The Power of Love

It's been a while since I wrote. Every so often I need to regroup, refocus and re-emerge regenerated and ready for the opportunity each new day brings.

My passion is making a difference for our furry friends and the people they help. 

I will bring you stories; stories of love, compassion, inspiration and hope. Some I will author while others, like this snippet from Will, I will share. Thank you for joining me.

Post by Following Atticus.

Here's the link to this post on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=711355118898931&permPage=1

Mastering the Inbox

Have you had one of those days when your email is never empty? I find it happens too often. It has taken time but I finally came up with a solution. I force myself to deal with each new email; read, file, redirect or delete. If I find more than fifty new emails and feel overwhelmed, I will open email on my computer instead of my iPad. I stopped automatically fetching email on my iPad which only caused stress because I couldn't immediately address a new email. Most are promotion pieces anyway and do not require immediate attention. 

In summary:

1. Manually fetch email when you can deal with it. 
2. Create a timetable that works for you.
3. Deal with every new email; read, file, redirect or delete.
4. When you have too many new emails and feel overwhelmed, take a breath and deal with one at a time. 
5. Set aside at least one day every week to entirely clear your unread email. I like starting Monday fresh and will often use the weekend to address each piece.
6. Unsubscribe from unwanted email. Keep only subscriptions that have value for you.

I hope these suggestions help. If you have tricks that work for you, please share in the comment section. 

It feels good to have email under control.
Calming, like the bottom image in this collage.

Why Network Marketing

The Best Skin Care Product
RENU 28 Works for Every Skin Type

Why Network Marketing? The answer is best explained by ASEA founder Verdis Norton. First, ASEA is the company that brings the product RENU 28, the topical gel that heals from the outside in and ASEA, the supplement that heals from the inside out using the power of redox signaling molecules. 

Why would a seasoned Fortune 100 executive choose network marketing to take RENU 28 to the world? After all, Verdis Norton had been Vice President at Kraft Foods and had a stellar career as a traditional corporate executive. What was it about the network marketing model that appealed to this genius of corporate business strategy?

Truth be told, it was precisely because of his background in business strategy that Verdis recognized network marketing offered the single most efficient way of getting the life-changing benefits of RENU 28 into the hands of the consumer. He understood what more and more business luminaries like Warren Buffet, Robert Kiyosaki, Richard Branson and Stephen Covey were preaching: that network marketing is a powerful sales channel with a proven track record of success. In fact, since the mid-90's there has only been one industry to produce 200,000 millionaires. It wasn't Hollywood, professional sports, or even law or medicine; it was network marketing.

The power of network marketing is that it rewards people who may not have extra money to invest in an opportunity, but can invest their time, credibility and influence. The ASEA opportunity is all about sharing the RENU 28 breakthrough with others and helping them have a business of their own. When it comes down to it, network marketing is nothing more than a group of people who accomplish something together that they can't accomplish by themselves. 

Network marketing is smart. And it is the model of choice for a growing number of business strategists. 

"Me, Myself and I"

We've all been there - what I say isn't heard and what I don't say is misinterpreted.

I have spent to many hours today pondering this. I have mulled it over and over in my head about the best way to address the situation. Do I write a blog post? Do I write a private journal entry? Do I send an email to the person in question? Do I simply ignore it?

My decision is to write a blog post and send one email. You who are reading this may think it is about you. I am sending a link to the one person this is about; if you read something that resonates and you haven't received the email link, then the Infinite Is has determined you need to hear this message. 

I am hurt by the only phone call I have received in three months. I reached out via email three months ago. I asked for help and I didn't receive any. No response to my email, no phone calls, nothing, nada, zip. 

I have been on many conference calls and most times I do not announce myself. I believe that announcing who you are is merely calling attention to yourself. I don't need the attention or recognition that I am on the call. Occasionally I do say I am on the call. I did so this past Monday and I am very sorry I did. Can you relate? Unintentionally calling attention to yourself? Giving someone an opportunity to deflect the attention from themselves because the situation became uncomfortable?

The call leader was very VERY late in attending because they were involved in a self serving situation. The person filling in was grasping at straws, "what do I say next? I know! I will ask a question of someone on the call!" I became that 'someone'. When asked a question on a topic that I do not feel positive about, caught off guard, I told the truth, "It doesn't work for me. After a couple of calls with the same information, I don't get anything from it and I don't call in anymore."

