Gary Winchester

United States Marine Corps Veteran (2000-2004)

[garywinchester]

I just finished shaving 🪒 my head. Why? No reason. Just because. Will I do it again? Probably not. Haven’t done this for almost 20 years. Back when I was in the Marine Corps I shaved my head because I had a bad haircut and tried to hide it. Just kidding. I did shave my head, for other reasons. Ended up getting a sunburn. Hurt!! Bad!! Well egg head out! (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdCmMiRuDaD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[garywinchester]

From kids to alone in a matter of minutes. I sometimes sit here wondering 💭…how the hell did I get here? It’s not like I don’t actually know. When I think about it though, all I come up with is, how the hell did you let this happen? All I can wonder 💭 latelyis if I’m just wanting someone to love me out of sympathy and be like, poor baby you been through a lot. What the hell dude!? I look back seeing how I preyed on the sympathy of others and manipulated situations to slide by or “get away” with shit. My dad could even tell you stories of how I would talk my way out of punishment growing up. I’m lucky I was cute back then cause it doesn’t work like that for me now 🤣 Life has an interesting way of catch hung up to you. Karma is a revengeful and relentless beast. I’m all over the place. I blame the Borderline Personality Disorder. I can Eyore at any minute! (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcwY6ZVpuxX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[garywinchester]

My favorite thing about my job is that I get to work with some very incredible people in the medical world. They are encouraging and inspiring. They fuel my desire to help others every time I see them help a patient, visitor or other staff members. The nurses I see every shift are the greatest. It’s because of them I got this shirt and I finally got to wear it. Just wanted to say thank you to all nurses and medical workers for taking care of others. (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYk8U6jrwY7/?utm_medium=tumblr

[garywinchester]

View this post on Instagram

Sometimes the feelings are best expressed through music when you don’t have the words... @nfrealmusic #nfrealmusic #runaway #loved #lessonslearned #trying (at Sacramento, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKpW_SkpcGj/?igshid=1g0gxvanrpsct

[garywinchester]

Be A Freaking UNICORN!

REAL life podcast Season 3 Episode 3 Be A Freaking UNICORN!

Welcome to real life podcast. This podcast is about breaking through barriers that hold you back because real life is messy unedited unfiltered, and that's okay, we discuss topics from health and wellness to parenting to business or anything in between. So, let's get into the episode.

Hey, what's up podcast listeners? Thank you for joining me in this episode, titled I am a freaking unicorn. Oh. Pettit that first part out start over hey what's going on podcast listeners thank you so much for joining me in this episode be a freaking unicorn. My name is Gary Winchester I'm an essential oil guy stay at home dad and entrepreneur. This episode is titled be a freaking unicorn because I did a Instagram TV video. And I may have honestly titled that video I I am a freaking unicorn or your boys a freaking unicorn something stupid like that. I started being clever, get people to watch it.

Maybe a little too clever for my own good. Or maybe I wasn't clever and I thought I was But anyways, if you watch the video I give it a little details about what it means to be record the whole to kind of sum it up. Basically in this three years of being a stay at home dad I've discovered I don't really fit in with stay at home moms, I'm not really fitting fitting in with stay at home dads. I'm not really fitting in and can be honest, I don't really put much of my life fitting into anything. Even when I was in the military, and it really fit into that.

What you would typically think Marine would be or look like, I didn't really fit into that. I was different. So even in this sense, I'm different. I'm different from stay at home mom, because I'm a dad. I'm a dude, I'm a guy. I'm a man.

I'm different from stay at home dads because I don't fit that preconceived. You mold or the idea of what some people think is stay at home dad is most of the time it's because I tend to be a helicopter dad. That's just me.

I'm different but I shared the details in the video. Really the whole point behind it is I had to I was really thinking about why do I struggle so much with fitting in with stay at home mom and stay on dad's stay at home parents. Why don't I fit in right? And the thought immediately following that is I bet the first unicorn was ugly to the horses. I mean, think about it. First unicorn was the first of its kind that unique. It has a horn. It's completely different from the other horses because of the horn. And it probably poop rainbow I don't know.

