Red Bull Gives Me Wings
By: Peggy Willms
(3 min. read)
I have been in the health and wellness lane since 1989 (whoa). As a certified personal trainer and sports performance nutritionist, you might expect me, given the title of this blog, to focus on how unhealthy the Red Bull beverage is, WHICH IT IS, but that’s for another day. Today, I gather inspiration from its branding. The two red bulls in the logo represent work ethic, strength, confidence, stability, and stamina. The golden sun represents light, energy, influence, growth, power, health, and passion. I sit with the bull today. Let’s have a chat with the bull.
It is the energy, stamina, and action I respect most from the bull. He defends his values and character. He aggressively taunts and chases just as much as he patiently pauses and strategizes. He fearlessly battles, defending his values and integrity. He takes action. The bull TAKES action.
In creating my trademarked All Things Wellness Wheel (ATW WheelTM), values and integrity are among the 24 spokes I describe to balance health and wellness. The wheel has four quadrants: heart, spirit, mind, and body. Values and integrity sit in the heart quadrant. Makes sense, right?
Values are the backbone of our relationships with others and with ourselves. They are how we show up in this world. Integrity is the consistency between the values expressed verbally and the actions we display physically. To execute actions or to achieve goals, whether you want to sit on the board of directors, lose weight, or save money for a trip to Bali, sticking to commitments takes integrity. Sure, showing up for your boss or spouse is essential, but more importantly, how are you showing up for yourself? I scream this at you—ARE YOU UPHOLDING YOUR OWN TRUTHS, COMMITMENTS, AND VALUES?
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/where-are-all-of-the-nonprofits/ about my frustration with nonprofits. My co-author, Dennis Pitocco, and I have been gathering real stories from real people who either live on or have lived on the streets, those one-degree removed (family, friend, co-worker), or professionals or nonprofits working with this population. The book is called Unsheltered: Voices from the Street (learn more here: https://allthingswellness.com/unsheltered/
Sure, I expected to expand my knowledge in this area, and many statements will live rent-free in my mind for the rest of my life, such as one homeless gentleman said, “Don’t act like I don’t see you see me.” But ask me what truly stands out the most from working on this global project. Are you ready for the answer? The biggest shocker has often infuriated me, left me in tears, and weighed heavy on my heart
We have met with dozens and dozens of media personalities, nonprofits, homeless individuals, and families. And those with the highest integrity, values, and character are the actual unsheltered population itself. Not the organizations who show excitement when we describe our project. Nope. Not the media outlets dying to get their mic shoved in our faces. Nada. Zilch. Zippo. Zero. The people you think have the least integrity and values are those who possess the most integrity and values!
I am not discouraged. Remember, I ride unicorns. However, I have shape-shifted my expectations and do not hold myself responsible for how or if others tow their own line. I stopped wiping up the bullshit sliding out of the mouths of many.
I ask you this fine morning, what do character, integrity, and values mean to you? Do you keep your promises? If not, figure out why. Don’t just say you want to be a part of change and not take action. How you show up in the world is on you, but remember, our children are absorbing our every move and not always listening to our every word. They, too, want to see action!
Think of the Red Bull today and not for the jolt the damaging chemicals give you. Brand the imagery in your head. Let your Red Bull give you wings!
Grab another cup of coffee and glance through my friend Dennis Pitocco’s blog. He and I are obviously on the same wavelength this morning. https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/leadership-life-values-in-which-direction-does-your-compass-point/.
I long for the day when I am no longer shocked and surprised when someone’s character shows up!
Peggy Willms
All Things Wellness, LLC
peggy@allthingswellness.com
The information provided is the opinion of the author. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice: diagnosis or treatment. The author, the business, All Things Wellness, LLC, and its owner Peggy Willms, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this article or website. We assume no responsibility for tangible and intangible damages such as physical harm caused by using a product, loss of profits or loss of data, and defamatory comments. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