Ah, telling the truth. 

I will never apologize for telling the truth. Guess I will never be a politician either. I will never tell you what you want to hear just because you want to hear it. 

I have a philosophy that I live by and it comes from the American Indian: "Never judge another man until you walk a mile in his moccasins." My fault is expecting others to do the same. I am thankful that I have friends that believe in and subscribe to my philosophy. Friends who always speak the truth even when I don't want to hear it. 

I have goals. I will achieve them.

Perseverance and Persistence

Focus

Perseverance and Persistence

Perseverance by definition is continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition while persistence by definition is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. The two qualities go hand in hand. Perseverance can only last so long. With persistence, a worthy goal is achievable.

I have a penny framed on my desk. The caption I wrote with it is, "Consistent Persistence Pays". At first glance this may seem simple. The motive for framing the found penny stemmed from the question "Which would you rather have, a million dollars today or a penny doubled every day for thirty days." If you have encountered this question before, you know how much more a penny doubled for thirty days is worth. If not, do the math; the results are intriguing. 

I am an entrepreneur. It is an exciting career path and often a lonely path. I always believed the best motivations are visual and the strongest visual is enhanced with motivational text. The three words that came to me when I framed that penny so many years ago, "Consistent Persistence Pays" are even stronger today and motivate me to achieve my goals. 

Consistent: success cannot be achieved without following a consistent course of action. I write my goals and write the strategies to achieve the goal. Daily, weekly and monthly review of the strategies tells me what is and isn't working. None of this review and analysis is meaningful without consistent effort. 

Persistence: I know that any goal worth achieving is worth working towards. I need to be persistent in my actions. I find it interesting now that I chose persistence and not perseverance. The subconscious mind often comes into play when we need it most. The thing that separates perseverance from persistence boils down to these words; 'continued effort' and 'quality'. In my experience, quality stands the test of time.

Pays: I need a financial reward for my efforts. I need to know that what I am doing has value. I need to know that I am making a difference.

The goal is attainable if I am persistent.
Heights or obstacles beware!

Perseverance and persistence, what are your thoughts? C&C welcome.

Lessons Learned

I am taking an amazing supplement. My journey began March 21, 2011. 'ASEA is the world's first and only source of NATIVE Redox Signaling Molecules outside the body.' This statement always elicits interesting responses:

1. These things are really "mind over matter". 
2. I am taking a natural supplement already.
3. I don't want to build a business.
4. Other companies like this offer a money back guarantee.
5. I don't want to be stuck buying something that doesn't work.
6. I like my job, I'm not looking for something else.
7. I don't know anyone who would be interested in this.

Every one of these came up in a conversation with a friend. This is where it gets interesting; hence, lessons learned. I asked, "What do you do when you know you have the most amazing product that cannot hurt you and may be the solution when nothing else has worked?" After a few "buts"*, I sold a case of ASEA and a tube of RENU 28 with a 90 day commitment to "try it". 

I wrote a blog post on July 4 about being among the first people to embrace a new product. My recent conversation helped me expand my process. I am once again using the sales skills I learned at Xerox. I am encouraged. Still in the trial stages, it looks like I am on to something; an approach that works in today's market. 

*Effective listening made the difference.

Learn about the product and/or the opportunity

The Journey of a Type A Personality

I am a Type A personality in a transition stage. I am working on getting back in shape and I am motivated by 'Miles for Quinn' which I will describe here. The photo was taken in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I copied it from the Facebook page of Randy Pierce  I added the wording, "The Mighty Quinn Mountain Climber Extraordinaire" because that's what he was. What makes this so remarkable is Quinn was a Guiding Eyes For The Blind yellow Labrador and Randy's guide dog. Guide dogs are not trained to climb mountains, they are trained to get their blind or visually impaired partner around obstacles. Randy is someone who doesn't know the meaning of the phrase, "you can't do that." The bond of trust that formed between Randy and Quinn allowed for the inevitable. Together Randy and Quinn climbed the 48 over 4000 foot peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire twice; once in winter and again in summer.  

