January 1, 2014

Namaste

Namaste

Namaste“an ancient Sanskrit greeting still in everyday use in India and especially on the trail in the Nepal Himalaya. Translated roughly, it means “I bow to the God within you”, or “The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you” – a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness.”

If you’ve been reading our posts over the past year you’ll know that Jane and I both grew up in small towns. Jane’s hometown of Ilkley (envision the moors of Wuthering Heights)  had roughly 25,000 people and mine, Kenilworth (envision the entire town turning out for a Memorial Day ice cream social) had just 2,500. If you’ve ever lived in a small town you’ll know what I mean by “everyone counts.” It really didn’t matter if you were the neighborhood crossing guard (Hank) or the local milkman (Frank) or in my case the home of the neighborhood doctor. Everyone had an important role in shaping the character of our town and each person helped create a rich backdrop for our childhood.

 

So when I heard the word “Namaste” (roughly translated that “the light in me honors the light in you”)  at the end of my first meditation class it really resonated with me. I loved how my teacher sat quietly raised her hands in a prayer position to her forehead looked around the room and gently said “Namaste” as she bowed her head to each of us as we bowed to her. For I was raised in a time and a home that eye contact, a firm handshake and a polite greeting wasn’t just a courtesy but a way of life.

So, it is with that sentiment we’re writing this post for each and everyone one of you have made “all the difference” in our young business.

When we started 2013, Jane and I assembled a small focus group to talk about the zen of slow cooking. They all showed up one snowy winter morning to brainstorm ideas, review packaging concepts and test one of our first creations – chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Jane and I asked everyone in the group to write one intention for our business and I sealed them away for the rest of the year.

 

My own intention was to sell 1 product by the end of the 2013.

 

Highlights of 2013…

∞ We celebrated a year of weekly recipes and posts on our blog, including a visual recipe for adults with disabilities followed by our first slow cooking video.

∞ Debuted our organic spice blends at the Lake Forest Farmers’ Market midsummer and topped 650 sales by midwinter across seven blends.

∞ The mission to complete our business plan is almost accomplished… it remains a moveable feast!

∞ So, saving the best highlight until last: we worked and continue to work with interns, college students, peers and business mentors to help crystalize our marketing message. It’s a privilege to say the least.

Where do we go from here…

∞ Remain faithful to our weekly blog post and bring our organic spice blends and “on the journey” bracelets online for you to shop.

∞ Establish a “Drishti Donation” where each blend sold will have a charitable donation

∞ Work to create continue our commitment to helping individuals with developmental challenges

∞ In closing, thank you for the ways in which you have supported us through the year and “Namaste”

Warmly-

Meg and Jane

Zen Moment

“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.”
― Ellen Goodman

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Filed Under: Zen Inspirations