Showing posts with label Ripple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ripple. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Advancements in Dental Technology
Dental lab technology advancements designed to meet both the cosmetic as well as curative dental needs of patients are extremely useful, but not without certain repercussions. Unfortunately, many labs are unable to keep up with advancements because of a variety of factors, the main one being lack of monetary funds.
Even though, advancements can be extremely expensive, it is imperative that labs across the nation keep abreast of the many transformations in dental surgery technology today. The increase in demand for quality dental service must be met, and it can only be done by ensuring that professional service of the highest quality is provided always.
A high demand specific need is dentures. Similarly to prosthetics for those that lose limbs, dentures replace bad teeth with new man made ones. Only the most cutting age technology can enable a false tooth to look, fit, and feel like a real tooth. In order for dental labs to fulfill the demand, they must improve technology to keep up with the changing needs and times. Computer aided manufacturing, is a technology that has completely transformed the precision and accuracy of denture design.
Marketing manager for a leading lab, James Madsen, states that advancements in design aided by computers, and denture manufacturing is a crucial first step in reaching the era where accuracy is achieved without fail.
He also stresses that it is important to turn to modern techniques, tools, and technology in order to manufacture products that are in keeping up with modern times.
Perhaps because so many baby boomers are entering their golden years, the demand for dentures is greater than ever. Unfortunately, for many, replacing natural teeth with false ones is a worrisome and stressful decision. Many fear that dentures will be painful, uncomfortable, and not feel or look like their teeth. Miraculously, a new product has come onto the scene that may change the minds of many people. Dentures manufactured of ceramic are strong, and similar to one's own teeth.
There are also a large amount of individuals opting for cosmetic dental surgery today. This places pressure on the industry to create new techniques and advanced surgery methods. Because of the ripple effect, labs are also being pressured to advance similarly the technologies and methods that they employ. Because of this, all dental care professionals are expected to improve their skills for the benefit of all patients.
According to Los Angeles California dentist Maxine Miller, dental labs are no longer simple service providers. They also play an important role in gaining the confidence of their patients as well as making them feel secure with the procedure they are having. Clients must feel that their physical safety is well guarded when they are having procedures done. Patients will find their dentists more trustworthy when the products and services offered are the most reliable and cutting edge.
For prospective patients who wish to research dental labs and the products and services they offer a visit to hiceram.com or phoning 887-442-3726 will provide additional information.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Love Yourself and Watch
To love yourself is the first step to developing spiritually. We have been told to love
others but not to love ourselves. This is a very harmful piece of advice and we will get
into trouble if we attempt to follow it.
We have been told that if we love ourselves we will develop a big ego, become a
narcissist and so forth. However the exact opposite is true. Watch the do-gooders, the
people who serve society, the politicians, the missionaries, and the social workers. You
will observe that they have the biggest egos of all. They will tell themselves that they do
not love themselves but love humanity. Their egos will be nourished and they will
develop big egos.
In fact unless these servants of humanity love themselves their love for humanity will
only be an ego trip and they will do harm instead of good.
Osho Rajneesh says that it is only the person who loves himself who can love others. Just
as you respect yourself you will find yourself respecting others. Just as you meet your
own needs you will find yourself understanding the needs of others. Osho compares
loving yourself with a pebble being thrown into a lake. The ripples caused by the pebble
will at first arise close to the pebble. It is only later that the ripples spread out and reach
the shores of the lake.
If you prevent the ripples from arising close to the pebble naturally they will also not
reach to the shore. In a similar manner unless you love yourself you will not be able to
love others.
Another benefit to loving yourself is that you will be able to meditate. You will be able to
be alone with yourself only if you love yourself. A person who hates himself will seek all
manner of distractions because he will not be able to stand his own company. He will
seek out friends to socialize with, go to a movie, or switch on the tube - anything to take
him away from himself. Doing meditation means being alone with yourself and you will
only benefit from this practice if you love yourself.
And the practice of meditation, the watching - which is the second instruction of the sutra
will help you and benefit you in many ways. Indeed it is possible to learn to love yourself
by doing meditation if you follow the right method.
The method for cultivating love for yourself by meditation is this - watch whatever arises
during the course of your meditation, and acknowledge it. You may want to focus on the
in breath and the out breath as you are doing the meditation. Thoughts and feelings will
inevitably arise. Welcome those thoughts and feelings and acknowledge them. Just this
much is required - no more. This is a powerful Buddhist method of meditation and it will
lead to all manner of benefits in your life, in your relationship with yourself and with
others. You can practice this method of acknowledging your thoughts and feelings at
stray moments during the day when you have nothing to do. During a traffic jam, while
waiting for a bus or train - whenever you find time, practice acknowledging your
thoughts and feelings. Anchor yourself in the present moment by simultaneously
observing the breath. Follow this practice for a few weeks and observe the changes in
your life.
Awareness of yourself, observing yourself is a source of bliss and also transformation.
The story is told of Nagarjuna the famous Indian mystic. Once a thief came to him and
said that he desired to learn and practice the way. The thief said that he is prepared to do
anything but not to give up stealing. He asked if Nagarjuna would accept him as a student
and would teach him. Nagarjuna said, "Certainly I will", and taught him the techniques of
self-observation and mindfulness. He simply asked the thief to practice mindfulness as he
went about his job of robbing people. The thief went home and tried to follow these
teachings. A week later he returned to Nagarjuna and asked to be accepted as a disciple.
The thief said that he had found it impossible to rob others and at the same time be
mindful. He had to choose - either be conscious and not steal or be unconscious and
steal. This was the choice faced by the thief. Nagarjuna accepted the thief as a disciple
and later the thief went on to become enlightened.
