Wednesday, July 09, 2025
STORY - MY FATHER AND THE CAPTAIN - A LESSON IN KINDNESS
My father would often take me fishing... primarily in Pensacola Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico... and a few bayous in and around the area. I enjoyed being with him doing "guy" things but, somehow, the fishing gene died in me. Apparently, it may have been transmitted through my sister to her grandsons.
But, what I didn't learn about fishing, I sometimes learned about life.
One morning, fishing off the Pensacola Bay bridge, a derelict old skeleton of a man, with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth, shambled up and politely addressed Daddy, asking in the time-honored fashion of fishermen around the world, if he was catching anything.My father replied politely and for a few minutes they chatted about fishing, where to fish, what was biting, what bait to use, to fish the bottom or not, etc.
After a while the ragged old man politely took his leave and wandered off down the bridge to have more conversations on fishing with other strangers.
I had noticed during the entire conversation, my dad, a normally taciturn man, had been open, cheerful, and polite... even going so far as to consistently address the decrepit old soul as "Captain", and speak to him with deference and respect.
The following conversation is as I remember it, probably not word for word...
Surprised at such familiarity in my father, especially with such a ragged, snaggle-toothed fellow, I asked,
"Daddy? Do you know him?"
"Nope. Never saw him before in my life."
"Then how did you know he was a Captain?"
"Did you see the hat he was wearing?"
"Yes."
"That's a captain's hat."
"So he's a captain of a ship?"
"Oh, I don't know that he's the captain of anything, but, he wears the hat. He apparently likes to think of himself as one, and it doesn't hurt me to call him 'Captain' and make him feel good. An old man like that doesn't have a lot, and it probably means a lot to him when somebody treats him with the respect he would like to have."
I don't remember what fish we caught that morning, but, I did get a free lesson from my dad. Respect people. A lot of time that's all they want... sometimes, that's all they might have.
Labels: donovan baldwin, fishing, kindness, life lesson
Tuesday, July 08, 2025
ESSAY - IN THE AGONY OF MY ECSTASY
I have been both the boss and the worker bee.
I have scratched to get by, eking out pennies, ecstatic when I found a roll of dimes in the parking lot of a grocery store, because it meant I could buy my family food, and, at other times, I have made so much that I didn't worry about how much there was in the bank today because there was going to be more tomorrow.
A few lessons I have learned?
You never know what tomorrow will bring. Be ready to be anything you have to be... to do what you have to do. Never take good fortune, or misfortune for granted.
All YOU can do is keep striving, trying... the fates will do what they are going to do.
That's what the practical education taught me.
The classical?
For one thing, that most other humans have been through part or all of what I have, and not to assume that I am alone in my agony or my ecstasy..
Also, however, and important to me, I have learned that humans can create beauty even while striving and in conflict and afraid and worried and without hope... and THAT beauty helps others bear the burdens that come with being human.
Labels: donovan baldwin, education, fate, Irving Stone, The Agony And The Ecstasy
Thursday, July 03, 2025
ABOUT SHAKLEE PRODUCTS AND BUSINESS MODEL
Here's a breakdown of Shaklee's products and other key aspects:
Product Categories:
Shaklee offers a broad range of products, typically categorized as:
Nutrition: This is a core focus and includes:
Multivitamins and Minerals: Products like Vita-Lea (available in various formulations for men, women, and different age groups) are prominent, designed to fill nutrient gaps and support overall health, including brain, heart, bone, and immune health. They emphasize high potency and absorption.
Targeted Supplements: This category covers a wide array of specific needs, such as:
Omega-3s (OmegaGuard): For heart health and other benefits.
Probiotics (Optiflora DI): For digestive and immune support.
Joint Health: Supplements for joint comfort.
Energy and Performance: Products like B-Complex, energy chews, and protein shakes for muscle support and energy.
Bone Health: Calcium and magnesium supplements like OsteoMatrix.
Antioxidants (Vivix, Vita-E Complex): To combat oxidative stress.
Specialty formulas: For concerns like stress relief, mood support, and menopause balance.
Weight Management: Shaklee offers various products to support weight management goals, including meal replacement shakes (Life Shake), snack bars, and metabolic boost supplements. They also have programs like the "Five Day Reset" and "Healthy Cleanse."
Beauty (Youth Skincare): This line includes anti-aging skincare products like cleansers, serums, and masks, often emphasizing "clean" ingredients.
Household Cleaning (Get Clean): Shaklee is known for its environmentally friendly cleaning products, notably Basic-H2, an all-purpose concentrate, and other biodegradable cleaners.
Key Features and Claims:
Science-Backed: Shaklee emphasizes its scientific research, including internal clinical studies and a "Landmark Study" that compared long-term Shaklee supplement users to non-users, reporting better health biomarkers and outcomes.
Quality and Purity: They state that their products undergo rigorous testing (e.g., 350 quality tests per Vita-Lea production), are free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and prioritize purity and potency.
Sustainability and Environmental Commitment: Shaklee strongly highlights its environmental record. They claim to be the first company in the world to obtain climate neutral certification, totally offsetting their CO2 emissions to achieve a net-zero impact on the environment. They've been involved in various environmental initiatives, including tree planting, supporting renewable energy projects, and providing eco-friendly cleaning products for research vessels.
Money-Back Guarantee: Shaklee typically offers a 100% money-back guarantee on its products, even if they are used up.
Business Model (MLM):
Shaklee operates as a multi-level marketing company. This means:
Independent Distributors (Ambassadors): Products are sold by individuals who earn commissions on their own sales and potentially on the sales of people they recruit into their "downline" network.
Compensation Plan: Ambassadors can earn through direct sales commissions, various bonuses (e.g., Gold Bonuses, Power Bonuses, Personal Group Bonuses), and incentives like travel and gifts.
Recruitment: A key aspect of the MLM model is the recruitment of new members, who then become part of the distributor's team, contributing to their overall volume and potential earnings.
Income Potential: While there's potential for significant earnings, actual income for distributors can vary widely. According to Shaklee, in 2022, ambassadors earned an average of $750. The company also notes that approximately 73% of the "Shaklee family" are members and customers, while 27% are dedicated business owners.
Considerations for Consumers:
Pricing: MLM products can sometimes be priced higher than similar products sold through traditional retail channels due to the compensation structure.
Distribution Model: Purchases are typically made directly through a Shaklee Ambassador or their website, rather than in traditional retail stores.
Individual Results: As with any supplement, individual results can vary, and it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Overall, Shaklee presents itself as a company with a strong commitment to scientific research, product quality, and environmental stewardship, operating through a direct-selling model.
Labels: Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, health products, MLM, multilevel marketing, multivitamins, Shaklee, supplements, weight management
