(This post is written by Ignite Institute student--Mollie Hopper.)

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks of a song in a specific way. When I hear a song, I immediately try to look for what it makes me feel. Does it remind me of a certain topic? Is there a mood that matches it?

Finding your meaning behind a song can make it so much more enjoyable.  There is always an intended message behind a song, but it can be perceived in many different ways. The key to really enjoying a song is how you perceive this message. Look behind the lyrics and the music notes and into the soul of a song. Victor Hugo grasped the same idea when he said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."
 
Everyone wishes they knew how to express their feelings in a way other than talking, right? Music is perfect for helping people express what is going on in their lives. Whether someone is putting together a new song or just listening to one, there will always be a message that connects with personal experiences or hardships. My challenge to everyone who reads this blog post is to find one song each week that connects with how you are feeling. This can help to make sense of emotions that we often have trouble understanding.
 
Music also shows that people are not alone in their problems. According to the article, How Music Bonds Us Together, There is something about music that seems to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community.  We realize that there must be other people that feel the same way I feel, or why would the music connect to me so deeply. 
 
It seems that there are many purposes for music (mental stimulation, emotional release, and social connection) other than just sounding nice.
 
Mollie Hopper, Guest Blogger
High School Sophomore, Ignite Institute
 
References:
 https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_music_bonds_us_together

“How do we start a conversation about something that no one wants to talk about?”  This was a question asked by one of our very first Women’s Think Tank supported charities. 
 
In 2019, Stormcells approached Family Nurturing Center, a nonprofit with the mission of ending the cycle of child abuse, and asked how the Women’s Think Tank could support the important work they do.   The answer quickly given by Paul Miller (Director of Donor Relations) was “that’s easy, how do we get people talking about a topic that no one wants to talk or think about.” This began our three-month journey with Family Nurturing Center and this difficult task.
 
To accomplish their mission, Family Nurturing Center offers wonderful resources to support children, adults, and families.   Parenting programs are provided to guide caregivers through the different stages of their child’s life.  These programs help strengthen the relationship between parent and child and help the parent address the needs of the child.  If a child or adult has unfortunately experienced trauma in their life, Family Nurturing Center also has services to help them cope with those events and move forward to more healthy habits and relationships.  According to familynurturing.org, “96% of the children completing individual counseling demonstrated improved coping skills.”
 
Family Nurturing Center also offers community programs to spread awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse.   One in ten children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.  This statistic is the very reason it is important for all adults to understand the problem and know about the services our community offers.  One of our Women’s Think Tank members commented:  “I had no idea that Family Nurturing Center was right in our backyard and offering such amazing services.  I would have donated, helped….something!”
 
So, what happened to solve the question?  The Women’s Think Tank provided a myriad of solutions to the Family Nurturing Center--most centering around marketing and promotion.  Hashtags were created, contacts were made, and ideas were shared.  But even bigger, Family Nurturing Center engaged twelve ladies in a broader understanding of the problem and their services to combat it.  The ladies attended fundraising galas, became a voice in the community, helped with social media, and volunteered for projects. 
 
The American writer, Margaret Wheatley, said, "Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters."  So in the end, we talked about child sexual abuse.  We spread the word in our community. We had the tough conversations and researched the horrible statistics.  We were uncomfortable, but we created a discussion where there was once silence.  Please consider breaking the silence, in support of a child in your community.  You can follow Family Nurturing Center on facebook , twitter, and ​instagram.  You can donate to through their website at www.familynurture.org or speak with someone about their  programs and services by calling (859) 525-3200. 
 

Soon there may be a new brand and blend of coffee that some feel will totally revolutionize the coffee industry, and it’s happening here in Ol’ Kentucky.  To the bold, brave, and undiscerning coffee lovers, this may be the long-awaited breakthrough in taste, aroma, and chewiness you have awaited. Following years of research and development and repeated failures, it is finally here!  Admittedly, this coffee is not for everyone; but, it will be well worth the wait!  For those who seek excitement and adventure, we are pleased to announce 🎺🎺🎺:
Kentucky Burgoo Stew Brew Coffee! 