Be conscious and watch as you go about your daily activities as well as during
meditation. You will find that truly - virtue is its own reward.
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it will be useful to you.
Stay tuned for more in this continuing series.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Say 'Bye-Bye' to Spiritual Blocks & Hello to the Purifying Practice ofTransparency
Although it may seem obvious that being dishonest holds back your Spiritual development - it can be very useful to you to know how and why this is so.
It is commonly known that many religious scriptures warn against the dangers of lying and acts of dishonesty. They are said to be 'sins' - acts against our own selves, humanity itself and the Higher Powers that be.
Whether we are religious or Spiritual or Spiritually religious or none of that - being dishonest affects all of us in the same way.
And in order to fully understand the negative ripple effect that 'not speaking ones truth' has on us, it helps to first understand what we actually are.
We are pure energy that is vibration and frequency in motion.
Our emotions are literally energy in motion and even our bones and internal organs that appear dense in this reality are in fact made up, like everything, of individual molecules.
We are made up of so many components, yet these components are contained within one system... our mind/body/Spirit.
These three words really should be one word!... 'mindbodyspirit'!
The difference between truth and untruth is as different as clean water to dirty water. And so it goes with all positive values and their negative counterparts. On the one side we have love, the other hate. On the one side we have clarity and the other side confusion, respect and the other side disrespect.
Values such as these are the bedrock of not only walking a Spiritual path, but of living a functional life!
Values can be likened to clean, transparent water that when ingested have a deeply powerful and positive effect on our system.
The same goes for their counterparts such as disrespect, dishonesty, laziness, hate and greed etc. When acted upon, when ingested their vibrational frequency automatically pollute our 'mindbodyspirit' whether we are conscious of this happening or not.
The truth is all values are energy, vibration and frequency in motion just like us. They are in and of themselves their own system that ultimately affects our lives whether we are in conscious alignment with them or not... they are undeniably more than just intellectual concepts!
If you had the choice between drinking clean or muddy water, you would choose the clean and transparent water to drink... right? Of course you would because you clearly understand that it will benefit you to keep the muddy water out of your system.
Speaking truth = communicating from your values.
Speaking words of truth is a Sacred act that literally cleans your system - no matter how common the conversation may be.
Truth and all positive values have the power to clear internal adhesions, blocks and obscurations within your 'mindbodyspirit'.
This is the process of deep restoration at work through your actions and the side effect is greater levels of transparency within your being... just like clear clean water is transparent.
When we consciously work with the quality of transparency within our being, we increase our transparency quota. From here the sky is the limit and your Ascension body will reap the benefits, as will the more dense parts of your being here in this reality.
Many people express feeling 'dirty' after telling lies or upon realizing that they have allowed themselves to become a liar in this life.
The more you choose to drink dirty water - the more you turn your back on your values - the more dense you become. Being dense makes many desired destinations on your Ascension path unreachable, not to mention the negative effects it has on your entire Karmic path, your relationships and in general your quality of life.
Empower yourself through the power of respect - Make yourself, your communication a Sacred act - Transform your physical vessel for your values to flow through!
Thanks for reading,
Illura
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
It is commonly known that many religious scriptures warn against the dangers of lying and acts of dishonesty. They are said to be 'sins' - acts against our own selves, humanity itself and the Higher Powers that be.
Whether we are religious or Spiritual or Spiritually religious or none of that - being dishonest affects all of us in the same way.
And in order to fully understand the negative ripple effect that 'not speaking ones truth' has on us, it helps to first understand what we actually are.
We are pure energy that is vibration and frequency in motion.
Our emotions are literally energy in motion and even our bones and internal organs that appear dense in this reality are in fact made up, like everything, of individual molecules.
We are made up of so many components, yet these components are contained within one system... our mind/body/Spirit.
These three words really should be one word!... 'mindbodyspirit'!
The difference between truth and untruth is as different as clean water to dirty water. And so it goes with all positive values and their negative counterparts. On the one side we have love, the other hate. On the one side we have clarity and the other side confusion, respect and the other side disrespect.
Values such as these are the bedrock of not only walking a Spiritual path, but of living a functional life!
Values can be likened to clean, transparent water that when ingested have a deeply powerful and positive effect on our system.
The same goes for their counterparts such as disrespect, dishonesty, laziness, hate and greed etc. When acted upon, when ingested their vibrational frequency automatically pollute our 'mindbodyspirit' whether we are conscious of this happening or not.
The truth is all values are energy, vibration and frequency in motion just like us. They are in and of themselves their own system that ultimately affects our lives whether we are in conscious alignment with them or not... they are undeniably more than just intellectual concepts!
If you had the choice between drinking clean or muddy water, you would choose the clean and transparent water to drink... right? Of course you would because you clearly understand that it will benefit you to keep the muddy water out of your system.
Speaking truth = communicating from your values.
Speaking words of truth is a Sacred act that literally cleans your system - no matter how common the conversation may be.
Truth and all positive values have the power to clear internal adhesions, blocks and obscurations within your 'mindbodyspirit'.
This is the process of deep restoration at work through your actions and the side effect is greater levels of transparency within your being... just like clear clean water is transparent.
When we consciously work with the quality of transparency within our being, we increase our transparency quota. From here the sky is the limit and your Ascension body will reap the benefits, as will the more dense parts of your being here in this reality.
Many people express feeling 'dirty' after telling lies or upon realizing that they have allowed themselves to become a liar in this life.
The more you choose to drink dirty water - the more you turn your back on your values - the more dense you become. Being dense makes many desired destinations on your Ascension path unreachable, not to mention the negative effects it has on your entire Karmic path, your relationships and in general your quality of life.
Empower yourself through the power of respect - Make yourself, your communication a Sacred act - Transform your physical vessel for your values to flow through!
