​Only half of the adults in the United States maintain healthy diets, according to a 2023 Statista Consumer Insights study. The self-reported study only asked if Americans are “actively trying to eat healthy,” meaning the figure could be far lower, according to the World Economic Forum. Developing and maintaining a diet can be challenging, complex, and time-consuming. If a person is not ready to completely overhaul their diet, they can stop eating a few especially harmful foods immediately.

Americans consume far too much salt and sugar. Individuals should scrutinize each product they buy that features these ingredients. Countless products, including white bread, snack foods, fast food, alcohol, and all processed foods, include these ingredients. Minimizing salt and sugar intake can radically improve a person’s diet and overall quality of life.

Processed foods present challenges to the human body. For example, processed meats like bacon and cold cuts have high calorie and salt rates, which researchers have linked to a greater risk of heart disease. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that processed meats have more of an impact on a person’s health than consuming unprocessed red meat or chicken.

Finally, Americans living with weight issues, including obesity, should eliminate deep-fried foods and baked sweets from their diets. These foods are high in calories, sugars, and saturated fats but have little nutritional content, meaning individuals will consume great quantities at each meal. Other foods hindering weight loss include sugary drinks and refined grains.

​Allowing walls to build up in relationships can hinder deeper connections. Countless factors, such as political affiliations, religion, ethnicity, and social status, can lead to differing opinions and stances. However, these differences should not be allowed to fester. For example, during the 2016 election cycle, one in six Americans broke off a close relationship, resulting in uneasy family gatherings and increased tension.

Jesus experienced divisions similar to those of today. Education, race, tribalism, and politics were deeply ingrained in society. Despite these influences, Jesus chose His 12 closest companions from adults exposed to such divisions. These companions, including Matthew the tax collector, Simon the Zealot, Andrew the religious outsider, and ill-tempered brothers James and John Zebedee, represented various ideologies. Yet, Jesus united them.

Differences among people will always exist. It is more rewarding to cultivate similarities than differences. To de-emphasize dividing factors, people should make Jesus the focus. Approaching strained relationships from the perspective of Jesus means choosing forgiveness over faultfinding and praying for those with different opinions.

Even non-Christians can find this path rewarding. While the words "I forgive" may be challenging, the power of forgiveness often becomes evident over time. Choosing forgiveness eventually brings change that can influence others.

​The contemporary work environment is characterized by a high and continuing rate of change, which places a lot of pressure on teams and inevitably leads to burnout. To overcome these challenges, teams must possess resilience, which is a characteristic that allows one to navigate hardships and come out better on the other side.

One strategy for building a resilient team is the use of "candor breaks" during team meetings. This involves providing a platform where the members of the team can express themselves and their emotions without being punished. During such breaks, leaders create a safe space for sharing opinions without consequences. Leaders can create psychological safety, which allows team members to tell the truth to each other and find solutions to problems together.

Another useful technique is called "story sharing." This is when the members of the team can share their personal and professional stories, achievements, and failures. This fosters openness and encourages togetherness in the team.

​Breaking relationship barriers through forgiveness is a powerful way to restore connections with others while also healing oneself. As individuals go through the complexity of relationships, conflicts and misunderstandings can arise, leading to hurt and negative attitudes toward others, which in turn create barriers in the family, church, and society at large. However, forgiveness offers a path forward - it helps release the burden of hatred and resentment. It also gives a chance to understand and grow in empathy.

When one decides to forgive, it allows healing and opens up the possibility of reconciliation. This process is not easy, as it involves the ability to be vulnerable, but the benefits are endless. Forgiveness allows people to let go of the control others have over their feelings and to stop the cycle of bitterness and anger. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop better, more realistic, healthy, and supportive relationships.

In a world currently marred by conflicts and divisions, forgiveness can be a powerful tool that brings people together. People should not only ask for forgiveness when they need it, but also forgive others when they have a chance. Forgiveness becomes a way of enriching the relationships and communities that individuals are part of and making the world a better place to live in, one connection at a time.

​Eating well is essential to maintaining good health and well-being. There are several simple strategies to help you achieve this goal.

Consider plating and pacing your meals. Eating from smaller plates can make your portions appear larger, helping you feel more satisfied and preventing overeating. Start your meals with greens to ensure you consume nutritious vegetables before other food groups. Keeping dressings and condiments on the side can help control calorie intake, and eating slowly can aid in weight management by giving your brain time to register fullness.