Back to me. As I said in the beginning I am in a transition phase; I am working on getting back in shape. Admittedly this has been a struggle. It is easy to be comfortable in stretchy clothes. It is hard to not like the reflection in the mirror. I have an opportunity unlike any other before now; Miles for Quinn There is no better motivation for me than this. The Mighty Quinn, born December 11, 2004, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 20, 2014. It was cancer that took this brave boy. No mountain was ever in his way because he knew Randy was destined to climb and he would be by his side. And so I am starting to log my miles. Two days, two miles. It's a small number compared to what Randy and others are doing, but at least I am "doing it". Note to self; don't walk at the hottest time of the day.

What is your motivation? What is your mountain? You don't have to do it alone. I'm not - I have "mountains" of motivation beside me. If you need help, ask. Enjoy this gorgeous Sunday!

To Blog or Not To Blog

To blog or not to blog... 

Picture Purrfect Day!

I am captivated by the blogging concept. I have a platform where my words can make a difference. I can find these thoughts again when I want to. I can share them again with just a link. For me this is all I need. I realize I may be missing an opportunity to "make money" with a blog. I don't believe everything has to be about making money. I believe it's about making a difference.

A blog versus Facebook and why "to blog or not to blog". I can find everything I write. I have used " share" on Facebook because I wanted to come back to a post for the information it contained. I discovered yesterday that not only does Facebook choose which post I will see in my newsfeed, they limit my timeline posts. I knew I shared a post and searching back for it I discovered this Facebook strategy of hiding my posts in my timeline, why?  I am convinced I will never understand Facebook. Each day I move further away from it. It reminds me of the days when I read the daily newspaper, the paper version. I would scan the paper staying on top of what was happening. I am starting to do the same thing with Facebook. I go on to see what my friends and relatives are doing. I like posts and make comments when appropriate. Over the years I have learned a lot about what to say and not to say on Facebook. My relationship with Facebook is evolving. My time spent there is minimal. I am embracing other platforms like Blogger, Pinterest, Instagram and I am looking for the right platform for photo sharing which may turn out to be Instagram. I am looking for a way to stay connected without feeling chained.

Lastly, the picture in this post is a Weather screenshot. Today is going to be one of those picture-perfect days. I wanted to include picture because I am using a new app on my iPad. One of the reasons I don't blog as regularly as I should or want to is the limitation of available iPad apps. I spent some time in the App Store, made two purchases and find I really like the features of this app. At least in the creation stage. It's called BlogTouch Pro. It is feature-rich and easy-to-use. I'm hoping when I hit the publish button my blog looks the way I want it to online. I will have to come back and write a final note about it. Time to publish.

I am happy with the first results. Picture size still a bit confusing and the "alternate text" I wrote with the picture I thought would show as a caption. If the only thing I need to go back to the computer for is picture tweaking, this app is great. Finally, an easy way to blog on the go.

Pioneers - They Are the First Ones In

Is this what it feels like to be the first one in?
Raging waters and obstacles?

Pioneer, the verb, to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of. 

I started a few new businesses in my career. There is magic in owning your own business; determining your destination and being responsible for your success. Presently I am redefining my business life; who do I want to be and what do I want to do? I know my passion is "making a difference" and top of the list is animals. Next is bringing health and wealth to everyone I know and helping them do the same for their circles.

I am involved with an amazing company with breakthrough products called ASEA and RENU 28. This company works on a network marketing platform. I am passionate about the company, the product and the opportunity this creates and I am committed to building my team with the basic premise of "don't quit your day job!" This is what excites me about this company. I can bring NATIVE Redox Signaling Molecules to everyone I know and they in turn can share it with everyone they know. They can stay the course of their passion be it photography, teaching, accounting, law, you get the idea. ASEA is so revolutionary that I believe the "rules" of network marketing will be rewritten by ASEA. You can be an ASEA Associate, achieve the highest rank of Triple Diamond, making a living while making a difference AND not become a full time network marketer. Imagine how your life will be when you can afford to pursue the career of your dreams?

In the connected platform of the 21st. Century, I do not have to spend an hour or more at a presentation meeting sitting and listening to someone 'lecture' the entire time. My attention span has shrunk. 20 minutes is my maximum and if I am bored, it is 20 minutes of torture. After that my brain shifts gear and I daydream about sunrise on a warm golden beach in Palm Coast, Florida. I do not believe I am alone in this. 

