Finding Hope After the Death of a Child

I am still in shock at the death of my daughter, the 45-year-old mother of twins. The shock of her death in a car crash will be with me forever. Fortunately, I am blessed to have twin grandchildren and my new mission in life is caring for them. My husband and I share this mission.

I know my grandchildren and they know me. They know I love them, will care for them, and keep my promises. Though they are living with their father my mind is filled with parenting thoughts about them. Do you have enough lunch money. Have your bus fees been paid? What clothes do you need?

Somehow, while I am dealing with questions, legal procedures and financial ones, I must find hope. It is not easy. Every day I look for hope, for as a health writer, I know its spark can keep me going. Where is my hope?

MY DAUGHTER WAS AN ORGAN DONOR. After consulting with our grandchildren, my husband and I signed an agreement with Life Source to donate our daughter's organs. The Life Source representative called the next day. "Your daughter saved three lives," she said, "and because of her another will see." Knowing my daughter helped others gives me hope.

FRIENDS HAVE SHOWERED US WITH KINDNESS. Because my husband and I are active in the community we have received cards from friends, people we barely know, and strangers. Some of the comments on the cards make us cry, but we are still comforted by them. The kindness of others gives me hope.

MEMORIALS IN MY DAUGHTER'S NAME GIVE ME HOPE. At the end of our daughter's obituary we suggested memorials to Mayo Clinic. The memorials we received added up to a substantial donation to Mayo Clinic. Helping Mayo Clinic to carry out its mission of medical practice, education and research gives me hope.

MY DAUGHTER IMPRINTED HER VALUES ON HER CHILDREN. The twins started thinking about their mother's values the moment she died. "Even when Mom disciplined us she was never angry," my grandson said. "Mommy always tried to make people smile," my granddaughter said. The twins know their mother wanted them to go to college and we will make this dream come true -- a mission that gives us hope.

THE SIGNS OF SPRING LIFT MY SPIRITS. The piles of snow around our house are melting and I am starting to see green grass. Next to the house, the birch trees show signs of budding. I saw my first robin yesterday. She (or he) sat on a tree near the house and sang for several minutes. Spring gives me hope and I am looking forward to it.

These hopeful signs are helping to heal my grief. I am also trying to make something good from grief and writing articles is a way to do this. Grief is a common bond that joins people together and makes us human.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

Office Supplies

The term "office supplies" is a generic term that encompasses all products that are used in the office by businesses and other types of organizations. These products include paperclips, staples, pens and pencils, and paper. Larger, more expensive products, such as computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and cash registers, are also included in the classification of "office supplies." Also included are office furniture, such as cubicles and desks.

Office supplies are the single largest, as well as the most important expense in most businesses. This is the reason why the office supply industry is a $225 billion industry and is still growing. The revenue of some of the largest retail distributors of office supplies can exceed $13 billion a year.

Today most office supply companies have also expanded into providing services related to the business, such as acting as copy centers, and creating products such as business cards and personalized business stationary. These services are also adding to the overall value of this industry.

Costs

For businesses, the cost of office supplies is a very large part of their budget. The initial cost will be the largest part of their business. They will need to first furnish their offices, as well as buy computers, printers, and fax machines. These purchases alone are a very large investment that can exceed as much as $20,000, depending on the size of the office.

Alone, the cost of paperclips, staples, paper, pens, and pencils do not cost very much. However, the large number of these products required to run a business will add up.

Other Products

Typically, anything used in an office is considered an "office supply." Although not widely recognized, cleaning supplies used in the office can also be classified as an office supply. Products used to clean the computers, the floors, and even the restrooms can also be called an office supply.

The Oil Depot Explosion That Rocked My Home And Brought Me Inner Peace

On Sunday morning, 11th December I got up early. I like sitting down to write when the house is still quiet, before day light glides over the hills and the silence of the night is chased away by the hectic activities of the day. There is something delightfully creative about those early hours for me and I was keen to finish another instalment of a piece I am writing called '7 Steps to Inner Peace and Personal Power in 2006'.

Although my daughter was staying at a friend's house at the other end of the country, through habit I sneaked quietly into the dark bathroom to get my dressing gown. Suddenly an unfamiliar, pink-coloured flicker lighted my way. I was startled for a moment; except for my sleeping dog I was alone in the house. Where could this eery glow come from? As I returned to the bedroom and looked out of the window, there was the loudest thunder roar I had ever heard, followed a split second later by a wave that shook the house as it sped right through, sweeping away the last trace of mellow sleepiness and leaving me stunned.