Sorry Scotty party commercial stuck in the head. Anyways, so like the whole point of sharing this is, I discovered I'm unique and I'm different. And that does it when let's be honest, when somebody is unique or something's unique and different, we don't accept it right away. Now there are early adopters who have come from a place of more understanding, I think, than other people. And so they may take to that new and unique thing, or that different and unique thing faster than somebody else. So yeah, there are some people that are accepting of who I am the way I am. But the majority is not I don't really fit in with the majority. But I'm sharing this because I wanted to encourage you to be unique and different. There is something about you that is unique and different. And I really want to encourage you to be who you are. meant to be like, Don't feel like you have to be somebody different because you want to fit in. And I did that I became a chameleon most of my life so that I could try to fit in. And then I just discovered I won't matter how much I try to be a chameleon. I'm not I still stick out. And it really sucked because it was hurtful. And I completely changed who I was so that I can fit in with other people and make other people comfortable. And I quickly discovered that sucks because I'm not being true to who I am and being myself and I'm tired of changing for other people. So what comes with being unique and different is you're going to have some adversity and the adversity comes in, and comments or comments and whispers from others, which can come in the form of judgment can be harsh and hurtful. And so Sometimes it's not harsh and hurtful. It's just you assume they're saying something harsh and hurtful. Sometimes they're not saying anything about you, but you are so used to it that maybe you think they are or because you're judging yourself so much that you think they are saying something hurtful and harmful, because they may appear that they're talking about you. And in reality is they're not. And also, I'm sharing this because along this journey of being unique and different, I need encouragement. And I get encouragement from from people about different things. And a really good example is, when I did my podcast before I really felt discouraged and doing it because I didn't see the results I wanted or see the results that were expected. The results that I told other people that never get and it just was really Like made me feel bad and made me feel like maybe I am not cut out to do this. And so I gave up. So I stopped doing it for over a year I stopped doing the podcast for over a year I stopped recording episode that stopped really sharing a lot of content for a year. And now I'm deciding I'm going to share the content that's on my heart. Share the thoughts I have and and honestly, I've always come from a place of sharing to be helpful. And so I just want to encourage you to share to be yourself, whether you share content online or you share with other people or you're trying to fit into a group. Be yourself regardless of your fear, like move in the fear. I talked a little bit about that in my first episode, new name and I'll be honest I may not agree with the content you share or what you say, I may not fully agree with your approach or your thoughts, but I will absolutely encourage you to be yourself regardless of what other people think, regardless of the fear of judgment, regardless of judging yourself, allow yourself to be you. And, you know, people say don't judge yourself, it's a lot easier done or it's a lot easier said than done. So, let me just encourage you, it's okay if you judge yourself, but just don't let that judgment keep you still like frozen and move in the judgment. And I if you need encouragement, let me know. I will absolutely encourage you, even if I don't agree with you. I will encourage you to be you

I may share my thoughts and opinions back with you. But that doesn't mean that I don't want you to be you. And I hope that what you get from all the content I share is encouragement and freedom. I want people to experience freedom. And I'm in process of that myself. And part of this is sharing my journey of getting through that and the things that I've learned. And thank you so much for listening, and I look forward to the next episode. hope you do too.

Hey, podcast listener.

Don't let this be the end, you let me talk to you this whole time. Now at your turn. You can share your side on social media by using hashtag real life podcast, or with your voice by visiting anchor.fm, forward slash Gary Winchester, that's anchor.fm, forward slash Gary Winchester. I look forward to hearing your side.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

[garywinchester]

#OneTakeWonder

REAL life podcast Season 3 Episode 2 #OneTakeWonder 

Welcome to real life podcast. This podcast is about breaking through barriers that hold you back because real life is messy unedited unfiltered, and that's okay, we discuss topics from health and wellness to parenting to business or anything in between. So, let's get into the episode.

What's up podcast listeners? Thank you so much for joining me on this episode hashtag one take wonder. Yeah. Um, so I did a video on Instagram TV. I don't remember how far back that was it depends on when you're listening to this could be a while back but I did a video called hashtag one take wonder the whole reason why I did that was the whole idea behind one take wonder. So I have let me just backtrack a little bit. Hi I'm Gary Winchester, I'm your podcast hose. I'm an essential oil guy stay at home dad and entrepreneur. So the whole reason behind doing hashtag one take wonder was it allows me to create content that is on my heart to create I have a desire to create content I love producing content. But I've always struggled with producing perfecting content, I've always struggled with producing content that is an extremely high quality. And honestly, really good content like that from coming from one person takes a long time. And with how my life is right now, as a stay at home dad and entrepreneur, I am constantly on the go. So I need to be able to create content that's quick and on the dough. That also gives me freedom. So I create content on my phone and edit on my phone and post it from my phone. So I have to use these tools that are at arm's reach, really, to be able to share what is on my heart, what's on my mind and If you listen to my relaunch episode new name, I talk about why rename, rename the podcast.

