Are You Conscious? Of WHAT?

Our ability to choose to be conscious is what separates us from our animal friends. They act upon pure instinct. We have the capacity to understand and seek knowledge.

Our brains are designed to make choices. We do it constantly. Literally millions of times per day. 

I find myself making choices out of habit because I am sometimes lazy. I am tired, do not want to think, expel energy to make a choice. 

Other times when I make habitual choices it is about routine, leveraging the power of not thinking and using my time more wisely or many times making the same choice to create a predictable result.

So what are you thinking about consciousness???

I Choose Consciously

How do you decide what to eat day to day? Week to week?

Over the past few years, I have come to realize, in a very deep way, that my food choices are directly related to my personal sense of well being.

Eleven years ago I lost over 200 pounds. As I did this, I had to make a choice to have a whole new relationship with food. I came to clear understanding that food was my way to show myself a loving attitude several times a day. 

I began to realize that each and every time I put food into my mouth, I had a chance to say I love YOU, Florence. I had always seen that chance when I cooked for others, yet making that choice for myself became a radical way for me to re-shape my relationship with food.

Today, I choose wisely. I know that when I decide to eat something I know my body loves, like garlic spinach, I will feel good physically, emotionally, intellectually and most important to me, spiritually. I love food and now that my food loves me.

Saying YES & NO with Respect

Prudent Decisions are REAL, HARD and DEMAND Respectful Explanations. Often many people are involved and affected by a decision, so taking the time to share the decision making process is required.

It is with confidence that Character Counts! in Jacksonville makes this really hard decision to pull out of One Spark. After considering the costs and the massive shift of focus necessary to make it happen, as we work to launch Conscious Eats, we have come to the conclusion that we must step away. The costs associated with making it happen are better served to ensure we are able to pay the salary of our new employee for a few additional weeks. Our recent fundraiser raised enough money for six months of salary. Every additional week we can source funds for his employment, is a step closer to launching our social enterprise. Every cent we have matters. 

Many have tried to talk us out of this decision, while others fully see the reasoning. I have personally worried about what would people think about us as we step away. Are they unfocused?  How can they not see the potential? ...etc. We are willing for people to think those things about us. That is their choice. I know we have vetted this conversation with my board members. We have done the financial analysis and discussed it with several wise business leaders. This is the right, hard decision to walk away from something that is very fun, exciting and risky all at the same time. 

 
As I have grown in this role as a social enterprise leader, I have had to learn how to say NO and YES to the RIGHT things. We believe in the work of One Spark and know the spirit of the effort is amazing. At this moment in time, we have had to see where we are in our business launch and look to the launch strategy of the and the Mission of our organization: To EMPLOY ex-felons. This decision supports that core idea, at a very simple and clear level, right NOW.

We thank the One Spark team for all the conversations we have had about the power of focus, the power of collaboration...etc. We have been inspired by them greatly and ironically it is those conversations that led us to re-camp and get VERY focused and intentional.

Several years ago, I did a consulting project with Harbinger Sign. We were working to create the transition strategy, as founder, Roger Williams was planning his retirement. During a session he very proudly stated, "We have NEVER missed a payroll."  The face of his son, Steve Williams, glowed with pride, as he realized the impact of his dad's legacy.

It is that wisdom that has fueled our decision to step away and ensure that the commitment we have made to our amazing new employee is honored. We thank the team, Elton Rivas, Varick Rosete, Dennis Eusebio, Vince Cavin and the rest of the amazing posse for all they are doing to make our city rock! We wish you all the greatest of luck...we will participate in the way we can by supporting others.

Dreams DO become Reality - with commitment!

Today a dream is becoming a reality for Character Counts! in Jacksonville.

We are launching a youth forum in collaboration with The Self Movement. The primary goal of the forum is to teach high school students the skill of collaboration. 

We are partnering with Duval County Public Schools to create a youth forum that will initially teach collaboration skills but ultimately look to our youth to help solve some of the challenges we face as a community. 

The kickoff today is the "Beta" test. The forum is intentionally designed to give voice to the students. We have created the day with a huge amount of trust in the belief that our students are capable of great thinking. The structure of the three hour session is intentionally loose and open to see where the students curiosity and intelligence will lead us.

Bill Bade, the Executive Director of The Self Movement, the brains behind the idea, invited CCINJAX to the table to ensure the forum was grounded in character and ethics. We will explore the Six Pillars of Character at the opening of the session and will use them as the basis of how we come together as a forum.

The problem we are asking the students to solve this morning is to create a scholarship fund process. The Self Movement is bringing a chunk of money to the table that the students will help decide how the money is granted to one or several DCPS students. 

This highly unique approach is potentially risky, yet we have faith in the process of collaboration. We are resting in our capacity to create an environment that is based on the 6 Pillars, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. 

So why are we saying this is a dream come true today? Well, two years ago when I came to the world of Character Counts, I pulled together such a forum. I had never run a non-profit and knew that my sphere of influence could advise me. We gathered together in a very similar fashion and brainstormed where Character Counts needed to go. 

We spoke about creating a sustainable organization that brought the conversation of character and ethics across our community in creative and engaging ways. We set the goal that we would be "invited" into the schools. We believed that by virtue of being invited, it would create a more meaningful and potentially lasting relationship. 