Some kind of explosion. The railway station, I thought - or maybe a large gas boiler in one of the shops or restaurants in the nearby town. And then I remembered the huge oil storage depot just 4 miles away and turned on the TV. It didn't take long for my suspicion to be confirmed as reports started to arrive with pictures of sky-high flames and huge volumes of deadly black smoke being thrown into the air. Now, we have the largest peace time incident of this kind in the UK, just a deep breath away.

And I was about to write about inner peace and personal power. How ironic. For a moment, my inner peace was diminished by thoughts of my own vulnerability and mortality; of concern for how it affected people who were even closer and ultimately the environmental impact this catastrophe would have.

But then came the determination to get my balance back and walk the talk and I asked myself, what are the conditions for true inner peace? How can anyone have personal power, when really we are mere pawns of the power of chance, of nature, of the whim of politicians and of the commercial interests of the high and mighty? How can we sleep at night and be happy by day if our lives can be changed with one spectacular blow of fate?

The answer I gave myself was the one that every spiritual leader, every guru or compassionate priest would have given me. It's the same answer that has come up to so many of my questions throughout the years of my own conscious journey to inner peace. The same simple truth that underlies all personal power and builds the foundation for inner peace, no matter what the external circumstances are.

True inner peace comes from within - from the power of our own minds. Viktor Frankl, the psychotherapist and author who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps by using the only thing he had left, his inner resources, put it like this:

'Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances; to choose one's own way.'

When something shakes our world to the core and throws us off course, even if we may think we don't, we still have the power of choice. We can choose how to react. The personal power that comes from this realisation is immense.

Wherever you look, you will see people who made the choice to let a crisis empower them rather than crush their confidence and break their spirit. People like the family of the murder victim Anthony Walker, who forgave the young men who so cruelly took their son and are not haunted by the poisonous power of hate, people who have courageously built a new life after the floods in New Orleans rather than wallow in self-pity and blame.

Those are the people who chose to take the path of inner peace and personal power. They are who I chose to use as my inspiration this morning, as I continued my writing under the ever-growing toxic black cloud.

I wish you inner peace and hope you find it easy to make that choice today. Greetings

Advice For Newbies When Buying Used Picture Framing Equipment

Have you been trying to make picture frames for a while now or have you just started recently?

Whether you're an experienced framer or a total newbie you might want to save some money. You can do so by purchasing used picture framing equipment instead of buying new tools. It's possible to save plenty of money but it is very important to choose the right gear to buy and to get your tools from reputable sources.

It can be a good idea to try to save some money by purchasing used equipment but it's also important to not buy just any old tools you can find. You will be able to find plenty of sellers on the Internet and in the classified advertisements. If you want to meet sellers in person you can visit various weekend markets. Please keep in mind that some used picture framing stuff can be a total waste of money instead of a sound investment.

There is a big difference between the type of tools you need if you are a professional custom framer and the type of tools you need if you just make frames for a hobby. Professionals generally lease or buy new framing equipment of the type they require rather than run the risk of getting something that is past its use by date.

Recently, I bought a vertical glass cutter from an online auction by placing a bid before I had a chance to go and view the item. The photograph looked good and I knew the brand was reliable because I had used one before. Little did I know that one of the cutting heads that is used to trim backing boards was missing and the manufacturer no longer serviced that model. It still cuts glass great but it would have been even better with the extra head.

You can't afford to buy worthless tools that can't be used for your picture framing projects and that's why you should always do your homework in relation to the machines you are trying to buy. Often it makes sense to visit professional framing shops and framing suppliers to ask if they have any second-hand equipment available. They will be able to understand your needs and meet your demands and you will get the opportunity to inspect the items before purchase. Everyone will be happy with such a deal since you will save money and they will make a new contact that they can help in the future.

