listened to this yet. However, Lisa gave me the rundown while we were at the festival. One of these days I will have to blog about the Boom experience. There's just so much to say and in many ways I'm still integrating all that I experienced there. What I will say is how profound of a feeling I had in the knowingness that so many people across the planet have woken up. Hard not to feel that way swimming in a sea of 44k beautiful beings from all over the planet, so ripe with consciousness and an overwhelming sense of connectedness to everyone and everything....<br /><br />Fast forward to Max Igan's presentation and interview with Lisa and everything comes smacking back down to "reality" like a cup of ice water dumped on your head in the middle of a beautiful dream. I have to warn you, the stories Max has to share about what's happening in Gaza are heart wrenching at best. Even knowing that everything happens for a reason and has a purpose, it's still incredibly difficult to hear stories of such human suffering. I may be an optimist, but I personally believe the planet along with humanity is purging the last of its darkness to make way for what's coming next. I won't speculate as to what that is, or how it looks, as it's up to us to decide those details as we design and co-create them along the way. I honor Max and his willingness to risk his life to expose these Truths. Unfortunately, considering the facade we refer to as mainstream media only reports lies, no one really knows what the real Truth is other than those living on the inside. I know the answer is not anger. I know the answer is not fear. The time for reconcilliation is NOW. Let the healing commence...<br /><br />Thank you Lisa and Max <3</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t07qVvQa_Uk" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
</div>
Brian Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868727456587449120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-6445671581952946252014-08-21T14:15:00.000-07:002014-08-21T14:15:34.318-07:00The Collective Imagination relaunch w’ Heather and Sacha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7mGFF6Ev4s/U_ZgT1k_XgI/AAAAAAAAArA/HKFP5l3zWzc/s1600/The-One-Network_Sacha_Heather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7mGFF6Ev4s/U_ZgT1k_XgI/AAAAAAAAArA/HKFP5l3zWzc/s1600/The-One-Network_Sacha_Heather.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thursday, Aug 21<b> </b><br />
<b>The Collective Imagination relaunch w’ Heather and Sacha</b><br />
http://the-one-network.org/the-collective-imagination-relaunch-w-heather-and-sacha/<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Can't even describe how excited I AM for the relaunch! In this open discussion, no agenda format who knows what kind of wild conversation threads we'll end up covering. Time to kick it up a notch!! ~BK</span><br />
<br />Join the Former 5D Media Network as it relaunches after a 3 month hiatus with a new name, new home, new presenters and much more. <br /><br />We are very excited to announce the return of our founding radio show, The Collective Imagination with Hosts Lisa Harrison, Brian Kelly and D along with our special guests Heather Tucci Jarraf and Sacha Stone. <br /><br />Listen LIVE and join in the chat room at <a href="http://the-one-network.org/listen-live/">http://the-one-network.org</a> <br /><br />Join the conversation with our call in number 347 467 1211 (New York) using skype or your phone</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914581683344975599.post-2339202683242837762014-07-27T02:01:00.000-07:002014-07-27T02:01:19.282-07:00Jake Ducey -- Even In Doubt Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtjOz_nYXOo/U9S7fAVWODI/AAAAAAAAAqs/zeQXmDY7ykU/s1600/jake+ducey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtjOz_nYXOo/U9S7fAVWODI/AAAAAAAAAqs/zeQXmDY7ykU/s1600/jake+ducey.png" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Jake Ducey -- Even In Doubt Tour</strong><br />
July 27, 2014<br />
<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/even-in-doubt-tour">https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/even-in-doubt-tour</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Here I sit at a campground in Spain with Blue Star "Deerwomon," Whitney Fischer, Darius Wright, and Sonja Knutsen (my room mates and Moroccan family), wondering how in the world I got here and what I did to deserve to live such a great life packed full of adventure and excitement...? The short answer is, I followed my heart. I listened very closely and IT let me know when it no longer resonated with the life I formerly led before taking such a huge leap of faith into the unknown. I didn't know how I was going to do it all, pay for everything, or even if it was possible. But, being the risk taker I AM, I took the jump and as always landed perfectly on my feet. That's not to say it hasn't been without it's fair share of challenges but that's a story for another day. <br /><br />This particular story will be focused on my great friend, and