With limited availability, The Preservation Society is announcing the sale of tickets for the 2022 event planned for June 17-19 at Rosecliff.

Returning with features the public recalls from previous shows, this year’s spectacular will include hundreds of colorful creations by floral designers, horticulturists, and botanical artists, following the theme, “Eden…A Personal Paradise.” Entries will be displayed in the Rosecliff ballroom and salon, while other exhibits will be set in the Courtyard of Love and the oceanside terrace and lawn.

“The Newport Flower Show is growing back, step by step, from the COVID pandemic,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director of  The Preservation Society of Newport County, which has hosted the show since 1996. “This year’s event will not include the lectures, demonstrations, or champagne brunch of past Flower Shows, and the vendor marketplace will be smaller. But, after having no Flower Show in 2020 and a small-scale version called ‘Back in Bloom’ in 2021, the 2022 edition will be a step forward,” Coxe said.

All proceeds from The Newport Flower Show are dedicated to the ongoing restoration and preservation of The Preservation Society of Newport County’s 88-acres of gardens and landscapes.
To reserve your place, visit newportmansions.org.

Classical Music At The Mansions
Classical music by internationally known performers has plans to return to the Newport Mansions this July. The Newport Classical series starts July 1 at The Breakers with the Grammy-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Altogether, 10 of Newport’s 24 Classical concerts will be held at The Breakers, four at The Elms, two at the Chinese Tea House, one at King Park, one at Blithewold Mansion, one at the Newport Art Museum, one at Castle Hill Inn, one at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, one at The Great Friends Meeting House, one at Redwood Library & Athenæum and one at Emmanuel Church.

Being staged at such magnificent properties, guests will relax and enjoy the refined and timeless entertainment in the most opulent settings possible.

The partnerships between The Preservation Society of Newport County/Newport Mansions and Newport Classical allow for the finest in summer entertainment.

For tickets and concert information, contact newportclassical.org/music-festival.

t is too easy to look to the past when a problem or difficult situation arises and think a previously failed attempt to resolve the same or a similar issue might work this time. You can be confident that choosing an old path will not provide the desired outcome and instead keep you trapped in repetitive and useless problem-solving techniques. For this reason, people complain they don’t feel like they are getting ahead or their lives and are at a standstill.

In the words of motivational speaker and personal development mentor of millions, Tony Robbins is clear about changing your life when he says to his followers, “I can tell you the secret to happiness in one word: progress.” And, to think about it, what better advice can be shared? If you are at a standstill, then get up and get moving!

Before we get started, a few things need to be put into focus; first, you are not at fault for the haze blocking your view—it happens to everyone. Secondly, the last couple of years have been nothing short of hell on earth; the pain of restrictions, social isolation, and ill-health took a toll on many but will hopefully subside, and long-term solutions will be discovered. Once accomplished, we’ll reinvent, redirect, and meet our objectives head-on.

The first step in personal development is doing an inventory of self-awareness and an assessment of satisfaction. Questions regarding romantic relationships, career, family interactions, and finance are a great start. Each is an essential component for building a secure future and plays a role in influencing others.

Upon identifying and listing what makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s time to dig down and learn why they are repetitive in your identity, it’s also the time to take action.

Steps In Creating The Person You Believe In:

CONFIDENCE
Moving through life is principally about confidence, and the more you have, the better you’ll feel. People mistake shadowing or mirroring others as a solution, believing they will absorb positive personality traits through infusion. Sorry, but it’s a fool’s errand, which is the cause feelings of emptiness.

When a person’s anchor releases its hold, it leaves their buoyant persona adrift, resulting in self-doubt and insecurity.

To overcome confidence issues is to develop interpersonal attractiveness; it can be accomplished by becoming the person you want to be inside while projecting it to the world. It is about becoming the person you want others to see and respect. You will determine how you are viewed—it’s that simple.
For example, first impressions are made in minutes of meeting someone. You must demonstrate your style and level of comfort; whether you are well-dressed or casual, you must feel good and exemplify your presentation—as you believe it—regardless of what others think.

When speaking,  be assertive but kind, and a good listener. Communication skills are the keys to opening up opportunities. When established rules of good behavior are lacking, your effort to fill the void won’t go unnoticed; playing host to those you meet will get the attention you deserve and reinforce your efforts to become whole.