You might wonder how old the framing tools can be before you end up getting worthless equipment. The age of the equipment doesn't really matter but the quality and reliability should. Well maintained tools are often better than newer tools that have been neglected. Some tools can be reconditioned. The old style C&H Matcutter is a good example of a reliable manual mat cutter but it does have problems when the brass bushings become worn with use. These bushings can easily be replaced often giving the machine many more years of life. With nearly all modern professional picture framers using CMC computer controlled mat cutters there is an abundance of second-hand manual machines on the market. Depending on the type of picture framing you intend to do it would be worth considering a second-hand mat cutter over say a new Logan Mat cutter for hobby picture framers. I really like Logan cutters for people who want simplicity and only require low volume production but if you are a serious prospective custom framer then a used Fletcher or Keencut mat cutter would serve you better.

Try to find some quality used picture framing equipment that will be yours for only a small outlay. Remember though, you will soon forget the price if you are making quality picture frames and that's what you should focus on rather than saving a few dollars and gaining a world of pain.

Take Online Survey Offers For Money - Get Paid At Home

If you have ever wanted to take online survey offers for money, now is the time to get going. If you want to get paid at home, there has never been an easier way to do it than by taking surveys.

You have probably scoured Google or Yahoo, trying the find the best way to make legit money online. Most of the opportunities that you have found are nothing like what they claim. Everything from the data entry jobs to the phone jobs are not worth your time, but if you want to take online survey offers, you can be sure that there are 100% legit sites to do exactly this.

Sure, there are even online survey sites that are scams, but these are easy to spot and you can learn what to watch out for in no time at all. It is because of these scam survey sites that pop up every now and again that real, paying survey sites get a bad name. This is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. The bad part is that millions of people are missing out on a great money making opportunity. The good part is that you can take advantage of the millions of people that are not taking surveys. Since all of those people do not want to take online survey offers, this leaves more room for people like you, that actually do want to do them. This allows you to take more surveys and make more money.

There are also a bunch of people that have tried taking surveys, thought it took too long, and never bothered with them again. This is a shame; because that just means that they didn't find the right survey sites. They probably joined the first one or two that they saw and didn't like them, so they swore off surveys forever. If they would have actually taken a bit more time, they would have found the survey sites that pay top dollars and are 100% legit. Whatever your situation, the faster you familiarize yourself with the top survey sites, the faster you can stack your money. If you have ever wanted to take online survey offers for money, now you know that it can be done very easily.

Managing Conference Call Services

Distance and time have a way of hampering communication and interaction in an organization. In a global economy where competition is at the highest level, every edge counts. That is why conference call services have recently come into vogue. Even when travel is cost or time prohibitive, there is still a way to get together and discuss strategy and planning.

Your Options

Reservationless conference call services enable you to set up meetings without a lot of planning. Participants are merely given the information that will allow them to join the call. You can conduct a call with any given number of people in separate locations at a moment's notice. Reservationless conferencing is also lower in cost. The disadvantage is that security in this type of service is lacking. You will also personally have to handle the comings and goings of all the participants in the call. Operator-assisted conference call services basically assign the logistics of the call to someone else. This way, you can focus on what the meeting is about. These services are costlier, but offer more value for your money. There are added security features including monitoring of participants, roll calls, and wrap-up reports. The operator can also handle additional parties to the call and help resolve any technical issues that may arise. Operator-assisted conferences have proven particularly useful in deal-making sessions.

If The Price Is Right

Conference call services are generally billed on a per-use basis. Most do not require long term agreements. There is also no need to use the same service as that which handles other aspects of your operations. You are free to experiment with alternatives to find out which is best for your needs. The pricing is usually per minute and per person. Pricing has experienced a drop in recent years. Flat rate pricing is also gaining popularity and is suitable if you have a high volume of calls and people in those calls. Only you can determine which is best for your situation.

There may be additional fees for features, such as call recording and translation. Conference call services can vary greatly in this regard. You can check which features they include as standard in any package that they offer. If you are a high volume user, you may be eligible for discounts. Also, look for tiered pricing as this may offer you flexibility in your particular situation.

The Deal Breakers

Technical support should be a primary factor in your decision. There is nothing worse than finally setting up a meeting with VIPs and having to fiddle with the telephone while they are all waiting. Even worse is the conferencing service that fails to hang up while you're already discussing the call in the office. Can you say awkward? Finally, check for lower rates if the calls are local. Chances are you can save even more money for the company in this area and show what a fiscally responsible executive you are. And that is great for the company and great for you.

