Giving you something doesn't mean I'm left with less.
“The miracle is this, the more we share, the more we have.”
— Leonard Nimoy
Are there some things easier for you to share than others? I love this picture because it's an inspiration to me. Anyone who knows me well knows that the sharing of food is, well, let's just say it's not a shining quality of mine. It's all connected, unfortunately, to a school cafeteria memory where some mean kids would steal my snacks. The result? A 52-year old woman who hates buffets and almost growls at anyone who wants a "bite" of my food.
But just as sharing comes so naturally to children, it can be re-learned as adults, no matter our experience. It's a choice, and for that, I'm grateful. I'm thankful for all those who have shared with me along the way. They've taken a part of what they had and let me enjoy it too. So in a sense, anything I have was first shared with me anyway.
I read something this week that was both a reminder and a challenge, "Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices." -- Hebrews 13:16 CSB
I find it easy to share things I consume on social media and gain value from...I just press the "Share" button and it's done. Other, more meaningful things, take more intention and effort and yes, feel more like a sacrifice.
Whether it's a fundraiser I'm approached about to participate in or something as small as choosing to bring a really great bottle of wine instead of one I don't enjoy as much, I know I can choose better. When we know better, we do better.
My childlike pursuit: To share like giving you something doesn't mean I'm left with less.
SERENDIPITOUS NEWS
HIGH DESERT RENDEZVOUS
We have been invited to participate in the High Desert Museum's annual fundraiser, High Desert Rendezvous. More details to come!
THE GATHERING
We have been invited to participate in The Gathering benefit for Saving Grace Maternity Home where their goal is to raise $100,000 to make significant progress in paying off the home's mortgage balance of $245,000. More details to come!
TWO CLAPS!
Introducing a space created for appreciating those who go above and beyond.
This edition of Two Claps goes out to Dr. Nate of Eye Impressions in Sherwood. After only meeting one time, do you know what he did? He did a shout-out feature for Serendipity Wine Tours in his post about supporting local businesses. You didn't have to do that but you did.
Thank you for your support, Dr. Nate! TWO CLAPS!
SWT GIFT CERTIFICATES!
If you're looking for a great gift idea, look no further! Serendipity Wine Tour Gift Certificates now available! Can be purchased in $100 increments or "The Works" for $600.
VISION BOARD
Founding the Wine Tourism Collective is still front and center in my mind. Justina and I have had our "Part 1" meeting and we are scheduling our follow-up meeting within the next couple of weeks. She is a wonderful resource and has been working hard to support the current ITC (Industry Tasting Collective). I am also listing this on the Project Plan with my career coach to set up milestones in the creation of this work. Sometimes you have to take the first step for the next to become clear. Excited for the journey!
Serendipity's very first Wine Guide Reception is also in the works. This will be for those who have shown interest in driving for us as we grow. Creating culture, training and communication are very important to me. I want those who work with us to feel like family.
I am working with Hannah to plan our first Serendipity Business Retreat. We think it will provide a forum for reflection, forward-thinking and communication.
CURIOSITY CORNER
Okay this one may be a little selfish but you still may enjoy it. We have had a little visitor that has captured our attention (and hearts) for the last three weeks. Meet "Dr. Who" or "Cindy Lu Who." :) Did you know that juvenile owls sometimes stay on the ground for a couple of weeks?
We sure didn't know that and at first thought we needed to step in. In speaking with a wildlife rehabilitation expert though, we've been able to sit back and enjoy the show. Owls are apparently very good parents. They instinctively have the balance of distance, communication, provision and protection. I could learn a lot about parenting from mama owl.
SERENDIPITY SPOTLIGHT:
JANIE HEUCK
I must say, Janie Heuck of Brooks Winery has been an inspiration to me for quite some time. As a member of Brooks, I learned a bit of her story and benefited from her passion for education with events. I think I paid even closer attention though when her weekly emails during the first few months of the pandemic showed up in my inbox like little beacons of hope. Janie was real, collaborative, supportive, present and still leading, even in such an uncertain and unprecedented time. When we were finally able to pull the trigger on starting Serendipity, Janie was my dream business mentor. She has shared with me generously her insights, guidance, resources and support so when I knew the subject of this week's E-Newsletter, Janie seemed to be the perfect guest.
One value I see displayed in Janie is sharing. I asked her about how this value came to be. “I think I have always shared. If I can help someone and make a difference, it doesn’t take anything from me to share and they need it.” There it is. That abundance mindset and compassionate core that seems to be a common foundation for the value of sharing. Brooks Winery lives out the value of sharing through their B Corporation, 1% for the Planet and Demeter certifications. She can’t wait to switch from saying they’re the only winery to do this, to saying they’re the FIRST. Jimi farmed Demeter. They did that for both transparency and networking. People that go that extra step to get certified are likeminded, most of them are non-profits and aren’t in it for the ego or the money. If you want to find people who are aligned with your values, it helps to become certified and then network with those companies who are as well. She chose to become B Corp certified for the accountability and leadership aspect. It forced her to put a lot of things in place for employees and suppliers, also requires that she pays attention. She feels it made her a better employer. What is your favorite memory about sharing that you have seen in the wine industry? If not her favorite memory, the most interesting would be the 2011 vintage. Wines must get through fermentation to go to bottle. 2011 was a late and cool vintage and that made it to where chemistry-wise they couldn’t get the wines to where they could bottle. The industry came together to problem solve and explored it. They divided into groups to share all that knowledge so that they as an industry could rise above this shared challenge. They basically shared to find answers. What is one problem you would love to be a part of the solution? "Climate change. I am super inspired by Kiss the Ground and the work they’re doing. They are trying to change the Farm Bill to incentivize for appropriate farming." Wine America realized that they had access to all the farmers (vineyards are considered specialty crops like blueberries and apples) and if they can educate all of them, maybe they’ll teach their wineries as well. The Beverage Coalition is also a large association with connections to farmers who grow hops, wheat, barley and grapes. They know all those farms. If they can get the message out and teach these regenerative principles, there is hope to make a difference on a global scale. For more information on Kiss the Ground, their work and their courses, click here! What is one of the most rewarding things about what you do? Meeting people. It’s my favorite. I have loved meeting them and tailoring their experience here to fulfill them. What is one passion, outside of wine, that people may not know about you? My kiddos. Watching their journeys and seeing they’re different…and accepting that. I also love exercising and eating well. Oh, and I like to puzzle. What is one thing you love about the wine industry as it is and what is one thing you would love to see improve? I love that it’s full of people and passion and not money and ego, by and large. One thing I would like to see improve is connectivity. We have just gotten big here and have lost a little bit of that, like events and the ability to get back to each other. It’s harder to keep relationships close in a lot of ways. I miss the “smallness” and what that brought.
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