Andrew 'Andy' Kirchner Kolektivo Steward

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Facilitator • Ordinary dude with a different attitude

"Don't say you have a disability." ​​​​​​​​
"You don't have a disability."
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☝️ Somethings I've heard many times over the years. Just as some people are "offended" by the word handicapped or anything that makes it seem there is something "wrong".
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Real talk:
I have a disability. I am handicapped. To be more specific, I have physical limitations. For ten years now. They have not made me feel less than anyone around, the opposite. I believe my physical challenges have enriched me for I value the things that I can do way more. ​​​​​​​​
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I will even go as far to say that I was more handicapped before I was handicapped because I over thought everything!
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Being called a handicapped or disabled just acknowledges my physical state and if there can be more understanding and acceptance of that, I can be more empowered with what I can do. ​​​​​​​​
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I believe that looking the truth in its eyes will only make me stronger. I accept my challenges and limitations, and I embrace my powers to be able to create a better life for myself and my future.​ ​
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I was just playing with words when the brand name "The Recycled Pirate" landed. ​​​​​​​​
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I was a Pirate for years already, for the way I live by my own set of rules.​​​​​​​​
I used the word recycled because I was recycling products in my workshop, but also for how I recycled life. We added "The" after my friend Angela said:​​​​​​​​
"It's THE Recycled Pirate, for there is only one. And that is you!" ​​​​​​​​
How could I disagree with that?​​​​​​​​
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Once I had the name, I needed a logo. Since I can remember, I was a fan of branding. I think it's because of the original A-team series. I loved their font and the cool merchandise. I collected a lot of their merchandise as a kid. And years later, I ended up working in an embroidery and print shop. We made corporate and sport uniforms. I loved it!​​​​​​​​
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When it was my time to brainstorm my logo, I first researched the font that I wanted to use. It needed to be simple, but iconic and easy to use. The choice was quickly made. Special Elite is a classic looking font and looks good on paper and on clothes. Printed and embroidered, exactly what I needed. A major plus was, that it was a ready available font on Google Docs.​​​​​​​​
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My designer took it to the next level and after a few weeks back and forth the initial design was ready. The Recycled Pirate in Special Elite font with the heart around the P from the Pirate. Why?​​​​​​​​
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👉 "I do it with love, or won't do it at all" ​​​​​​​​
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As time went by, I ordered my first merchandise and after some minor tweaks we set on the finished logo. The P circled by a heart as the centerpiece icon that you see on all my products. And The Recycled Pirate | Life Awareness & Innovations for what I bring to my clientele and collectors.​​​​​​​​
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I hope you will enjoy the products that I bring, for I have enjoyed the process of making them! ​​​​​​​​
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Want to know more? Follow #thestorybehindthepirate
🌐 https://therecycledpirate.com

Beard oil made only with high quality essential oils. Available at Mensing's Caminada.

#MadeInCuracao

I'm reading this excellent piece from Curve Labs 👇
Keep in mind, when talking about #Web3 development, that the way to Rome wasn't build in one day. We need to keep our minds open and the conversation going #dontstopgrowing 🌱

https://t.co/G5yI6Tcsqh

Probably not what you're looking out for on a Friday evening, but save this in your to-watch list. The Dutch Blockchain Coalition, featuring our very own Luuk Weber

https://vimeo.com/671923031

✌️ Proof of Life ✌️

2021 ended with an enormous emotional high and a dark, and down, physical low.
While it feels like my most accomplished year ever (!!!) it has also come with medical challenges that really rocked my foundation and triggered many fears.

I am very pleased with myself and my practice of self-care, keeping the balance ⚖️ between work, life, health and sanity. Yet, with all my practice and experience, I couldn't have prepared myself for nerve pains, hospital visits and unanswered medical questions. I can not play the tough guy with a straight face.

I will, however, not let my head hang or be pity. In the coming time, I will be focussing on three "projects" that will keep my spirits high and help me grow beyond whatever I can imagine.

1. I will be on a medical/health quest to find solutions for these challenges. This is not an easy nor short path, and it can’t be avoided. So keep your fingers crossed for me.

2. I will continue my #EveryoneAPostcard project for The Recycled Pirate. Please join my Patreon, donate to my PayPal, or come and visit me, so we can write some cards together. I can really use the distraction and positive vibes that I can send, and receive!

3. I am on an AMAZING adventure with Kolektivo Curaçao which has been making many of my dreams come true. As an ecosystem facilitator within the organization, I will be focusing on creating a lot of social impact on the island, from food forests to economic developments, with a local and international team.

I am excited. I am confused. I am scared. I am inspired. And I am willing to face whatever comes on my path, and work though whatever challenge that counters me.

I am The Recycled Pirate, because I recycle life. Nothing changes if you don't change with it. ♻️

Let's make 2022 a year to remember, no matter the outcome!

⚠️ Links are in the comments below ⚠️

It's a DUSHI feeling to see one of our Innovation Ç supporting partners, IBIS Management, and one of our Kolektivo grantees, Fundashon Alton Paas, find each other and create their own success story.

This is why we believe an #ImpactEconomy is important, and why working together will benefit us all. Congratulations to both IBIS Management & Fundashon Alton Paas for creating togetherness to benefit our lesser able.

https://fundashonaltonpaas.org/2021/12/07/e-portal-inteligente-di-fundashon-alton-paas-a-bira-realidat/

There are more people with phones, than with bank accounts.

Does that mean that there are more people buying data for their smartphones, than they are depositing money on a bank account?

You are who you are looking for!
You are the answer that you are seeking.
You are the solution to all your worries.

All you have to do is open up, and stop believing the limiting beliefs your mind tells you!

YOU ARE THE HERO TO YOUR OWN HAPPINESS!

I've been busy... In all the good ways!

Teams are an interesting concept. By working together, you can achieve so much more, but you have to work through so much more inner work, to be of service to the team.

I love being part of this evolving team. Yolanda Wiel joined to help build the community. Rianne Gracia joined to bring more local and diaspora talent to the team, if possible with some tech affiliation. Kyara Wanga hoined to help us improve the inner and external communication. Giovani Zanolino joined, or at least his hand did, to bring art and culture to the team.

Together, with many others, for example Gilberto Morishaw , Ruben Russel, Luuk Weber and Ayrton Sambo located in the Netherlands, we form Kolektivo.

A collective, aiming to build a regenerative economy for our beloved island Curaçao. Using modern governance with Web3 development, Blockchain technology and a community coin named Curadai, to supply an ecosystem with good intentions.

We bring innovation to our international rock and make it an #ImpactHub

📍 Nut House Curaçao