Marijuana for Medical Use in Colorado

Fourteen states currently allow marijuana for medical use, and Colorado is one of these states. The law went into effect in Colorado in 2001. In order to legally use marijuana in this state, a person must have documentation from a physician that he or she suffers from a serious medical condition and that marijuana may help this condition. The patient or their primary caregiver is then allowed to possess two ounces or less of marijuana for medical use. According to the law, they also have the right to grow six or less marijuana plants with only three of these being mature enough to be used to smoke.

Ever since marijuana for medical use has been legalized in Colorado, advocates of marijuana usage have tried to locate physicians who will recommend this drug. The problem of physicians making casual recommendations became so widespread that a new law requiring doctors to perform a physical exam became effective on June 7, 2010 when Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed the bills into law. House Bill 1284 regulates how marijuana can be sold. Physicians must not only provide physical exams before recommending marijuana, but in addition, their medical license cannot be flagged and they cannot own or profit from the establishment that dispenses the marijuana.

The original law legalizing marijuana for medical use approved usage for those patients with severe pain, cancer, severe nausea, HIV/AIDS positive, glaucoma, seizures, and muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis. Patients may use it for other conditions, but only if approved by the Colorado Board of Health.

Those who believe that marijuana should be legal for all citizens have many websites online, offering names of physicians they recommend, even though they claim that these doctors will not necessarily distribute prescriptions for the drug. Other sites online discuss how it can help many other conditions, even ADHD in children.

Even those who have documentation from their physicians are not allowed to use marijuana wherever and whenever they want to use it. For instance, the Colorado law - Amendment 20 - says that physicians may recommend marijuana. Doctors may not prescribe it since it is still illegal according to federal law. The state amendment allows individuals to grow their own plants for medical use. There are also regulations stipulating where a patient may smoke, which is in private, and not in public areas where they can be seen by others.

Choosing a Life Settlement Broker

Life settlements are relatively new, so it is important to find a broker who understands the market, has enough drive to negotiate the best deal on your behalf and compassionate enough to guide you through what might be an emotional process.

A life settlement is a sum paid for a life insurance policy no longer necessary or desired. The value of the settlement is negotiated, and most settlements are up to three times the value of simply surrendering the policy. The right broker will be able to answer your questions and be knowledgeable and skilled enough to get the most for your policy.

Consider the following when finding the broker to meet your needs.

The Information Provided - The broker should be educating you and keeping you up to date on all aspects of the settlement. He should be upfront about his own affiliations and actions. There is nothing for a broker to hide in a settlement, so he should be open and always willing to explain or answer questions.

The Fee Structure - Brokers are paid in one of three ways. They may take a percentage of the insurance's face value. This means they get the same amount regardless of the settled price. They might get a percentage of the negotiated price. This encourages the broker to get the highest price possible, but can also significantly eat into your benefits.

A final, and perhaps fairest, method of payment is for the broker to take a percentage of the value gained. The settled amount less the surrender value is the benefit gained by the broker. He then takes a percentage of that amount. This encourages him to get the largest settlement possible to increase his own earnings while protecting your own.

Industry Contacts - The contacts of your broker should be large-scale institutions and competitive bidders. There is still a great deal of fraud in the insurance industry, so your broker should be working with those who already know how to identify and avoid fraudulent activity. Your broker should also know some of the highest bidders in the industry to be sure you are getting the most value for your policy.

Medical Contacts - A medical professional on the staff or associated with a broker's firm can also work to your advantage. A doctor working with your broker can help interpret your medical history in an advantageous way. This can mean a difference financially.

Protecting Your Interests- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) helps regulate the insurance industry by setting standards of conduct on the part of brokers and insurance professionals. You should also ask to see the broker's E&O insurance (Errors and Omission insurance). This insurance is unavailable to brokers who have a history of fraud or unethical behavior. Brokers without E&O insurance should be avoided.

A life insurance settlement also means disclosing your personal and medical information to your broker. Be sure to read and understand the broker's privacy policy to best protect your interests.

Digital Network Security System Explained

Computer technology has revolutionized the way we go about our lives both professionally and socially. Nearly every organization has installed a computer network for purposes of storing, receiving and sending information. Computer usage requires a fundamental approach to security.

Networks containing personal, confidential and sensitive information place great emphasis on their security. Even simple computer usage, like the exchange of emails and storage documents, would require a digital network security system.

Importance of Secure Systems

Network security is an important aspect of government organizations as well as small and large organizations. Intruders can cause a lot of damage to a network should they breach the security buffer. Such concerns call for great awareness among all computer network users.

