Category Archives: Learning

Seniors on the Rise

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“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.” ~ Albert Schweitzer 

Eldercare has become big business! Marketers have not contrived a need for eldercare services, there is a real need!  Our senior citizen population is growing at a fast pace! Adult children are looking to fulfill their parent’s senior care needs, in the best way they know how, by researching information and making good decisions about Alzheimer’s facilities, cancer care facilities, long term care facilities and other housing arrangements. Many are looking for advice on fitness for seniors, hospital concerns, privacy issues, in-home care options, integrative health issues and more. 

We are fortunate that in this country, experts are available to guide and advise senior citizens and their adult caregivers on a multitude of issues. On-line support is also available at sites such as:

http://www.parentgiving.com/expert-nswers/caregiving/housing-choices/. On the team of experts of this site is eldercare consultant Mike Campbell. Mike has written a new book called “When Mom and Dad Need Help.” Mike shares advice and information for seniors facing difficult decisions about housing choices and long term care options. Through his consulting business, Campbell Consulting, Inc. Mike has visited hundreds of senior care facilities across the country and has seen, first hand, what is positive and what needs improvement. For more information on this very valuable resource book, please visit http://www.iffenwen.com. 

Seniors deserve good, quality care. If you have an obligation or desire to help your parents when the time is right, make your job a little easier by knowing the facts.

 

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Trusting Trenches

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“Leaders should visit all parts of the office, not just those they pass through regularly.” ~ Unknown

Are you a recent college graduate who has had to accept a less than ideal position? My first job out of college was at a condominium resort. Most of the units were in the rental pool, and the  property was run like a hotel. My job was to serve continental breakfast to the guests in the morning and help the housekeeping department, in the laundry room, in the afternoon. Not at all what I had anticipated my first job out of college would be. But, I needed income right away to fulfill my financial obligations and I was determined to live in a gorgeous resort town.

By the time summer was over, the General Manager of the property recognized my hardwork, my ability to work well with others and found me to be a pleasant communicator with the guests. My reward? A move to the front lines as front office clerk (customer service representative) and reservations clerk.

As I began working in the front office, I quickly learned that working “in the trenches” served a purpose besides as a stepping stone to my new position. I had established a great rapport with a department that was so important to the overall efficiency of the entire operation. When I called from the front office to ask the housekeepers to place special priority on cleaning a unit or take extra towels to a guest, the housekeeping department responded rapidly and kindly to my request.

Moral to the story – trust the trenches, for they serve a purpose in life, too! Prove yourself first, and the rewards will come along the way.

P.S. I also learned a life long skill of how to correctly fold those pesky fitted sheets so they will lie neat and tidy on the linen closet shelf. There are lessons to be learned from all experiences in life, if we recognize them!

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Sweeten the Deal

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“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” ~ Eden Phillpotts

Some companies become more famous for their legendary marketing ploys than for their products. For years, Ben and Jerry’s has been the focus of attention for their accomplishments in innovative marketing and product development. Since the start up of the company, decades ago, it’s visionary leaders have tested what happens when combining business with social consciousness. The taste of sweet success for this company, has been the result.

On June 20th, Ben & Jerry’s unveiled Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder. You can be sure the sales of these two new ice cream flavors will be closely watched and scrutinized by the company’s marketing and advertising gurus. They will be watching their target markets to see whether the sales performance of these two concoctions have the anticipated results that they expect.

Ben & Jerry’s has never waivered from their belief in the value of being a socially responsible company. The names of these two flavors leave little doubt in the minds of the consumer that volunteerism is supported and positively endorsed by this company.

Having resided in the state of origin of Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont, for over 30 years, I can attest to the fact that Ben & Jerry’s puts “their money where their mouth is.”  The promise of a free ice cream has sweetened the deal for many a volunteer or supporter of non-profit fundraising events. The company takes the cake in their stellar example of giving back to community.

Thanks, Ben & Jerry’s, for dipping into your profits to make this world a better place!

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Offer it Up

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“There is no such thing as a ‘self made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us or spoken…”                                    ~ George Matthew Adams

How many times throughout your life have you heard the expression “you never know until you try” ? So many times throughout my life, when I have been pondering “I want to” or “ought to”, this little adage has popped up in my mind, forcing me to take action. As much as I dislike hearing it time and time again, I am glad it has been my constant companion! I try to always remember – all things serve their own purpose!  Without remembering this adage, often I would never have taken action and opportunities would have passed me by.

A few days ago, I blogged about the freedoms we enjoy in this country and about the importance of legal immigrants obeying the letter of the law. I received a comment to this blog, Striking Gold, from a faithful reader of this site. She shared that she and her Mom want to share their family’s story of immigration. Her relatives have built successful careers in their new lands and have tales to tell.

I would like to encourage my faithful blog reader to take advantage of one of the freedoms of our country, independent publishing, to share her family’s tales, not just for her own family’s sake but for the sake of others. There will be many others interested in learning of her family’s accomplishments, their strife, opportunity and their feelings as they arrived in this country and Australia, trying to start life anew.

And like every thing in life “you never know until….” So, go for it, Marie, go for it!  Your relatives did, and so can you!

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Continuing Thought

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“Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after” ~ Henry David Thoreau

The other day, I picked up a book from the shelves of my mom’s library that was faded with age. It was authored by several editors of the New Age Journal and published in 1984. The book is called “Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Every Day Life.”

