Posts Tagged With ‘ BizCatalyst 360 ’

 We should have more coffeehouses, more cafes, more “third places.” More places where people can get together that’s not work, not home, and where they can interact with people who are different from them. ~ Eric Weiner I recognize, I acknowledge, and I am grateful. In French, these three concepts are expressed by one term: “Je suis reconnaissant.” A term that clearly captures my sentiment when it comes to the “third place” that we call Our Friendship Bench. I witness with amazement the magic that transpires week after week. I acknowledge that the magic is borne of the wonderful... Continue Reading

In a world that’s constantly connected, sometimes the greatest act of rebellion is to disconnect so we can reconnect with our own inner world, our inner wisdom, and our deeper truths. –Unknown We live in curious times. It’s called the “Age of Information, but in another light, it can be called the Age of Distraction. While humanity has never been free of distraction – never have the distractions been so voluminous, so overwhelming, so intense, so persistent as they are now. We have forgotten how to slow down. Clash of the Titans: Well-Being vs FOMO Ah, FOMO, the ever-present fear of... Continue Reading

When we allow our children to be sold, to be used as a commodity, to be violated, persecuted, neglected, discarded, and preyed upon by criminal influences, we deteriorate as a civilized community. There is nothing civilized about the exploitation of the weak, the innocent, and the vulnerable for selfish gain. –Andi Buerger As CEO/ReImaginator for 360° Nation and Chief Encouragement Officer of our affiliated pro bono social impact enterprise; GoodWorks 360° Foundation, I was delighted to have the opportunity to get better acquainted with Andi Buerger, JD, Founder of Voice Against Trafficking,... Continue Reading

We simply cannot know joy without embracing vulnerability – and the way to do that is to focus on gratitude, not fear. ~Brené Brown Summing up his status as more than a man but a force of nature, the colloquialism “Elvis has left the building!”  has taken on a life of its own in the 40 years since Presley left the building for good. According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, this phrase is often used to emphasize that something is definitely over or that someone has gone and will not return. Hope for a Brighter Future In recent years, our 360° Nation Studios enterprise... Continue Reading

The third place has always been a feeling. An emotion. An aspiration that all people can come together and be uplifted as a result of a sense of belonging. –Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks The Significance of Third Places In the dynamic tapestry of human life, beyond the confines of our homes and the structured environment of workplaces, lies a realm of social interaction and communal connection – the cherished domain known as third places. These spaces, distinct from our private lives and professional pursuits, serve as vibrant hubs where individuals can shed their everyday personas and... Continue Reading

You see, when you’re homeless, you’re invisible. People don’t want to see you because when they see you it’s very hard for them to just ignore you, to just pretend that you’re not there. ~John S., a homeless man Homeless culture is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It is shaped by a variety of factors, including individual experiences, socioeconomic conditions, and the broader social and political context. For most of us, homelessness is unimaginable. We take for granted that we’ll be able to meet our daily needs of safety, food, shelter, and companionship without facing incredible... Continue Reading

Homelessness is the space between the place where you once lived and the place where you will live again. It is the place of dislocation, transition, waiting … ~Lucy, a woman who was once homeless What does homelessness look like, and who does it affect? Martha Stone, the executive director of a 96-bed homeless shelter, shares the stories of a few residents of the shelter, and shares how we can all end the cycle of homelessness in our communities. It’s time for real stories to be told by the unsheltered and by those who can speak about and for them so we can debunk the myths  “for good”…. —WORLDWIDE... Continue Reading

People avoid eye contact. They step away from you. They don’t answer you if you address them — even if you wish them a good day! It’s painful. It’s debilitating. Over time, it gets worse, not better. There are a lot of bad things about being homeless, but being invisible is the worst! This is how we know that powerful change can happen when people who are homeless get the chance to tell their stories. You should see someone’s face when they realize another person actually wants to listen to them. Every human being needs to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. But for homeless people,... Continue Reading

People experiencing homelessness deserve to experience the type of love that goes to battle alongside them, not against them. — Love Beyond Walls California singer/songwriter Rocky Michaels brings much-needed awareness to the plight of the unhoused and unsheltered, with his release of “An Uncomfortable Truth.” He shines a light on the issue of homelessness in a land of plenty. Written from the perspective of a person without a roof over their head, the lyrics provide the listener the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and perhaps reconsider their viewpoint. Listen & read... Continue Reading

The only thing worse than being homeless is feeling invisible and forgotten. Out of Sight, Out of Mind The homeless often feel invisible, allowed to plummet through widening holes in the social safety net, then hidden in doorways from which people avert their eyes. Homelessness sits at the nexus of stigma, isolation, and vulnerability: though homelessness can be highly visible, passersby often ignore individuals or subject them to stares, reinforcing their “outsider” status either by making them invisible or making them visible only through negative attention. Have the Homeless become... Continue Reading