Computer security systems have to be constantly updated if hackers are to be kept at bay. Each new day comes with its own security flaws. According to the International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics (IJESDF) 2010 Vol. 3, everyday sees the sprouting of 1 million security threats on the Internet.

Key Areas

• The very first focal area is deterrence. The aim here is to discourage hackers from breaking into systems for malicious and illegal reasons.

• Prevention: Have measures in place that would prevent any unauthorized access. This is achieved through communication encryption, security systems update and authorizing special access.

• Detection of security breaches as they arise. This is done through the setting up of logs that record any access of the system as well as its usage.

• Correction of system flaws. The security system can be used to put measures in place to prevent reoccurrence of the flaw.

• According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), there are four main aims of a network attacker. He or she might aim to do any of the following:

• Intercept: This is a form of system attack where the attacker attempts unauthorized entry. This might take the form of information copying or packet sniffing which entails communication eavesdropping.

• Interrupt: This aims to deny the availability of services. The end result is that resources become unavailable.

• Fabrication: This is a counterfeiting attack. Fabrication attacks leads to bypassing of authenticity checks which eventually leads to information impersonation and mimicking.

• Modification: This is an attack that reroutes information intended for a particular user.

Finally, digital network security systems analysts handle two main cyber attacks. These are active attacks and passive attacks. Active attacks are easy to detect since they result in system disruption and they take the form of:

• Reply

• Service denial

•Masquerade- impersonation of an authorized user

• Modification

Passive attacks are hard to detect as they do not alter or interrupt information flow. They take the form of traffic analysis and transmission monitoring.

Pre Settlement Funding - Loss-Recovering Opportunity

Maturity of personal damage was an issue but now financial advancement offers pre reimbursement financial support. Your demand for pre settlement funding can be satisfied via online services for which you don't have to be worried regarding repaying intentions. Sometimes pressing economical situation makes you lurking between attending lawsuit and leaving it without any decision. Funding facility gives you relaxation gap without imposing intolerable conditions and you can frankly get pleasure from leverage of recognized company. Legal assistance collects required documentation for online application on your behalf. It is suggested to describe out of range expenses, jobless condition, and bills for phone, gas or mortgage.

Lawsuit Advance Funding - Source of Fiscal Cooperation

Financially restricted individuals can expediently move towards progress relying upon their contact with settlement assisting companies. Risk free support leads you to win your court case but if you lose it, you are not supposed to return it as affiliated fund providing company takes responsibility to repay it. You don't have to bear any charges for application form in order to alleviate your financial trouble and it proves inevitably defensive from all aspects. If your financial assistant provides evidence related to litigation expenses as compare with your capacity to afford it, commercial-based verification works as complimentary document till you qualify for funding.

Prevailing economic crisis provoke desire for lawsuit advance funding and you can relish this investment in cases same that of fall & slip, vehicle accident, products accountability, profit-making litigation, wicked death and medical negligence. If you have been going through constrained flow of cash, don't feel reluctant while accepting flexible conditions of finance promising collaborator. Establish financial status in accordance with your desires applying for contract funding. Legal proceeding ensures for comfortable solution for loss recovery intentions and this reliable support maintains your standard lifestyle prolonging funding facility. Your credit history is not counted while submitting easy and swift application to professional staff.

Value of Scheduled Procedure Linked with Lawsuit Loans

Lawsuit loans along with attorney acquiescence make you feel hassle-free because of well-timed approval of financial endowment. Time of applicant is given more value than that of any other litigation function and there is no delay in decision-making documentation. Proficient writers provide secured as well as above-board services for filling up relevant application. In case of pending lawsuit, cash advance can be of great assistance for the payment of your utility bills or business related contracts. Your claim against defendant should be based on solid proofs and in case of contingency your attorney shoulders for repayment.

The most enjoyable thing about pre settlement funding is that if you lose proceedings, you are free from repayment apprehensions according to the rules of settlement insurance. This client favoring opening is a beam of hope in prevailing darkness of financial crisis. Fair process of getting loan for lawsuit continuation bestows you with a chance of maturing your damages. Overnight delivery is striking feature of settlement funding that is transferred through wire and there are some cases on which you are given preference over other candidates. Finance specialists offer their competent aptitude for the completion of your funding requirements.

