Maybe it's because I just watched the mini series "John Adams" with Paul Gematti and Laura Linney, or maybe it's just my place in life, but "freedom and Independence" feel different for me this year. So many of our holiday's now are celebrated commercially instead of meaningfully. We go through the motions of gathering, eating, celebrating, but we really don't talk about the meaning behind why they are holiday's and why we celebrate them.
It's amazing how young our country is in relation to most other countries,and how highly we are regarded globally. It's this "freedom and Independence" that we enjoy that is a powerful magnet for others that come to America, many risking their lives to do so, so that they too can have a chance at this piece of "freedom and independence", that America represents.
I am so grateful I am an American and to our Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, who wanted us to have our own United States, and our own rights as a people.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
My life would be very different without this basic tenant. What I have and what I am today, I have only because I am an American!
This is why we celebrate and that is what it means to me!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Emotional Week Saying So Long to Farrah and Michael
I remember when John Lennon was assasinated in NYC. It was shocking and surreal. We just didn't want to believe that one of The Beatles was gone. It took a while to be able to accept it. Probably because The Beatles shaped our lives culturally, socially and musically. It was a time in my life of great growth, joy and wonder, and "Love Me Do" and Sargent Pepper" played in the background of my life.
The 80's were about only two artists for me: Madonna and Michael. My brother worked in the record business for 30 years and 12 of it was with Epic Records, during the height of MJ mania. He worked some of those amazing records nationally and I got to see him live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 80's for me were also a time of growth,joy and wonder and Michael Jacksons' music, videos and entertainment was a part of the fabric of my life. He's gone physically, long before he probably should be, but, his genius is surely his legacy to all of us.
In all these years post MJ Mania, full of controvery and some distubing news, he was kind of a "tortured soul" who never really had a chance to lead any kind of normal life. He is described as sensitive, loving, caring, spiritual, genius. He also described by mostly media as "wacko". Whatever media does to create interest, I choose to remember him for what he brought to my life and what I always felt was his higher aim, motive and intent. He left far more to all of us than he took.
"we are the world, we are the children. we are the ones who make a brighter day,so lets start giving"
The 80's were about only two artists for me: Madonna and Michael. My brother worked in the record business for 30 years and 12 of it was with Epic Records, during the height of MJ mania. He worked some of those amazing records nationally and I got to see him live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 80's for me were also a time of growth,joy and wonder and Michael Jacksons' music, videos and entertainment was a part of the fabric of my life. He's gone physically, long before he probably should be, but, his genius is surely his legacy to all of us.
In all these years post MJ Mania, full of controvery and some distubing news, he was kind of a "tortured soul" who never really had a chance to lead any kind of normal life. He is described as sensitive, loving, caring, spiritual, genius. He also described by mostly media as "wacko". Whatever media does to create interest, I choose to remember him for what he brought to my life and what I always felt was his higher aim, motive and intent. He left far more to all of us than he took.
"we are the world, we are the children. we are the ones who make a brighter day,so lets start giving"
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Make a Decision
Life really is a "series of decisions".
You make them to the best of your ability at the time, with whatever knowledge and information you have, or they are random, and impulsive. No matter, they always lead to the next part of the path and journey.
I sometimes think the more people you talk to the more confusing it can get. Everyone has their own take on things.
The outcome of decisions sometimes are complicated.
I usually rely on my guts, my instincts, but at the moment, my guts are telling me some things loud and clear, but other things are not. For this moment of decisions,it's going to have to be a short term resolution, until a longer term one reveals itself. We always want to now that long term stuff, but many times it's not ready to be revealed, so we have to go with it and simply "have faith".
Scary and vague is kind of unchartered for me, but I have committed to the adventure and this is part of that adventure. I watched a video sent to me by a friend Scott, from the TED website by Richard St John who talked about: "success is a continuous journey" and the 8 principles: passion, work, focus,push,ideas, improve, serve, persist.