EXPECTATION
We all have them, and they can be disappointing. It’s a gamble about how others will react or receive you when you look outside of yourself for reward, status, or gratification.

The only person you can be assured of pleasing is in the mirror each morning. You’re aware of your gifts, responsibilities, and goals; because you have the perfect opportunity to set the agenda and influence it as you progress; satisfaction isn’t guaranteed but will become a close approximation over time.

Another issue surrounding the concept of expecting an outcome is to plan and execute a reliable strategy (both in business and personal relationships). It can be comforting to consider different scenarios that could alter a result. It is not to say you can’t predict objections or challenges, but at best, preparing for an unlikely response will allow internal satisfaction that you did all you could to persuade and invoke a favorable reaction.

OLD HABITS
How long will it be before you recognize you’re crazy? Have you been reacting the same way repeatedly but expecting a different result? Sorry, this paints you into a box; and there is nowhere left to go without changing your responses.

Shopping the same stores, traveling or vacationing at known locations, or adhering to an over-structured schedule without deviation are examples of experiences set like traps; they keep you from seeing the trees from the forest.

Humans thrive on the familiar, the predictable, but is it healthy or allow change to occur in a person’s life? And, while you know the answer, think about your evening or weekend plans; will they be a repeat of the past? Or will you dive into a new adventure?

These same social addictions play a role in how we approach problem-solving. We’ve all heard statements like, “I was born a (fill in the blank), and I’m going to die (fill in the blank).” Or, “It was good enough for (whoever), and it’s good enough for me.” Please, look at these people, learn from them; they are stuck in granite shoes, unable to make decisions, and when they do, they’re cast into exile, with little chance of living a whole life.

PROGRESS
The difference between success, repetitiveness, and feeling nothing is changing in your life has a great deal to do with taking calculated risks and seeking rewards. Each day that passes offers an opportunity that wasn’t presented previously. Those with an eye on prospecting rather than accepting the status quo can find unexpected chances of creating change in their lives.

An example of how progression can become part of your life is found within your circle of friends and acquaintances. Have they remained the same for most of your life? Does the circle close with each new introduction? It’s a known fact that a  square doesn’t fit well into an old round, but who is being cut short?

In a social society consisting of continuous movement, extending our reach and creating personal connections beyond the neighborhood has become necessary. A new generation, the result of technology, shows us the importance of connecting with others at a distance—it is so true; the world is getting smaller while offering magnificent opportunities.

Taking this same idea, it’s wise to consider where you want to be, not where you are, that is, unless you wish to remain stagnant and disappointed.

DISAPPOINTMENT & SUCCESS
Sorry, it comes with the territory; gains and setbacks are nothing new and can’t be avoided; what you can control is your reaction to them. Too often, feelings are hurt, and withdrawal overcomes the genuine emotions we should be feeling. It is okay to feel sad when you don’t win or fall short of your goal, but what should be happening is self-reflection. When you don’t meet the challenge, or disappoint someone, rather than dwell on the hurt, allow the feelings to exist and begin to deconstruct the injury. Be honest with yourself.

Getting in touch with the many emotions we possess, rather than blanket them under the category of anger, is the work necessary for growth. Better interactions result from a realistic understanding of the experience.

As for success, humility is always best. There is nothing wrong about celebrating like a rock star, in private, engulf the sensation of achievement; you deserve the emotional high. But, it is always better to attribute victories to those who also played a role in solving problems or attaining rewards or accommodations.

Remember, captains are leaders, but lacking a crew, they are alone and will not find success or admiration, no matter the effort.

Change is never easy, and it isn’t a prescription for everyone. It takes motivation, discipline, and thick skin to face one’s shortcomings and flaws. But, the satisfaction that comes from improving each day can’t be duplicated by pretending. Action, persistence, and assessment will follow your decisions until one day you realize you own these traits, and they are who you have become.

Success is one step away.

It is essential to know what lurks in your conscious and unconscious minds if you’re involved in a relationship (and who isn’t?). Our perception of who we are, specifically who we are attracted to and feel comfortable interacting with, results from our earliest experiences. From birth to about two years old, accompanied by traumas endured later in life, our ability to bond is either reinforced or left unresolved. Early childhood development directly impacts the enjoyment of adult partnering; it also determines the mental health of individuals and whether their brain function is complete or subject to serious personality disorders.

