Right Now is the Time to Hold Our Loved Ones Close
This week we’ve listened, read, shared and confided our experiences. We’re holding space to recognize the deep trauma, pain and suffering inflicted on our friends and colleagues, many of whom were victims at the hands of a few. The justified anger, rage, and reckoning of generations of trauma can leave us feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and at a loss of where to turn.
As we shed light on the hidden issues that have created an inequality in long-established power dynamics, we face another monumental time of difficult change and evolution in the culture of our industry. New boundaries are being drawn, and new ways of being with each other.
We have a long way to go.
Until then, where DO we go for solace, safety and space?
Right here, I think.
With those you can trust.
A solid and trusted community is critical right now to help all of us get through these times, so here’s another reminder to lean on this community.
If you need help with where to start, pictured above are more than 100 wine professionals who have shared their stories of navigating their own mental and physical health in the wine sector over the last two years. You can read their profiles here, or consider connecting with them directly. (That’s why we include the social media and/or website links for each one.) Drop a line to someone and check in on them. If you don’t know them when you reach out, you soon will. The mutual interest of wine and wellness are a perfect jumping off point.
You are not alone.
Most importantly, please keep your days ahead simple. Rest as you need. Keep up the self-care. Be kind whenever possible. (It is always possible.) Hold your loved ones close. Express gratitude for the small things. Listen without judgment. Be compassionate.
And finally, stay in love, especially toward yourself. Love really is all that matters and is the sacred resting place we can return to in these darkest of times.
In closing, I leave it to the words of trusted friend and Australian philosopher Dr Tra-ill Dowie:
“I have little wisdom to offer in this life but this skeleton of truth I know. It is who and how we love that counts in this life. Everything else is an addition or a subtraction, but all that really matters is that you love as fully as you can in this life. Cherish and be cherished, it is that simple. If you don’t your life will have been a waste. So my friends and loved ones I hope you love hard today and always and remember that spring is always coming.”
Namaste,
Beck
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
Nation's top women sommeliers demand revolutionary change after sexual misconduct claims rock wine world – Esther Mobley for San Francisco Chronicle.com
Napa-based Court of Master Sommeliers, the most prestigious sommelier professional group in the country, should rescind titles for accused men, some women members say
The untold story of Alpana Singh, one of America’s only women of color to become a master sommelier – Esther Mobley for San Francisco Chronicle.com
Why was one woman punished for minor infractions while male colleagues allegedly got away with worse?
Women In Wine: Sexism, Racism And Ageism – Cathrine Todd for Forbes.com
Cathrine Todd considers the many ways in which women are faced with hurdles for building a successful wine career beyond sheer talent.
Feeling Election Stress? Stop Hitting Refresh – Harvard Business Review.edu
Harvard psychologists offer tips to survive political stress and strain
How solitude and isolation can affect your social skills – Future by BBC.com
Humans are deeply social creatures, so what happens when we’re alone for a long time?
Leading Industry Women Share Insights—and Optimism – Seven Fifty Daily.com
Takeaways from Les Dames d’Escoffier New York’s Next Big Bite and the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium.
This Week's Reminder:
Keep these short meditations and inspirations bookmarked for when you need them.
Meditate Together - FREE online daily meditation - MindfulLeader.org
Free Online Group Meditation, on the hour, 24 hours/day, 5 days/week. Supported by 100+ volunteers worldwide.
Meet the Community!
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our community and profession so dynamic.
Cynthia Lohr, Co-owner, Chief Brand Officer, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines (San Francisco, USA)
Years in the industry:
21+ years actively engaged in the wine industry, initially with J. Lohr as tasting room host and lab assistant immediately after college, before returning twelve years later with significant outside experience under my belt. I’m a verified boomerang! I sought to release myself from my self-imposed limitations associated with nepotism, and in doing so, found what I was made of. I dabbled in primary school and secondary school education, college counseling and insurance claims adjusting before I found my foothold in PR and marketing for the arts and non-profits.
Fortified with a nascent ability to influence, I immersed myself in technology in Silicon Valley first as a business development director and later as a strategic account lead representing clients including Yahoo!, Alexa Internet (acquired by Amazon.com in 1999), and other heady start-ups. I loved delving into business plans, aligning marketing initiatives with brand-building goals and charting all metrics back to bottom-line impact. I returned to J. Lohr in 2002 after a VP stint at global tech PR agency AlexanderOgilvy PR. I’ve enjoyed an unusual career path and wouldn’t change it for the world.
My Biggest Challenge to Wellness:
Giving myself permission to create time devoted to holistic wellness. A lust for life means I want to do it all, and at times, I have, raising a family, serving my communities through board and volunteer service, enjoying an active social and creative life. But like Regine Rousseau, I am a perfectionist and I say yes to nearly everything, so I constantly enjoy a full plate, and my work ethic is intense.
In my roles and responsibilities as a steward of our family business there are many exciting facets, so I focus on where I add the most value and impact. With the pandemic, I’ve cut down my usual 15 hours per week commuting across the nation and along California’s Central Coast where our wineries and vineyards are located. In doing so, I have been able to channel my energy into some major projects without distraction, which has been fulfilling and necessary.
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
I’m blessed to live in a national park as a result of my early days with Alexa Internet, so the chance to step outside and walk, run, skip, bike, hike or cavort with neighbors is footsteps away on most days. I love mindful walks to clear my head and drink in nature’s healing. I am also blessed to have the love of family and loyal friends who keep me sane and inspired.
I have several practices that nurture mind, body and spirit. I’m a lover of music and have sung and performed in 23 different languages. Several years ago, I needed to ‘mix it up,’ so joined a rock band through a local music school. Stepping outside my comfort zone to be lead vocalist in a five-person band whose genres include rock, punk, country, pop and soul has been incredibly rewarding and grounding. These bandmates are now dear friends, and remind me who I am at my core: playful, expressive, creative, and fun-loving.
I have found that yes, I can be a seasoned business strategist and bohemian; the two are not mutually exclusive! I do give myself the gift of one night per week when I am off-the-clock for just about everybody, including my husband, typically on Friday nights. I drink red wine in bed, eat pizza, watch Dateline, and then catch up on papers the next morning. My husband laughs at me, but it works: I am a happy, productive person as a result of this indulgence.
You can connect with Cynthia on Instagram @cynthialohr @JLohrWines Facebook @CynthiaLohr @JLohrWines and Twitter @CynthiaLohr @JLohrWines
Let's Get Connected!
Sharing Events from our Global ABG Community.
Monday November 16, 1pm PST | 4pm EST
Parenting During A Pandemic : An ABG Webinar
The COVID-19 pandemic is an impossibly difficult time and yet we need to make parenting possible, along with so much else. Join us for a conversation hosted by A Balanced Glass, featuring members of our US community with stories to share from the parenting front lines.
Thursday December 3rd, 10am - 2pm PST | 1pm - 5pm EST
Be The Change Virtual Job Fair
Be The Change is the first wine industry virtual job fair focused on Diversity and Inclusion. Brazen’s cutting edge virtual platform extends the opportunity for job-seekers to connect and engage in real-time with employers looking to recruit and hire diverse talent.
Have an event that our ABG community would love? Email to events@abalancedglass.comfor consideration.
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