As we reach the final quarter of the year, now we are presented with a great opportunity to reflect back on all that has taken place in the last few months...
Profit at all costs...???
Recently, I was faced with the words above which were used as a motive and which led me to consider how we live our lives, and where our own true motives lie. These words seem to indicate to me that there is complete and utter priority placed upon financial gain and that nothing can be more important. The fact that we are currently experiencing constant changes and uncertainty means that one's financial position may be a source of much worry and concern. Be that as it may, I find the next quote reassuring "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life"... We could acquire all the financial gain in the world and still remain unhappy, as the entirety of our life has been focused upon obtaining the money and not enjoying life and all its adventures.
What is more, Van Morrison says:
"Smell the sea, and feel the sky, let your soul and spirits fly"
He celebrates and treasures our possible connections with Nature, especially when being by the sea, which I can thoroughly appreciate, having recently spent some time by the sea. The sea air allows for greater clarity and space in the mind, which provides the opportunity for internal and external rest and peace. It seems to me that often we forget the small pleasures of living life, as we are too focused on the end result, and I think this can be manifested in the drive for financial gain, which frequently leads to sacrifices in other areas of life. Nevertheless, it is important that we don't misunderstand these words as rejecting the drive for success. We require the correct balance which ensures that we don't have to sacrifice unnecessarily, such as our own mental, physical or psychological health and wellbeing. If wealth is a compensation for things that you can't do, then the benefits may not be a worthwhile trade-off.
The picture below shows the recent covid-19 secure delivery of hampers sent to employees of Scope Ophthalmics, which was a wonderful learning process for the business and which demonstrated to me the significance of intentions. Whatever thought, word or action you create or perform, it is affected by the determination existing behind. Click here to view the post of gratitude and the developments of the brand since then. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and I do hope that you continue to enjoy the new content as it comes...
Take comfort in the power that you have to shape the next seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and even years of your life.
As I begin a new university adventure studying Broadcast Journalism, I am focusing on this notion of remaining receptive to new opportunities and ways of thinking, with particular focus on staying in the present. This is the only part of time which you can have any impact upon, so I would challenge you all to practice this also.
Take a moment to consider a business scenario.
Would you rather have: continued profitability or continued growth?
On one hand, the profitability would mean that you have a firm financial foundation but on the other hand, the growth would ensure that you are able to reach out to more and more new customers, and possibly even investors.
For me, this is an interesting and, an undoubtedly more objective, way to consider one's impact upon personal life and the life of others. Would you rather have: continued wealth or continued increase in connections with community?
Like many scenarios, there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, particularly as every human being is unique in some way, but this is a useful perspective on our lives and how we view it. In the business model, it seems reasonable to consider both options as going hand-in-hand. Profitability ensures financial stability and Growth is a means to achieving that profitability.
How do you view wealth alongside your human connections?
As aforementioned, I do not necessarily advocate choosing one option over the other but am providing the space for you to consider what you deem to be most important in your life. Would you strive for profit at all costs?
A relevant situation which I find myself in currently, involves my local community radio station Lymm Radio. Every Wednesday 8-10pm, I have the opportunity to bring people together, broadcasting to Lymm and South Warrington, with a range of cooking tips, quotes, songs of all decades and so much more. I am always open to song requests, special mentions and shout-outs, so please don't hesitate to get in touch :)
During a time of increased unease, this opportunity has demonstrated to me the value of those around us and the way in which everyone, including ourselves, are treated.
Mitch Albom's words hint at the universality of humanity:
"You're not a wave, you're a part of the ocean"
Rather than comparing ourselves to someone who may seem to have more financial wealth than us, imagining what we might buy if we won the lottery (although it does help to dream sometimes!) or wanting to attract attention with our latest purchase, why not spend time thinking outside of profits?
Take the time to consider growth, both personally and for others. Do things which will allow you to live life to your best and trust that the world will welcome you in this way, as in the words of Fabienne Frederickson "When you have clarity of intention, the universe conspires with you to make it happen".
However, Alex Coppen's words present the rather brutal opposition of profit against loss: "Your success is someone else's loss, and the cause of their resentment". There will hopefully be experiences for us all in which we find ourselves in a moment of profit, and even, financial gain. Enjoy it, not forgetting your life and those around you, but perhaps spare a thought for others that may not be so fortunate. Try to remain sympathetic to those nearest and dearest around you, and extend your goodwill beyond them. I hope that this helps us all to stay close and faithful to one another, throughout the best and most difficult times, so many of which may already have been experienced during the year so far.
Every week, I post a poem, haiku or short expression of words, in the form of "Wednesday words" on the @superfoodswithsitara social media platforms. Click here for the latest example on instagram, and I hope that this is another useful connection for us to be reminded about the wonders of words and their effects. Stay connected with all the latest instagram posts here, and I am grateful to you all for your support in the brand and everything else in-between, including this blog.
I conclude with an inspiring quote by William Faulkner, whose words demonstrate the importance of letting go, in order to move forwards.
"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore"
Leave your head with its profit-at-all-costs mentality and spend some time with your heart.
Lots of love always,
Sitara xxx
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