Attachment Styles
There are four identifiable attachment styles: Secure, Avoidant, Anxious/Insecure, and Disorganized; we possess at least one of them, but may also rely on others in our interpersonal relationships. Intertwined with trauma bonding, they are the pathways leading individuals to fall in love and determine the level of personal satisfaction and outcomes.

Each style is a predictor of how close and satisfying our personal and loving relationships will be during our lifetimes; they also indicate possible devastation and long-lasting pain because one or both partners are emotionally unavailable to connect.

Research indicates that a mere 60 percent of adults fall under the Secure Attachment Style, while the remainder fit within the three other categories.

Attachments develop just after birth and continue to around 24 months. During this time, a child experiences four stages of development: Pre-Attachment, Attachment in the Making, Clear-Cut Attachment, and the Formation of Reciprocal Relationships. The relationship between a child and caregiver is vital to establish intimate connections and feelings of needs being met. When fear, neglect, or uncertainty are felt during the formative years, the child turns inward for security.

Secure Attachment
This desirable attachment develops when a child’s most basic needs are met; they are responded to when they require emotional and physical contact. When uncomfortable, they are soothed, their cries are attended to, with a sense of safety instilled.

This form of attachment translates to adulthood; it is found in those who easily connect with partners and friends. Their interactions are viewed as normal and balanced. When conflict arises, these individuals can discover resolution without blaming a partner; they rely on providing love and a safe environment.

Avoidance Attachment
Those with this personality were likely neglected; caregivers were unavailable or rejected their child. Numerous reasons may have played a role in why a parent may have been distant; some include work, illness (mental or physical), or they possessed the same attachment style. As a result, feelings of closeness are underdeveloped.

Individuals with this injury are likely to be viewed as highly independent and have trouble requesting help or assistance with tasks. They have not been able to rely on others and find it more comfortable to be alone; they also prefer to isolate themselves and have difficulty sharing emotions and feelings with others.  

There is a tendency to use physical interaction (sex) as a means for attachment because they are emotionally and verbally disadvantaged.

Anxious/Insecure
The consistent care of a child during the early years is crucial; when faced with inconsistency, they become aware that attention to love is conditional. Because of this, individuals focus on the “good” and ignore the “bad.” However, it can lead to compulsive behaviors later in life. Unable to predict when satisfaction will be provided, adults with this unfinished business are the most demanding and preoccupied with their needs. In some cases, because these individuals are afraid of abandonment, they often will leave a relationship first to avoid the hurt they might feel if it were the other way around.

Disorganized Attachment
As an infant, it should be about feeling safe, comfortable, and secure, but if a child views its caregivers as a threat, is surrounded by anger or resentment, and must fend for themselves, feelings of fear and uncertainty ultimately take hold, are locked in through adulthood.

Often parents treat offspring in this manner due to their own unresolved experiences and are unable to provide consistent care for their child. It is a serious problem that results in avoidance, insecurity, and high anxiety levels as an adult. This same person may likely have been abused with elevated incidents of trauma, resulting in problems with intimacy.

Trauma Bonding
In its simplest terms, bonding means to feel close to someone and provide a mutually positive experience through affection and empathy. Conversely, traumatic bonding is when a person connects with an abuser and confuses harsh or bad behavior with love.

Trauma Bonding during infancy is highly detrimental to the young, leaving them to face dysfunction in all future relationships. As a result of abusive treatment during the formative years, they associate fear, neglect, hurt, and shame with caring; this leaves them extremely vulnerable and unable to leave a toxic relationship.

Through repetitive abuse, a child begins to associate abandonment and insignificance with love and will forever be burdened by falling prey to those with personalities that prey on partners with high levels of empathy who are in search of security. At the same time, the erosion of self-confidence leads to a list of mental health issues such as anorexia, substance abuse, narcissism, or other clinically diagnosed personality disorders founded in feelings of self-loathing and hate.

In an adult relationship, it is often seen that those with narcissistic tendencies target those engulfed by Trauma Bonding; in fact, it is common for the narcissist to refer to a person they are pursuing as being a “magnet” to them and speak about their coupling as destiny. This attraction quickly develops into a co-dependency relationship, leading to emotional abuse, manipulation, and control.

With intermittent love followed by fear or disdain from a partner, the victim will face countless incidents of abuse, often taking the blame for the partner’s anger and acting out. Fearing rejection, the abused partner walks on eggshells to not offend or upset the abuser. And, while they don’t trust the partner, they are powerless to defend themselves and allow the hurt/love cycle to continue.