But the reality is we all are our busy people. And hashtag one take wonder is kind of like an umbrella freedom in my eyes. So this episode goes hand in hand with my first episode, new name because it's kind of like piggybacking off of that why I changed the name and then this goes into why I'm doing content the way that I'm doing it. So I really want to create content without worrying without fearing judgment, from myself and from others. So the whole idea of behind creating content from my mobile device with minimal editing allows me to be comfortable with mistakes and errors and saying or it not being perfect. So completely honest here the content in the first couple episodes probably a suck. So have you come back I really appreciate it if you stick with me that is super amazing.But falling under the whole umbrella of hashtag one take wonder. It allows me to be comfortable with mistakes and errors. And it allows me to be comfortable with minimal editing and a and what I mean by minimal minimal editing. I know having close caption in your video is important. Let me backtrack. Just just for a second. I'm going to take a little rabbit trail here. come from a world of marketing, and digital marketing. And I continue to follow the trends and read up and stay up on the latest information. Some of the latest information tells you your videos will be watched more if you have closed captioning. So I feel like I want to be able to have the closed captioning and my videos. Because there's sometimes I don't have my headphones in and the video pops up. And I really want to watch it. But it doesn't have closed captioning, so I can't. So this way, if I do the closed captioning, it allows people who don't have headphones to at least read it as the video goes. So anyways, that's why I do it. And so I use an app. And what I mean by better minimal editing is the app only allows me to record for 60 seconds. So I record 60 seconds at a time and then I go into another app on my phone and piece those recordings together. And I'll be honest, it's very difficult for me not to go back and listen and do some edits.

I do struggle with that. I'm going to be honest, but I don't have the time to go back in edit the way that I want to. So I have to set limits boundaries on myself knowing who I am and being self aware of those flaws and struggles. Because what will happen is I'll go in and edit and edit and edit and edit and edit and edit. Yes, I know I'm saying I did a lot, but I will I'll go in and do a lot of editing until I feel like it's polished. And then I'll edit some more until I feel like it's perfected. And even sometimes I get to the point to where I feel hopeless about it. That I can never ended this enough and I will trash the whole thing. What's funny about it is I used to do a lot of editing, for audio for news on radio and for the news team on Caleb radio, and I was totally okay. With not freaking out about their content. Most of the time, honestly, the people were excellent. I mean, that's what they did for a living, they got really good at it. The other part was, it wasn't my content. So I'm not so critical of it. And I also didn't do the research for the topic and Allison into the interview. So I didn't mind just making minor adjustments and just audio level and cutting the end and cutting the beginning and adding the intros and outros and all that stuff, right. With my content, I'm super critical about it. I'm way more critical about me than I am other people. So I have a ton of judgment for myself. And if anybody else struggles with that, you're not alone. That's why I share this. So, hashtag one take wonder releases made from the judgment of myself, and also releases me of the judgment of others. I shared in the first episode, some of the some of the judgment that I received from others. And I'll be honest, yeah, I still worry about that. I still worry about others judgment, and I still do judge myself I am still critical when I am editing these. But because I've set that boundary and limit on myself, I'm able to actually move forward. And in that judgment, and in that worry and fear of judgment of others and even judgment of myself. And hashtag one take wonder. Sounds cool. First of all,

It also releases me from perfection. I was really thinking about perfection and what perfection is. And I came up with this. Perfection is a myth. Real Life is messy, unedited, and unfiltered. And that's okay. It's okay. It's okay to have mistakes. It's okay to make tab errors. And I'll be completely honest, what really showed me the value of mistakes are my kids.

