Inclusion (noun): the act of including something as a part of something else

In a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres promoted the value of inclusion urging global audiences not to ‘vilify those that disagree’ but instead suggesting ‘we need to show these people that we care’. The U.N. Chief’s inclusive message came in reference to mounting tensions in recent years between globalist and nationalist movements. During his address, Guterres said he’s convinced that global challenges can only be dealt with through global responses, yet urged working to understand why opponents disagree adding “we need to show these people that we care for them.”

In this Guardian op-ed, writer Zoe Williams, also touted inclusiveness as a value while making the case for nationalism saying “good nationalism is inclusive not because it constantly thumps on about how inclusive it is, but because it includes, by definition, every man, woman and child who contributed to the achievement.”

Guterres also urged for inclusiveness while addressing the latest demonstrations and unrest in Venezuela saying “the urgent need for all relevant actors to commit to inclusive and credible political dialogue to address the protracted crisis in the country, with full respect for the rule of law and human rights”.

In this follow up interview, Guterres added “if dialogue is not possible, then what are we doing? In all circumstances in the world – even the most difficult circumstances – we need to push for dialogue.”

Questions to consider: Is inclusion a personal value? Do you agree with Guterres’ message that more inclusion is needed? Why or why not? Is the opposite of inclusion, exclusion, ever appropriate? Why or why not? Does Guterres’ message inspire you to be more inclusive? Why or why not?

This Friday, with the partial government shutdown extending well into a fifth week, federal employees are set to miss a second paycheck. Still, there is no end in sight as the border wall debate stands at a stalemate.

The president wants a border wall. Democrats call it immoral. The dispute has since ignited a national conversation over whether ‘compromise’ is a national value, and if so, what a compromise would entail in this situation.

Compromise (verb): to settle a dispute by mutual concession.

Over the weekend, the President proposed what he called a “common-sense compromise.” The plan offers temporary protections for more than one million immigrants in exchange for $5.7 billion in border wall funding. The proposal also includes $12.7 billion to assist regions impacted by hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says he plans to bring the plan to the Senate floor for a vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed the President’s offer as “not a compromise but more hostage taking,” arguing the President’s first order of business should be reopening the government – not negotiating immigration reform.

Meantime, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is proposing a different solution and as House Speaker plans to bring forth legislation that includes $1 billion for border security – including 75 more immigration judges and infrastructure improvement. But with democrats not offering to include funding for the wall, the President has said he wouldn’t sign the legislation and McConnell says he won’t bring it to the Senate floor.

Throughout US history, prominent Americans have expressed different takes on whether compromise is a noble value.

• “Compromise’ isn’t supposed to be a dirty word. It is, in fact, how representative democracy works.” Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA)
• “The ‘morality of compromise’ sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don’t compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.” Andrew Carnegie, American industrialist, business magnate, and philanthropist.
• “Healthy disagreement, debate, leading to compromise has always been the American way.” Former Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri (R)
• “Unless you are willing to compromise, society cannot live together.” Former Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States Alan Greenspan

Mahatma Gandhi, widely recognized as one of the twentieth century’s greatest political and spiritual leaders, said “All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is a surrender. For it is all give and no take.”

For the President, the “fundamental” he refuses to compromise on is safety/protection. President Trump tweeted this morning, “Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security.”

For democrats, other “fundamental” values take priority, including accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness. Pelosi has said, “A wall, in my view, is an immorality. It’s the least effective way to protect the border and the most costly. and an abuse of presidential power.” Rep. Adam Smith, the new chair of the House Armed Services Committee, has said Trump’s campaign for a border wall is rooted in “xenophobia and racism.”

While for some, compromise comes down to making mutual concessions, or as Gandhi called it “give and take”, for others, there can be no compromise given the debate for them is about not compromising on higher priorities.

Questions to consider: Is compromise a personal value? Is compromise appropriate in the border wall debate? Why or why not? What other competing values (or “fundamentals”) take priority, if any? How will this debate influence you moving forward?

Did you resolve to get healthier this New Year? If so, you aren’t alone!

According to an INSIDER poll the majority of respondents said they planned to make 2019 resolutions that were health-related.

But what does getting healthy mean? And what does it actually take to get healthy?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.”

In this article on health by MedicalNewsToday, the steps for maximizing our health are more than diet and exercise.  Being healthy also included: learning to manage stress, engaging in activities that provide purpose and connection to others, maintaining a positive outlook and appreciating what you have, and defining a value system (and putting it into action).

“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.“

Joyce Meyer

In September 2017, Christina Eckert and her husband left San Antonio to celebrate a milestone birthday with friends on a sailing vacation through the Carribbean. Within days, Hurricane Irma had grown to a Category 5 storm and the Eckerts were in the storm’s crosshairs.

Christina shares their story of faith & survival and how they were rescued through the heroic efforts of strangers.

Watch: An Interview with a Hurricane Irma Evacuee

Podcast: Listen to an interview with a Hurricane Irma evacuee sharing her story of faith

“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.”  William Pollard

I’ll admit. I’m a coffee drinker. And I’m lucky, because every morning my husband hand delivers me a steaming hot cup of coffee before I even get out of bed. And he’s not even a coffee drinker himself! He prefers tea.

That’s how I first discovered Capital Teas. We were downtown Annapolis when he spotted the cute store and wanted to walk through it. The shop stood at the edge of the downtown area along the Chesapeake Bay. It seemed a fitting store name given its location was based in the heart of Maryland’s capitol.