I am one of the ASEA pioneers. ASEA is a legacy company sitting on the edge of momentum; the phase that happens when corporate sales reach one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000.) I need to introduce this business to as many people as possible because this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do your research and understand what I am involved with. 

And back to the beginning, pioneer. A pioneer is what I am on two fronts. First, a breakthrough product that was thought to be impossible means skepticism and rejection except by like minded pioneers and the next group called innovators. Second, the rules of the game in network marketing are, in my opinion, changing. I believe presentations will happen over coffee or lunch. Sometimes it will take place individually while watching a video or two and calling back for more information. It will be short, sweet and digital.

I will be a Triple Diamond in ASEA. My team, Team Michelangelo, will rewrite the network marketing process that meets the needs and demands of the technologically connected world we live in today. Our presentations will be digitally based and not restricted to a specific time or place. We will make a living while making a difference. Do you want to join me?

ASEA: https://flowboard.com/s/1uun/ASEA

RENU 28: https://flowboard.com/s/1dgf/Do-You-RENU-RENU-28

Inspiration

Inspiration happens in a moment. How? Inspiration happens when I am open to my world, . What does "being open to my world" mean? Watching and listening; watching and listening not talking; not waiting for the opening in the conversation to talk. When I am waiting for the "opening" to talk, I am not listening. 

Mirrored Clarity

Inspiration hit me last night when I was focused on the conversation among the group I was with. What was the inspiration? I am responsible for my reaction to the people, places and things around me. When I am focused on my thoughts and feelings, the only vibrations are from within. When I am listening to the people around me, I am given the opportunity to experience other feelings and given the ability to bring those positive feelings into my consciousness.

This is how I practice watching and listening. I grab my camera and take a walk by myself. I look at the world around me. It can be nature, the street where I live, the local school, a big city. The key is to focus on the sights, sounds and smells around me. I am alone so I refrain from to talking out loud although I have been known to say hello to the wildlife. This is my walk, my focus, my chance to watch and listen. Why the camera? I never know what image I will come across. This photograph is a reflection in a pond, not the pond. Sometimes the reflection is clearer and more powerful than the original. The camera helps me focus; to watch and listen; to engage in my surroundings and to capture a moment in time. 

Wishing you inspiration today and always.

Thoughts on the Second Half of 2014

This post is about thoughts and feelings. Nothing specific just thoughts and feelings as we start the second half of 2014.

This year the Fourth of July falls on Friday. It makes for an exciting weekend filled with barbecues or the opportunity to kick back and just relax. Spring planting is done. Now is the time to appreciate where I am, how I got here and where do I want to be six months from now. 

One thought that keeps nagging; time. Everything and everybody seems rushed including me. I feel like there is so much to do and so little time to do it. I know all the quotes about busy people always find the time to get things done. This is true. This comes with a price, anxiety. I feel like there are things that I should have accomplished for the day, the week or the month. Did I enjoy what I did accomplish? Sometimes. Other times the moments passed so quickly they were over before the wonderful feelings settled into my memory. I need memories because they are what help me through the challenging times. 

Challenging times are not always ones that are difficult or negative. Challenging times can simply be the 24 hour day that has 25 hours worth of things that need to be done. Some people manage with lists. My lists are typically the goals I have written and the strategies I will implement to achieve each goal. A daily list of what I need to do for the day overwhelms me. Making the time at the end of each day to record the positive things that happened makes a difference for me. The value of this practice is always evident three to six months down the road. Therefore, why isn't this a daily activity for me? I haven't made this a goal. 

Brody is excited!

A final thought for today; I am going to set a goal to write down the positives that happen each day. I am excited to have these tidbits to read in the months ahead. Excited to see what this does for my business and relationships. Excited to see what decisions I will make so at the end of the day I have positive things to record.

Brody, my nieces dog, is excited too. I hope I meet his expectations!

Curtain Rises in 16 Days; Will It Be "Sweet"?

"Follies" Celebrates 50 Years of
Stepinac Alumni Theate

The curtain rises on Thursday, July 17 at 8:00pm for the 50th. Anniversary production of "Follies" at Stepinac Alumni Theatre. 