When grocery shopping, make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys, and steer clear of misleading diet foods that often contain hidden sugars. Cooking at home allows you to control ingredients and portion sizes better and promotes healthier eating habits. Trying new recipes can add variety and excitement to your diet and help keep you satisfied.

Prioritize whole foods and healthier cooking methods like baking or roasting instead of frying. Your protein intake can be increased with foods like lean meat, dairy, and beans, and whole fruits should be chosen over juices to reduce sugar consumption. Opt for whole-grain bread and snacks like popcorn instead of chips, and use heart-healthy oils such as olive or avocado oil. By incorporating these tips, you can enjoy a nutritious and balanced diet.

The executive director of Live Faith First, Elliot Sands co-founded Denver’s CirrusMD in 2012, establishing the company’s strategic vision for eliminating barriers between patients and physicians. He has served as chief operating officer at The SHP Foundation in Palo Alto, which involved complete oversight of the $14 million operation. Elliot Sands has had plenty of opportunity to navigate some of society's divides and find ways to build bridges.
 
1 in 6 Americans broke a close relationship during the 2016 election cycle, that means family gatherings may be a bit awkward these days.  Beyond awkward, maybe even combative or possibly people are opting out. 
 
2000 years ago, Jesus entered into a polarized world.  A racially and politically charged environment.  He then gathered 12 people close to him that would never have otherwise chosen to travel and live together.
 
Matthew the tax collector- was a traitor to his people who had aligned himself with the occupying Romans.  Simon the Zealot-had chosen to actively fight against the occupying Romans.  Matthew and Simon were as far apart politically and socially as you can get.  Andrew-was a religious outsider, who followed John the Baptist rather than the mainstream religious leaders.  Then you add in Joanna whose husband was the business manager for the Roman ruler, Mary who had a storied past and a few uneducated fishermen and you round out the most unlikely band of followers.  But these people who had every reason to be divided changed the world.  How did this happen?  They were focused on Jesus.
 
When you look at our families, our communities, our churches, our nation we can find plenty to divide.  We can choose to focus on what separates us, or we can choose to focus on what brings us together.  When Jesus becomes the focus, everything that divides doesn’t hold the same weight anymore.  Jesus is bigger than all of our opinions and other people’s opinions, he is bigger than the grudges we hold against other people too. 
 
How do we navigate those awkward family gatherings with Jesus as our primary identity?
 

1. Forgive them.  I have found that even in a simple prayer to God saying “I forgive that person” it has an amazing power to release emotions.  They may not deserve the forgiveness, but it’s not about the deserving.  We didn’t deserve or earn God’s forgiveness.
2. Pray for them.  After forgiving them, pray for them.  Pray for their good, pray for God to be with them… or maybe you can only say “I pray for…” You will find that just these two things will start to soften your heart and attitude.
3. Repeat daily.  Yeah, this probably isn’t a once and done deal. 

 
If you’re not a follower of Jesus, even saying the words “I forgive…” has an amazing power.  Sometimes these words come out as a whisper, sometimes it feels like our throat wants to hold back even the utterance of the words “I forgive” but it slowly starts to free us from the bonds that are holding us back.
 
If you do this, when you go to that family gathering, it won’t be perfect, that person will be doing their thing, but you’ll find that YOU are in a different place.  You might be irritated, but you might find yourself leaving the room rather than engaging.  You’ll find that something is different in YOU!

Elliot Sands is the Executive Director of Live Faith First.  Live Faith First produces the Groundswell video and podcast series.  The organization’s mission is to be a leading voice of change, addressing division and building unity within our churches and society.  Elliot is also a co-founder of CirrusMD, which gives patients on-demand access to Physicians in less than 60 seconds.
 
Elliot was having a conversation with an older couple and he wanted to see how they would respond to a question.  He asked them if they ever planned to move.  Elliot knew this couple was getting ready to move because somebody had driven by their house and seen a for sale sign out in front of their house.  But they hadn’t mentioned it to anybody, so he was checking to see how long it would take them to notify their family.  Their immediate response was “we’re not ever planning to move.”  He was shocked and amazed that they had just lied.  He was thinking-you’re all grown up, what does it matter if you move?  You can do whatever you want.  And yet they lied.
 
That day he realized, you don’t change by accident.  That couple had always lied, that wasn’t a new thing, it was a habit that formed and they never bothered to change it.  We don’t magically just change.  We don’t turn 25 and all of a sudden we’re not grumpy anymore.  We don’t turn 30 and go hey look, I stopped being angry. 
 