The manipulation process is easily noticed; although it can be difficult to back away from, the appeal of being wanted only to be rejected is masked during the process.

Here are the steps used to create dependency; it is important to watch for them in new relationships.

It begins with what is known as Love Bombing, where a target is mirrored; the controller will see the needs of their victim and provide—for a short time—feelings and behaviors that disarm them. They will speak of a future without knowing the new partner, often telling them they are meant to be together, even to the point of talking about marriage within only weeks of first meeting. The abuser will be viewed as perfect by the new partner and their promises.

The next step is building Trust and Dependency; the perpetrator will instill reliability and show it through thoughtful communication and actions. They will offer support and relate their commitment to providing comfort and safety for their target. Also, dates will be extravagantly expensive during this phase, combined with unlimited adoration and attention.

This stage quickly turns to Devaluation, where the new partner will be slowly mocked or criticized for their personality, tastes, and behaviors. The offending partner slowly slips from flooding interactions with compliments and replaces them with hurtful observations that they have secretly kept track of during the Trust and Dependency phase.  

Next is Manipulation. The controller will provide varying degrees of love and hate to push buttons at will and exert control over their victim. They have learned the weakness of their new partner and lack of ability to back away. At the same time, they confirmed the strength of the attachment, and from this, they will solidify an effective communication style that allows abject control.

At the same time, the abused is losing all self-identity, self-esteem, and any boundaries they may have left. Control of the relationship is now in the disturbed partner’s hands and mind, which leads to the final stage: Addiction.

When we feel loved in a healthy relationship, chemicals within the body are released and create a feeling of euphoria; these agents are potent and cause an unusual connection between our need for acceptance and love and the abuse rendered. For example, suppose a person has been treated harshly for whatever reason, only to be later idolized and told they are exceptional and perhaps be invited for a sexual encounter. In that case, the mixed messages will be misinterpreted and confusing. By the act of presenting acceptance, causing the release of intoxicating neurochemicals, or providing sexual pleasure after an emotional assault, is a sure-fire method for controlling a partner’s addiction, making it almost impossible for them to leave the relationship.

Seeking Help
The seriousness of the topic cannot be understated; considering the statistic of dysfunctional relationships, most people are aware of their problematic relationship but have become powerless to act.

To begin the journey on the path of resistance, a few simple actions need to be taken. While the outcome is to cut off all communication from the abuser and end the relationship, it will require the support of friends, family, and a trained therapist.

Prevent The Madness From Beginning
• When entering a relationship, watch for the red flags of control, pressure, Love Bombing, unrealistic expectations, or just moving too fast.
• Establish personal boundaries and adhere to them. Learn to say no and not feel guilty.
• Be keen on your partner’s behavior towards you; do you feel like you are rewarded after a fight?
•  Are they giving you backhanded compliments that seem to be degrading you?
• Stop idolizing your partner, and see them for who they are, not the    image you create in your mind.
• Pay close attention to the switching of acceptance and disdain and watch for a pattern.
• Talk to those you trust and seek support early on.
• Seek professional help; it could be in person, online, or you could research any of the terms used here. You’ll find volumes of information on each subject.

Learning about Attachment Styles and Trauma Bonding is the first step in getting out of a toxic relationship; it will also be a valuable guide for finding a good match for the future.

Stay healthy, and stay safe.

There’s another health crisis in the US, and it’s been hiding in plain sight.

In September 2021, word broke of new data by the CDC showing America’s adult obesity rate in 2020 was at an all-time high of at least 35 percent in 16 states—versus 12 states just a year earlier. In an already upward trend, this was a significant rise, thanks to pandemic-fueled stress. Keeping with current trends, the increase was mostly seen in the US South and Midwest regions, and minority populations in particular.1

In 2018, 42.4 percent of US adults were considered obese (defined as a body mass index/BMI of 30 or greater). Comparatively, 30.5 percent of us were obese in 2000. At the same time, the rate of severe obesity (a BMI of 40 or higher) jumped from 4.7 percent to 9.2 percent. Though obesity in adults and children has been the norm in US culture for some time, it is still considered a serious and underappreciated chronic disease that can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic problems, cancer, and now increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.2

In 2008, obese people averaged more than $1,400 greater medical costs than people with a healthy weight.2

Besides psychological stress, obesity is linked to socioeconomic factors. For example, there is the reality of “food deserts” in many low-income urban areas and the added expense of eating healthier (about $1.50 per day per person in 2013, according to a Harvard study).