I couldn't agree more. I am going to make some decisions, live them and prepare myself to make more decisions. I need to take much of the advise I give others in my career counseling work, and I need to remember to live and enjoy life while uncertainty temporarily abounds.
“The greater the tension, the greater is the potential.” Carl Jung
See you on the "adventure road of life".
You make them to the best of your ability at the time, with whatever knowledge and information you have, or they are random, and impulsive. No matter, they always lead to the next part of the path and journey.
I sometimes think the more people you talk to the more confusing it can get. Everyone has their own take on things.
The outcome of decisions sometimes are complicated.
I usually rely on my guts, my instincts, but at the moment, my guts are telling me some things loud and clear, but other things are not. For this moment of decisions,it's going to have to be a short term resolution, until a longer term one reveals itself. We always want to now that long term stuff, but many times it's not ready to be revealed, so we have to go with it and simply "have faith".
Scary and vague is kind of unchartered for me, but I have committed to the adventure and this is part of that adventure. I watched a video sent to me by a friend Scott, from the TED website by Richard St John who talked about: "success is a continuous journey" and the 8 principles: passion, work, focus,push,ideas, improve, serve, persist.
I couldn't agree more. I am going to make some decisions, live them and prepare myself to make more decisions. I need to take much of the advise I give others in my career counseling work, and I need to remember to live and enjoy life while uncertainty temporarily abounds.
“The greater the tension, the greater is the potential.” Carl Jung
See you on the "adventure road of life".
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Women New Power Demographic
21st Century Statistics for Women in Business:
"Be proud of how far we have come, but stay the course,
with how much further we have to go".
Women comprise 46.5% of the total US labor force
Women are projected to account for 49% of the total labor force, 2006-2016
Women accounted for 51% of all workers in high paying management, professional occupations.
Women are starting businesses 2 to 1 over other ethnic groups.
Women owned firms(50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms.
10.1 million firms are owned by women (50% or more)
Women owned businesses are Employing 13 million people
Women owned businesses represent 1.9 trillion in sales.
*Dept of Labor Statistics,SBA office of Women's Business Ownership
Women Are Handling Recession Better Than Men:
Women-led businesses are surviving the recession better than most other businesses, according to a recent study by Florida International University's Center for Leadership and The Commonwealth Institute South Florida.
Here are some of the reasons from that study?
They are taking on less debt.
They are coping with the economic downturn by looking for new opportunities.
They are strengthening relationships with customers and vendors.
Women form strategic partnerships and create new divisions to bring in new business.
Women leaders are self-motivated, well educated and passionate about their business and they are optimistic
What does this mean?
Ken Gronbach, best selling author of The Age Curve discusses generational groups and their prominence with regard impacting business, social and political trends.
He includes Women and Hispanics as key subgroups to the Silents, Baby Boomers Gen X, Gen Y. Woman are fast becoming "influentials", a power block, that cannot be ignored and is considered “coveted”.
Lessons from My Career Transition Success Story:
It’s never too late to transition.
Don’t be afraid of change.
Believe in who you are.
Believe in the value of what you do.
Set yourself up to be successful.
Do whatever it takes to succeed in today’s new business economy.
“Be conscious in this world.” Alice Waters
"Be proud of how far we have come, but stay the course,
with how much further we have to go".
Women comprise 46.5% of the total US labor force
Women are projected to account for 49% of the total labor force, 2006-2016
Women accounted for 51% of all workers in high paying management, professional occupations.
Women are starting businesses 2 to 1 over other ethnic groups.
Women owned firms(50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms.
10.1 million firms are owned by women (50% or more)
Women owned businesses are Employing 13 million people
Women owned businesses represent 1.9 trillion in sales.
*Dept of Labor Statistics,SBA office of Women's Business Ownership
Women Are Handling Recession Better Than Men:
Women-led businesses are surviving the recession better than most other businesses, according to a recent study by Florida International University's Center for Leadership and The Commonwealth Institute South Florida.