Thanks for reading,
Illura
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
How to Protect New Piercings While Tanning
Fashion is something that virtually everyone can relate to, whether man, woman, or child. One of the longest-standing fashion trends for both genders are surface piercings. Body piercings can be dated back all the way to the beginning of humankind, from ancient Egyptians with stretched ear lobes and lower lips, to ornamental tribal piercings and similar body modifications. Although these civilizations primarily used piercings and stretches for spiritual and cultural purposes, you can see these same trends in today's society as a form of fashion.
Today, we have the technology and medicine to ensure that surface piercing is safe; however, it is up to you to ensure that your pierced skin remains in good care while it heals. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is neglect post-piercing care. Not only must you keep your piercing clean and intact, you must also protect it from excessive heat and sun exposure. This includes taking certain precautions when tanning, whether in a bed or out in the sun. Continue reading to learn how to protect your new surface piercing while tanning.
Surface Piercings
Surface piercings are different from traditional ones since they do not go all the way through the skin and out on the other side; much like ear and belly button piercings. Surface piercings are often seen on the face, by the upper lip or on the cheek. They are also commonly seen on abdomens, arms, and more.
It is important to protect regular pierced areas when they are new, but surface piercings require even more consideration when tanning. Basically, you will treat a surface piercing the same as you would a regular one when tanning, but it is important to really take some extra precaution so that it does not get infected.
What To Do:
If your piercing is very new, you should avoid tanning and sun exposure altogether. Wait at least a week before tanning to ensure that no infection has formed as a result of the actual appointment. If you were to get a sunburn around your pierced skin, it would take even longer for the piercing to heal, plus cause more pain and discomfort, as well as permanent scarring. It also opens you up to a higher risk of post-piercing infection.
Whether you have a surface or regular piercing, the first step to take before tanning is to clean the area thoroughly. Use an antibacterial soap, clean water, and a clean rag to eliminate any dirt or germs. Instead of soap, you can also use antiseptic liquids like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
Once it is clean, be sure that you do not get any sunblock, tanning lotion, or oil near the area. This can also cause infection, pain, swelling, and discomfort.
To avoid sunburn and product contamination, cover your pierced skin with a bandage. Just be sure that the adhesive from the bandage does not get into the hole of your piercing. For even more security, consider covering the bandage with another bandage, like medical gauze or a clean washcloth. In fact, this is recommended for larger surface piercings.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Today, we have the technology and medicine to ensure that surface piercing is safe; however, it is up to you to ensure that your pierced skin remains in good care while it heals. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is neglect post-piercing care. Not only must you keep your piercing clean and intact, you must also protect it from excessive heat and sun exposure. This includes taking certain precautions when tanning, whether in a bed or out in the sun. Continue reading to learn how to protect your new surface piercing while tanning.
Surface Piercings
Surface piercings are different from traditional ones since they do not go all the way through the skin and out on the other side; much like ear and belly button piercings. Surface piercings are often seen on the face, by the upper lip or on the cheek. They are also commonly seen on abdomens, arms, and more.
It is important to protect regular pierced areas when they are new, but surface piercings require even more consideration when tanning. Basically, you will treat a surface piercing the same as you would a regular one when tanning, but it is important to really take some extra precaution so that it does not get infected.
What To Do:
If your piercing is very new, you should avoid tanning and sun exposure altogether. Wait at least a week before tanning to ensure that no infection has formed as a result of the actual appointment. If you were to get a sunburn around your pierced skin, it would take even longer for the piercing to heal, plus cause more pain and discomfort, as well as permanent scarring. It also opens you up to a higher risk of post-piercing infection.
Whether you have a surface or regular piercing, the first step to take before tanning is to clean the area thoroughly. Use an antibacterial soap, clean water, and a clean rag to eliminate any dirt or germs. Instead of soap, you can also use antiseptic liquids like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
Once it is clean, be sure that you do not get any sunblock, tanning lotion, or oil near the area. This can also cause infection, pain, swelling, and discomfort.
To avoid sunburn and product contamination, cover your pierced skin with a bandage. Just be sure that the adhesive from the bandage does not get into the hole of your piercing. For even more security, consider covering the bandage with another bandage, like medical gauze or a clean washcloth. In fact, this is recommended for larger surface piercings.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Dreams Plus Action Equals Reality
How often have you had a daydream about a future you wish you were experiencing? What is the difference between that daydream and the life you are living? Fear of change often leaves us paralyzed and unable to move forward. Yet one step forward into the unknown could result in the realization of our dreams. Our own inaction is the only thing holding us back from the life we desire. Taking action is the only way to move forward changing dreams into reality.
When I stepped onto the path of change it sent a ripple out that affected many people. I had been living in a cloud of confusion for nearly five years and I was afraid to be myself. One day I awakened to find I was not the woman I had once been. I no longer pursued the interests at the core of whom I really was. As time passed, harsh circumstances locked me into a role that was destroying my soul. The day I wrote my first paragraph in ten years I felt free to be myself. As I typed each word it opened the cell door a bit more that I was locked behind. When I completed my new article I knew there was no going back and I must continue to grow and change.
Change is rarely easy and can cause those around you to feel you are abandoning them. They too, have become comfortable in their role and do not want anything to disturb their comfort zone. Change can be as simple as dressing differently or as complex as ending a long-term relationship. Many around you will believe as you move forward it will mean leaving them behind. To find your true self again this might be true.
Are you being true to yourself? Have you been conforming to the perception of you that others have created? Your dreams cannot and should not be dismissed. Take one hour each day to pursue your dream. Try it on and test the fit. See how it feels to actually live your dream. Does it make you happy? If yes, you must now decide, "Am I willing to make changes to continue on a new path?"
