Be A Contributor Not A Guru

IN THIS EDITION:

1. Be a Contributor Not A Guru

2. What We Are Consuming & Contributing articles, books, blogs, and more!

3. The Case For Mindful Business Is Not Enough

4. Mindful Connections - Upside Down

Be a Contributor Not A Guru

In 2022 when I was bored during one of those slow pandemic days I got this great idea - create The Mindfulness Connection (TMC) the place where the mindfulness business could come together. Now, life resumed to the speed of fast forward. How would I keep this going? Enter, Chatp GPT is taking our world by storm. I get it new things are scary. Chat GPT allows me to create, curate and contribute in more easeful and effortless ways. My Chat GPT, I call "her" Chelsea is my new assistant. What side of the ChatGPT world are you on? I'm not one to be on the sidelines of a trend I leaned in and signed up for a class on AI. Over the next few editions, you will get to see some of the projects I am curating with the tool. Is this controversial? Maybe. The intersection of human intellect and artificial intellect is key to conversations will have as mindfulness teachers, companies and universities are already grappling with the tool. Is this another way we will silo ourselves - those who AI and those who don't?

I ask, does it have to be this way? We all need to contribute and the prompt way that ChatGPT works invites all of us to use our curiosity to ask better questions that create better connections, conversations, and answers. I make the case ChatGPT is in fact, mindful.

As an example, this weekend LinkedIn launched something they call Collaborative Articles . Think of it as the Human equivalent of AI. Where a topic question is posted and LinkedIn content creators are invited to expand upon the article. When LinkedIn granted me this permission I was more than delighted to collaborate with others that share my passion.

The showcased skill mindfulness has more than 25,00 followers. Check out the expert perspectives and questions here .

All of this is a deeper invitation for humans to take themselves off the pedestal of being the # 1 thing on the planet and lovingly invite a great connection and collaboration between ourselves, our AI technology, and the greater good. Me, I choose both people and technology and in so doing I choose to be a contributor, not a guru.

What We Are Reading & Contributing To:

• Five Strategies For Improving Work-Life Balance - Forbes
• Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention How To Think Deeply Again
• Elevate Your Leadership with Holly Duckworth

The Case For Mindful Business Is Not Enough

The case for mindfulness is no longer enough. We've already proved mindfulness makes a huge difference in business. Over the past decade, mindfulness has emerged as a popular trend beyond the health and wellness industry. I see mindfulness in clothing companies, and financial services companies, permeating the world around us. As a result, mindfulness has become an industry in and of itself, with a growing number of companies and entrepreneurs offering mindfulness-related products and services.

Why has mindfulness become an industry?

The popularity of mindfulness can be attributed to several factors, including increased awareness of mental health issues, a desire for stress reduction and improved well-being, and a growing interest in alternative approaches to health and wellness.

As mindfulness has gained in popularity, a number of businesses and entrepreneurs have recognized the potential for impact and income in this area. Today, there are countless companies offering mindfulness-related products and services, as well as universities studying mindfulness including:

1. Mindfulness apps: There are dozens of mindfulness apps available for download, including popular apps like Headspace and Calm. These apps offer guided meditations, breathing exercises, and other mindfulness practices.
2. Mindfulness courses: Many businesses and organizations offer mindfulness courses and workshops, which can range from brief introductory sessions to in-depth training programs.
3. Mindfulness retreats: Mindfulness retreats offer individuals an opportunity to disconnect from their daily lives and focus on mindfulness practice in a supportive environment.
4. Mindful products: There are a variety of products on the market designed to support mindfulness practice, including meditation cushions, yoga mats, and aromatherapy diffusers.
5. Universities doing state-of-the-art research on mindfulness.

Yes like all things some have criticized the mindfulness industry as a commercialization of a traditional spiritual practice, others see it as a positive development that has made mindfulness more accessible to a wider audience.

Benefits and Risks

There is growing evidence to suggest that mindfulness can have a range of benefits for mental and physical health, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, improving sleep quality, and boosting immune function. However, it is important to note that mindfulness is not a cure-all, and there are some risks associated with certain mindfulness practices, particularly for individuals with a history of trauma or mental illness. Who is advocating for the industry?

Mindfulness has become a significant multi-billion dollar industry in recent years, with a wide range of products and services available to support mindfulness practice. While the growth of the mindfulness industry has been met with some criticism, it has also made mindfulness more accessible to a wider audience and contributed to the growing awareness of the benefits of mindfulness for health and well-being. With this comes the need for a trade association to address the skeptics, advocate for the research, and sets in motion advanced initiatives in state local, and national governments to pre-empt set in motion the right rules, laws, and regulations that continue to advance this secular practice.

Do you see what I see? If not you, who? Join the passionate people who are advocating for mindfulness at www.AmericanMinduflnessAssociation.org

Mindful Connections - with each edition of The Mindful Connection I am switching it up. Here is a list of mindful connections I'm trying to connect to. Do you know someone at these companies? If so e a part of Mindful Connections and make an introduction.

• Peloton, LuluLemon, Weight Watchers
• Headspace For Work
• SalesForce, Aetna, Cigna

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