huge inspiration on my life, Jake Ducey. If it weren't for Jake, I likely would have never had the complete faith to embark on the adventure that is now my everyday life. Jake is on a mission to change the world and inspire many people to take the same leap that I did, and I'm certain he will do just that, as the Universe has a funny way of supporting projects that will help awaken humanity to the awesome powers and forces we all have living dormant deep within each of us. If this video inspires you please support Jake, but more importantly look within yourself and find that place that's ready for a change, and then ACT! We are ALL powerful co-creators of our own existence, it's time we start acting accordingly ;) That means facing our fears and finding our purpose. Nice work Jake, best of luck to you always brother!!<br /><br />P.S. the media blackout will be ending this month in August. Stay tuned for updates from The One Network, <a href="http://the-one-network.org/">http://the-one-network.org</a>, as radio shows will be back online soon and lots of great information and stories to share! Miss everyone so much!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/even-in-doubt-tour">https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/even-in-doubt-tour</a><br /><br />This is the first blog post I ever published, called "Love What You DO" dedicated to Jake Ducey. Very inspiring stuff, I highly recommend it :)<br /><br /><a href="http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com.es/2013/04/love-what-you-do.html">http://briankellysblog.blogspot.com.es/2013/04/love-what-you-do.html</a><br /></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y1aQGs0c_kA" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />Join us... We're here to Inspire the world to face their fears and find their purpose.<br /> <br />What is this all about???<br /><br />The Even In Doubt Project is a cross between an inspirational speaking tour around America/Canada, an online media movement of web-shows/podcasts/blogs, as well as an eventual socially-conscious television show for Millennials, directed by 4X Emmy-Winning TV Producer Brian Gadinsky, and hosted by, Jake Ducey. <br /><br />The mission is to inspire the world, especially younger generations, to take a leap in pursuing their purpose, living their passions, and creating global change change, even in total doubt. <br /><br />And, in that process, we believe there's a HUGE opportunity for each of us to create a better world together...<br /><br />Please help successfully launch a global movement to inspire our generation to find the courage to face their fears, follow their dreams, and make a difference, even if at first they don't believe they can do it! <br /><br /><br />Why is this so important? <br />Everyday millions of people are limited by doubt. What could be more important than a multi-faced media movement to show the world that Even In Doubt, you can achieve incredible things, and touch the lives of countless people! <br /> <br /><br />IMAGINE... <br />Imagine what the world would be like if countless people, especially the younger generation, could see that their doubts don't have to stop them! Imagine how quickly the world would change if millions and millions of people realized that they were as capable as some of the greatest influencers of human history....<br /><br /><br />'Do you have ANY experience with this kinda stuff?'<br /><br />Since 2013, Jake Ducey has given over 100 public speeches, including a noteworthy TED Talk with tens-of-thousands of views. <br /><br />Amish Shah, the online-expert of this movement, has 20 years of experience creating some of the most successful brand launches on the internet. <br /><br /><br />CHECK OUT THIS PRESENTATION OF HOW AMISH SHAH REACHED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN 24 HOURS ---> <a href="http://www.mindvalleyinsights.com/amish-shah-5-mil-launch/">http://www.mindvalleyinsights.com/amish-shah-5-...</a> <br /><br />TV Producer, Brian Gadinsky, has won numerous Emmy's for his work.<br /> <br /> Your contribution will help directly with… <br />· Scheduling the physical tour, setting speech and media bookings through America and Canada for 2015.<br /><br /><br />· Creating/producing, and launching the weekly video series.<br /><br />· Marketing/PR team for both the online and physical tours through 2015. <br /><br />· Some initial travel expenses.<br /><br />· Blog and website development. <br /><br />Who is Jake Ducey, anyways? <br />Jake Ducey is a hard-nosed, goofy, long-haired 22-year-old kid, setting publishing records, and helping to usher in a new-era of young difference-makers.<br />Ducey is a world-traveling, won't take 'no' for an answer, 'down-to-adventure' and 'sleep outside kind-of kid,' who believes in the good things coming! <br /><br /><br /><br />CREDITS.... <br /><br />Music by Nahko + Medicine For The People<br /><br /><br />Song title, "Aloha Ke Akua "</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06980460563694649613noreply@blogger.com0