Dr. Russ is out this week, so our special guest Christine Andrew joins Jackie for this week's special Podcast of Optimism.
Back from nearly 6 months of travel in Asia, Christine stops by to share with us a few stories from her travels, including her work trying to connect with--sometimes remotely located--indigenous healers. She explains to us what the term "healer" actually means, and how she became so interested in helping to preserve these ancient traditions that are at risk of becoming extinct.
Tune in to this special podcast and learn some new things about Asia and Thailand, specifically.
An Arizona State University professor, Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan, a mother of four, has been banned from McDonald’s franchises in Valley, Arizona. Dr. Carr-Jordan has begun a campaign to expose the dangerous germs, dirt and trash that abound at all the McDonald’s playgrounds she has visited. She has been recording and posting videos of trashy playgrounds, and now has an international following. She not only has made videos, but has taken samples of the filth in for official lab tests.
In the video below she explains the lab test findings and shows extensive lab teat results to support her point of view.
It turns out that there are not any local, state or national regulatory rules regarding the cleanliness of facilities like this one. Given the disgusting nature of these videos, I would think a company like McDonald’s would want to present a squeaky clean image. But no, instead they have done what many organizations do and have now engaged in denial and blame the victim or whistle-blower.
This kind of attitude creates pessimism outside and within the organization. Outside it diminishes the public image of McDonald's making it look like an organization that does not care about the customer. Inside the organization it leads to lower employee motivation as they are not held to the highest standards of customer service.
If McDonald's were an optimistic organization they would embrace Dr. Carr-Jordon’s expose’ as important, welcome and necessary feedback. They would admit to the facts and the need to clean up the places. They could have turned this setback into a great marketing campaign. So, instead of becoming a short setback it will now become a negative and protracted public relations problem for McDonald's.
I applaud the call for some national standards on cleanliness in places like these. But, an optimistic organization does not wait for someone to mandate a regulation. Instead the optimistic organization acts ahead of curve, and is a leader for positive attitudes and living.
It's Wednesday. We've made it over half way thru the week! How's your optimism doing?
Have you taken some time out for yourself this week? Are you taking care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health? In order to be the most effective people we were meant to be, we must be balanced and aware of how our day to day stressors are impacting our health. As they say, "your wealth is your health."
Take moment to relax. Take a few minutes for yourself and be washed by "The Water." This is the new amazing time lapse video by photographer Terje Sørgjerd. If this cinematic gem can't bring your stress level down a few notches, you really need to unwind! Check out the TSO Photography Facebook page to see more amazing videos and images!
What can we learn about optimism from the people of another culture who live on $5 a day or less and are very happy in their day-to-day lives?
This week in our Podcast of Optimism, we chat with guest Christine Andrew, of CoSozo Radio, about her recent extended trip to the Philippines.
Christine's extended time in the Philippines allowed her to experience the culture, people, and surroundings in a way she never expected!
What happens when we stop having expectations (especially with international travel!) and just go with the flow, taking in everything that comes our way? We find beauty, joy, and lessons in things we never would have thought, and let go of our preconceived ideas of what we thought we wanted to learn or experience!
Click here to listen, and be inspired by one woman's journey deep into to the hearts of the Filipino people!
Friday, November 18, 2011 at 10:37AM