A lot has changed since I first stepped foot on the Stepinac stage. This summer marks the beginning of an air conditioned Major Bowes Theatre and what a difference that makes. 

Rehearsals are quite different from "back in the day" when everyone was at rehearsal. It is a real sign of busy times when chorus girls are substituted by guys because cast members are away on vacation. Vacation time during a rehearsal schedule? Never would have thought of trying to do both! Learning dance numbers to YouTube videos instead of a live pianist; rented costumes that aren't coming out of someones closet; dance numbers that challenge everyone; a full run through of the show that lurks somewhere on the horizon…

16 days until opening night. 16 days is not a lot of time to pull this off. "16" reminds me of what it was like to be "Sweet 16". The anticipation of that magical birthday, the one when you can finally drive a car, the anticipation of that "first kiss", the teenage stress of friends and relationships. That was a magical time; much like the time spent on or off stage in Major Bowes Theatre. Much like now. In 16 days the curtain rises; the magic happens; will it be "sweet"? We shall see.

On Stage at Major Bowes Theatre

It feels a bit like a time warp walking on stage at Major Bowes Theatre. There are so many memories. This summer is sure to add to the wonderful experiences that only happen in Stepinac theatre. I will bring you snippets of the events from rehearsal through production. With an air conditioned theatre this is a fabulous venue. Show dates are Thursday, July 17, Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 which culminates in a celebratory after party. Tickets for the show are $20 with general admission seating and the final nights tickets for the after party are an additional $30 - $50 gets you preferred seating and entry into the catered after party. 

Tonight, Wednesday, June 18, we started dance rehearsal for Mirror Mirror. I try not to take things too seriously especially since I didn't have the proper dance shoes - I didn't think I was in this number. For those who are familiar with Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" it may seem obvious that Christine Donovan, my character, is dancing in Mirror Mirror; however, when we received the rehearsal schedule for this week, I wasn't on the dance schedule for Thursday night so I didn't think I would be learning a dance number tonight. I admit that I don't know this show. I read the script but we haven't had a cast read through and I thought maybe they changed some things. Can you imagine trying to learn a dance number in flip flops? I wasn't alone; only two cast members were prepared. This worked quite well as everyone was light hearted and happy as we tried not to trip over our own feet. Knowing the music will help as we move on. I enjoyed laughing with Gina, my partner, as we both tried to combine dance moves with a song we haven't yet memorized.

Lessons learned:

• Always bring dance shoes 
• Were comfortable rehearsal clothes
• Laugh at myself - it's a lot more fun this way
• Keep moving and keep smiling

Stepinac Alumni Theatre 50th. Anniversary Show

Stepinac Alumni Theatre performed the first production in 1964. 2014 marks our 50th. Anniversary and the first time we will be performing in the newly air conditioned Major Bowes Theatre at Stepinac High School, 950 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.

A fitting production for this Golden Anniversary is Stephen Sondheim's "Follies". The show offers an opportunity to cast young and old alumni in very entertaining roles. 

                      The cast of characters:

Sally Durant Plummer:                                Ann Shankman

Ben Stone:                                  Jeff Schlotman

Buddy:                                Frank Squillante

Roscoe:                                      Peter Iasillo

Young Buddy:                                         Matt Lotaj

Phyllis:                                  Nellie O’Brien

Young Phyllis:                             Emily Schlotman

Young Sally:                                Mikie Sakanaka

Young Ben:                                   Chris Guzman

Emily Whitman:                          Mary Ellen Malarra

Theodore Whitman:                                          Jim Smith

Dmitri Weismann:                                       Dick Nagle

Solange La Fitte:                                 Elysse Godfrey

Stella Deems:                                   Irene Howard

Carlotta Champion:                               Jeannie McCabe

Heidi Schiller:                                  Mary Ann Parr

Hattie Walker:                                 Chris Matthews

Kevin:                                 Samer Akroush

“Margie” Blues:                                 Sarah Rossman

“Sally” Blues:                    Halle Mastroberardino

Major Domo:                                     Tom Kramer

Francesca:                                   Patricia Reilly

Christine Donovan:                                 Cathy Capasso

Willy Wheeler:                                     George Levy

Max Deems:                                  Mike Molinelli

Meredith Lane:                                  Gina Molinelli

Dee Dee West:                                Patricia Murphy

Vincent:                                Gabe D’Angelo

Vanessa:                                 Fran D’Angelo

Young Vincent:                              James Prestopino

Young Vanessa:                             Katie Jo Flanagan

Young Stella:                             Danielle Ricciardi

Young Solange:                                Katrina Dibbini

Young Carlotta:                                   Sabrina Miele

Young Emily:                                Elaine Forgione

Chauffeur:                             Brenden DelBene

Photographers:    Billy Maloney, Najee Stephenson 

The first rehearsal was Tuesday, June 17. We were in the music classroom where nothing has substantially changed. I can't wait to be rehearsing on stage again!

May 28 be

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

This is a Wonderful Wednesday even if the weather says otherwise. I am reminded of the quote, "You can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if you have waited in darkness." The same can be said for the sunny, fun filled days of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Sun makes everything brighter. Without the grey and gloomy rainy days, would we appreciate the sun as much?

I am on a quest to understand Facebook as a marketing tool. I recently "stumbled" on platforms that promise to help you with your Facebook marketing, apps that will help you create compelling fan pages, contests, promotions, Like Gates, Fan Gates, and a host of additional terms that sound like a foreign language. Stepping back, I looked at the basic marketing pieces, the pieces of the puzzle so to speak. There is building a following and generating an email list. At the core of all this I realize is the information that is gold to my communication channels - the email list. 

As I am coming to the end of May"be" (missing posts will be added before month end), I am clearer on my goals; clearer on what I want to achieve with the time I am spending online. An idea for a contest is forming and the final May"be" post will announce it. 

Thank you for reading these posts. A parting message from Guiding Eyes Pippin (this picture was taken when he began his journey with his puppy raiser) "I wish you a Wonderful Wednesday!"

May 25 Be

Sunday, May 25, 2014:

Financial Advice from Warren Buffet

On Reputation

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.

On his most basic rules

Rule No. 1: Never lose money

Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1

On sources of income

Never count on a single income. Make investments to create additional sources of revenue.

On spending

If you buy things you don't need, you'll soon have to sell things you do need.

On saving

Don't save what you have left after spending, but spend what you have left after saving.

On taking risks

Never measure the deepness of a river with both legs.

On honesty Honesty is a very expensive thing, don't expect it from cheap people. On inheritance  A rich man must leave his children enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing. On ideas You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideas come along, and I've had dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I'll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing.  On the trickle theory The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we'll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on. On investing in the future Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. On habits Chains of havit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken. On becoming rich I always knew I was going to be rich. I don't think I ever doubted it for a minute. On learning from betters It's better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you'll drift in that direction. On price and value Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. On taxes for the rich If anything, taxes for the lower and middle class and maybe even the upper middle class should even probably be cut further. But I think that people at the high end - people like myself - should be paying a lot more in taxes. We have it better than we've ever had it. On challenges I don't look to jump over 7-foot bars; I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over. On being rich Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars. On risk Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing. On Wall Street Wall Street is the only place that people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from those who take the subway. On how he invests I never attempt to make money on the stock market. I buy on the assumption that they could close the market the next day and not reopen it for five years. On hindsight In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. On Ponzi schemes Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked. On learning from history If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians. On healing the economy Economic medicine that was previously meted out by the cupful has recently been dispensed by the barrel. These once unthinkable dosages will almost certainly bring on unwelcome after-effects. Their precise nature is anyone's guess, though one likely consequence is an onslaught of inflation.

May 12 be

Monday, May 12, 2014

Marvelous Monday. 

The logical 12 things for today are the months of the year. Where did the names come from? The answer according to the Farmer's Almanac:

January:

Named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

February:

From the Latin word februa, "to cleanse." The Roman Februalia was a month of purification and atonement. 

March:

Named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter.

April:

From the Latin word aperio, "to open (bud)," because plants begin to grow in this month.

May:

Named for the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also from the Latin word maiores, "elders," who were celebrated during this month.

June:

Named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. Also from the Latin word juvenis, "young people."

July:

Named to honor Roman dictator, Julius Caesar (100 B.C. - 44 B.C.) In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar made one of his greatest contributions to history; with the help of Sosigenes, he developed the Julian calendar, the precursor to the Gregorian calendar we use today.

