Natural, organic and holistic are buzzwords. What I'm trying to say is if a company slaps on any of those titles people buy.
I've noticed a lot of distributors, people who enroll for an MLM & sell or enroll others, claiming that their company is HOLISTIC. Hmmm... do they know what holistic means?
First of all, I've been a part of a nutritional MLM since 2002. I didn't sell my family or friends up the river, I bought it because I liked it & some of them, my Ohana, did too.
My purpose is to share why MLM's aren't holistic. I've been to many meetings, hosted a few, & listened to 3-way phone calls for every brand under the sun.
I've noticed a pattern, "I was destitute..., I sat where you are..., A friend told me..., I've lost __pounds... & I'm financially independent and you can be too, here's how ___ !"
However when unlicensed professionals start using their MLM brand to diagnose & prescribe their most expensive kit, you have to step back and see what's really going on. Especially when some claims that it's holistic. *Note: MLM companies are governed by rules and they do not teach distributors to prescribe products.
“HOLISTIC: The treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease.”
Disclaimer #1- This post is based off my 15+year experience in the MLM & holistic realm. It is possible that horrible Holistic Practitioners [HP] exist but I haven't met that person. *You can read about my background here. If you wanted my full history, well that dates back to my Kupuna [great-grandmother] who practiced la'au lapa au, Hawaiian healing arts.
Disclaimer #2 - I've met a lot of wonderful people through MLM networking groups. I connect with them through their professional attributes such as personal trainers, acupuncturist etc. Selling products is not their main focus, it allows them to offer simple solutions.
Five reasons MLM's can not be considered holistic.
HP's are motivated by experiences, a wrong that must be made right.
Distributors are based off a no experience necessary. The company did the research and they need only to follow the cycle-of-success. Which is, ASK EVERYONE.
Holistic practitioners don't want to eradicate the disease, they was to eradicate the lifestyle that caused the DIS-EASE.
If you purchase from a distributor, chances are that they have NO IDEA about the science or how it will interact with your system. You'll have to call customer service, someone you don't know.
Most MLM's have a script to simplify the sale. They're taught to listen to the pain points & offer the best kit.
An HP is ALWAYS responsible for educating their clients. In fact they're life-long learners too.
Mentorship or connecting to a group of other HP's is important. With technology new information presents itself daily.
The distributor who sold you the kit or product is accountable for their numbers, potential clients & new enrollees. Also, the company can close their doors at any time. Zero accountability.
In general HP's are socially empathetic to human suffering & want to offer an alternative. They're accountable to humanity.
Many of these practitioners live or hangout in the community they serve. They'll shop at the local farmers market, fish or hike along the same trails. In other words they're intentional.
In the world of homespun distributors it's all about network. Churches, social clubs are perfect for new recruits. Revisit #1
The holistic realm is woven into the fabric of connection. We are all connected & service is key.
HP's often give unto their last breath. They sense the urgency and will work at all hours to create a solution. Often leading into burnout. They're following the call to heal.
Distributors are answering the call to "Fire" their boss and travel the world without a care. Earn more passive income then they thought possible.
While holistic services can be lucrative, I've witnessed many working pro bono. The call to heal holistically has its challenges.
Why am I sharing this? Two reasons.
First, I came across a post that read, "Just because you sell Advocare, It Works, Xyngular, DoTerra & the like... it doesn't make you an expert Kelly!" I don't know who Kelly is but that was hilarious. I can't remember the details but the person who made the post had a good point. The truth is that these MLM nutritional companies forbid distributors from diagnosing, acting as an authority or prescribing products, but that didn't stop Kelly.
Secondly, My sister is a stage-4 cancer survivor. She was diagnosed December 18 or 19 and was given a clean bill of health April, four months later. A woman with the same diagnosis who went through the same treatment was buried a few months later. What made the difference was their very different lifestyles. Here's where it gets complicated... my sister's experience was so miraculous that people started to use her story to sell more products. However, her regiment was more complicated then a pill. Unfortunately my sister stopped telling her story. She was concerned at how people were using her example to make money, without being accountable to the process. They would ask, "How much of XYZ did you take & how long?" YIKES! What they were asking was illegal & wrong. [You can read her story here.]
MLM Con's - They control everything & can close their business without notifying you or your downline. Cashflow, your enrolled organization and compensation plan can be altered without your permission. Also, you're required to sign a contract and make monthly purchases for a certain dollar amount or point value.
MLM Pro's - Purchasing products at a discount, learning and earning is attractive. Each company differs but compensation plans usually include paid for vacations or vehicles. It makes shopping for nutritional products so much easier. It's usually online with video examples.
BOTTOM LINE
There are great products, companies & opportunities, however do your own research. Don't buy just because your friend loss 25-pounds. Weight-loss is highly overrated, take your time & read between the lines. Is it affordable without using a credit card?
Today the MLM we were previously with was purchased by another. We didn't follow protocol then or today, like I said earlier I fired my up-line. It's not about the sale, it's about the relationship. We're still using the products without pushing sales. If it happens then it happens. If not... life goes on.
FITNESS
I spent Mother's day doing one of my favorite things, riding my bicycle along the Puget Sound.
FIT-FOODIE
I created a new recipe. Unfortunately I don't measure anything, well I kinda do. I have various bowls and mason jars. It's typically two scoops and a bowl of this or that. I like to buy fresh and feel out the ingredients. Food inspires me.
CHICKPEAS WITH MANGO & COCONUT CURRY
Part 1
- Chickpeas - soaked the night before & boiled [main ingredient]
- Mung Beans - after an hour of boiling the chickpeas, I gradually added each ingredient.
- Wild Rice [this was just for color and texture]
- Chopped onions
- Chopped or minced garlic
- Organic curry seasoning
- A dash of Yakima smoked salt
- A sprinkle of crushed black pepper
- Organic chili powder [to taste]
- Coconut Cream [from Asian market]
- Mangos cut into cubes [turn off the heat before adding the mangos] - mangos or mangoes
Part 2 - The second dish is baked sweet potatoes & reds, drizzled in sesame oil and black sesame seeds.
Part 3 - The slaw is purple cabbage with a mixed glaze of coconut cream, agave & black pepper.
Part 4 - I rested the chickpeas with mango & coconut curry on a bed of alfalfa sprouts. Then topped it off with a lavender blossom for color.
CHANGE IS COMING
I'm sure you've noticed that our world is going through some major transitions. From the volcanos in Hawaii to unexplainable weather changes. I too feel the shift as I take a deeper look at what it means to walk in beauty.
I originally wrote, "Walk In Beauty" and started this blog at the same time. Yet after a year I began to realize that WIB needs it's own .com so guess what? In June I will be launching WalkInBeautyLifestyle.com.
I hope you're already a Mermaid as I share this journey with my newsletter group.