There will be naysayers and those who will accuse you of making waves. Some of your family and friends may try to dissuade you from achieving your dream. They may not want you to be yourself for fear they will not know what their place will be in your life. It will take courage and commitment to live your dreams and to be the person that is best for you. Doing something that is only for you may be difficult in the beginning. Recognize that what you feel is real and valid. You are worthy of following your own dream.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Why Volunteering Can Make You Happy
"Anywhere I see suffering, that's where I want to be, doing what I can." - Princess Diana
There are a lot of benefits one can gain from actively participating in social causes through non-governmental or charity organisations. More and more research have associated improved health and overall wellbeing with volunteering. Well, there are other reasons why you should join one.
Broadens your outlook on life
Doing social work exposes you to completely new experiences. Apart from colleagues, you get to meet new people and gain their perspective on life based on their stories. These interactions don't only broaden your own viewpoint about life, it also helps you connect deeply with them. This connection can serve as a source of motivation for the bumpy times in future.
You get to change the world
Social work through volunteering lets you impact positively in your local community, creating ripple effects on the world in general. By donating time, gifts, ideas and money to a cause that is close to your heart, you are solving problems - empowering people and changing lives. When you speak up about injustice or harmful practices, you influence people to do the right thing. Paraphrasing social activist, Robert Silberstein, if we all do one thing for a better world, together we make a world of difference.
Build skills and make new connections
Doing social work also gives you a platform to prune your existing skills and learn new ones. For instance, persuasive selling skills can be developed through participating in fundraising activities. Other soft skills such as communication, leadership, time management as well as social skills can be developed from interactions with co-volunteers and applied to other aspects of life. There is also an opportunity to make new friends, network and build strong connections. You will also create bonding memories when you volunteer with family and loved ones.
Gives you a sense of purpose
Reports say that helping other people is a two-way street. That it even favours the volunteer much more than it does the people she chooses to help. Volunteering ultimately gives a sense of purpose, which results to feelings of self-confidence, fulfillment and satisfaction. It simply adds vigour to life!
There are a lot of causes you can support. Find out what social cause you are really passionate about and join registered organisations genuinely involved in it. In as much as making financial contributions is a welcome step, try to participate in other ways, considering what constraints you might have. If we make a habit of actively improving our communities through social work, we make a better environment to live in for future generations to come, and us.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Why Help Promote the Ski Vacation Destination?
Finding an awesome ski vacation destination is not easy. Most ski resorts are rarely credited for the vacationer's positive unforgettable experience. But at the same time, they are at the receiving end of a traveler's unpleasant winter vacation memories. Reputation has been the core currency of every ski resort in the market. Every effort and investment serving the interest of the customer leads to one particular goal. At the greater scheme of things, it is always about garnering positive ratings. Given that it is the obligation of ski resort staff and management to promote its own recreational market, why must customers do the same? Here are the reasons why:
Customers have the last word
Restaurant and hotel businesses are keen about maintaining a great reputation to their customers. It is hard enough for establishments to get accustomed to seasonal presence of visitors in order to earn its collective keep. Any negative comment from visitors would ripple and repel prospective customers instead of attracting them. When a customer recommends a recreational establishment, the management has less to worry about the possibility of their facility closing down. This is especially true for customers with strong political influence or vast media connections. You, as a customer, plays a great role in keeping your favorite ski resort operational.
Good for pursuing special offers
In connection to the survivability of your desired vacation venue, these recreational facilities are always grateful for the positive reviews courtesy of their loyal customers. In return, customers can always benefit from special privileges offered by the favored ski resort. Advertising the brand name could keep you updated with their interesting ski vacation packages. Being a patron is a great leverage if you are keen about maintaining cost-efficient budget. Familiarity of their unique features is central to experiencing quality vacation stay.
It can also help your related career
If you are working as a writer, creating a commendable content featuring your favorite ski resort opens to many advantages in your career. For one thing, you can be commissioned freelance for their special advertising campaign. These projects often comes its own rewarding prestige points (not to mention expedient freebies). The same thing can be said about amateur models promoting their favorite ski resort. They are privy to the schedules of VIP customers such as directors and esteemed photographers, individuals who can bring you nearer to your coveted media career aspirations. Promoting your favorite ski vacation destination also upgrades your public image, which is easier in the current age of social media.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Customers have the last word
Restaurant and hotel businesses are keen about maintaining a great reputation to their customers. It is hard enough for establishments to get accustomed to seasonal presence of visitors in order to earn its collective keep. Any negative comment from visitors would ripple and repel prospective customers instead of attracting them. When a customer recommends a recreational establishment, the management has less to worry about the possibility of their facility closing down. This is especially true for customers with strong political influence or vast media connections. You, as a customer, plays a great role in keeping your favorite ski resort operational.
Good for pursuing special offers
In connection to the survivability of your desired vacation venue, these recreational facilities are always grateful for the positive reviews courtesy of their loyal customers. In return, customers can always benefit from special privileges offered by the favored ski resort. Advertising the brand name could keep you updated with their interesting ski vacation packages. Being a patron is a great leverage if you are keen about maintaining cost-efficient budget. Familiarity of their unique features is central to experiencing quality vacation stay.
It can also help your related career
If you are working as a writer, creating a commendable content featuring your favorite ski resort opens to many advantages in your career. For one thing, you can be commissioned freelance for their special advertising campaign. These projects often comes its own rewarding prestige points (not to mention expedient freebies). The same thing can be said about amateur models promoting their favorite ski resort. They are privy to the schedules of VIP customers such as directors and esteemed photographers, individuals who can bring you nearer to your coveted media career aspirations. Promoting your favorite ski vacation destination also upgrades your public image, which is easier in the current age of social media.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Monday, December 9, 2019
Customer Experience Strategy: Do This, Not That
Customer experience strategy is the foundation to achieving business results -- not only as ROI for your customer experience efforts, but also for your business as a whole. In this season of planning for the new fiscal year, it will pay to get it right.