Today is the result of a great deal of hard work to foster meaningful relationships with like minded individuals and organizations across our community. We are blessed to have the chance to partner with Bill and his team and look forward to meaningful experiences with the bright minds of our community!

We will keep you up to date on the results and will work to engage more of you in this collaboration as it evolves.

Why A Golden Rule Award? Why A Roast?

As we step into the final preparations for our Golden Rule event, I find myself pondering the whole point of bestowing an award, no less hosting a roast. As I consider the concept, what I rest into, is the ability to hear and see the reality of living a life of character. We talk a great deal about character development, yet having the chance to hear about a person who lives it, is the gift. 

Selecting Jim Bailey as the recipient this year was easy from many perspectives. His nomination came through a Board member and the discussion that ensued, inspired a rich and lively discussion about the day to day expression of a life of character.

The decision to do a roast blossomed when we discussed how to we PROVE a life of character. A life of character is not only measured in the accomplishments of a person but also in the company one keeps. Jim's dedication to our city, has helped him forge meaningful and well established relationships through out our city. 

As we worked with Jim to establish his roaster line up, I sat in awe of his "go to" colleagues. While creating a full view of his life, it became clear that the PROOF is in the caliber of people who esteem Jim and his life's journey and are willing to put their reputation's on the line speaking about him. What a powerful way to comprehend a life well lived!

Our roasters will include: Bruce Barcelo, Howard Coker, Terri Davlantes, Ray Driver, Bob Gay,  Hon. Denise Lee, Hon. Don Moran, Ed Nimnicht  and Toney Sleiman.

This group is a great cross section of our city and is full of passion for character! 

This list of individuals highlights the impact a character based life has in our community. As we seek to bring the discussions of character and ethics to the forefront of our community, this esteemed list of people is an amazing testament to the importance of these discussions. 

We are looking forward to hearing the not only fun perspectives these individuals hold but the valuable character lessons as well.  As a community that is working diligently to grow, we all know that character and ethics must be at the core of our ongoing evolution. 

Read more about Jim and his legacy of character!
Arbus Magazine: Forces of Character | Jim Bailey: Creative Collaborator
Advantage Business Magazine | Jim Bailey | 100 Years of Lessons 



Learn about past recipients!

Ebbs and Flows | Lessons From The Edge

Canyon Walls Ebb and Flow
Fine Art Print - Darcy Michaelchuk

Are you building a dream? Then you know what I am talking about....if you are getting ready to build one,
listen up!! Forewarned is forearmed!

What will ebb and flow?
Focus
Energy
Resources
Supporters
Ideas
and the biggie...FAITH

This is reality. I have spoken to scores of people who are breaking ground with new ideas and this is a topic that is huge. The question is, how do you respect this natural process and continue on the quest? 

My career has been built upon the creative process, each and every day I look to the beautiful things and people in my life, I am inspired. Looking for beauty in ALL is what I have come to learn helps me through the ebbs and flows. I have finally learned that the dark has as much to teach as the light, that adversity has as many blessings as abundance and that pain is rich with as much joy as pleasure.

Yes, these are pretty deep thoughts and yet simple too. As we rebuild our economy on new ideas and principles, knowing these truths is critical. Most of us are no longer in the place and space of being unconscious. If we are able to truly see and accept these principles, then moving through the ebbs and flows becomes a process of joy vs suffering. 

Each of us has a choice to be in the flow of it all or fight it. Taking time to look at the ebbs and flows and allowing ourselves to recognize that the ebbs are here for us to reach out beyond ourselves. 

Some people want to be with us in the flows for sure! Other people are there for the ebbs, and the RARE ones are able to be both. Knowing this truth is a blessing. Keeping yourself aware of it and knowing that even you are sometimes with you and sometimes not. Ahh yes, that biggie...FAITH. 

Keeping the faith...is at the root of it all. Keeping faith in self, the idea, the world, the reason...this is where the courageous succeed!

Today...be Courageously Faithful! Know your dreams and goals are real! And KNOW they will come to be if you stick with them!!

Youth Justice Awareness Month

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I met Michelle Stephens just about a year ago. She was referred to me as a mother who was working to bring awareness of the issues of youth justice. 

As she shared her journey as a mother, a citizen and a woman, she revealed her faith that change is possible. She also expressed her fear that working for change would put her son at risk within the system. As we continued getting to know each other and continued to speak about the issues, she became clear that she wanted to DO something. I bore witness to her courage and deep belief in what is right.

After  a bit of researching she found the Campaign for Youth Justice. As she learned more, it became clear that their work aligned to her beliefs and her passion to create change.

As she explored, we began discussing being brave enough to create an event here in Jacksonville. One conversation led to another and as she became impassioned about the event, enthusiasm built.

She worked to bring meaningful content and partners around the table including The Southern Poverty Center;  the Children's Campaign; Author, Betty Burney; Film Director, Karen Grau and Character Counts! in Jacksonville.

On October 13th in Jacksonville, Florida, Alliance for Youth Justice Parent Michelle Stephens and the Southern Poverty Law Center are hosting a film screening and discussion of Young Kids, Hard Time, which aired on MSNBC in November 2011. Film Director Karen Grau will attend to discuss the experience of filming young kids serving multi-decade sentences and her thoughts on the practice of trying youth as adults.

The event is designed to shed light on the current situation and educate on ways we can work together to make change. 

For more information call Michelle Stephens
at 904-338-1734 or krmdstephens@comcast.net