In our polarized world, we won’t magically become un-polarized.  Any place that you find division: ethnic, socio-economic, generational, political those divides will not disappear magically or accidentally
 
What can you do to purposefully break those divides? 
 

1.  Cross the divides.

 
Initiate a conversation with somebody across the divide- somebody younger or older than you, somebody with a different skin tone, somebody from a different political party, somebody from different socio-economics.  What divide do you want to cross?  When you open your eyes to the divide, an opportunity will come about for you to cross that divide.
 

1.  Learn

 
In that conversation be the learner.  Ask good questions, find out more, seek understanding.  No teaching allowed, just learn.
 

1.  Put Jesus at the center

 
When Jesus is your primary identity, then your other very important identifiers become a little less weighty-they’re secondary.  So if the person says something that you might normally take offense at, remember this isn’t about you it’s about Jesus-He’s at the center.  So those comments don't have to carry the weight they may normally.
 

1.  Repeat

 
Do it again.  Sit with that person again, or maybe look for another person.  Remember-this isn’t a magic one-time event, it’s a process of moving in the right direction.
 
Taking the first step toward change can be difficult, but the more you pursue change the easier it gets.  One day you’ll look back and it will just be natural.  Take the first step, be purposeful, and you’ll find in time YOU CHANGED!!!

​Executive management professional Elliot Sands serves as the executive director of Faith First, a start-up nonprofit organization that seeks to connect local churches in the fight against racial inequality. He also co-founded the Denver-based virtual primary care solution CirrusMD. Outside of work, Elliot Sands loves to collect vinyl records.

Vinyl records have been making a significant rebound in popularity since 2016, when the price of vinyl records reached its highest in 25 years. The market for vinyl records continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down.

Some vinyl records are more expensive and more sought-after than others. The third most expensive vinyl record ever sold is Elvis Presley’s My Happiness, his first recording. It was bought by Jack White, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, for $300,000 in an online auction in December 2015.

An unnamed buyer bought The Beattles’ White Album in December 2015 for $790,000. This record was the first copy of the White Album and was personally owned by Ringo Starr. It bears the serial number “0000001,” meaning it was the first in the sequence of printed copies.

The most expensive vinyl record ever sold was Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The vinyl record, the only physical copy of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin ever produced, was purchased for $2 million by Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli in an auction in 2015. Following Shkreli's conviction for securities fraud, all of his assets, including the record, were seized by federal agents. The record was later sold to crypto collective PleasrDAO for $4 million.

​Elliot Sands is the chief operating officer of the SHP Foundation of San Jose, California. In this capacity, Elliot Sands supports efforts to alleviate the city’s homelessness crisis by allowing churches to build residential facilities on unused property.

The foundation made a $20 million grant to the Cathedral of Faith church on Canoas Garden Avenue, which has petitioned the city council to convert part of its parking lot into affordable housing. The plan calls for two buildings with 237 apartments. About 78 of them would be reserved for seniors, with the remainder reserved for people who are homeless, adults who have disabilities, and young people leaving foster care. Substance abuse and mental health services would also be provided.

The proposal is part of Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY). The idea has caught on with other churches in the Bay area. A legislator has introduced the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act at the state level, which would remove zoning barriers to such projects. As of May 2023, the bill had passed out of committee.

​Elliot Sands, a San Jose, California resident, holds a master's degree in theology from Western Seminary and an MBA in business management from San Jose State University. He serves as the Executive Director of Faith First and is also a co-founder of CirrusMD in Denver. As an organizational leader, Elliot Sands works to foster a culture of teamwork through team building.

Team building exercises effectively promote collaboration, trust, and improved communication among members or employees of an organization, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. These exercises can help team leaders create a more positive workplace environment by addressing conflicts arising from personality differences, vague job descriptions, or unclear expectations.

To address personality differences, team leaders can implement various strategies, such as organizing games that allow team members to discover personal and work-related information about each other. Additionally, they can give personality tests to learn what motivates workers and how to work with them more effectively. Workshops like cooking activities can also allow team members to bond and build relationships.

During team building activities, leaders can identify and highlight team members' strengths and evaluate organizational processes that may create issues between colleagues. When conflicts arise, leaders can help employees identify the source of the problem and remind them that the objective is to find the best solution. These strategies help team members collaborate to move forward and stay focused on meeting short- and long-term goals.