In a customer experience (CX) conference, several roundtable options were aimed at about a dozen attendees each, yet 57 people -- with standing room only -- piled into the CX ROI roundtable. The pressure to demonstrate business results is high, but year after year, studies show that less than half of companies aiming for CX excellence actually have a CX strategy! Top obstacles to customer experience success are typically cited as lack of CX strategy, lack of cooperation among organizations, lack of CX processes, and correspondingly, lack of budget.
Top obstacles to the success of customer experience goals -- Business-to-Business Customer Experience Management Best Practices Study, 2010-2013.
The shocking consequence of CX strategy sloppiness is described in the Forrester 2013 State of Customer Experience report: "Despite 90% of respondents saying that CX is a top strategic priority for their firm, a shocking 86% said their companies don't actually expect to get much value from it."
For other endeavors in business, would we settle for such half-heartedness or incompleteness in our annual operating plans? Whenever the answer is yes, certainly we can agree on a low likelihood of success. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water just yet -- you have an opportunity to be wholehearted and complete going forward!
Here are 3 keys to getting it right for 2015: be holistic, bust silos, and integrate.
1) Be holistic: For something as important as THE source of your company's funding -- customers -- think big and comprehensively. Piecemeal attempts yield piecemeal results.
2) Bust silos: Customers think of a company or brand as "one", so it pays to manage customer experience accordingly.
3) Integrate: Since customers are integral to business success, integrate their viewpoints into everything you do.
A sensible approach to CX strategy is what's needed for sustained CX ROI. In fact, companies that view customer experience as a determinant of corporate strategy -- rather than a subset of corporate strategy, or unrelated to it -- appear to have cracked the nut for drawing strong value from CX efforts. Be holistic, bust silos, and integrate customer experience in all you do as you plan your company's future.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
In a customer experience (CX) conference, several roundtable options were aimed at about a dozen attendees each, yet 57 people -- with standing room only -- piled into the CX ROI roundtable. The pressure to demonstrate business results is high, but year after year, studies show that less than half of companies aiming for CX excellence actually have a CX strategy! Top obstacles to customer experience success are typically cited as lack of CX strategy, lack of cooperation among organizations, lack of CX processes, and correspondingly, lack of budget.
Top obstacles to the success of customer experience goals -- Business-to-Business Customer Experience Management Best Practices Study, 2010-2013.
The shocking consequence of CX strategy sloppiness is described in the Forrester 2013 State of Customer Experience report: "Despite 90% of respondents saying that CX is a top strategic priority for their firm, a shocking 86% said their companies don't actually expect to get much value from it."
For other endeavors in business, would we settle for such half-heartedness or incompleteness in our annual operating plans? Whenever the answer is yes, certainly we can agree on a low likelihood of success. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water just yet -- you have an opportunity to be wholehearted and complete going forward!
Here are 3 keys to getting it right for 2015: be holistic, bust silos, and integrate.
1) Be holistic: For something as important as THE source of your company's funding -- customers -- think big and comprehensively. Piecemeal attempts yield piecemeal results.
DO THIS: Deploy an end-to-end system that connects customers' feedback to internal improvements and innovations, and then to customer engagement. Nothing in business is an island -- think of customer experience management as a system of interconnected efforts that must be synchronized and fully deployed before lasting results are reaped.
NOT THAT: A program or technology is not a strategy -- market research, CRM, references, engagement, and repurchase/renewal efforts are components that must be connected in order to "move the needle" for CX ROI. Our 4-year study indicates that ongoing coordination among managers of all these CX programs is a CX ROI success factor.
Furthermore, don't forget the "middleware" -- customer intelligence connects the dots across disparate sources, customer lifetime value (CLV) prioritizes efforts and motivates action, CX improvement must be systemic to prevent recurrence of issues, CX innovation must be anticipatory of customers' expectations and contribute to customers' capabilities, and engaging internally must be in alignment with all of the above. Our 4-year study shows that this middleware is not typically part of what's considered to be a "CX strategy".
Do: Think of it as centering your business on customers and centering your employees on customers. As the source of your company's lifeblood, why would you center it on anything else?
2) Bust silos: Customers think of a company or brand as "one", so it pays to manage customer experience accordingly.
DO THIS: Get your C-team "on the same page" with customer-centered CX terminology, vision, and strategy. Unify your business units and support functions in their views and roles, and understanding of their joint responsibility for the ripple effect on CX goals of their handoffs and decisions and mindsets.
Align data and methods across your whole company, allowing flexibility as needed to address customers' needs, while simplifying and creating consistency that will serve customers', employees', and shareholders' well-being alike.
NOT THAT: Silos built-in to your CX effort waste a lot of opportunity. While pilots of methodologies and technologies are useful, lay the change management groundwork for pilots to be rolled out horizontally and vertically, to minimize silos in the way you manage customer experience.
The same goes for data, systems, and methods -- design it right the first time, and iron-out the legacy kinks. For sustained CX ROI, manage business in the ways that customers need us to portray ourselves.
3) Integrate: Since customers are integral to business success, integrate their viewpoints into everything you do.
DO THIS: Weave CX goals into all of your strategies, plans, rituals, processes, policies, and day-to-day work -- at every level of management and across all the business lines, accounts, and support functions. Rituals include staff meetings, ops reviews, all-hands meetings, performance reviews, succession, planning and budgeting, and so forth.
