OUR MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
This episode is part 2 of my conversation with David Hitz from Kahana. We discuss some best practices when it comes to helping our clients navigate workers comp audits. It all comes down to communication, education, and setting expectations. Kahana My Website Agency Launch training. Agency Launch Podcast. Music by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers […]
Listen on Apple Podcasts: Premium Payroll Audits
On this episode, I have David Hitz from Kahana to talk about Loss Control Inspections. Kahana is a company that is contracted by insurance companies to perform these inspections. David is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the process. We talk about best practices on how to work with the inspection company, the […]
Listen on Apple Podcasts: Simply Explaining Insurance Podcast
With the change in season and weather, spring is upon us. While some parts of the world are lucky to enjoy flowers and plant growth year round, most of North America is finally waking up from a long winter. With change comes progress and with progress we can identify the positive things around us. Something so simple as a flower or blossom on a tree can create excitement and joy. The smell alone of the blossom can evoke memories and experience.
We hope that with the advent of spring, you too can see the change you are looking for. With Kahana, you can create positive change and new beginnings. We are here to help along the way as you build out your Audit or Survey needs and wants.
Be the change you wish to see in the world… Gandhi
In our philanthropy efforts these past few years, we have become a partner with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, a world leader in promoting peace, civility and religious tolerance.
For many years, we were taught to never mix business with religion or politics. There is a big difference in “mixing” these elements versus endorsing and promoting the right of every person in the workplace to be treated equally. Even in our legal maze of human resources, we can accomplish this very important objective.
Truth is, every human being in our workplace has a spiritual home---whether in a religion or in their heart or both and providing a safe place for this human element to exist is healthy for all involved.
Considering the recent Pittsburg tragedy, I wanted to introduce you to a corporate pledge our company has signed that allows this space to exist in our work place and invite you to consider how this could look in your world. We signed this pledge with other world and corporate leaders in Korea in March 2018, where scores of large companies and individuals from various diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds convened for the annual Global Business and Peace Symposium. It was at this conference that our philanthropy (Launching Leaders Worldwide) was awarded a medal for our transformational work with young adults across the world in leadership. This was very humbling, but perhaps the most relevant aspect of this conference was witnessing a world-wide focus on how business ought to be intertwined with religious freedom, tolerance and civility.
I encourage you to review and download the corporate pledge and see how your organization could benefit from it. https://religiousfreedomandbusiness.org/corporate-pledgeThis pledge has certainly provided a framework for Kahana from which to establish worthwhile objectives around this topic.
Signing of Corporate Pledge at Global Business & Peace Conference 2018
A Simple Way to Assist with Anxiety and Depression
By Steven A. Hitz
Note: I frequently write articles for major news publications; usually focusing on the young adult world—which we celebrate through our charitable causes. Ryan requested I write a blog applicable to “fall”, so I thought I would share this article I recently wrote. When fall turns to winter, the topic I address in this article seems even more prevalent. I want our blog entries at Kahana to be useful in our lives, so this topic addresses an issue prevalent in all generations as we find ourselves feeling anxious or depressed. The meaning of our name means “Turning Point”, so I hope our blogs might provide a pathway to engage in solutions for life.
Aside from this article which I hope you and your associates, friends and loved ones may find helpful, please know that in our little startup company, we are off to a good start, thanks to our new and loyal customers. We express deep gratitude for our association.
Article:
The rising generations are keen on applying what they frequently call “daily mindfulness”. I present a simple idea that will add to solutions regarding the challenges of anxiety and depression.
Three of our millennial age children suffer from severe anxiety. I have a heart for these very real challenges. I researched a series of articles and helps which have provided significant stepping stones to reach the shores of peace and contentment. I offer one more stepping stone to assist in replacing anxiety and depression with peace and hope.
Setting a time apart from the pressing and complicated world we live in will put the hinges back on our doors and simplify our path forward. A time apart will settle the soul. It will reduce anxiety and depression. It will put fears in their “proper” perspective and allow hope to flourish.
