The 2 pound dog with really big angel wings

Besides onewebstrategy.com, this blog, I also sometimes write – or have my daughters contribute to, another blog about our dog (http://yorkiebichon.wordpress.com/) – it was originally created to be a fun, upbeat, simple little blog about how little things can make a big difference. It was created to entertain, enlighten and help us all remember the importance of laughter, family, friends, and fun. It was something that my daughters could read, that they could write about and contribute to, and they could have a little fun with – and I could have a little fun with… This blog posting is a little bit of a downer, sorry, but needs to be said…..

Hi, this is Daisy’s male human. I am the only male human in her home. Daisy and I wrestle and play more than the others at home.

Heck, I’m a Forty-something male, married with children, and here I am writing about a 2 pound dog named Daisy. Real manly. Are you serious? Yep.

If you have followed the blog for a while, or read the ABOUT page, you’ll know that the blog is based on how (and I realize that it may sound silly) Daisy made a big difference in my family’s life, in my life, during a tough year. Like many Americans, I became unemployed for the first time ever in 2009. I was making some nice money and it went away. Then my wife’s sweet grandmother passed away. Then my dad passed away. 5 weeks later my mother passed away. We lost my wife’s uncle and her other grandmother that year too. We bought Daisy that summer. A little, feisty, fun Yorkie-Bichon.

Daisy brought the family some much needed joy, fun, and distraction that year, and continued to do so.

She often wanted to play, and for 2 pounds, she got into it. Like many dogs, she would always greet you with all sorts of enthusiasm when you came home. She did silly things that made us laugh. She would offer a lick almost anytime you wanted it. More that anything, she loved to cuddle. Being only 2 pounds, should could cuddle in an armpit, on your lap, in one arm, on your shoulder (like a parrot?), and other small places. She had spunk. She always thought that she could jump up anywhere, and would try and try. I think that she believed she could do anything – or that she was bigger and badder than she really was.

One thing that she did for me, and I hardly told anyone, was kinda sweet. I was really depressed one day. I was thinking about the loss of my parents, my unemployment, and my responsibilities as a husband and dad. A tear came down my cheek. Daisy was across the room in her bed but suddenly came running over, jumped up on the couch, and up to my face, and licked the tear off, wagging her tail, and then licking me all over. This happened another tough day too when she was in a completely different room. Somehow she must have sensed it or whatever. She came running in and cheered me up.

She cheered us all up that year, and ever since. In some ways, Daisy represents recovery and renewal for us. She helped us remember that life goes on. Through her unconditional love, we were reminded how we share that love with one another; our family and our friends. We admired her style, her spunk and her enthusiasm – she had a big heart for a little dog. Most dogs help us to be more aware and ‘in the moment’ – to enjoy the present.

We remembered that sometimes the most important thing is a roof over your head, a nice warm bed, food, and people that love you. Those fancy toys don’t really mean that much…..

As you may have noticed, I am speaking of Daisy in the past tense.

This week, Daisy awoke one morning, energetic, wagging her tail, licking us, and full of excitement as usual. Later in the day she became lethargic and slowly went down hill. One Wednesday, Daisy, approx. 2 pounds and 3 years old passed away peacefully.

My first thought was that we, as a family, (or me) still need Daisy to cheer us up….that we still needed her excitement in the morning and when we got home…her presence around the house, in our arms and on our laps.

Then I immediately felt something else. Daisy came to us when we needed cheering up. She did a great job and showed lots of love to the family. We laughed a lot because of her entertainment. Now Daisy is gone and I feel like maybe someone or something is telling us we don’t need her anymore, that we’re ok on our own now – and maybe some other family needs Daisy to cheer them up. Maybe she’s with them now. I may sound weird to some but her passing helped me finally conclude my grief for the sudden loss of both of my parents years ago.