Here are some of the reasons from that study?
They are taking on less debt.
They are coping with the economic downturn by looking for new opportunities.
They are strengthening relationships with customers and vendors.
Women form strategic partnerships and create new divisions to bring in new business.
Women leaders are self-motivated, well educated and passionate about their business and they are optimistic
What does this mean?
Ken Gronbach, best selling author of The Age Curve discusses generational groups and their prominence with regard impacting business, social and political trends.
He includes Women and Hispanics as key subgroups to the Silents, Baby Boomers Gen X, Gen Y. Woman are fast becoming "influentials", a power block, that cannot be ignored and is considered “coveted”.
Lessons from My Career Transition Success Story:
It’s never too late to transition.
Don’t be afraid of change.
Believe in who you are.
Believe in the value of what you do.
Set yourself up to be successful.
Do whatever it takes to succeed in today’s new business economy.
“Be conscious in this world.” Alice Waters
Friday, June 5, 2009
Renters Beware of Landlords in Foreclosure
If you are going to rent a property that is owned by someone, please make sure that you hire an attorney, or go through a rental management company to rigorously check out the status of the mortgage history and any fees,that they are required to pay.
I have been through 2 foreclosures in 2 years, and will tell you that those people that bought properties as investments and got caught in the downturn are "using" tenants to try and float their mortgage issues. The problem is, most of the time they go in to foreclosure. They are not telling you the truth, when they enter into these deceptive relationships. I did check out the last one and at the time there was no information about the property being in foreclosure online, simply because the information hadn't caught up with the site yet.
RENTERS BEWARE OF LANDLORDS IN FORECLOSURE. Get a mortgage stability letter from the bank, hire an attorney who can go online to see the status of their property.
I moved in Feb 1 and was served with their foreclosure Mar 31. GRRRR.
I have been through 2 foreclosures in 2 years, and will tell you that those people that bought properties as investments and got caught in the downturn are "using" tenants to try and float their mortgage issues. The problem is, most of the time they go in to foreclosure. They are not telling you the truth, when they enter into these deceptive relationships. I did check out the last one and at the time there was no information about the property being in foreclosure online, simply because the information hadn't caught up with the site yet.
RENTERS BEWARE OF LANDLORDS IN FORECLOSURE. Get a mortgage stability letter from the bank, hire an attorney who can go online to see the status of their property.
I moved in Feb 1 and was served with their foreclosure Mar 31. GRRRR.
Friday, May 29, 2009
10 Commonalities of "Life Jedi Masters"
I find so much inspiration right now from people, that are going through great personal or professional challenge and difficulty, with grace and poise.
Literally from financial to health to business to family, these times do not find anyone exempt from the impact.
There are some very apparent commonalities to me in the mind-set and approach that they take.
1) They see the silver lining and focus on the lesson.
2) They are proactive and take thoughtful actions.
3) They surround themselves with a support system that they tap into.
4) They serve and get outside themselves.
5) They allow themselves to embrace the uncomfortable emotions.
6) They see how their experience can benefit others.
7) They take actions they may not yet believe in.
8) They have a faith and spirituality.
9) They focus on what they can control.
10)They exude an intangible energy that attracts and impacts others.
Thank you to all the "Jedi masters of life" that help me daily.
"Stay in the Game and Don't Give Up"
Literally from financial to health to business to family, these times do not find anyone exempt from the impact.
There are some very apparent commonalities to me in the mind-set and approach that they take.
1) They see the silver lining and focus on the lesson.
2) They are proactive and take thoughtful actions.
3) They surround themselves with a support system that they tap into.
4) They serve and get outside themselves.
5) They allow themselves to embrace the uncomfortable emotions.
6) They see how their experience can benefit others.
7) They take actions they may not yet believe in.
8) They have a faith and spirituality.
9) They focus on what they can control.
10)They exude an intangible energy that attracts and impacts others.
Thank you to all the "Jedi masters of life" that help me daily.