Perfect example is last night. My three year old was super excited. He was running in the hall, because my sister in law came to pick up her dog. He was running the dog stopped, he tripped over some laundry that we were doing, and also couldn't catch his balance because the dog stopped. So it should be Over the dog too, and kind of landed on the dog a little bit. And he, like immediately went into a place of being upset with himself that he made that mistake. And I had to repeatedly Tell him it's okay. It's okay because you didn't mean to do that. It's okay because it's just a mistake you You didn't in the world and you did it kill anybody you did it hurt the dog, and you're okay. And I had to tell him That's okay. It's, it's totally okay buddy. And it took him a good 45 seconds before he got back up and continued on with it excited. And I feel like I have a lot of that excitement when I get content ideas when I get ideas to share stuff. But then I start editing and I hear myself and I hear little mistakes. I hear little things in the background noises or I'm recording and all of a sudden my kid comes running up and starts yelling or they start playing. And you know, I feel like the contents ruined. And I really struggled with that I really struggle with being okay with mistakes. And I think I am super hard on myself, but I can tend to be hard on the ones that are closest to me and the ones I love to. And it just, that really breaks my heart because I want my kids to feel like it's okay to make mistakes and to, to brush yourself off, get up and continue on that, you know, life's not perfect life is messy. It's unedited, it's unfiltered. And honestly some of the funniest stuff comes from Little things that we say and do. And there's moments that I'm like Jesus, I wish I was recording that because it is so funny. I just want to share it with everybody. My goal in life is to help others and to be of service. And my parents really did a great job at doing that. They really did well at helping others and serving. And I mean, it's an honor to serve people. That's why I'm a stay at home dad.

That's part of the reason why I'm a stay at home dad. Let me say that. It's also part of the reason why I feed my family first, or I make their I cook and then I make their plates first before I make my plate and the last I'm the first person in the kitchen, and I love the last person that

I am the first person to serve I'm the last person to take. So I just feel like that's a part of who I am. God, I believe in God, and I believe God created me to be that way. And I want to bring that same thing into the podcast. And I really hope that you get that I really hope that you can receive freedom from this. And, you know, hashtag one take wonder and be okay. So, thank you so much for listening. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. If there's things that you don't like, if there's feedback that you have, please share. I want your honest feedback. If you absolutely hate this podcast, I want to know but if you just say I hate your podcast, it's not really helpful if you're going to give feedback. Please be helpful and suggesting suggest changes. That's totally okay with me if you love it, but still have suggested changes. That's okay. My my feelings may get hurt, but I'll be okay and I'll move past it because I'm trying to look at this as a life changing journey for me and for others. So, if you want, please share your feedback. I would love to hear from you.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

[garywinchester]

New Name Take 4

REAL life podcast Season 3 Episode 1 New Name Take 4

Welcome to real life podcast. This podcast is about breaking through barriers that hold you back because real life is messy unedited unfiltered, and that's okay, we discuss topics from health and wellness to parenting to business or anything in between. So, let's get into the episode.

Hey what's going on podcast listeners thank you for joining me in this episode, new name, take for probably more like take six or seven, to be honest. Hi, I'm Gary Winchester. I'm your host, essential oil guy, stay at home dad and entrepreneur. I wanted to talk about the new name of the podcast, wanted to talk about why I changed the name, a little bit about what the name used to be. And I want to talk about the purpose, and the goal of this podcast moving forward. From this episode forward. So the old name was real life podcast with Gary Winchester. I changed the name because I wanted to take me out of it. I wanted it to be about real life, and not just my life. But topics that are interesting to you, topics that are interesting to other people just more than just myself. And even though we may, in some episodes cover multiple topics. My hope and goal is that the content is the star, and that you can overlook any kind of audio malfunctions any audio disruptions any stupid thing that I say any way that I talked to so or whatever I'm hoping you can look past that as I grow into being a better podcaster and also grow into being a better host. But really I wanted to take myself out of it and really talk about topics that are just not surrounded by my life and make it all about me. I want to really make this all about you and how I do that is by sharing content that's on my heart. I shared the content in hopes of helping you and helping anyone who listens. And also I took myself out of it, so that I can be me on here, and to move past any kind of self judgment and move past the fear of judgment from others. I'll be honest, in the last podcast I did, I got some feedback saying you know who the heck are you to have your name in the title. No you're not a celebrity nobody cares about your life, nobody cares and i and i get that nobody really does care, so I'm not offended by that, it just that was not the purpose was to make it about me so I changed the title of it. And originally I had my name in the title just to make it searchable. That didn't work out so well to be honest. The goal is to share content that is helpful, like I said, but I want it to be helpful in a way that it serves you and it serves you by challenging you. It shares. It serves you. By sharing somebody else's perspective, maybe something that you didn't see. Also I want it to be something that you give me feedback about, I want to hear from you I want to know your thoughts and your opinions. I don't want this to be just a one way street where I just get to word vomit all over you. I hope that what I say helps you encourages you motivate you, challenges you a little bit, but also stirs some creativity in you as well. And I hope, ultimately that you find freedom from what I share. And that's kind of goes back a little bit to the self judgment and the fear of judgment from others. I am doing this podcast because sharing this stuff, gives me freedom and sharing it in the way that this podcast allows because of the title because it strips away it, the attention being just on me. So it allows me to have some freedom for myself, also it allows me to do something, I love. And in doing that. I'm hoping I really do hope that it allows you to do something you love and move past, any kind of barrier that's holding you back. I hope this explains the new title. Well, and I hope this makes sense to you. And I honestly hope that you take this journey with me as I grow into a better podcaster. I know the first couple episodes are not going to be very.