August:

Named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Agustus Caesar (63 B.C. - A.D. 14).

September:

From the Latin word septem, "seven," because this had been the seventh month of the early Roman calendar.

October:

From the Latin word octo, "eight," because this had been the eighth month of the early Roman calendar.

November:

From the Latin word novem, "nine," because this had been the ninth month of the early Roman calendar.

December:

From the Latin word decem, "ten," because this had been the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.

May 8 be

Thursday, May 8, 2014

A Thrilling Thursday

When thinking about this post I first looked into the "Eight Wonders of the World" and discovered there are timelines that impact this list. I then thought about the number eight. 

It can be a snowman without a head. 

Turn it on its side and it looks like the infinity symbol, an abstract concept describing something without any limit.

May 7 be

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Seven things for a Wonderful Wednesday:

The seven best things are the seven days of the week. 

Monday:

Magical Monday

Magnificent Monday

Marvelous Monday

Miraculous Monday

The creation of light. 

Tuesday:

Terrific Tuesday

Timeless Tuesday

Heaven.

Wednesday:

Wonderful Wednesday

Worthy Wednesday

Wishful Wednesday

Wise Wednesday

The Earth and The Seas.

Thursday:

Thrilling Thursday

Day and Night.

Friday:

Fabulous Friday

Feature Friday

Friendly Friday

The birds, the bees, all creatures great and small.

Saturday:

Superb Saturday

Stupendous Saturday

Male and Female.

Sunday:

Sublime Sunday

Spectacular Sunday

Rest, regenerate, renew.

May 6 Be

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Six things for a second Terrific Tuesday!

Do you have precious fur babies? Do their names reflect their personalities? 

I have kitties because my apartment doesn't allow dogs.

My very first kitten was born in a garage in a village by the sea known as Port Chester. When I first saw him he was so incredibly tiny that Little One was the obvious name. 

A cat named Patience came into my life. A favorite saying of mine, "God grant me patience and I want it now." So, He gave me a cat. It seemed fitting she crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 6, 2009. Little Christmas, the Fiest of the Epiphany. Baby Jesus got gold, frakensense and muir but every baby should have a precious purr ball. 

My ragdoll kitten became two. I fell in love with a blue color point (expecting that I would want a bi-color) This little girl "pranced" across the floor. When we decided to take two, Prancer and Dancer needed a bit more. We got Miss Bonnie Prancer and Sir Clyde Dancer. Bonnie and Clyde meet Prancer and Dancer. It works for me.

What do you do when you hear a kitten crying in the back yard? You find a three week old calico entwined in a chain-link gate. The paw was swollen the size of her little head and she was all of the size of a beanie baby. Cutting her free, protecting her overnight and taking her to the vet the next day Rusty Cat joined the mix.

The sixth for this list is Miss Scarlett O'Hara. A rescue, a gray and white American shorthair with beautiful green eyes and a heart on the side. Miss Scarlett wears her heart on her sleeve.

May 5 Be

Monday, May 5, 2014

Cinco de Mayo! Five things for a Magic Monday:

I have five cars. Some reading this may wonder, "why does one person need five cars?" I don't "need" five cars and I love each one for a different reason. Thinking back over the years I realized that for most of my life cars have been involved. I would challenge myself while waiting for the school bus to identify the car coming around the corner and then expanded that challenge to guessing the year. 

There is a poster entitled "Justification for a Higher Education" and it depicts a waterfront house on a hill with the sun setting and a detached five car garage with exotic and daily drivers.  