Mobile Windshield Repair - Saves Time, Money and High Gas Prices

Windshield replacement, no doubt has high costs, but the time spent in the repair is also of great consequence. So while windshield glass repair does solve the financial aspect of the problem, it is only mobile windshield repair that helps conquer the entire problem. It is only a company like Dings Plus that provides mobile windshield repair that can truly be called a better alternative to windshield replacement.

Imagine a scenario, where you have a small chip on your windshield. You are faced with two alternatives, either to go in for a complete windshield replacement or opt for a windshield glass repair. While the former can cost up to $500 the latter may be undertaken for as less as $60. Obviously, you will find your self leaning in towards a windshield glass repair due to the rather large difference in price. But, if you have to drive to point X to avail the services of a windshield glass repair provider, then you will end up wasting time and energy, not to mention fuel. So the best bet under these circumstances is choosing a company that provides mobile windshield repair rather than only windshield glass repair.

Mobile windshield repair has several advantages and it is due to these that the service is so highly availed by several automobile owners. A few of these are listed below -

Time - One of the main advantages of a mobile windshield repair provider is the time that is saved by the consumer when availing these services. Instead of having to take out time from your busy schedule and drive your automobile to the service center, the Dings Plus Windshield Chip Repair comes to you. So while you are working in your office or tending to some home chores, the rock chip on your auto glass is repaired right at your doorstep. Money - Whoever said time was money was very right. The time spent in seeking windshield glass repair that is not provided at your doorstep is definitely a lost of money too. However, with Ding Plus doing the job for as little as $60, the mobile windshield repair services costs much less than windshield replacement. Fuel - While time is definitely money; nothing pinches more these days than the rising cost of fuel. Having to drive down to a point and then drive back consumes fuel too. So when opting for the mobile windshield repair option one also has the added advantage of saving the cost of fuel.

Negative Attitudes From Parents and Teachers

Last week, I shared suggestions to improve students' attitudes towards study skills. But, students are not the only ones with poor attitudes.

I recently received an email from Jean*. Jean is a teacher who is battling a few roadblocks while teaching study skills during her study skills class.

Yes, that is right. Jean is responsible for teaching study skills, yet other teachers in her building are upset that students are not using time in Jean's class to catch up on incomplete work.

This is a classic chicken/egg scenario; if students were taught how to study, they may not be in the situation of having to catch up on so much work.

Jean also received a complaint from a parent who was upset that students were doing learning inventories and not getting individual tutoring in math. "It's a little frustrating," she vented.

I can't imagine!

HOW CAN PARENTS AND TEACHERS BE SO IGNORANT?

Sorry to be so blunt, but this is ignorance. I'm sure I am plenty ignorant in certain aspects of life, myself. My husband, Brian, just experienced something this afternoon that perfectly illustrates how easily we, as human beings, become ignorant.

Brian was flying to New York, with a connecting flight in Washington D.C. His flight into D.C. landed and parked in the middle of the tarmac. As he and the other passengers exited the plane, they were immediately shuffled into a bus that would drive them to the terminal. This is the routine procedure for this flight and several people on board were business commuters who had traveled this flight several times before.

The problem was that most passengers had checked carry-on luggage "plane-side" and were expecting to grab their luggage before boarding the bus, as they had done dozens of times in the past. This time, however, an airport employee directed them to board the bus right away. So they did.

Not one person asked about their luggage. They all assumed they would be reunited with it at the terminal. But they weren't. In fact, when they reached the terminal, they had a very difficult time getting help because no one could comprehend their problem. It is well known that all luggage that is checked "plane side" is also picked up "plane-side." The airport personnel couldn't fathom that 25 passengers neglected to grab their luggage.

They eventually found help, but the process took a while and several people missed their connecting flights; it was a real mess!

Meanwhile, as they waited for their luggage, the passengers chatted with one another. They all admitted that they had been "traveling for years" and "knew better" than to board the bus without their luggage. They all "thought it was weird" that they were not able to get their luggage next to the plane, but not one of these 25 seasoned travelers voiced their questions. Why should they? Everyone else looked like they knew what was going on, so each person quietly thought, "I must be missing something."

Our instincts tell us to "follow the crowd" and that is exactly what happened in this situation. In an instant, 25 business travelers (presumably of average-to-high intelligence) reacted no differently than "cattle."