I never thought I’d write a blog about a dog when I was over 40. It sounds kind of silly, actually. Then again, I am consistently, pleasantly surprised by people, life, the universe and all things that come my way lately. I think this blog is not really about just a dog, its about the love and laughter of a family, the playfulness and fund we find in life, of our hopes and happiness –  our pets can represent that sometimes. We personalize them and sometimes ‘impose’ human traits that really aren’t there sure. I am grateful for all of the people in my life. I am grateful for Daisy and all of the pets I’ve had through life.

UPDATE: I posted the above about one day after Daisy passed. In that short of time, we have received some much support from friends, and even some strangers. We received 2 handmade posters, multiple cards from our friends and from classmates of both daughters, our daughters received so much support from their school, we all received supportive texts and Skypes, my wife received many supportive Facebook messages, and people gave us brownies, chocolates, scones and a potted Gerber Daisy plant. School teachers gave hugs. The world is pretty cool. There are some really nice people out there. We have some really great friends. Thanks for all of the nice thoughts. Right back at ya!

From Daisy the dog, I believe in humans…

I started another blog, sort of for fun, about our family dog Daisy. I did it for our daughters and just to mess around.

Here is a recent blog from that site

http://wp.me/p2uckH-2b

” Hi, This is Daisy the Dog again.

Well, my humans went on vacation and they returned.

I also had a vacation at my aunt’s. I gained a few ounces. For me, that’s a lot.

I’m really glad to be back with my family. Playing, begging, cuddling, and getting scratched like I want. Soon the little human girls will be gone much of the day at school. I will miss them. We all love spending summer together. I’d love it if they spent the whole day at home. Cool.

The humans seem rested but sometimes I think they’re hard on themselves. I think they don’t always believe in themselves. I believe in them.

Heck, I’m a 2 pound dog, about 6 inches high. I try to jump up on the dining room table all the time. Most tell me I can’t make it but I keep trying. I don’t mind trying over and over.

I see my humans get worried and they doubt themselves. I know that they can do anything. I wish I could talk and tell them that. I’d tell them to go just do it, shake life like a cool fluffy toy. Have some fun with it and go for it. Then take a nap.

Until I figure out how to talk, if any humans read this, would you please pass it a long – maybe you too doubt yourself once in a while. You humans are great but sometimes you let fear get the best of you. I look up to you – literally and figuratively. I bet your best friend believes in you. Go for it.

– Daisy

Back to school feelings?

I really enjoy the school that my daughters attend, I like the teachers, the location, the curriculum, the families, the activities, almost everything. I enjoy fall – the weather, the leaves, the festivities near us, and the memories that it brings.

But I must confess, each and every fall I still get a feeling in my gut and in my head about ‘back to school’ – I sometimes wish that my girls weren’t going back and that summer would continue. I think some of those feelings are from the days of my youth. Due to some consolidations when I was young, I transferred schools a few times before I was 8. Then, I moved to another city. I went to a few more schools before settling down in high school. Most of the choices and moves were made by my parents but I understand why.  I think that I changed schools about 8 times. I was a shy kid and the moves made it harder. I had to start over again with friends and teachers. I can feel that gut feeling now. It is kinda of an empty, alone feeling.

As I try to communicate in my blogs, what can we do about situations like this and what can we learn?

First, it is all about our interpretation and feelings, isn’t it? My parents moved me to better places for the right reasons. I did make friends and I did do well in school. I had a good education and received the benefits I needed and wanted. I also benefited from the moves in such a way that I am now ready and able to take on new projects, situations, groups, presentations because I am now used to the change, the newness of change.  I have skills and experiences that others do not. I have used these for my own success and happiness.

Second, we can’t change the fact that summer is ending, fall is coming and school is starting. Why worry about things that you can’t change? So unless we’re going to move to a different climate and/or home school the kids, my wife and I need to move on with our feelings, right? How often in our daily lives do we worry or waste time on things that we can’t change?