But there’s yet another reason for rising obesity that’s often tied to convenience and feeling stressed.
In 2013, the media was abuzz with the New York Times #1 bestseller Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Michael Moss. Moss describes in the book how the US became the world’s most obese nation. At the time, 300 corporations reigned over America’s food supply with some 60,000 supermarket items lurking throughout the middle aisles. These processed products are based on three ingredients: salt, sugar, and fat, carefully crafted to overtake the brain’s self-control mechanism and promote overeating.3

We know that over time, eating too many sugary carbohydrates can lead to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells cannot properly metabolize blood sugar. It includes brain cells where, under normal circumstances, we experience a post-eating rise in dopamine (a principal feel-good chemical) from insulin that helps signal a feeling of satiety or fullness. Science has revealed that insulin resistance impairs this process, as high sugar intake has been linked to low dopamine release in the brains of insulin-resistant people, causing them to overeat.4

Functional MRI research has shown that formulating foods with sugar and fat activates the brain’s pleasure centers like cocaine. Manufacturers add enough sugar to reach a “bliss point” of maximum taste. It short-circuits the brain’s reward system and causes the consumer to crave more sugar, which readily converts to body fat and can ultimately lead to diabetes.3

The saturated fat in processed foods also has a specific purpose in providing “mouthfeel,” or a sensation of dryness and gumminess with moisture release. It can be freely added to foods for better allure. And while salt isn’t something we’re born liking, we’re coaxed into liking it from about the age of six months and then develop a craving for it.3

It’s been eight years since Moss’ first book was published, and the issue remains as pressing as ever, with consumption of ultra-processed foods rising in the US for the past 20 years among all population segments. According to researchers at NYU School of Public Health, “The overall composition of the average US diet has shifted towards a more processed diet. It is concerning, as eating more ultra-processed foods is associated with poor diet quality and a higher risk of several chronic diseases. The high and increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods in the 21st century may be a key driver of the obesity epidemic.”5

Perhaps the biggest indictment against these corporations is that, as Moss points out, many of the top processed food executives avoid their own products like the plague.3

The 2014 movie Fed Up also documents how Big Food bears much of the blame for why American society doesn’t seem to get healthier with time.

Eating Healthier
Experts generally agree that a more lifestyle-based approach to weight loss is more effective in the long term since healthy new habits are formed in the process.

There is solid evidence that a Mediterranean style of eating (Table 1) is an effective approach to “cardiodiabesity,” or the syndrome of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.6, 7

The Mediterranean Diet is grounded on eating whole (real) foods with grocery lists available online. It’s critical to avoid or minimize processed foods and added sugars, especially sugary drinks (soda, fruit juice, sugary energy drinks, etc.), and high fructose corn syrup. Americans consume, on average, about 92 grams of added sugar each day, yet the recommended upper limit is 21 grams per day for women and 38 grams for men. Even if a packaged food is advertised as low in salt, sugar, or fat, it’s usually higher in the other two ingredients when examining the label.3

That said, not all carbohydrates are created equal; whole grains like oats, barley, and brown rice are healthy, and since they’re high in fiber and digest slowly, you feel satiated longer and avoid a spike in blood sugar and insulin hormone that promote obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

Other evidence-based lifestyle tips for aiding weight loss and overall health include drinking more water, especially before meals; eating eggs (or lean protein) for breakfast to feel full throughout the day; reducing overall carbohydrate intake; drinking black coffee and green tea; using a restricted feeding window, such as eating all of your meals within a six to 12-hour period; and replacing some of your calories with whey protein powder. Also, supplementing with magnesium and chromium may help steady blood sugar and reduce sweet cravings to transition to healthier eating.

Eating purer foods tastes better than those processed after detoxing from excessive salt and sugar. For many, the excess weight comes off effortlessly with these changes, it stays off, and they feel no pressure.

Forming Healthy Habits
It takes most people at least three months to form a new habit. Often, the most challenging part of eating healthier is modifying unhealthy behavior patterns, particularly after subsisting for years on processed foods. For long-term success, it’s essential to be sure you’re ready to start changing your eating habits (Table 2).