NOT THAT: Customer experience is not an interaction, touch-point, usage instance, event, aura, or domain exclusive to front-line employees. Everything across your company can influence the experience your customers have. Like healthy habits for physical bodies, the best results come when health-centered actions and thinking permeate every aspect of your life. If you want long-lasting CX differentiation and ROI, build it into the way you live.
A sensible approach to CX strategy is what's needed for sustained CX ROI. In fact, companies that view customer experience as a determinant of corporate strategy -- rather than a subset of corporate strategy, or unrelated to it -- appear to have cracked the nut for drawing strong value from CX efforts. Be holistic, bust silos, and integrate customer experience in all you do as you plan your company's future.
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How Much Do Unhappy Customers Cost?
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In a recent Harvard Business Review OnPoint article, "Stop Trying to Delight Your Customers," there were four statistics shared regarding the ripple effect poor customer service has on your business.
(Harvard Business Review OnPoint article by Matthew Dixon, Karen Freeman and Nicholas Toman)
The moral of the story (in my opinion):
If I were to recommend a quick, one-step solution to this problem - it would be simple: don't let your unhappy customers leave unhappy.
So what do I mean by this? Well, three things really - all of which will do wonders for the quality of your customer's experience.
1. Request their feedback immediately. If you wait a few days before sending a customer service survey, you are increasing the lapse of time they have to spread the word about the experience that spoiled their day. So talk to them before they leave the building, before they put down the phone, and before they refuse to participate in a process they've decided they have no time to do. The quicker you understand what's gone wrong, the better your chances are at redeeming the relationship with your customer.
2. Make the last customer touch point memorable. Customers come in contact with various staff, systems and services while in your building or on your site, so make sure that the very last thing they experience is incredibly positive. I'm not suggesting that one good memory can undo a poor experience, but research has indicated that what people remember has a greater impact on them than what people experience (research by Daniel Kahneman), so don't bypass the opportunity to leave things on a positive note.
3. As much as you are able, fix the problem as soon as the customer communicates the issue. This may sound similar to #1, but the difference is that #1 is about creating an opportunity for customers to give you feedback immediately - it's about catching their unhappy criticism quickly. This step is about identifying the solution and taking action to solve the problem. Too many businesses tell their customers "We'll call you when we have an update," or "We'll know more about the issue in two weeks," or "We'll have an inventory update once we hear from headquarters." Some of these justifications can't be avoided - but the goal, when possible, is to solve things on-site. Don't delay solutions when you don't have to - to a customer, all issues are urgent. Show them you take them seriously by doing something about it right now.
Don't ignore, avoid or bypass customers' concerns - approach them immediately to take action-orientated steps that communicate they are a priority. This will minimize the amount of damage they can do - to your reputation and your bottom line.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
In a recent Harvard Business Review OnPoint article, "Stop Trying to Delight Your Customers," there were four statistics shared regarding the ripple effect poor customer service has on your business.
- 25% of customers are likely to say something positive about their experience.
- 65% are likely to speak negatively.
- 23% of customers who had a positive service interaction told 10 or more people about it.
- 48% of customers who had negative experiences told 10 or more others.
(Harvard Business Review OnPoint article by Matthew Dixon, Karen Freeman and Nicholas Toman)
The moral of the story (in my opinion):
- Unhappy customers talk more than happy customers.
- Unhappy customers do not do your business any good.
- Unhappy customers are bad for your business.
If I were to recommend a quick, one-step solution to this problem - it would be simple: don't let your unhappy customers leave unhappy.
So what do I mean by this? Well, three things really - all of which will do wonders for the quality of your customer's experience.
1. Request their feedback immediately. If you wait a few days before sending a customer service survey, you are increasing the lapse of time they have to spread the word about the experience that spoiled their day. So talk to them before they leave the building, before they put down the phone, and before they refuse to participate in a process they've decided they have no time to do. The quicker you understand what's gone wrong, the better your chances are at redeeming the relationship with your customer.
2. Make the last customer touch point memorable. Customers come in contact with various staff, systems and services while in your building or on your site, so make sure that the very last thing they experience is incredibly positive. I'm not suggesting that one good memory can undo a poor experience, but research has indicated that what people remember has a greater impact on them than what people experience (research by Daniel Kahneman), so don't bypass the opportunity to leave things on a positive note.
3. As much as you are able, fix the problem as soon as the customer communicates the issue. This may sound similar to #1, but the difference is that #1 is about creating an opportunity for customers to give you feedback immediately - it's about catching their unhappy criticism quickly. This step is about identifying the solution and taking action to solve the problem. Too many businesses tell their customers "We'll call you when we have an update," or "We'll know more about the issue in two weeks," or "We'll have an inventory update once we hear from headquarters." Some of these justifications can't be avoided - but the goal, when possible, is to solve things on-site. Don't delay solutions when you don't have to - to a customer, all issues are urgent. Show them you take them seriously by doing something about it right now.
Don't ignore, avoid or bypass customers' concerns - approach them immediately to take action-orientated steps that communicate they are a priority. This will minimize the amount of damage they can do - to your reputation and your bottom line.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Understanding the Silver Tsunami - Aging and the Workplace
In deep ocean waters a Tsunami is just a ripple on the water's surface, but when the water shallows, the wave increases in size. The ripples of an aging work force should concern us all, especially when it may be our own actions creating the wave!
Myth #1: Older workers are slow, less productive and not quality oriented.
David Kelly is with the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging & Disabilities. His class focused on dispelling several myths about employing seniors. Obviously Myth #1 is false, The National Council on Aging (NCA) found 97% of employers with older workers think they're "thorough" and "reliable".
I am not new to studying the affects of an aging work force--hence my interest in the class. As far back as high school I have had an interest in the effects of agism on American Society. From my observation, we have cause for concern.