Also, that empty, alone feeling – it is just my perception. I still had the same number of friends, family and supporters when I went into a new school. If anything I gained new friends and teachers that cared. To this day I still recall special teachers that made my life more enjoyable and better. I look back at the first few weeks of school for me during those times. There was a period when I’d dread school, the change, talking to new people, and all the new things. Then at some point later, often just a couple weeks, I was into the groove, enjoying life. Things really didn’t change that much but how I interpreted them did change.

Similarly now with my daughters, they’re excited to go, I’ll still see them a lot – and now see them in school activities. I get to see other parents, many of these fine people I am proud to call my friends. My wife and I will make new friends. We have a great, supportive and fun network of friends at the kids’ school.  Also in a similar manner, I get that empty feeling for a few weeks as my girls go back to school. Part of it comes from the fact that they are growing and time marches on. Part of it is from my own experiences.

All of it is from my own interpretation and perception – because, again, there is suddenly that point in time a few weeks from now when I’ll be happily into the groove and I will suddenly be aware that my interpretation somehow changed.

Isn’t this the case with so many things in our lives? It is what we look at, what we ponder on, what we choose to feel. My wife and I both could focus on the fact that the kids are growing, that they’ll be away from home more, etc. etc. Or we can focus on the excitement, progress, great teaches, great friends, activities. Right now my girls still laugh at my jokes, still hold my hand, still ‘like’ me, so I’m trying to milk that as much as I can.

At work, we can focus on how our boss doesn’t do this or that, that there are things wrong with our job, and that we want more. Or we can focus on what our boss does in fact do right, what’s good with our job – and the simple fact that we have one, and focus on what we have. I’m not a saint and I struggle with this whole thing as much as anyone.

One secret that helped me is simple – when I start to ponder on what isn’t working, what I don’t want, and the empty feelings, I pause, take out any paper close to me, and begin writing.

I write down things that ARE working, things that I DO want, things that make me feel GOOD, etc. If there is a person involved with my negativity, I write down at least two things that they do well or two things that work for me. I write down at least two things that are ‘working’ in this situation. Instead of writing, “I don’t want _____ .” I write down, “I want ___ “ and I work on ways to accomplish it. I write down good feelings – when ___ happens I feel good, I feel good about my kids, wife, etc.

It is, in many ways, an exercise of gratitude and focus. It is also a bit about acceptance; we need to accept the situation to deal with it. We’re not surrendering but acceptance leads to progress. This exercise can be done on a napkin in 3 minutes but can make a big difference.

I’m wishing you and your children a happy, safe, educational school year. I wish you, the parent, peace and gratitude. There is so much excitement, fun, friendship, and possibilities out there, we all need to just step forward and live it. Thanks for going through this experience with me.

Simple Stuff 8

(SIMPLE STUFF is a short bit of ideas, quotes, phrases, and ‘stuff’ to help you stay focused, stay loose, ask better questions, and laugh a bit.)

–

“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.” – “Self Pity” by D.H. Lawrence

–

“Circumstances? Hell, I make circumstances! ATTACK!”
-Napoleon Bonaparte-

–

If you don’t have the right people around you and you’re moving at a million miles an hour you can lose yourself.
Dave Chappelle – Comedian

–

From tut.com (Mike Dooley)
Here’s a tip,on how to bring absolute joy into your life faster than it may have otherwise arrived: every day, in some small way, even secretly if you like, look for a chance to help someone else.

Did that help?

So happy,
The Universe

–

I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done. – Steven Wright

.

10 things to do with your kids

Summer is almost over for most kids.

I know that I will miss the extra free time with my family once school arrives.

Here are 10 things to do with your kids in these last few moments.