The motivation to make successful dietary and physical activity changes has to come from deep within—what will drive you to initiate and maintain these changes over the long term? Experts suggest making a list of things that will encourage you to stay on track, especially in the face of temptation. Logging meals and using digital tools can also help keep focused.8

Having the support of someone else is another good idea when modifying behavior. Someone who will lift your spirits and reinvigorate you to keep going, rather than put you down, embarrass, or sabotage you, should you succumb to temptation. Mayo Clinic suggests someone or a network of people with similar goals who will listen to you and join in creating healthy menus.8

If you can’t seem to curb your cravings and impulse to overeat, you may be one of the roughly 20 percent of Americans living with food addiction. A professional treatment program may be in order, such as a 12-step program or cognitive-behavioral (talk) therapy with a licensed clinician or counselor.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Adult Obesity Facts.
3. Pogue, J.M. (2014 July). Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 27(3), 283-84.
4. Brookhaven National Laboratory. (2013, June 10). High Sugar Intake Linked to Low Dopamine Release in Insulin Resistant Patients [Press release].
5. New York University. (2021, October 14). Americans Are Eating More Ultra-Processed Foods [Press release].
6. Franquesa, M. Pujol-Busquets, G., Garcia-Fernandez, E., et al. (2019, March). Mediterranean Diet and Cardiodiabesity: A Systematic Review through Evidence-Based Answers to Key Clinical Questions. Nutrients, 11(3), 655.
7. D’Innocenzo, S., Biagi, C., & Lanari, M. (2019, June). Obesity and the Mediterranean Diet: A Review of Evidence of the Role and Sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet. Nutrients, 11(6), 1306.
8. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, December 7). Weight loss: 6 strategies for success. Mayo Clinic.

Born on Long Island, David Rogers learned to weld at the age of 13. By 15, he experimented with forest materials using dried branches and rope-lashing techniques to assemble various abstract structures. At this early stage, he had already steel-welded his first two insects—a dragonfly and a housefly.

He later apprenticed with a builder/restorer of wooden sailboats and cabinetry; worked as a house carpenter on historic Victorian age homes; did stints as a cab driver; was a magician’s assistant; an actor, in Shakespeare summer stock; and also a sailboat delivery crew member on the eastern seaboard.
With a devotion to a rustic form of design, using all-natural materials, he began constructing various styles of furnishings and garden structures employing multiple types of limbs and techniques. He developed a very ornate bent-sapling construction style called “Victorian Rustic.”

In the fall of 1990, while on a cousin’s farm in Vermont’s Green Mountains, he encountered a maple sapling bent over from previous winter’s ice storm. As he explains on his website: “There was something about the curvature and posture of this particularly ravaged tree—a backbone to a giant beast, perhaps that suggested a new life for the tree. Using dried branches and different varieties of saplings, a ‘dinosaur’ sculpture emerged in 12 inspired days.”

He first conceived the idea of the David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibition in 1991. He built 10 sculptures and had his first show at the Dallas Arboretum in the summer of 1994.

He has now exhibited in 40 states showing 40 sculptures from the collection.

This month, Rogers will present his exhibit at the Green Animals Topiary Garden, which opened on Friday, June 25, and runs through Sunday, October 3. The amazing pollinators and other huge bugs include a 10 foot Daddy Long Legs, weighing in at 600 pounds; an 18 foot Praying Mantis at 1,200 pounds; and a 10 foot Damselfly; along with an array of other massive creatures—nine total—placed in various locations around Green Animals. There will also be a colossal butterfly with a
5 foot wingspan in The Breakers Welcome Center in Newport.

The sculptures are created with various combinations of found or fallen trees, cut green saplings selectively harvested from the willow family, dry branches, and other sustainable forest materials. The work is a combination of landscape, recycled, and environmental art.

“When I go out into the forest, I am looking for shapes, colors, and textures,” David says of his process. “The inherent uniqueness of these materials, their different shapes, colors, and textures, provide these sculptures with character, definition, and a sense of motion.”

Admission to the Dave Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibition is included with the Preservation Society’s Stroll the Gardens & Ground ticket, which also includes two other properties and allows picnicking on the grounds.

Located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Green Animals Topiary Garden is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States and home to more than 80 topiaries in the shape of animals and geometric designs. Highlights include a remarkable array of flowering bulbs, perennials,
annuals, and shrubs, blooming colorfully throughout the spring, summer, and fall. In 2019, Green Animals was recognized as one of just 28 official Daffodil Display Gardens in the United States—and one of only three in New England—by the American Daffodil Society.