As I began to browse the pages, I realized that many of the subjects addressed in this book written 25 years ago, are still among hot topics today. Those seeking knowledge on spiritual healing, information on understanding truths through the body (by practicing yoga, martial arts, massage and judo and the like), writings on understanding astonishing occurrences through miracles, finding rewarding careers with slants toward social consciousness, interpreting dreams for wisdom and guidance, and more can all be found in this book.

Answers to living a life fulfilled, has been on the minds of people for ages. Over the years, new schools of contemporary thought  expand and deepen our understanding of the human psyche, and I for one, have always enjoyed reading new books on psychology and spirituality.

It does make me wonder, however, why books of this nature have such great appeal. It has been said that all the answers we need are within ourselves. It is the search for such answers that lead people to a lifelong quest.

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Bouncing Off Ideas

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“All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life” ~ M.C. Richards

My mind has wandered off this day as to why people reside in the places they do, and how location plays a part in inspiring artists in their work. Many artists attribute their creativity to majestic landscapes found in mountainous areas and seashore vistas. A wish to be continually be awed by nature is the very basic reason why many artists choose to settle in environments such as these. But, colonies of artists are found in all places across this continent, some expected and some unexpected.

Some artists thrive on city life, where galleries and art exhibitions are readily available and frequenting them are a large part of every day life. Through daily collaboration with like-minded individuals, many artists find great source of inspiration and connectivity in the art world.

Temporarily living and working in artist retreat environments can also be a great way to grow and be nurtured as an Artist. Artist retreats combined with beautiful, inspiring settings can found in many states across America. The Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont is a perfect example. Classes in creative writing, poetry, the visual arts, theatre and more are offered on a year round basis. The Vermont Studio Center provides an escape for city-based artists to experience a quieter, serene way of living and learning. For more information, please visit http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org.

Whether you are an artist from the cornfields of Iowa, the Ozarks of the Mississippi or hale from the Keystone State of Pennsylvania, a change of scenery will give you a whole new perspective on your art. This summer or fall, get out there and travel as far as your pocketbook will allow. It will do your heart and soul good too!

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Finding Answers to Loss

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“The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a growing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase ….”  ~ Hugh Walpole

After many, many, many of months of not having time to read for pleasure, I have finally found a little time each evening to pick up a book I have been yearning to read. This book is all about the reasons of how and why a book that had a mere $200 marketing budget can make it to the #1 New York Times best seller list. It has attracted the attention of 7,000,000 readers around the world.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is as thought provoking a book as I have read in a long, long time. This book is about loss, transformation and enlightenment. It is about doubt, a divine relationship, light and healing. This book holds all the elements that draw you into a story. It raises possibilities of answers to questions that people from all countries, ages, social class and religious backgrounds have asked for generations.

To give you more information on this book, would rob you of what you need to determine for yourself – how this book’s message applies to you and your life. I suspect this is the reason why this book has become a masterpiece. For more information, please visit www.theshackbook.com.

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Ride a Indie Publishing Express

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“Art is not a thing, it is a way.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

Imagine what disadvantaged kids could do if given a chance. Wife of the late and great, John Lennon is giving a ticket to many children to hop aboard the publishing express! Helping kids write and record songs, is what the mission of the John Lennon Educational Bus Tour is all about.

In honor of John Lennon’s 70th birthday in October, the bus is traveling the country to continue John’s legacy and to provide music education and mentorship opportunities for underserved kids.

It is from opportunities such as this, that kids often discover their true talents and passions in life. I say “Kudos to Yoko Ono for this inspiring idea and for providing a roving space for kids across the country to experiment with independent music production.”

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In All Things, Common Sense

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The only sense that is common in the long run, is the sense of change and we all instinctively avoid it” ~  E. B. White

Do you know who one of the earliest independent thinkers and writers in our country’s history is? Thomas Paine! On this Memorial Day weekend, I thought it would be a good time to remember the writings of Mr. Paine! His pamphlet Common Sense, which appeared in January 1776, pioneered a style of political writing which gathered momentum due to his complex ideas which were clear, concise and intelligible to all.

His pamphlet, Common Sense was often read aloud in taverns and other public settings, and although extremely popular, it is not known how many people joined the cause for separation from Britain, as a result of Mr. Paine’s publication. His writings however, had a definite influence by initiating a public debate about independence.

Is this not what every independent publisher hopes to accomplish- buzz about their ideas, book, film or music? His read aloud sessions of Common Sense in taverns and on public stages, was the forerunner of the book release appearances and parties that are so widely used today to launch a blast of publicity.

Happy Memorial Day and be grateful for the laws of our country that allow for freedom of speech and publishing! I am going to enjoy this Memorial Day too, so I will return on Tuesday!

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Displaying Heart and Soul

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“All forms of self expression are linked.”  ~ Alexandra Stoddard

On a very basic level, the reasons for independent publishing are to educate, inspire, inform and entertain others. But independent publishing provides an avenue for writers, filmmakers, musicians and artists to share their craft with others on a much deeper level too. Through independent publishing you are able to:

  • Share unique perspectives on the world
  • Craft uniquely stylized compositions of writing, music or visual self expression
  • Express oneself truthfully – baring heart and soul.
  • Capture the human condition and the world through words, pictures and sounds.
  • Translate emotion, feelings, thoughts and ideas.

These very deep needs for self expression are often lost in the editorial process through traditional publishing. Although sales are important to the independent publisher and traditional publisher alike, the need for authentic expression is often the force behind the reasons for independent publishing.

What are your reasons for composing, writing or otherwise artistically expressing yourself? Perhaps the independent publishing industry can help you reach your goals and dreams.

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