(from http://www.sparkplugging.com/the-man-page/10-things-to-do-with-your-kids-this-summer/)

1. Attend a Baseball Game

2. Go Fishing

3. Take Them To The Zoo

4. Go Hiking

5. Ride Bikes To The Ice Cream Shop

6. Have A Treasure Hunt

7. Go Camping

8. Fly A Kite

9. Gather Your Kids And Their Friends And Play A Game

10. Perform A Random Act Of Kindness

(full article below)

1. Attend a Baseball Game

Photo credit: joeshlabotnik

Whether you take the kids to a professional game, minor league game, or even a local high school game really doesn’t matter – as just being at the ballpark with your kids is a great bonding opportunity for dads and the kids.

Nothing beats a hot dog at the ballpark or teaching your kids how to crack open a peanut with their teeth and spit out the shell.

2. Go Fishing

Photo credit: binkley27

Grab the fishing poles and a handful of earth worms – although we always used hot dogs for bait when I was a kid – and head down to a nearby pond or river.

While it is fun to get out in a boat, you can have just as much fun standing on the shore casting out into the water.

It helps to have a tackle box with a few essentials, such as pliers, lures, etc. but don’t let the lack of these items prevent you from getting out there. If you plan to fish yourself, be careful as you may require a fishing license for your area and don’t want to get fined for breaking the law.

3. Take Them To The Zoo

Photo credit: brookenovak

Visiting the zoo can be a lot of fun. Not only will you get a little bit of exercise walking around the zoo, you will have the opportunity to learn about animals with your children.

As you work your way through the zoo, ask your kids about their favorite animals and why they like that animal the best. You might just be surprised at what your kids find interesting about the animals and their rationale for why they like a particular animal the best.

As an added bonus, all the walking at the zoo will likely leave your kids exhausted and provide an opportunity for quiet evening with your spouse when the kids crash early!

4. Go Hiking

Photo credit: respres

Just in case the walking around the zoo is not enough activity for you, take the kids hiking.

Many of your local forest preserves likely have walking trails that can test your level of fitness on and have hte opportunity to enjoy nature.

To this day, one of our family’s favorite vacations was visiting the Smoky Mountains where we spent almost the entire trip hiking the trails within the park. We got great exercise and had fun exploring the unknown.

5. Ride Bikes To The Ice Cream Shop

Photo credit: abbynormy

Getting out with your kids for a bike ride is a lot of fun. Seeing their eyes light up when they realize that the destination is the ice cream shop is priceless.

The exercise from riding to and from the ice cream shop is enough to offset the ice cream – well, maybe not but that is what I keep telling myself. Prepare for some great conversations as you sit with your kids on a hot summer afternoon with ice cream dripping down their face.

6. Have A Treasure Hunt

Photo credit: crobj

Whether you break out the metal detector to look for buried treasure or just make up a treasure list like when you were a kid at a sleep over, you will have fun exploring.

Part of the excitement with a treasure hunt is just imagining the possibilities. Maybe you will find some long-lost artifact that would make Indiana Jones proud – or maybe you will just find a dime that has been buried for years. Most kids will be just as happy either way.

7. Go Camping

Photo credit: baronbrian

Camping is a lot of fun and can provide an opportunity to do a lot of the other activities on this list at the same time.

Sitting around the camp fire at night, roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories is a classic family activity.

If you’re nervous about heading out into the woods, don’t be afraid to set up the tent in your backyard and pretend like you are out in the wild. Our kids even get a kick out of setting up the tent in the family room and watching movies from inside the tent.

8. Fly A Kite

Photo credit: tocs

When you think of summer activities, flying a kite is probably somewhere on that list. However, you don’t see many kids flying kites anymore.

Head down to the local hobby shop to pick up a kite and some string, or you can be adventurous and try to build your own.

Once you are out at the park, have a competition with your kids to see who can get the kite up the highest. Just prepare yourself for disappointment, as flying a kite as an adult seems much harder than what I remember as a child.

9. Gather Your Kids And Their Friends And Play A Game

Photo credit: davidgrant

Tell your kids to gather up a group of their friends and play a game with them.

Play basketball. Play dodgeball. Play tag.

You against all of the kids.

