On day two, our winners headed off for a tour of the oldest wind farm in the U.S. The trip was both entertaining and educational. Check it out!

Qualifiers of Viridian’s recent Work Hard, Play Hard Palm Springs incentive are making the most of their time in the desert. We captured the spirit of the attendees on day one as everyone relaxed a bit after checking into the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Villas & Spa

I am a firm believer of living each “adult” day by the kindergarten rules of conduct, and to always keep my inner three-year-old asking the incessant “Why?” when considering my actions and lifestyle choices. The following might help to illustrate what I mean:

I was revitalizing a flowerbed in front of our house. I began the effort really excited, as most people do before a service project of any sort. But it was only exciting until the spade hit the dirt and the sun hit the skin.

Our flowerbed was overgrown from previous tenants and we had been “too busy” to put any energy to it, which I had convinced myself was completely justifiable. This then raised a question: How many seemingly insignificant things do I neglect daily without thought, and then justify my apathy with excuses?

After the novelty of picking out my assorted colors and species of flowers at the garden center had faded, I was left with just my sweaty, tired self covered in dirt, and a whole lot of unplanted flowers that were seemingly staring at me in judgment. This led to another question: How many of us get excited by the coming beautiful end result of the neatly planted flowers, only to lose that excitement and torture ourselves with perceived judgment when it’s time to do the digging and clearing? How many of us have felt the slow dissipation of anticipation leave our goals, once we realize there is much to plant and weed before the smallest bloom peaks out in victory? How many times in my life have I let that outside negativity in and cripple me in my journey?

The simple challenge of these questions brings forth parallels to various aspects of my daily actions. My flowerbed (unbeknownst to the neighbors) is my Viridian business—with frightening accuracy.

My “flowers” (business) will bloom. My “weeds” (negativity and naysayers) will stay at bay. And my appreciation, gratitude and love of the journey itself will outshine any doubt, fear or hesitation that the world throws at me.

My digging, sweating and swearing all faded to laughing at myself, and cleaning out under my nails with pride. This flowerbed has allowed me to lose attachment to the end result.

Similarly, this process and journey with Viridian is simple, but not easy. We unearth talents we wouldn’t have known we had if we didnt push that first scoop of dirt out, or pull that first weed. Just like our own gardens, flowerbeds, service projects and businesses, the adventure to changing your life and the world begins in your very own little corner of the universe. The simple fact is, we are the gardeners of our own lives and cultivate our own journey.

As always I send my team and supporters my gratitude and sincerest thanks for always helping me to keep digging.

I am Stephanie Martin, and I am Generation V!