But even as a coffee drinker, I was immediately blown away by Capital Teas. Along their “sniffing wall” were rows and rows of all different teas. Roasted Almond, Organic Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Island Mango tea. We stood there sniffing the many varieties of samples trying to pick our favorites.

Again recently, we found ourselves in another one of their stores. This time it was their National Harbor location, much closer to our nation’s capitol of Washington, DC. Again, I was impressed by the store and how a product seemingly so simple – tea! – could offer such an eclectic blend of varieties. Even the tea kettles ranged from small to large and came in all shapes and sizes.

I learned that in just 10 short years of existence, Capital Teas has today expanded to nearly two dozen store locations around the country and even sells internationally through its online website. Plus, the company has plans to expand each year as well.

Given the company’s impressive growth and my own interest in why some companies succeed and others don’t, I decided to carefully examine Capital Teas’ corporate values. I’d recently been recommended a book called “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek who says that the most successful and thriving companies don’t sell based on WHAT they do, but WHY they do what they do. Personally, I’d come to that same conclusion as well so I had been excited to see that there was a book that offered case studies that backed the theory that it’s more effective to start with WHY. Those case studies included success stories ranging from Steve Jobs with Apple to the Wright Brother’s invention of the airplane.

Although very few companies advertise on their website WHY – or their reason for existence, I’d found the majority do have a values statement that supports their corporate mission statement.

So I wanted to know…why is Capital Teas so successful and thriving? Why does the company exist? And does the company’s purpose play a role in its success?

I simply started with their website and soon discovered that one of Capital Teas’ corporate values was “innovation”. No surprise given I’d already seen first hand how they had innovated a wide variety of tea flavors I never would have thought of myself. How about Fountain of Youth Acai Tea? Or Madame Butterfly Jasmine? Maybe try one of the top sellers, Milk Oolong? So many options!

But I didn’t fully appreciate what Capital Teas means by incorporating the value of innovation until I dropped by another one of their stores on Capitol Hill to talk with their staff.

We want tea to be something everybody can enjoy, shared their spokesperson. So we even have a meeting called the creativity crockpot where we bring all our different ideas to the table – no matter how big or small they are. We really want to inspire each other and get our creative juices flowing!

in-no-va-tion: (noun) something new; significant positive change

In preparation for our interview, I’d also carefully examined the definition of innovation.  While Webster defines innovation as something new, many business leaders have started using the definition significant positive change to more specifically challenge their teams to innovate with a positive outcome in mind.

As I listened to Capital Teas describe how they incorporate innovation into their successful business model, I realized that innovation didn’t occur at their stores with just a single person. Innovation required collaboration, listening, being open to new ideas and creating solutions together.

I left with a new appreciation for what it means to truly value and practice innovation, both personally and professionally. Want to bring significant positive change into your personal life or workplace? Collaborate. Listen. Be open to new ideas!

And yes, even this coffee drinker found a tea she loved. And its name definitely included the word ‘chocolate’!

Hear more from Capital Teas on what it means to live & work with Innovation. Listen to Innovation: How Capital Teas Inspires Innovation.

What is your PURPOSE? Discover your life’s purpose and subscribe to the Purposeful Podcast for the latest podcast episodes inspiring purposeful living & working.

Purposeful PR is a public relations consultancy promoting purpose-driven brands, nonprofits and influencers. Learn more at www.PurposefulPR.com.

‘Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.” Confucius

I would like to think of myself as a compassionate person. It’s a positive value that I know is a good thing. But if I stop to think about the last time I put into action actually being compassionate, I find myself running through a list of activities and wondering if they count? Does tithing at church make me a compassionate person even though the Bible says I’m already supposed to be giving? Was I compassionate when I gave the homeless guy on the corner my last five dollar bill or was that the least I could do to help without feeling guilty? Perhaps I was compassionate when I helped the elderly ladies at the movie theater get a few cups of water so they didn’t have to get back up. But if I’m honest, I feel a little embarrassed that I’m not doing more to actually practice compassion on a regular basis. Our busy lives leave us running from one activity to the next without much thought.

Recently, I was told that practicing compassion is like learning to ride a bike. The man who shared the advice was a long time volunteer at a local animal shelter, and he was trying to make the case to just start somewhere and you’ll get better at being compassionate the more you do. I have since thought of his advice and think he’s right. Perhaps becoming more compassionate requires more than practice, but making it a habit of daily looking for opportunities to put into action what we believe is an important value. 

On Saturday, May 13th, the 25th annual Stamp Out
Hunger campaign will take place across the country in nearly 10,000 U.S. cities and towns. Letter carriers will be picking up non-perishable food donations left at mailboxes to be delivered to local food pantries. But the National Association of Letter Carriers says it is picking up much this weekend than just food but also the compassion and kindness from neighbors.
When I heard that letter carriers would be picking up compassion, I realized this was a great way for each of us to do something little and put into practice being compassionate.  So this weekend, I challenge and encourage all of us who wish we were more compassionate people to actually become compassion filled people. Do you have a few cans in your cupboard you can donate? Do you have time to run to the grocery to pick up some food donations? Let’s go do it. And while we’ll be joining a national movement to help the more than 50 million in the United States who are hungry, we’ll also be becoming the very people we hoped we would become too.

Listen to this week’s Purposeful Podcast to hear from a spokesperson with the National Letter Carriers Association on the 2017 Stamp Out Hunger campaign.

What is your PURPOSE? Discover your life’s purpose and subscribe to Purposeful Podcast for the latest podcast episodes inspiring purposeful living & working.

Purposeful PR is a public relations consultancy promoting purpose-driven brands, nonprofits and influencers. Learn more at http://www.PurposefulPR.com.