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In the book Generations, the authors defined seven generations as follows:
Lost Generation (1883 - 1900)
Greatest Generation (1901 - 1924)
Silent Generation (1925 - 1942)
Baby Boomer (1943 - 1960)
Generation X (1961 - 1981)
Generation Y (1982 - 2001)
Generation Z (2001 - )
Myth #2: Older workers quit more often.
Nope. NCA & 9to5 National Association of Working Women show an 88% lower turnover rate in baby boomers compared to Gen Y's & Gen X's.
The class moved into a discussion about technical competence. Gen X & Y are more adapt at using computers, but the general consensus in the class were Baby Boomers had the mental edge. Reacting to business changes favors experience.
Yes, there is a health care cost issue, but reality is such that Baby Boomers are needing to work longer. Business Entrepreneurs would be wise to seek seniors if for no other reason than self preservation.
In the areas of customer service, business ethics, and work pace, Baby Boomers still out perform the younger generations.
Myth #3: Older workers cost more to pay & insure.
True...sort of! Some of the studies show the most costly person to insure is a 30 year-old with two dependents. When surveyed, 90% of Fortune 400 bosses felt the ROI of hiring mature workers was high. While some surveys among small business found a lowered acceptance of older workers, I feel we should all take an active role in welcoming seniors in the work place.
At the ripe old age of 40, I doubt I will get to retire until my 70's. If we create a culture of putting Baby Boomers out to pasture, then I may age out of my job in 15 to 20 years. Yikes!
Here are some numbers...brace yourself--these numbers are important to making my point.
Looking at the US Census projections for two age brackets: 18 to 64 and 65 years and over, it is important to note the swing.
In 2010 the 18-64 age bracket will make up 63% of the US population while the 65+ bracket account for 13% of the total population. In 2030, those projections become 57% and 19% respectfully.
The younger generation will shrink (percentage-wise) while the senior generation will grow. In real numbers. The 18-64 group will total 194.7 million in 2010 and 213.5 million in 2030. This is an 8.8% total increase. The 65+ age group will grow from 40.2 million in 2010 to 72 million in 2030--almost doubling in size.
We already know the impact of an 8% unemployment rate. 77 years ago our nation was suffering from a 25% unemployment rate. With projections suggesting we all will need to work into our 70's, what will be the unemployment rate in 2034 when I (hope to) turn 65
At 65 and looking for a job, someone from Generation Z will probably be interviewing me. If we do not create a culture of hiring seniors right now, then Generation Y will be unaccustomed to hiring older people and that bias will be passed down to Generation Z.
My point may be self serving, but as Smith pointed out in the "Invisible Hand" theory, "an individual pursuing his own self-interest tends to also promote the good of his community."
We cannot stop the wave, the ripples are already showing on the surface, but we can deepen the foundation of the shoreline and lessen the impact of the Silver Tsunami.
Ed Bejarana
Editor, East Portland Chamber of Commerce Business Blog
Reference Links:
Age Wave
Invisible Hand
Bureau of the Census
National Council on Aging
9to5, National Association of Working Women
Southwest Washington Agency on Aging & Disabilities
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How Long Do I Have to Wear a Self-Tanner?
For those who are new to the world of self-tanning, the process can be quite intimidating, and worries are certainly understandable. The most common concerns are turning orange, smelling like burnt toast, and leaving lotion stains all over the place. The good news is that you will quickly get the hang of it after a few tries, and realize that in order to have great success, you must follow three rules: 1) use a high-quality product, 2) apply it properly, and 3) leave it on long enough for it to take effect.
The latter can sometimes be the most intimidating since self-tanning products seem to come with a Catch 22: although you have to wear it long enough to do its job, you don't want to smell bad at work or school while it's doing it, nor do you want to wear it too long and risk looking like a carrot. Fortunately, you do not have to worry much about any of these concerns so long as you follow the three rules mentioned above; especially the rule about leaving your product on for the right amount of time.
DHA Reaction Times
If you are using a high quality product, which you should be, it will take at least 6 hours for it to begin taking effect, and at least another two or three for it to render long-lasting results. This means that most good quality self-tanners must be worn between 6 and 10 hours for best results. Why? The answer is DHA. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient.
Before you take a shower, go swimming, get sweaty, or come into contact with water at all, you must let the dihydroxyacetone take effect first. If you do anything that gets you wet or makes you sweat profusely before the product can work, you will not get the best color possible because the DHA didn't have time to react with the amino acids in the upper layer of dead skin cells to produce a lasting color change.
Application Tips
To solve the concerns of smelling strange or feeling uncomfortable for an entire day, simply apply your self-tanner at night, let it fully dry, go to sleep, and then shower it off in the morning. This method gets great results. After you shower, any residual streaks and smells will be gone, and you will see nothing but luminous, glowing skin!
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The latter can sometimes be the most intimidating since self-tanning products seem to come with a Catch 22: although you have to wear it long enough to do its job, you don't want to smell bad at work or school while it's doing it, nor do you want to wear it too long and risk looking like a carrot. Fortunately, you do not have to worry much about any of these concerns so long as you follow the three rules mentioned above; especially the rule about leaving your product on for the right amount of time.
DHA Reaction Times
If you are using a high quality product, which you should be, it will take at least 6 hours for it to begin taking effect, and at least another two or three for it to render long-lasting results. This means that most good quality self-tanners must be worn between 6 and 10 hours for best results. Why? The answer is DHA. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient.
Before you take a shower, go swimming, get sweaty, or come into contact with water at all, you must let the dihydroxyacetone take effect first. If you do anything that gets you wet or makes you sweat profusely before the product can work, you will not get the best color possible because the DHA didn't have time to react with the amino acids in the upper layer of dead skin cells to produce a lasting color change.