"Stay in the Game and Don't Give Up"
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Focus Your "Life Lens"
Each day I am given opportunities to act. I can "act out", and indulge my ego and pride, or I can "act in", and bring myself into harmony with the way things are and not as I want them to be. I started really paying attention to this several years ago, as I committed to my own spiritual journey and path of self improvement.
My DNA loves a great debate and argument with anyone. I really like it when my opinions and points of view are adopted, but they are not usually right for anyone but me.
I'm holding some resentments right now, and some would tell me they are actually justified, but I know that nothing good or productive can come from them.
My "life lens" allows me to see more clearly, what actions and choices are best for me. Like a camera that adjusts to each picture it takes, I continually adjust my "life lens" to accommodate how I change, which affects the last lens setting.
It is not easy to know what the right and best decisions always are. Usually, for me trusting my instincts and having my "life lens" in focus leads me in the direction I am supposed to going.
How are you seeing through your "life lens"? What parts of your life and spirit are you focusing and re-focusing?
"Move and the way will open"
Zen Proverb
Sunday, May 17, 2009
"TPT"~ Time Spent Tweeting
I have to say, I was tentative about adding another social media commitment to my mix, but several friends urged me to do so, and especially Twitter. So, I decided to jump in for an incubator, test period to see what I could learn and what could come from it.
With networking, it must have a yield, a purpose and have a return on time spent doing. In another media (radio) it's known as "TSL", or "time spent listening", how long people listen to a radio station weekly. I call it in Twitter lingo "TPT", Time Spent Tweeting".
Here's my unscientific, empirical feedback in just five weeks: TWITTER WORKS!
It is revolutionizing how we communicate, connecting people worldwide, has the ability to impact immediately. If you can't grab em in 2.7 seconds with 140 characters, your out!It is forcing us to say things with more brevity and creativity to hook attention. It's like teaching people to go on a talking diet and use less words to make their point! Bold Headlines With High Relevance Work!
For me..
Major connections in LA, Atlanta, Orlando, Cincinnati, Florida(where I live). I welcome followers and appreciate them, however I am qualifying my following.
I am learning about hidden agendas and motives, how conversations and relationships are forged and Twitter etiquette. I am studying people with strong following and who they are following.
A few personal tips:
Take your time, and grow your sphere with thought and responsibility.
Share, serve and help.
Be mutual and authentic.
Don't over tweet, please.
Be a student and a mentor of social media.
Don't make it all about you.
My incubator period continues, as I see my followers and people I am following grow steadily. My feedback: Twitter is "Twitter-rific"
Check out the latest data and statistics on new media at:
www.newmedia.org
With networking, it must have a yield, a purpose and have a return on time spent doing. In another media (radio) it's known as "TSL", or "time spent listening", how long people listen to a radio station weekly. I call it in Twitter lingo "TPT", Time Spent Tweeting".
Here's my unscientific, empirical feedback in just five weeks: TWITTER WORKS!
It is revolutionizing how we communicate, connecting people worldwide, has the ability to impact immediately. If you can't grab em in 2.7 seconds with 140 characters, your out!It is forcing us to say things with more brevity and creativity to hook attention. It's like teaching people to go on a talking diet and use less words to make their point! Bold Headlines With High Relevance Work!
For me..
Major connections in LA, Atlanta, Orlando, Cincinnati, Florida(where I live). I welcome followers and appreciate them, however I am qualifying my following.
I am learning about hidden agendas and motives, how conversations and relationships are forged and Twitter etiquette. I am studying people with strong following and who they are following.
A few personal tips:
Take your time, and grow your sphere with thought and responsibility.
Share, serve and help.
Be mutual and authentic.
Don't over tweet, please.
Be a student and a mentor of social media.
Don't make it all about you.
My incubator period continues, as I see my followers and people I am following grow steadily. My feedback: Twitter is "Twitter-rific"
Check out the latest data and statistics on new media at:
www.newmedia.org
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