THE SAME THINGS HAPPENS IN EDUCATION

Education is an institution. It is run by nameless, faceless, bureaucratic policy. It can be difficult (sometimes "impossible") to change or challenge, so members of the institution stop questioning. Very quickly, they become cattle, too. It's no wonder people become complacent!

And complacency is fuel for ignorance.

So, how do you Overcome this ignorance?

Surprisingly, it is not very difficult. This afternoon, it would have taken just ONE person to ask ONE question to save 25 passengers from their luggage snafu. ONE person could have saved the whole group from a lot of confusion and a lot of wasted time.

The same is true for study skills. One advocate can bring attention to the importance of teaching students HOW to learn. One advocate can shake all of their colleagues from their complacency coma of following the faceless, nameless institution. One advocate can ensure that students learn the skills they need to be successful in school, the workplace, and in life!

HOW TO RALLY THE TROOPS

Step 1: Share solid information.

No one cares for hype. Gather facts, data, and research to support your conviction. Since study skills are my passion, I've been busy doing this very thing. Check out The Cost of NOT Teaching Study Skills video on YouTube. It has statistics that support what your intuition already tells you is very important.

Step 2: Find your allies. Carefully.

As you begin a new initiative, share the information you gathered from Step 1 with colleagues on an individual basis. Take note of the people who respond positively. You will need their help very soon.

Step 3: Survey your school.

Ask teachers, students, and parents about the symptoms that concern them. The teachers who are upset that incomplete work is not being done in Study Skills Class will obviously tell you that they don't care about "study skills." But when you ask them about their frustrations, they sure as heck will complain about the volume of incomplete work! Hmm...

Survey teachers in your school to identify specific, common problems and frustrations.

Step 4: Start the Rally. Slowly.

The direction of a conversation is determined by the first person to respond. That first person will set the attitude and tone of the entire conversation. (Make a mental note to watch for this and you'll see it is very true!) So, when you want to propose a new idea or initiative in a meeting, coordinate with your allies. Tell them about your presentation and ask them to respond with genuine, supportive comments right away! One ally is great, but 2-3 is ideal.

This process simply ensures that your ideas will not be shot down immediately. It does not prevent anyone from bringing up logical concerns, but simply fosters an environment where ideas can be explored from the perspective of "possibility," not automatically ruled out because they are "new and different."

The Naysayers

The 80/20 Rule guarantees that, in any crowd, you will have serious objections from 10-30% of a group. Some may have some legitimate concerns, but usually, this group is simply negative. They are disempowered. They don't like change. They seem to work at being miserable and drag everyone around them in the doldrums they create.

Be aware of this group. Expect their objections. Recognize that a long-established mathematical principle (The 80/20 Rule) has been predicting this group would exist since long before you were even born. Be comfortable with the fact that you will not persuade all of them in your favor.

Of course, 80/20 also states that the majority of Jean's colleagues and parents (70-90%) would support the goals of her study skills class! Unfortunately, they are a usually a silent majority so it is easy to overlook their support, but it is vital to acknowledge it.

CONCLUSION

Many of the "objections" Jean is facing are coming from people who don't have enough information to understand her objectives. They are stressed and bogged down with their own responsibilities, but might benefit from a little nudge to look at the bigger picture. Strategic, thorough communication will help Jean get more cooperation...and develop a more "vocal" support group from the other 80%!

*Name changed to protect confidentiality.

Start With Why

Have you ever wondered why some people and organisations are more innovative, more influential and more profitable than others? Simon Sinek delves into the intricacies of why some corporations command greater loyalty from customers and employees, and what these inspirational leaders have in common.

"Start With Why" unearths why certain individuals and enterprises were able to inspire those around them to achieve outstanding things. Simon studied the leaders who have had the greatest influence in the world, and discovered that they all think, act, and communicate in exactly the same way, and it is completely contrary to what "everyone else" thinks and does. He shows how great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Simon discovered the powerful concept called "The Golden Circle", which provides the blueprint upon which organisations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired.

Simon Sinek reveals that most organisations can explain what they do and how they do it, but very few can definitively explain why they do what they do. Simon digs deeply into why people are attracted to certain organisations and leaders, and not to others. The book follows a naturally occurring pattern. There is a common thread that weaves throughout the pages of "Start With Why", in particular, a certain way of thinking, acting, and communicating that gives some leaders the ability to inspire those around them.