But I hope to grow into being a better podcaster and a better host, so thank you so much for taking this journey with me, and I. So look forward to hearing back from you.

Hey, podcast listener. Don't let this be the end, you let me talk to you this whole time. Now at your turn. You can share your side on social media by using hashtag real life podcast, or with your voice by visiting anchor.fm, forward slash Gary Winchester, that's anchor.fm, forward slash Gary Winchester. I look forward to hearing your side.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

[garywinchester]

Essential Oils for Beginners October 28, 2019

Young, old or in-between join me in this class to learn how essential oils can help you. We will go over your health goals, health issues, a little bit about the company, the top ten oils to have and how to get started on your essential oil journey. You don’t have to buy anything, but if you find something you like I will help you order it.

All attendees who register will be entered into a drawing for free essential oils and receive a free iTOVi scan report. 

Save Your Spot!

[garywinchester]

Essential Oils for Beginners October 27, 2019

Whether you know anything or never heard of essential oils before this class is perfect for you. 

In this class we will go over your health goals, health issues, talk a little bit about the company, the top ten oils to have and how to get started on your essential oil journey. You don’t have to buy anything, but if you find something you like we will help you order it.

Every attendee who registers will receive an entry into a drawing for free essential oils and receive a free iTOVi scan report.

Save Your Seat!

[garywinchester]

Essential Oil iTOVi Scan Party October 26, 2019

Our body is full of information! Tap into that information to discover what essential oils and supplements your body needs by using the iTOVi Scanner. When you use this state of the art scanner you will receive a custom report telling you what you really need. You don't have to rely on a person, you can trust the iTOVi Scan Report. 

The iTOVi works a lot like a Fitbit or Apple Watch by sending out non-harmful electronic signals that return to the the device, each signal has a specific wave length that matches an essential oil or supplement. The results come to you in a report full of information. 

Register for your specific time with your specific wellness advocate. If you do not have a specific wellness advocate you are working with already feel free to choose one.

If you have questions, concerns or issues please contact the wellness advocate you are working with.

Book Your Scan!

[garywinchester]

Essential Oils for Beginners Class October 20, 2019

Most people turn to our events when they are tired of dealing with negative side effects, wanting to stay healthy or trying to keep their kids healthy. Often times they are looking for an alternative. Join this class to find out if essential oils are the right alternative for you.

We will go over your health goals/issues, talk little bit about the company, discuss the top ten oils everyone should have and how to get your oil journey started. You don’t have to buy anything but if you see something you like we can help you order it.

Save Your Seat!

[garywinchester]

Essential Oil iTOVi Scan Party October 19, 2019

Our body is full of information! Tap into that information to discover what essential oils and supplements your body needs by using the iTOVi Scanner. When you use this state of the art scanner you will receive a custom report telling you what you really need. You don't have to rely on a person, you can trust the iTOVi Scan Report. 

The iTOVi works a lot like a Fitbit or Apple Watch by sending out non-harmful electronic signals that return to the the device, each signal has a specific wave length that matches an essential oil or supplement. The results come to you in a report full of information. 

Register for your specific time with your specific wellness advocate. If you do not have a specific wellness advocate you are working with already feel free to choose one.