Your kids’ friends will think you are the coolest dad ever and your kids will likely be feeling the same way. As the kids get older, you can get more competitive and try harder – until the day that you are trying your hardest and they are whooping your butt!

10. Perform A Random Act Of Kindness

Photo credit: glennf

Doing something nice for someone without expecting anything in return will teach your children a very valuable life lesson. It is shocking to see how many people only think about themselves, which is quickly picked up on by children.

Take your kids out to pick up trash in the parks. Take them down to the neighbor who has been working late and cut their lawn. Build a birdhouse and take it to a nearby senior center and share it with someone. Get creative about the activity, just be sure to demonstrate to your kids how rewarding it is to do something nice for someone else.

Get Out There

As you can see with most of these activities, it isn’t so much the particular activity that is important but the fact that you are out there spending time with your kids. Take advantage of the summer weather and enjoy some special time with your kids.

Speaking of kids, the crowd we have at our house right now is calling for more hot dogs on the grill. While I head out to feed the hungry monsters kids, share your suggestions for additional activities in the comments.

Tough discussions and decisions….

I mentioned in previous blog postings that a few years ago I was making a nice living at my job. I made six figures. My wife also had a job and we stepped up our lifestyle and our house. I took some investment risks and we spent money as if I was going to continue to earn the money for a long time. When the Lehman Bros and banking crisis hit, I lost my job.

For a few years I made a lot less money. We did cut back on our expenses but I think that we were in denial to some degree. We still had a large mortgage payment and some debt. We were able to pay it each month but then we had little left over. I was earning a pretty good salary but not the six figure salary and we felt very poor after the bills were paid each month.

We almost had to make a hard decision– Very hard. We seriously considered selling our house and downsize the mortgage payment. It was emotional. It brought failure into my mind. It was embarrassing. Yet we knew it was something we really needed to consider.

It was a low part in my personal and professional life. I really got upset and mad at myself. I sometimes think about what would have happened to me if I hadn’t finally become disgusted with myself. I look back at the discussion to sell the house, pay off debts and free up monthly cashflow. We made changes in our lifestyle and bit the bullet trying to pay off things. It was painful and took a long time.

If we had not gone through those tough times, discussions, and decisions, it’s highly likely we would be still struggling month to month, not able to buy an ‘extras’ in life, not being able to spend money on simple things like landscaping, new shoes, fun stuff for the kids, etc. My credit report was also in need of repair and the poor credit actually kept me from getting a few jobs. It is true, when I needed a new job the most to repair my credit, I was unable to get the job due to my credit. I had a few offers for a new job but the credit was a problem. It was a vicious cycle.

If we didn’t decide to ‘hit the reset button’ I may be still working a job I didn’t like, struggling to pay my bills and making futile attempts – knowing I’d live out my life as a habitual underachiever.

The difference for me was the simple realization that if I didn’t change myself and our situation, our life wouldn’t change – not then or ever. Essentially my wife and I were making promises to ourselves and our kids that we never truly meant or were able to keep, unless we changed. But I was tired of doing that.

I read an article weeks ago by author Michael Masterson and here is an excerpt below from his blog that is very similar to my situation above.

He says “Thinking back, I can see that there were several factors that allowed me to change in a serious and committed way:

– First, I had bottomed out emotionally. I had finally reached a point where I truly detested myself for not achieving what I felt was my potential.

– Second, I made a decision to change completely

– Third, I recognized that I would have to change not just my work habits but the way I thought about myself. I would have to “become” the person I wanted to be.

– And last, but not least, I took action immediately. I didn’t wait.

I’m here to say that luck had nothing to do with the change in my life. And it needn’t have anything to do with whatever changes you would like to make in yours. Had I waited for luck to come to me, I might be waiting still. My life changed when I got fed up and started planning my success.

You, too, can change your life if you are: (a) dissatisfied with the lack of success you’ve had so far; (b) willing to make a big change – and not just a minor adjustment; (c) prepared to start working differently and thinking about yourself as a different kind of person; and (d) willing to start now by preparing yourself to succeed.”