“We have never hosted anything like this before, but Green Animals is the perfect setting for this unique exhibition,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns the topiary garden. “People are going to be amazed when they see what David has created. The size and detail are just stunning. We cannot wait to share this with our visitors.”

For more information or to reserve tickets visit, NewportMansions.org.

Renowned American psychologist Abraham Maslow had a keen understanding of what drives people. To explain human motivation, Maslow conceptualized a “hierarchy of needs.” The behavioral model consists of five levels, most often arranged as a pyramid: at its base is bodily needs (food, clothes, shelter, rest); the next level is safety (job security, for instance); then, the need for love and a sense of belonging (intimate relationships); esteem (personal accomplishment and respect of others); and self-actualization (reaching one’s full potential and experiencing self-fulfillment, as through creative pursuits). A person must meet each underlying level of need in the pyramid before being able to move up to the next tier.1

Humans are hardwired to want to ascend Maslow’s pyramid and achieve the vision they have of themselves. But, is the ability to succeed inbred, or is it something we develop?

Research suggests it is a mix of both.

The Road to Self-Actualization
It was once thought that success was born of talent, timing, and good fortune, but we learn that certain behaviors are predictive of better results if practiced.
Here are seven common attributes of successful people that are backed by science.1-3

1 — Goal Setting
Research shows success is about 50 percent intellect and personality; so there is significant room for us to steer our destiny deliberately. Science shows that having goals improves a person’s performance.4 Entrepreneur Marc Effron suggests that individuals and businesses focus on no more than three goals, choosing goals with the greatest impact; promising yourself that you will deliver results; and challenging yourself with goals that force you to “reach;” as research shows this prompts people to go the extra mile.

2 — A Growth Versus Fixed Mindset
The term “growth mindset” was coined by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck. She explains that people with such a mindset believe they can improve their talents with hard work, strategizing, and feedback from others, whereas people with a fixed mindset believe their talents are inborn and unchangeable. People with a growth mindset “worry less about looking smart” and invest more time improving their skills. A pure growth mindset does not exist and needs to be developed.5
Findings by K. Anders Ericsson, a recently deceased behavioral psychologist who taught at Florida State University, bear this out. In examining factors underlying highly successful people, Ericsson found they are driven by a fervent pursuit of self-improvement and never rest on their laurels. To these individuals, skills need to be constantly strengthened like a muscle.

3 — Flexibility
A key trait of people with a growth mindset is how they perceive failure. Instead of viewing failure as self-judgment, they look at it as feedback on modifying their approach. They are flexible to changing circumstances and their thinking. They recognize fixed thought patterns may be holding them back. Rather than believe they can’t do something, they can think pragmatically about a situation and determine whether they have the needed skills.

4 — A Can-Do Attitude
Research shows that successful people are generally more optimistic, which allows them to see challenges as growth opportunities. When you are happy, experts say, it is easier to be optimistic, leading to better confidence and problem-solving. One simple, science-backed way of boosting mood and feeling happier is to practice gratitude. Though it does not prove causality, one notable study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, showed a significant boost in happiness ratings in 411 participants who wrote a letter of gratitude for someone’s kind actions versus a control group. And these feelings lasted for a month.6

5 — The Ability to Focus
Successful people can get into a zone by focusing on one task at a time—research suggests our brains cannot focus on two things simultaneously. Experts recommend that people block out all distractions and focus on a single task for at least 20 minutes each day.

6 — Perseverance
Another common trait among successful people is bouncing back from repeated failure and staying the course. The link between dogged tenacity and success traces back to 1892 and Sir Francis Galton’s work, a British scientist who observed: “zeal with capacity for hard labor” in successful people. Researchers today not only agree with this observation but give more weight to determination than intellect on the scale of success.

Psychologists note that relentlessness can be acquired over time with practice. Coping with failure’s negative emotions is a learned skill, which can begin with acknowledging that failure is a natural part of any major pursuit in life. One tip is to minimize potential setbacks by outsourcing any difficult task outside of your expertise. Another is to allow yourself to grieve over any failure and then move out of that place, assess what went wrong, and determine how those lessons can be applied to future attempts.