If you have questions, concerns or issues please contact the wellness advocate you are working with.

Schedule Your Scan

[garywinchester]

Essential Oils for Beginners Class 10-18-2019

New to essential oils or a veteran this class is perfect for you.

We will go over you health goals or issues, a little bit about dōTERRA, the top ten oils to have in your medicine cabinet and how you can start your essential oil journey. 

You don’t have to buy anything, but if you find something you like we will help you order it.

Save Your Spot!

[garywinchester]

Over Consumption

I had a dream that I was at a giant table with all kinds of food, including garbage. I spent hours every day consuming everything on the table. The more I consumed the bigger and fatter I got. The bigger and fatter I got the sicker I felt. This went on for years.

When I woke up I felt so gross and knew it meant I need to lose weight by watching what food I consume, but the primary message was more about the content I have been consuming over the years. Some has been great, but most has been garbage not helping me grow in a healthy way.

What impacted me the most from this dream was that I was consuming content but not producing much. Looking back at the content it was all about the content I thought others wanted me to produce and not content I truly wanted to produce. Which is why I have changed my website.

[garywinchester]

Read at your own risk

Recently I shared about how I have been consuming too much content and not producing enough. I recently received more clarity on why I have such a difficult time producing content. Drum roll please! Ok, seriously it is because I am seeking perfection. Funny thing is that I am not perfect so if my readers (you) are seeking perfection and I am seeking to produce perfect content then we both have arrived at the wrong location.

I am not perfect so I will not produce perfection and I will no longer seek perfection. I will make edits so the grammar is not beyond readable but it will not be perfect every time either. I am a one person show here so I am the writer, editor, social media producer and designer. I do not have a team so if something is not right I must answer for it, I am the one who fixes it and I am the only one who cares.

I say this because I want to share far more than what I have been sharing but I have sat on too much content for far too long because I wanted it to be perfect. Those days have past so now I will be sharing from the heart with minimal editing. Hope that sits well with you because it puts a smile on my face.

[garywinchester]

Good Good Father

My youngest loves this song. Even at 5 months old this song brings him so much peace that he stops crying and falls asleep. I can also feel the peace when I hold him because it washes over us. This song is a connecting point for us, which is extremely interesting.

I say interesting because it is the best word I could think of when it comes to describing how God works in my life, my mind and my heart.

Since becoming a full time stay-at-home dad my struggle as a parent has shifted and in some areas multiplied. At this point I feel completely inadequate, unsuccessful and disappointing. Simply put I feel like someone else should be with them during the day full time, but because of my poor choices over the last year or two it has to be me.

As I read and research tips for parenting I have learned a a lot of new things but still don’t believe I am the person for the job. I know they are my kids and I want to be the best dad ever because they are amazing kids and deserve the best. These are my insecurities that I carry as I am with my kids all day. This can cause tension between us, stress in my heart and mind. However, when I play this song peace washes over us all.

Attitudes turn positive, thoughts get more joyful, we smile and often dance. This song has represented to my kids and I how powerful God’s peace is. I may not feel or believe I am a good father I know a Good Good Father that loves my kids perfectly.

After writing this I felt prompted to write a prayer, completely out of my norm for me.

Lord, thank you for this day, for the talent you have given others to write, sing, produce and share songs like this one. Thank you that music can be a doorway into your presence. Thank you for your peace that pours over us when we let go of the chaos.

I pray that you reveal many things to your children through the gate of communication they love most. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. We trust in your Word that it will not return void and that your Holy Spirit will pour upon us daily

[garywinchester]

Sameness is not Oneness

This kept popping into my head the other night as I was washing the dishes. I started to wonder why it was on repeat. In the Marine Corps uniformity was emphasized every day and in everything. Uniformity in appearance and movement was above all else. Although we were different we had to appear as one but in my experience we were never truly as one. No matter how hard our superiors tried or how much the drill instructors did to us, we were never completely as one. I began to wonder why. We were never completely one because we were individuals. I know, I know. Duh! What I mean by that is we focused too much on how or why we were not like each other that we missed out on seeing what made each of us unique. We never sought to understand what made us individually unique, what each of our strengths were and how to capitalize on our differences. We often see differences as a threat instead of a strength. What are your thoughts on this?