The above quote was posted one earlytorise.com the week of June 11, 2012.

I’m here to bare the hard truth;  almost putting our home up for sale to downgrade spending was tough and not something we wanted to do. As I said, it was embarrassing.

But, I knew that if it had happened (it didn’t) our real friends still were friends. Our kids wouldn’t mind much after the initial shock. Life wouldn’t end. People still would talk to us. We actually realized how little the house and other possessions meant. We realized that being together and being happy was the most important thing. Whether we lived in a smaller house suddenly seemed OK. It was an emotional, bad thing to go through. We almost had to sell and it affected us for a while. But looking back, we learned a lot – a lot about what really mattered in life.

I am here to tell you that after some change, some discipline, some faith and hard work, some real effort and cooperation, we were able to set aside money to retirement, savings, college. We were able to have spending money for fun things like the little stuff -ice cream and dinners out – and big stuff – weekend vacations and trips. My wife and I were able to upgrade our tired clothes that had become several years old. More than anything, it was a state of mind – we felt relieved, we felt that we had breathing room – we felt that we finally had some reserves and protection in case that incident we all have in our lives comes up – the appliance that needs replaced, a car accident, an unexpected expense.

I had to accept the situation, focus on good stuff, set goals, create a vision, and have faith. I had to be happy with what I had, where I was, and the present. I struggled. It worked.

I look back at that discussion and turmoil as a time when my wife and I realized that we didn’t really care about the big house and the materialistic things – we really cared about each other and our daughters – and the ability to be with close friends.

Is there something that you’re ignoring or denying? Is there a step that you can take – even if it is a hard one – that can improve your life a little – or a lot?

Words To Live By: Vacation

Definition: A vacation or holiday is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances, or for specific festivals or celebrations. Vacations are often spent with friends or family.

The word vacation comes from a Latin root meaning “freedom or release from something.”

I just returned from vacation. It was good. As I may have mentioned before, sometimes I try to think from the end with the desired result in mind.

A few months ago when I knew we’d be going on this trip with other family members, I created my vision to be custom fit for the trip. In my vision I talked about ‘sitting on the veranda of a nice beach house with loved ones, that support me, inside that house….” On this trip we did have a really cool porch and the house was filled with loved ones who support me. Some of the things I wanted to accomplish/happen also did take place, so at least in some ways I was able to realize my vision. I encourage you to try it. It was cool.

When you take vacation, do you feel “freedom or release from something”? Is vacation empowering to you? Or do you need to recover from vacation?

Like the photo shows, vacation can be a time to ponder. I often am tough on myself and I want more free time, more success, more time with my family and I don’t give myself credit for the improvements I’ve made. Do you do that?

I typically need to remind myself to enjoy the moment, enjoy the present. Heck, this is vacation, this is what we’ve been waiting all year for.

Vacation used to be a hedonistic ritual for me years ago- maybe I wasn’t as bad as some but I typically overate, drank too much, and did little activity. I was glad that on this vacation I ate better, behaved better, exercised more.

Is your vacation really a relaxing retreat that refreshes your body and mind?

Why is vacation a Word to Live By? I believe vacation is something we all need – to recharge, reconnect with family/friends/life/nature. Often we get tied up in the quest for fun, food, tourism, travel, spending money. Vacation – if done right – can enrich our lives, improve us, and allow us to move on in a better manner.

Is your vacation full of things / moments that enrich and inspire you?

It is a time to reflect and regroup – to plan out the next step. I like to use it to create a new vision, to think from the end with something new in mind or better address the current vision with a new life and perspective.

This time, my wife and daughters and I are going to build a vision together. We’re going to build a story and think from the end and then work towards that unified vision together. I’ve never done it before but I’m excited. We picked a point in time and we’ll be looking back at the improvements, happiness and accomplishments together. I am truly excited.