As you may know, Burgoo is created from left-overs dumped into a large kettle and slowly cooked down to a divine mixture of colors, tastes, and sounds.  It requires four or more meats, six or more vegetables, plus herbs, spices, and perhaps a splash of Pap’s home brew. 

In like manner, Burgoo coffee is a mixture of left-over, stale, abandoned beans from throughout the world. But, when combined they create a unique taste sensation--kinda.  The beans represent Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica, Kenya—well over 20 or more great forests—creating a true, one-of-a-kind blend.  But as wonderful as this sounds, this is only the beginning.

Next, the sweet essence of Burgoo stew is filtered through pure burlap to a gurgling, savory broth.  The perfect combination of cabbage, okra, wild onions/ramps, and asparagus, coupled with potatoes, carrots, and peas, create a taste impossible to describe.  Added to this delectable mixture is a medley of extraordinary meats from the wild as well as the barnyard: deer, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, possum, and groundhog together with pig, cow, mule, and turkey—assembled especially for everyone’s taste. The Burgoo coffee beans are bathed in the rich Burgoo stew, then roasted, ground, and bagged.  WOW!  

No doubt you are anxiously wondering how and when you can be the first to experience such joy.  We have had one exploratory discussion with a coffee company; but, to our chagrin, they left confused and babbling.  Abraham Lincoln once said:  "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.  Much like President Lincoln, it may take coffee makers a while to fully appreciate the enormity of this culinary breakthrough.  But just imagine, though, what this will do for the economy of Kentucky.

If you would enjoy following the future of this venture and perhaps sample one of the first cups, then you will want to stay tuned to the Stormcells blog.  It will be here first!  Note: There is also a health benefit to the Burgoo coffee, as the concoction appears to kill a case of worms.  (Or cause it--we are doing more testing.)

--Dr. Soggy Bottoms – Mule Laboratories
This blog was written by fictional guest blogger, Soggy Bottoms, from the fictional Mule Laboratories, concerning the obvious fictional Burgoo Brew Stew Coffee.  

What EXACTLY is Stormcells? While the name suggests otherwise, Stormcells does not have anything to do with the weather.  (Yes, the Stormcells name has given us some issues as people Google it.)  Stormcells is, however, a nonprofit organization that uses brainstorming, creativity, and problem-solving to help other charities.  The company focuses on service, innovation, and collaboration, while always seeking to give more than we receive. We break the rules, we have fun, and we try to solve the problems that hinder charities from doing their important work.  Even the Dalai Lama said you have to “know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”  So, while we don’t actually chase storms, we do use our brain cells to help others navigate uncharted waters and stand against the winds of conventional thought.  (Was that last line a little too hokey? Yeah, I thought so too, but decided to leave it in for imagery.)
  
How does Stormcells go about doing these things, you might ask?  We have a few tried and true ways and sometimes we just think them up as we go along.  We take Dr. Seuss very seriously, and he very poignantly claimed, “Think left and think right and think low and thing high.  Oh!  The thinks you can think up if only you try!”  We work charities to find strategies that are as unique as they are.  For example, a charity might have a challenge that involves fundraising, marketing, or advocacy.  Stormcells helps them determine what might be a good fit and then we work alongside them to implement the plan.  Oh, and did I mention that all the services we offer charities are free?  Yep—if Stormcells works with your charity, you don’t pay us a dime.
 
One of the largest initiatives through Stormcells is the Women’s Think Tank. That’s right, a think tank made up only of women!  We feel that women provide unique perspectives that can help charities and small businesses with the problems they face.  You see, studies suggest that there is still gender bias relating to performance, innovation, and creativity.*  WHAT?  Even in the twenty-first century, people buy into the idea that men are more innovative, intellectual, and creative.  As odd as it seems, women are part of those people that still believe it.  At Stormcells, our goal is to break those stereotypes and help women recognize the creative potential within them. The Women’s Think Tank provides personal/ professional development for the members, as well as assistance to charities.  Through a year-long curriculum plan, ongoing real-world challenges, and networking with other women, the members learn about idea generation, creativity, problem-solving, and PLAY!  Wait, “play”? Absolutely—play is essential to creative thinking; so, Stormcells incorporates laughter, imagination, and “play” into our regular routine.
 
