Sterling Group’s Post

Wishing the world a peaceful and successful New Year. May 2025 bring unity, understanding, and hope to all nations, inspiring us to work together for a brighter, kinder, and more sustainable future 🕊🤍 🌍 We all know that New Year is celebrated worldwide according to the local time zones of each country, but have you ever wondered which country starts first? The celebration sequence starts in Kiribati, a Pacific island nation, which is the first to welcome the New Year (UTC+14), and progresses westward around the globe. The last places to welcome the New Year are Baker Island and Howland Island, two uninhabited U.S territories in the Pacific Ocean, which are located in the UTC-12 time zone. Since they are uninhabited, there are no formal celebrations there. The last inhabited location to celebrate is often considered to be American Samoa (UTC-11), just an hour ahead of Baker and Howland Islands. People in American Samoa celebrate the New Year nearly a full day after it begins in places like Kiribati.

Honoring Heroes: The True Spirit of Memorial Day As Memorial Day approaches, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by countless brave men and women in service to our nation. This day is not just a long weekend or a time for travel—it’s a solemn occasion to honor those who have given their lives for the freedoms we cherish. Originally known as “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day began in 1868 to honor Civil War soldiers and has since evolved into a day of remembrance for all who have fallen in U.S. conflicts. Today, millions take the opportunity to reflect, travel, and gather with loved ones, showing that the legacy of our heroes lives on. In the spirit of remembrance, we’ve curated a collection of powerful quotes that celebrate the courage and resilience of our nation’s defenders. From timeless words by Abraham Lincoln to modern tributes, these quotes encapsulate the essence of patriotism and sacrifice. Discover More: https://lnkd.in/ghfwUikD Let’s honor this day by keeping their memories alive in our hearts.

Fellow Travelers, I recently returned from a pilgrimage to South Africa as I am at an intersection in my career path. Have you participated in a pilgrimage? If so, please reply with an example from your career and how it changed your life. * Pilgrimage has the classic three-stage form of a rite of passage: (1) separation (the start of the journey), (2) the liminal stage (the journey itself, the sojourn at the shrine, and the encounter with the sacred), and (3) reaggregation (the homecoming). * https://lnkd.in/gkgFkejx).

Like the water flowing through the river, life should be smooth sailing with Maria going global@ https://lnkd.in/gADZ9mCH

As we turn the pages of an aged journal and caress weathered keys, the allure of becoming time travelers beckons, unlocking mysteries and rewards in the shadows of our past, encouraging us to skillfully embrace the richness of history's tapestry, including the transformative potential held within the whispers of our own traumas. https://lnkd.in/g_6CtVPx

What places or experiences would you recommend to others seeking connection and peace?

Understanding the lives, traditions, and celebrations of the Indigenous communities who still inhabit the cherished lands of Atacama, Bocas del Toro, Hangaroa, and Arenal is a gift, and one that we work to share with all who visit us at the Nayara Resorts. These forests, deserts, mountainsides, and waters are sacred places inhabited by countless generations, that offer the chance for both travelers and Indigenous individuals alike the chance to walk in the footsteps of those ancestors and celebrate their memory with these preserved traditions and customs. Learn more about the holiday traditions of our neighboring Indigenous communities here: https://hubs.ly/Q02YPSdC0

Read more about this beautiful pilgrimage in my latest for CNA:

Best Island to Visit in Hawaii In 2024: How To Choose

'The Greens think they're a law unto themselves' Is it possible for The Greens to ever be wrong? I agree with some people on some things and other people on other things. Only when they say logical things. Whenever someone says something illogical I do have to say: please be logical. What are the logistics? Where is the data? Is it reliable? Is it ACCCURATE AND VERIFIED AND VERIFIABLE? Or are we PRETENDING SOMETHING? If the Greens can justify what it is they say, let's all listen to why. And let's all let them say anything they think we should all hear. Government is there to govern us AS BEST AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN BASED ON THE VERY BEST INFORMATION. THE VERY MOST VERIFIABLE FACTS. What else could they be there for? What else SHOULD they be there for? According to who? Why would anyone disagree? HOW COULD ANYONE BELIEVE ANYONE WHO DISAGREED? Either you say logical and provable and wise things we should listen to, or you don't. Either you say things that improve our lived experience in our community or you don't. Either you help or you don't. Either you speak with us or at us. Either you speak truths or things that aren't truths. Either you can prove why you say what you say or you can't. Either you love your electorate or you love someone or something else. More than them. Either you work for the people you represent or you do not. Either you work hard or you don't. I love community law. But they don't attract the best people. So our principal solicitor used to come back from meetings wondering why she felt so bad for quitting corporate law. Why? All the women at the meeting were sleeping. Physically, some of them. Mentally, EVERYONE WAS ASLEEP IN COMMUNITY LAW WHEN I SAW THEM. Their heart was well intentioned but MY GOD WHAT WERE THEY ACTUALLY DOING? DOTTERY WEIRDOS. FLUFFY CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE ALL HEART AND NO BRAIN. I love the corporate world, the art world, and humans who are VERY CAPABLE. THE WORLD CANNOT BE SAVED BY YOU BECAUSE YOU WEAR A SILLY HAT. OR A STUPID JACKET. OR IDENTIFY WITH A STUPID STICKER ON YOUR STUPID CAR. THE WORLD NEEDS PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE WORLD. OR NO? WHAT SOCKS AND SANDALS SHOULD THEY WEAR? WHAT DUMB HIPPIE SHIT SHOULD THEY SAY. Bob Dylan hated pretenders. Me too. I love environmental activists who KNOW 1. WHAT SUSTAINABILITY IS. 2. WHAT TERMS MEAN. 3. HOW TO PROBLEM IDENTIFY. 4. HOW TO PROBLEM SOLVE. 5. HOW TO RESEARCH WELL. 6. HOW TO MAKE MONEY TO INVEST IN SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. 7. HOW TO ASSESS RISK. 8. HOW TO CALCULATE DAMAGE. 9. HOW TO BALANCE A SPREADSHEET WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. 10. HOW TO COMMUNICATE RESPECTFULLY. 11. HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH ALL PEOPLE. 12. WHO TRY TO SAVE THE LIVES OF ALL HUMANS. EVEN IF YOU DON'T DRESS LIKE A SHITTY WIZARD OF WEED BROWNIES. 13. WHY FASHION AND CREDIBILITY MATTER. 14. WHY LOGIC IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL LOGICALLY SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT. 15. WHY MAKING MONEY TO INVEST IN ENVIRONMENT-SAVING SOLUTIONS IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT. Or, no?