In recent years I was introduced to the practice of meditation. The idea of meditation, which is a key part of daily mindfulness, is to center one’s thoughts, and allow a space of connectiveness with one’s self, the universe in which we dwell, and how we engage with the world we live in. It is a time to ponder things that really matter.
This innate desire of tapping the depths of our inner-self is available through the ritualistic habit of daily mindfulness. When dealing with anxiety it is often very difficult to sit silently, or to find a space or time apart which is not encumbered. This will require an earnest effort to start the process as our time is often crowded by schedule and duties of the world.
It is not easy to shut out the world and set aside a few minutes by yourself to establish this focus. My suggestion is that the best time available is early in the morning. Even if you must “find” this time by arising 30 minutes before you normally would, it is important to find this time apart.
Understand that this practice is not a one and done event. Rather, it should develop into the most meaningful part of our day—every day. This activity is both refreshing and empowering. Make this habit a daily ritual that is as unique as yourself. As an example of where to start, my daily mindfulness consists of exercise, music, readings, silence, journaling, and prayer. My meditation includes deep thought on topics such as:
a. Understanding my true identity
b. Development of core values
c. Discovering the course of life I desire to navigate (both today and long-term)
d. Finding strength to move beyond my personal doubts
e. Finding Peace and contentment in the path
f. Garnering inner-peace through the process that smoothers my anxiety and fears
In all of this, can you see how this applies directly to our challenges related to Anxiety and depression?
Healing our anxiety and depression is a multi-pronged approach. Professional counseling and therapy, doctor prescribed medications, and other remedies would not be adversely affected by adding daily mindfulness to our available solutions. In fact, the simple act of finding a time apart and practicing daily mindfulness couldbe the most powerful medicine of all.
When striving to find peace, it can’t be framed only around what other people have told us (though we all need mentors and guidance----Sherpa’s if you will). It must ultimately be developed in the inner cauldron and poured over our soul bit by bit, until our framework and core of who we really are become the foundation of peace and hope; the well spring which can significantly reduce anxiety and depression.
I sense that many in the rising generation have anxiety about how they will make their mark and make a difference in the world. I sense that the many challenges of the day such as social media and the expectations of others can cause fear and depression when they sense they are not “measuring up” or are not progressing according to the time table of others. What I am partly saying in all of this, is that we can come along side these generations, allow them to create their own measuring stick, chart a path that springs from their own daily mindfulness, and celebrate their unique contribution to mankind.
Marcus Aurelius, who was the emperor of Rome in A.D. 161, wrote much about his reflections. His daily devotionals helped him strike a balance between image and idea----a method to help him act with prudence and ethics as he ruled an empire. “Remember how long you’ve been putting this off, how many extensions the God’s gave you, and you didn’t use them. At some point you have to recognize what world it is that you belong to, what power rules it and from what source you spring; that there is a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don’t use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return.”
He suggested taking life’s events with “the art of acquiescence”. Don’t be overwhelmed with the realities of the challenges before us, but rather, find a space that heals. A time apart. A time to establish the ritual of daily mindfulness.
The reason is to not just survive, but to thrive in our daily existence; or as the French scholar Pierre Hadot noted, meditations [or the act of daily mindfulness] are … “composed to provide a momentary stay against the stress and confusion of everyday life.”
I would also emphasize the practice of journaling as a part of daily mindfulness. Journaling the experiences of life----putting on paper those things the mind and heart render as meaningful to the soul, is a center piece for being holistic and content.
I invite you to find a time apart. A time to establish a daily ritual that will reduce anxiety and fears; that will build confidence and reduce depression; that will allow you to catch a glimpse every day of your glorious self.
Things have been busy here at Kahana. The tides are changing and the winds are blowing in a positive direction for all involved in this process. We have been actively engaged with clients, developers, and local financial institutions to get things ready and in order. This is a process that has required us to have "all hands on deck" so to speak. We are grateful for the support of all that have helped, and continue to help to make this dream and turning point in our lives possible. We appreciate your support as clients and partners in the industry. Without you, we would not exist as a business. Thank You!
Mahalo,
Kahana Team