The last blog post that we published on “thinking outside the box”, (which had maybe ten views) provided information about another service that Stormcells offers--Diaminds® Challenges.  Well, you think, it is probably because you spelled diamonds wrong and are dimwitted.  No—we actually spell it that way.  Diaminds® is a registered game of creativity under pressure, involving a prize-backed challenge.  A real-world problem is issued to a group of individuals or teams and they battle to determine the best potential solution.  “Battle” might not be the best word, but they definitely compete for a really cool prize. Every idea submitted is given to the charity to help them with the challenges they face; thus, providing them with the gems of our minds. (See what we did there?)
 
Now you know a little more about Stormcells and the work that we do, you can stay involved by following us on facebook, twitter, or LinkedIn.  Check out the rest of our website, or shoot us an email to learn more.  And, in case you want to read more about a couple of topics covered here:
 
Gender gap and creativity:

• Innovation, Creativity, and the Gender Gap
• A Gender Bias in the Attribution of Creativity: Archival and Experimental Evidence for the Perceived Association Between Masculinity and Creative Thinking

 
Play and creativity:

• Play: How It Shapes the Brain Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul

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​You often hear the phrase, "Think Outside The Box," but just what does that really mean?  How does one go about thinking outside the box?  Obviously, it is a metaphor of how we are initially taught as children to color within the lines--or the "box."  It implies learning to follow directions, do as all others do, and not to deviate from the accepted norm.  Yet, if we never venture outside the box at some point in our lives, we do not discover the richness of all that lies beyond.  Outside the box exists adventure, unexplored worlds, and "creativity."  Thus, the term to "think outside the box" is to free the mind and go beyond the constraints of traditional thought and problem solving.  To "think outside the box" is to explore new ideas that have yet remained unexplored.

Once children have mastered coloring inside the box, then they must be taught to explore the world beyond those lines.  To "color outside the lines" is to enter a world that is not as orderly and controlled.  It is not as comfortable.  Stepping outside the lines is like discord in music, unmatched socks with dress pants, and ice cream with sauerkraut.  It is easy to return to the box--to life within the lines, where we are not criticized or rejected or ridiculed for being different.  It is not always easy to keep time and march in order, but it is often easier than being seen as socially awkward or stepping to the beat of a drum that only you hear.  

One key to creative thinking is seeing issues from a unique perspective.  From within the box, everyone sees a problem from a similar viewpoint.  However, from outside of the box lies a fresh perspective.  When someone sees a problem from a different field of view and with fresh eyes, a new solution springs forth.  Overcoming the fear of being rejected or seeming irrational allows a world of completely different possibilities.  There is room to play, think, create, dance, and dream.  

We have all heard the proverbial, "you can't see the forest for the trees."  This, in essence, means that we are too close to the problem to see the obvious solution.  It is hard to see the outside from the inside; but if we put a little bit of distance between us, then we can see the entire forest.  If we step outside the box, then we may just see all four corners, the lines, and the angles that make up the entire shape.  

At Stormcells, we regularly offer Diaminds® Challenges.  These challenges are presented by a charity that needs to solve chronic or resistant problems.  Those individuals who elect to participate in the event can bring unique perspectives to the challenge, since they are outside of the theoretical box in which the charity staff sit.  These new perspectives provide insight and creative solutions that allow a breakthrough on behalf of the charity.  Equally important, the participant discovers their creative potential and opens a window to the universe, lightyears beyond the box!

--Dr. Roy L Miller II
Dr. Miller was a co-founder of Stormcells but has since ventured outside of the Stormcells box. He does, however, remain involved from time to time.
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