7 — Self-Control
Successful people have the ability to delay gratification. Stanford psychologist Walter Mischel’s famous 1972 marshmallow experiment, demonstrated its importance from a young age. When young children were presented with the option of having one marshmallow now or waiting to get two, later on, those who acquiesced to temptation became less successful in life than their stronger peers.
Notably, a newer marshmallow study showed just a small association between poor self-control and academic success in children. This link disappeared after controlling the child’s family and environment.7 Still, other research shows a strong correlation between delayed gratification and success, where settling for less in the short term can sabotage more significant gains in the long term.
Like perseverance, self-control is also a trait that can be developed through practice.

Other helpful behaviors include moving beyond one’s comfort zone and testing new avenues; listening to one’s inner voice instead of outside voices; always being honest, even if it means speaking unpopular viewpoints; taking responsibility for life’s outcomes, and recognizing and giving up personal defenses.

Qualities of Self-Actualized People
According to Maslow, we are motivated by an innate desire for self-fulfillment and growth. While many people are held in high regard for their material success, self-actualized people are doing all they are capable of, feel fulfilled and joyous, and view the world with wonder.

Self-actualization is not a terminal state of arrival but a continual state of becoming. It is also not a state of perfection but simply reaching one’s potential—character flaws and all. All people are capable of reaching self-actualization, yet Maslow estimated only 2 percent of us actually achieve it.1

Based on his analysis of 18 prominent, self-actualized individuals, including Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein, Maslow identified a list of common traits: the ability to accept themselves and others as they are; being problem-versus self-centered; spontaneity; a unique sense of humor; high creativity; the ability to view life objectively and tolerate uncertainty; enjoying deep relationships with several people; having peak experiences; a strong desire for privacy; being resistant to cultural norms; having a concern for humanity; being appreciative of life on a basic level, and having Democratic viewpoints with strong moral/ethical values.1

Helping Others to Succeed
Success should involve reciprocity. Since we all share the same desire for personal fulfillment and relationships are central to success, experts say our desire to grow should be as great as our desire to help others grow, including strangers and expecting nothing in return. Giving unconditionally helps to fuel our passion and gives us a greater sense of purpose that can ultimately make us happier and more confident toward our success.

This hypothesis is backed by science.  A study in The Journal of Positive Psychology involving more than 400 people, were asked to rate how meaningful their lives were in relation to the frequency of altruistic pursuits, like volunteering Those who helped others the most felt the most meaning and purpose in their lives.8

As the song goes, “You get what you give.”

One such entrepreneur is Nicole Duxbury. While living in Weymouth, Massachusetts, she started CAM Candles & Co. The industrious mom began making 100 percent American-grown soy wax candles, and organic/vegan cold processed soaps from her one-bedroom home.

“It was always a dream of mine and something I never had the time to start,” Duxbury shared with us, “[and] once everything closed down this year and I was home; with all the time in the world, I figured to give it a go, and so I started CAM Candles & Co.”

Since the start-up took root, Duxbury and her family, including her 21-month-old son Cameron (who the business is named after), have taken all the correct steps to put her best foot forward,
including moving to East Providence, Rhode Island.

The growth of the company is rooted in the philosophy of quality customer services and products. Duxbury is passionate about her commitment to manufacturing healthy candles and soaps that are safe for her customers and the earth. “I am committed to bringing customers a product that is all-natural, Eco-friendly, healthy, and beautiful,” she explains.

Through an easy-to-use website (camcandlesandco.com), the company describes—in detail—the many benefits it offers. The attractive candles boast being all-natural and clean-burning, with a line of soaps that are also natural and safe.

Made by hand, the company uses natural soy and coconut wax for its candles. The soaps are made from organic and natural oils and fragrances; most importantly, they are absent of harsh chemicals or artificial dyes.

Duxbury’s skills are notable; her ability to produce a highly competitive product during turbulent times is impressive. Her business acumen is evident through the sufficiency of her marketing and branding. She has created a simple look that captures consumers’ attention while eliminating the confusion some first-time business owners cause when they oversell and or use sales gimmicks to attract customers.

Many young businesspeople make mistakes in how they position their companies during the early days; too often, they overpaint their image by appearing to be something they are not. In this case, the public is drawn to her products and services because the message is clearly stated, ‘This is what we do, and if you buy from us, you will be satisfied.’ Go girl; you are on track to tremendous success—much more than you have already achieved.