When we return from vacation, sometimes it is tough to get back to work, isn’t it? I felt the same way. Plus, I love spending time with my girls and soon school starts. I feel a little sad about that – and that time is going fast. But that is all me – my interpretation of the moment.

We planned this vacation for months, we were excited, we went had a great time, and my one reaction was to be sad, regretful, let down. Upon further examination, I understand that this is not what I’m really sad or upset about. First, I allow myself to feel this way. Second, I feel angst and worry over things I’m concerned about in the future.

How do you handle your feelings? Do you live in the moment?

None of those above thoughts help, do they? None of those beliefs empower me. So, with my visions, with my affirmations, with enthusiasm I continue to focus on the present and what I want, what I am excited about, and what action I can take right now.

In my opinion, a vacation is one of the best examples of why we need to live in the present: live in the moment because it too will be gone. Enjoy, be happy, love one another, live, do and laugh. Maybe that’s the best lesson about vacation that I can pass along.

I’d like to leave you with a quote from Wayne Dyer on vacation:

On vacation, you are free from your regular routine; your time is empty or vacant and you can fill it with something new that will heal and inspire you. A great way to move forward in your life is to use your vacation or release time to practice facing your habitual fears and the limiting behaviors they create. You can take a vacation anywhere—to a new neighborhood, a new city, or a new country—and simply be a new you who is flexible and flowing and tries new things. Take a vacation without any guarantees—just go, and let yourself be guided by your instincts rather than a detailed itinerary. Eat at a restaurant that serves food you are unfamiliar with, attend a ballet or a soccer game, visit a mosque, take a yoga class, go on a nature hike, or do anything else that you may have been afraid of. Decide to outgrow the excuses you’ve employed, and adopt a philosophy of having a mind that’s open to everything and attached to nothing.

Affirm:

I choose the less-traveled path and resist seeking out familiarity and an illusion of security.

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

(This is one of a part of a series of WORDS TO LIVE BY. This series grew out of a workbook I first made for my young daughters and discussed at the dinner table. These Words include values, good ideas, and Words to aspire to….and learn from….enjoy!)

Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open

Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open

Courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/ybdogblog

How Teenagers Listen To Music, In 1 Chart

I saw this on NPR.org and found it quite interesting, FYI

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/08/14/158797878/how-teenagers-listen-to-music-in-1-chart?sc=nl&cc=pmb-20120815

Source: Nielsen

Credit: Lam Thuy Vo / NPR

Radio and iTunes, sure.

But we wouldn’t have guessed that more kids these days listen to music on YouTube than on anything else. Also surprising: The continued survival of CDs.

But maybe it shouldn’t be. Year after year, people want to write the CDs-are-over story. And, yes, CD sales are falling — but they aren’t falling that fast. Sales fell by 3 percent in the first half of this year, and the music industry is on pace to sell about 300 million CDs this year.

The figures in the chart come from a report Nielsen released yesterday. It has lots more on how people discover and listen to music.

Source: Nielsen

Credit: Lam Thuy Vo / NPR

http://www.npr.org

Tell me again what your excuse is….?

We all have excuses and we use them at different times.

I certainly have done my share of making excuses. I am good at using technology to justify my lack of action – “our computer doesn’t have that capability”, “I can’t make a video, we don’t have a video camera that works” – all things that can be overcome but I use to procrastinate. I also get caught up in watching movies and avoiding action – I make excuses.

Sometimes fear, laziness, ignorance, whatever.

Just the other day I saw a news brief about a father and son team called Team Hoyt.

Take a look at this site and/or the video. http://www.teamhoyt.com/

NOW  – IMAGINE THIS – you’re sitting next to Team Hoyt. They are intent and listening to you.

Tell them the excuse you’re using at the moment for not doing whatever it is you know that you should do?

Are you really able to use that excuse with an honest and frank conversation with Team Hoyt after knowing the challenges that they face?

Go do it.