The book is written in such a way, that it gets you thinking deeply about why you do what you do, and whether or not you actually believe in yourself, your cause or purpose. Understanding why you do what you do, will enhance your belief in yourself and your cause, and in turn inspire others to believe in what you believe. In essence, if you don't know why you do what you do, how will anyone else know? It is not only a book that inspires, it is a book that empowers you to "think outside the box" and guides you on to the road to success. It's a journey of discovery, and takes a little practice in self-examination, but it is well worth the analysis.

In this day and age where so many businesses are struggling to keep ahead of the pack, it is crucial now more than ever, to understand why you are doing what you do. Understanding this simple, yet powerful quality, will radically enhance how you do business, and how you inspire others to take action.

We enjoyed reading the book and give it a definitive "thumbs up" to individuals and entrepreneurs, or anyone, who is seeking to progress in their personal development, and their business pursuits.

Elements of a Contract

While most people understand that contracts are agreements between two or more parties that outline the terms of personal or professional. Contracts may involve the sale of products, property, or goods, or they may outline the terms of work to be performed. In addition, contracts may be used to guarantee that certain actions will be taken or can protect against the disclosure of important information.

When it comes to business, people often use contracts to guarantee that work will be performed, that employment expectations will be met, or that confidentiality and business practices will be upheld. Contracts can also help settle disputes and are a very useful tool for many businesses and can help make sure that transactions run smoothly for all of the parties involved.

In many cases, business owners or managers will consult an experienced business attorney to help outline the terms of a contract and make sure the document will stand up in court if challenged. In order for a contract to be valid, it must contain clear and concise language outlining the terms of the agreement between the two parties, and must be signed by both entities.

Essential elements of a contract include:

Mutual consent over the terms and what is being agreed upon An offer, which usually contains the terms of the agreement Acceptance of the offer Mutual consideration Performance or delivery In order for a contract to be valid, the parties must outline an agreement (often including the scope of the work to be performed), and must agree to the terms contained within. If a dispute arises, the parties may discuss the offer or make a counter-offer until the terms more closely match the needs of both entities.

Contracts are often used to enforce an agreement made between two parties, and they can help make sure that delivery of the product or service is completed. Failure to do so is considered to be a "breach of contract" and the aggrieved party may be able to take legal action to make sure the work is performed, the goods are delivered, or money paid is returned. In addition, persons or businesses that fail to deliver on a contract may be forced to pay fines or perform additional services.

For assistance with a business contract or contract dispute, visit the website of the Austin business attorneys of Slater, Kennon & Jameson.

Mercedes Cars - Early Years of the Mercedes Empire

Mercedes car manufacture business was started in 1901 as part of the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, a car maker mostly known as DMG. In last century Mercedes has become the leading prestigious car brand being used by most world leaders and celebrities. This famous 35 hp design of 1900 is still quite valid and is known for being the best long wheel base design with wide tracks too. Here is a brief description of the early years of Mercedes.

The start of the DMG auto business was stuck with many unfortunate incidents including deaths of the partners Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Bauer. While the Gottlieb Damiler passed away due to natural causes, the death of Wilhelm was quite shock to the company as he died during the race in the Turbine Hill. His accident on the climb was fatal as he hit the rocks and died instantly. This stopped the Mercedes team to stop taking part in the racing for good.

Being the fist sport cars, Mercedes were quite successful in business. The arrival of Emil Jellinek in the owners was big change. This happened after he purchased the rights with more than 550 thousand gold marks. This was the start of the new 35hp vehicles that were produced with precision in mind. Soon all the elite of Belgium, Hungary, United States, and Australia wanted the new cars. The team created the cars with attention on all the details so the first batch was produced in after three months.

Mercedes found the best patron in shape of Jellinek; he encouraged the design change that was beyond decades. The target of the design team was to produce not the car of tomorrow but day after tomorrow. At that time the cars were looked down for being unsafe and slow too. The other problems in the design include the problem of overturning at higher speed; this was resolved after creation of the aerodynamic model by Mercedes team as well.

The improvements include the installation on the wheel base that was longer than before that provided the vehicle with needed stability during higher speed. The other problem with safety was removed by changing the location of the engine that used to be in the back before. The car also was added with the chassis and engine in one spot for the first time too. The whole design was redrawn and changes were made to have lower center of gravity as well. Mercedes came into the lime light with bang after the wining the prestigious Nice-Races many times after 1901.