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Vision

Vision is the ability to close your eyes and imagine a future that does not yet exist. Why is vision important? How can it impact your life? Nelson Mandela said, “Action without vision is passing time away, vision without action is day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.” What are you doing? Where are you going? Why? Vision is often the first step in setting goals and plans for a successful future. If you could go anywhere, do anything, be anything, have anything, what would you want? A powerful vision takes purpose, reason, intention, and planning. What do you want your finances to be next year? In 3 years? In 10 years? What do you want your

SAFETY

Many elements are considered nutrients and are essential for the proper functioning of the body. They are divided into macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium) and trace minerals (boron, molybdenum, selenium, iodine). Conversely, there are a number of elements that are toxic to the human body and can interfere with its functioning and undermine health — these include mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic. These toxic metals have no known physiological functions. They can be toxic to organ systems and may disrupt the balance of essential nutrients. Essential elements play an important role in our overall health and well-being. These help mediate a number of biochemical processes such as metabolism and

Humility

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, humility is freedom from pride or arrogance, or the quality or state of being humble. I believe humility is the ability to be thankful and to understand that life is more than what we think. It takes more than me to make more than me. In order for a person to progress, he or she must be exposed to different people and experience different environments. Humility is a mentality. It is essential to becoming a better person. Humility takes understanding and recognition. When realized, humility is the key to peace. Be humble — get help; be hostile — get hurt. Humility is love, and without

Honesty + Leadership

Leadership is influence, and we each influence those around us. What type of influence would you like to create? Having a vision or purpose for life empowers actions to be executed with intent and a desired result. Leadership in action is the best way to create influence. There are two ways to influence — by reason or by force. Living with reason is fundamental to safety, education, and progress; actions without reason, morality, or understanding are dangerous. One of the most unique characteristics we have as human beings is the ability to choose. Who is in control of your choices? Who is responsible for your emotions, intentions, and reactions? Do

Aiken’s Character Initiative Enthusiasm

The Aiken Characteristic of the month for March is Enthusiasm. Google defines enthusiasm as an intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval. It is a feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and a desire to be involved in it. It means having an active and motivated attitude instead of a passive one. Who chooses your attitude? Being enthusiastic is a choice, and your enthusiasm can motivate others to achieve their goals and objectives. I think enthusiasm is good for health and can add to the quality of life. Being enthusiastic about yourself, even about your negative experiences, obstacles, struggles, and encounters, can change the vibration and

Aiken’s Character Initiative | Tolerance

The Aiken Characteristic of the Month for February is tolerance. What is tolerance? Why is important? Why would a person want to exhibit tolerance in his or her actions? Tolerance is the ability or willingness to accept opinions or behaviors that are different from your own and that you may not necessarily like or agree. Why is it important? There is no one person who is 100% exactly like anyone else. We all live our lives through our own eyes, and no one else has witnessed life through our eyes. We all have different perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, habits, and experiences. We are all connected, and we can relate and share

Discipline + Purpose

Discipline — what a great characteristic to start off the year 2020. Discipline is having the desire and will to execute actions with vision and purpose over all other options, and it’s having the self control to overcome temptation. Discipline is self mastery, and it takes heart, effort, and will to complete. It’s matching your actions to your beliefs. Discipline makes the difference between greatness and mediocrity. Discipline is related to greatness, and lives between doing the right thing over doing what you want to do and doing what you don’t want to do because it’s the right thing. I do not know any living person on earth today who

Generosity + Impact

The Aiken Characteristic for the month of December is generosity. Generosity is the quality of giving more than what is strictly necessary or expected. Why is being generous important? To whom much is given, much is required. When we are blessed, it is our duty to bless others. Generosity is the opposite of selfishness. Generosity is love in action. It is kind. It is forgiving. It holds no record of wrong. It is nonjudgmental and delights in honesty. Universal law says what you put out is what you get back; at the same time, generosity is giving with no expectation of return. Generosity in Action When I tried to think

Gratefulness + Happiness

Happiness is not getting everything you want; rather it’s being grateful for what you have. The Aiken characteristic for the month of November is gratefulness. As Thanksgiving approaches, there is heightened attention to thankfulness and expressing the things we are grateful for. Gratefulness is the key to happiness, and humility is the key to peace. Gratefulness is self-less. It’s related to love and peace, and achieving it takes awareness and understanding. There is someone I wanted to recognize this month for gratefulness as I have witnessed her exhibiting gratefulness on numerous occasions through the authentic show of thankfulness, happiness, and appreciation in all she does. A humble smile and peaceful

Initiative + Influence

Leadership is influence, and we all influence the environment with our presence. Every living person has leadership and influence ability. Good leadership creates a progressive environment, and the most valuable gift a leader can give is to be a good example. Leadership in action is the best way to create influence, and the art of asking questions is a great approach to achieving self-reflection. Each month, Aiken Bella Magazine will publish “Influence Information”, a leadership column that will connect to the Aiken Character Trait of the month. Leadership information, questions, and recognition for individuals and organizations that exhibit leadership are examples of the featured characteristics to be shared each

Byron Bush

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