1. 2006 Chevrolet HHR - my daily driver. This is one of the best cars General Motors has introduced. 2012 marked the last production year so I need to make this one last a long, long time. There isn't anything else on the market that seats five, offers 6 feet of cargo space when the back seats are down and nine feet to the dash when the passenger seat is stowed flat (and flat it is making it one of the only cars I know of that does this.) You can literally use the passenger seat as a workspace!
2. 2005 Chevrolet Corvette - my fifth Corvette and first manual and well as first brand new Corvette. I got her with 4 miles off the truck from the factory. She is LeMans Blue Metallic, cashmere interior, black convertible top, six speed dream machine and her name is Kasmir.
3. 1990 Mazda Miata - an antique in waiting but not much longer. In 2015 she will be 25 years old and have earned historical/antique status.
4. 1962 Oldsmobile F85 Cutlass - this was the first year that Oldsmobile put the Cutlass emblem on a car. This particular design was only made for three years, 1961 through 1963 and was state of the art. It has an aluminum block motor, 16" factory wheels, three speed on the column and factory air conditioning. 
5. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette - the last year of the C1 and first time the cowl was painted the same color as the body. The unique thing about 1961 and 1962 Corvettes is the transition stage. The rear of the car is the C2 body while the dual headlights and solid axel C1 features remain. She is Honduras Maroon with black interior, black convertible and Honduras Maroon hardtop. 

May 4 Be

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Four things for a Spectacular Sunday:

1. Sunny skies
2. Cool breeze
3. Flowers
4. Family

May 3 Be

Saturday, May 3, 2014 

Three things for a Superb Saturday:

Many years ago I was introduced to the concept called network marketing. Late 20th Century there were a number of companies offering products through independent associates. Associates were compensated based on building successful teams. Early 21st Century, network marketing received very bad press. This is not the fault of a business model; it is the fault of greed. 

Over three years ago I was introduced to a new product that is available through independent associates based on a network marketing model. The three things for May 3 be are the ethos of ASEA:

                             Believe

                                                    Belong

                                                                             Become

All human beings have 3 basic needs: to believe, to belong and to become. ASEA empowers its Associates to believe in a life-changing product, to belong to an organization driven by principles, and most importantly to become better people, professionally and personally.

In an effort to achieve this goal, the single product of ASEA containing trillions of stabile, native to the body redox signaling molecules is now available in liquid and gel form. Healing from the outside in and inside out. 

May 2 Be

Friday, May 2, 2014

Two things for today on a Fabulous Friday!

The weather is gorgeous especially after the flooding rain this week.

The April Guiding Eyes Heeling Autism class wraps up today. Pekoe and five other wonderful dogs will begin their new journey as partners with children with autism. The families lives will change for the better forever. The road ahead awaits!

Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

May 1 Be

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Today is a Terrific Thursday. This post is focused on one thing; one perfect day. So many excellent things happened, what a fantastic way to start the month of May!

🔷  Finally closed my buyer clients apartment after a little over six months!

🔷  Received confirmation we have a new home in White Plains for our annual charity car and motorcycle show. Thank you Pace University, Pace security and the Academy of our Lady of Good Counsel. 

🔷  Fantastic evening at Colgate's Presidents Club held at The Lighthouse at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, New York City. The evening weather was absolutely perfect and views spectacular.

What is your one for today?

Ink and Imagine April 27, 2014 at Team Michelangelo's Fifth Annual Charity Car & Motorcycle Show For the Love of Pets and People. 52 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY Good Counsel/Pace Law School campus.

Forgotten Draft Post - What is Your Passion?

It's May 2, 2014. I want to get back into blogging. I have for a while now but I couldn't find my voice. Then it hit me, use the month of May and with each day, write that number of items. I am including "be" like this; May 1 be, May 2 be, May 3 be... There is a little more. I never understood "maybe" when asking someone to do something. May"be" by the end if the month I'll have some insight.

Coincidently, I discovered this draft post I started four months ago! To say I got a little distracted is an understatement. I like the post as is so I am including it here. Enjoy a Fabulous Friday!

January 2, 2014

This is the question I often ask myself, especially when considering a new direction for my life; personally or professionally. I wanted to share this with you today because the New Year for many is a time of new beginnings. I am going to present a few ideas that will help you get started on your new beginnings.

If you aren't happy with your life, you have the power to change it. Here is a starting point:

Sit down with a piece of paper. Draw a "T" - a line across the top and line down the center of the page. Write "Pros" on the left side of the "T" and "Cons" on the write side. Above this, write out one item; i.e., Remove all the old carpet in my bedroom.

Remove all the old carpet in my bedroom.

Pros                                                                                      Cons

______________________________________________________________________________________

1. Get rid of a lot of old dust stuck in the rugs.  | 1. Will create a lot of dust.

2. Redecorate.                                                  | 2. Need to spend money.

3. Have polished hardwood floors.                    |

You get the idea.