Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Experience South America

EXPERIENCE SOUTH AMERICA 

Janice Zajchowski has been an Executive in the High Technology Industry for 10+ years. She started her career in the IT field but transitioned into an Executive Global Account Manager. Ms. Zajchowski's diverse educational background aided in her transition. She holds two Bachelor's Degrees and one Minor in Computer Science. In addition, an MBA in Enterprenurialship from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Her history has since 1999; she has had several leadership roles in the industry. Her most recent executive leadership role has been at Oracle. Oracle is an industry leader in the cloud from an infrastructure, application, and hardware perspective.  


Ms. Zajchowski's role was to manage a Fortune 5 conglomerate. Her specialty is providing Analytical solutions to her clients. Analytics aid her client's in driving their business forward to achieve positive ROIs.  


In addition, to her professional role, Janice Zajchowski has traveled to several destinations throughout the world. One of her most cherished destinations has been South America. 


She has visited both the mainland of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which border Puru and Columbia. The visit to South Amerian is one both of history and adventure.   


Ecuador is a developing country and a middle-income representative democratic republic. The country's income is based on commodities such a petroleum and agricultural products. The people of Ecuador are warm and friendly. However, to tour the most saute-after sights, a tour guild is recommended. Ecuador's experience ranges from the Equator's expertise, the volcano at Cototipaxi, local farmers markets, lodging at wild horse ranches, Amazon Jungle, to mule rides into Quilotoa Lagoon.  


Quiltotoa Lagoon is one to remember. Quilotoa Lagoon is a thrilling ride to get to the base. Quilotoa Lagoon was formed when a now-extinct volcano collapsed, and the resulting crater was filled with a startling emerald-green lake, the color resulting from volcanic minerals. Today there are two options to get to the base. One can hike to the bottom to decide to take a mule ride. Both are exciting and thrilling. For those weak of heights, the recommendation is to walk. The path leading to the base is on the track that is adjacent to the volcano. The course is approximately 4 feet wide, windy, and steep at times with significant drops. The mules are accustomed to multiple daily journeys along the path. Hiking the trail is physically challenging, with the need to share the track with the mules.  


On the way down, and once you reach the base, it is breathtaking. Bring a light lunch to enjoy. The guilds are friendly and eager to share the history of the volcano.


On your journey back to the top of the volcano, be sure to stop at the shop for trinkets and a well-deserved light meal.  


It is an experience of a lifetime that words can not explain. Please make it a point to visit as it one of the unique places in the world. You will not regret the experience. This is just one of the places to start as South America offers much more.

Monday, June 14, 2021

MEDITATION AND COVID - NOW?

 Meditation has helped millions of people during COVID 19.   Several families, professional lives, and individuals have benefited from both the mental and physical aspects of meditation.


Janice Zajchowski, an avid meditator, has helped her balance her work life as an Enterprise Account Executive.  Janice has been helping Fortune 10 Account overcome these challenging times.   There has been a dramatic shift in the business from Account Executives being on-site with their clients to going to a "Zoom" world.   The days are long and tiring, "Zooming" for hours on end with no real personal interaction.  


How do business individuals, fitness instructors, medical professionals deal with this daily?   The answer is MEDITATION. 


The best way to start and end your day is with meditation.   Even if you are a beginner, some apps can help you learn.  It also does not have to be something that takes hours.  As little as 5-10 minutes a day can project one in the correct direction and create a calming feel as one overcomes challenging times.


Please think of the individuals at the beginning of Covid 19 when the world did not know what we faced upon.  The brave front line works like - policeman, fire department, EMTs, grocery works, delivery people - the list goes on.  It was critical to keep our supply chain working, and they did.  Not know what the world faced.  


Not being a front-line worker or faced with the realities of being in the "field of helping people and distributing supplies."  Meditation and exercise was an excellent way to be grounded.


Meditation offers both physical and mental advantages.  


Mindfulness is a form of mediation.  It is physical exercise for the mine.  It is straightforward and as one only needs to follow one's breath and calm the mind.  It is ok for the mind to wonder.  Just focus on your breathing, and your focus will come back to a soothing environment.  As time goes on you mine strengthens the muscle, and it becomes easier and calmer.  One mustn't judge your thoughts or force your brain to leave a moment.  Think of t as a cloud; just let it pass and enjoy the moment. It will give, do not resist it.

A helpful skill in meditation is to ensure that an hour before and after you go to bed, you do not participate in "screen time".  One should not watch TV, be on the computer...etc.  If possible, do some stretching, low intensity of exercise, or something as simple as taking a walk to enjoy the air. 

In addition, to the mental gains of meditation is the physical aspects.  Meditation helps lower the heart rate, which decreases high blood pressure and stroke. 

In closing, with or without a pandemic, meditation is a therapy that has been in practice for years.  One does not know the earliest record of meditation practice, but it is believed to date back from approximately 1500 years BCE (Before Common Era).   Meditation comes from the earliest forms of Vedic, early Hindu, or India.  Thank you


Experience South America

EXPERIENCE SOUTH AMERICA   Janice Zajchowski has been an Executive in the High Technology Industry for 10+ years. She started her career in ...