Holistic definition: Treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease.
Introducing the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Chapter! To get a better understanding of Greenville’s newest Chamber of Commerce we meet up with their Chapter President in Greenville to get the entire story on what this developing holistic community is all about. Let’s go meet the President of the Greenville Holistic Chamber, Peggy Zielinski!
360: How did you first get involved with the Holistic Chamber?
Peggy: My recent habit has been to just keep my ears open and pay attention to what is happening around me. Every day, I hear more and more about people having trouble with traditional allopathic modalities, especially as it relates to affordability and insurance coverage. Many of them are seeking options to traditional pharmaceutical solutions to their health challenges. I have been hearing, more and more, about the many different holistic/alternative medicine modalities around the Greenville area and I wasn’t feeling like they are getting enough exposure. I am passionately supportive of treatment modalities that consider the whole person, seeking the root cause of illness, and attempting to resolve health challenges at that level, rather than simply treating symptoms.
Getting involved with the Holistic Chamber continued…
Peggy: A friend of mine, who presides over a Holistic Chamber of Commerce in Colorado shared the information on the Holistic Chamber of Commerce and I began looking for one in Greenville, SC. I realized that, although there are over 60 chambers across the nation, there isn’t one anywhere in South Carolina (or even Asheville, NC), so I felt compelled to hold space for the creation of one in the Greater Greenville Area.
360: Tell us more about your role as Chapter President.
Peggy: As Chapter President, my job is primarily to hold space for this gathering of holistic-hearted individuals and businesses, so that they can become more connected with other holistic practitioners, better educated about other holistic modalities, and learn effective ways of marketing. We also bringing more awareness into the community of these alternative healthcare options, and assist in improving general quality of life for members of the Greenville community!
360: What will the Chamber be doing for the community and holistic businesses?
Peggy: Becoming and staying healthy is an ongoing challenge across the lifespan. Our goal is to explore several alternative methods for approaching health care. But also getting better at promoting these options in the Greenville community, and more thoroughly understand other practices, especially for the purpose of cross-promoting.
360: What does “holistic” mean to you?
Peggy: The Holistic Chamber of Commerce purposely does not define the term “Holistic.” We believe individuals can best create their own, personal definition of “holistic.” Our aim is to be inclusive and welcome those who self-identify as Holistic, or simply want to learn more about what others consider to be holistic. We believe we can all learn and grow from a new perspective and an honest search for what holistic means.
“holistic” meaning continued…
Peggy: Our own journey has led to an understanding of certain hallmarks of a holistic, integrated and green-sustainable perspective: Balancing short-term results with long-term consequences – Integrity and honesty in our dealings with others – Organic, fair trade and natural – Complementary and integrative – Green, eco-friendly and sustainable – Fair to everyone, including ourselves – Consciousness of the link between mind-body-spirit and business-budget-planet. We try not to judge others based on where they currently are on the continuum from mainstream and status quo to holistic and eco-friendly.
360: What’s next? Any exciting news you can share with us about the Chamber?
Peggy: We are just beginning, but I can say that our kick-off meeting was a HUGE success! Over 60 holistic-hearted business and community members connected at our first meeting and couldn’t wait to start sharing ideas of how we can contribute to something bigger than each of us individually. By creating an environment of mutual respect, trust, and non-competition, we are excited to explore ways that we can “Create a Greener Greenville!”
360: When you’re not working what do you love to do in Greenville? Go!
Peggy: When we aren’t hanging out at home with our two dogs and one cat, Rob and I love to be outside, hiking Paris Mountain and other trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, bike-riding on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, walking through Falls Park, or enjoying the Upstate Music Scene. Rob is a Musician, and I own my own business, Our Inward Journey, where I teach Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction meditation, Chakradance (a moving meditation), and various courses that help bring Mindfulness into different aspects of life, including Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity and Pain Management. I’m so excited to see this community of alternative/integrated medicine professionals come together to offer their talents to the Greenville community!
360: Love it, Peggy! Thank you for your time. We’ll see you at this upcoming Tuesday’s monthly meet up on September 18th at Augusta Road Library starting at 6:30pm!
You can RSVP to this month’s meeting here.
To find out more information on the Greenville Holistic Chamber, you can visit them via their website here. You can also of course follow along via their social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Happy networking!
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