Application Tips
To solve the concerns of smelling strange or feeling uncomfortable for an entire day, simply apply your self-tanner at night, let it fully dry, go to sleep, and then shower it off in the morning. This method gets great results. After you shower, any residual streaks and smells will be gone, and you will see nothing but luminous, glowing skin!
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Avoid Common Carpet Problems
So you've gone through the long, arduous process of choosing just the right color, fiber and construction of your carpet. The installer spent a whole day in your home, and you finally have your beautiful, brand new flooring installed. But what is that smell? And are those wrinkles in the carpet?
The following list describes some of the biggest problems carpet owners run into, along with practical solutions.
First-year Carpet Problems
Long-term Carpet Problems
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The following list describes some of the biggest problems carpet owners run into, along with practical solutions.
First-year Carpet Problems
- Shedding and Sprouting - Some types of carpets will shed balls of "fluff" throughout their first year. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern, since these balls are generally too large to become airborne. Sprouting occurs when a tuft happens to rise above the pile of the carpet. Sprouting is also common during the first year, but can also occur throughout the life of the carpet. Solution: Carpet should gradually stop shedding after one year. Vacuum regularly to shorten the amount of time your carpet sheds. If you find a sprouting carpet tuft, cut it to size with a pair of scissors. You could damage your carpet if you try to vacuum or pull it.
- Odor - When carpet is installed, it is very normal for a slight odor to linger for a couple of days. This odor may either come from the removal of the old carpet or the adhesives used during installation of the new carpet. Solution: To help the odor dissipate, open all windows and run some fans. Running your home's heating or air conditioning unit can also help.
- Wrinkles and Buckles - If carpet is improperly installed, it may ripple, buckle or wrinkle. This is not normal, and should immediately be corrected. Solution: Contact your carpet installer, and have them fix your carpet by using a power stretcher. It is best to check for defects before the installer leaves to make corrections easier. Do not let anyone tell you that wrinkles or buckles are normal.
Long-term Carpet Problems
- Crushing - Over time, foot traffic and heavy furniture can crush carpet fibers. While a certain amount of crushing is normal for all types of carpets, some carpets like acrylic can be crushed more easily than others. Solution: You can fight carpet crushing by vacuuming heavy traffic areas often. You'll also want to move heavy furniture a few inches on a regular basis or put down furniture coasters.
- Color Loss/Yellowing - Fading, color loss and yellowing can be caused by several factors including sunlight, atmospheric gases and cleaning chemicals. Solution: Protect your carpet from fading and yellowing by keeping it away from dangerous chemicals and shielding it from UV radiation. You should also invest in window drapes, colorfast carpet or even UV window protection. Make sure you protect your carpet from color loss, because it is usually impossible to reverse.
- Staining - Stains can occur even in carpet that is generally resistant to staining and soiling. Treat all stains as quickly as possible for best results. Solution: The good news is that even the toughest stains can generally be erased when treated correctly. Visit our carpet stain removal guide to learn more about how to treat stains in different types of carpets.
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Buck Converters and LTSpice - Easier Than You Think
There is no doubt that switched mode power supply design is getting more prevalent. Demands on batteries to last longer to give improved talk time mean an efficient way is needed to converter one voltage to another.
While battery voltages remain fairly constant, processor voltages are getting ever lower as well as consuming more current. This puts pressure on the power supply engineer to design more efficient buck converters.
Once the design has been completed, a valid simulation tool (such as LTSpice) is needed to cross check the finer points of the design to ensure optimum efficiency has been achieved.
Buck converters rely on the properties on inductors to efficiently convert a high voltage to a lower voltage. An inductor has minimum dc resistance and if a low resistance transistor is used to switch the voltage to an inductor, then the heat dissipation (and hence power loss) of the circuit can be kept to a minimum.
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A buck converter switches a voltage to an inductor, waits for the current in the inductor to ramp to a certain level then disconnects the voltage. The flyback properties of the inductor mean the switched end flies negative, causing the inductor energy to be passed to an output capacitor to power the load.
All of the current and voltage waveforms of the boost converter can be simulated in LTSpice, giving the design a fundamental knowledge of how the circuit is performing.
The current in an inductor ramps linearly with time and this ramp is proportional to the voltage across the inductor and inversely proportional to the inductance value. Thus by choosing the correct value of inductor, the speed of operation of the circuit can be determined. Again, the currents and voltages can be probed in LTSpice.
Keeping the inductor ripple current to about 40% of the output current ensures a good trade off between switching losses and inductor size.
Optimum efficiency is obtained by careful selection of the top and bottom MOSFETs too. The top MOSFET needs to have low gate charge (Qg) as well as low ON resistance. The bottom MOSFET only needs low ON resistance.
The duty cycle also comes into play. The duty cycle of a buck converter is Vout/Vin. If the input voltage is high or the output voltage is low, the duty cycle will be low, so the top MOSFET will only be on for a short period of time. Therefore the top MOSFET needs low gate charge, almost at the irrelevance of ON resistance.
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While battery voltages remain fairly constant, processor voltages are getting ever lower as well as consuming more current. This puts pressure on the power supply engineer to design more efficient buck converters.
Once the design has been completed, a valid simulation tool (such as LTSpice) is needed to cross check the finer points of the design to ensure optimum efficiency has been achieved.
Buck converters rely on the properties on inductors to efficiently convert a high voltage to a lower voltage. An inductor has minimum dc resistance and if a low resistance transistor is used to switch the voltage to an inductor, then the heat dissipation (and hence power loss) of the circuit can be kept to a minimum.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
A buck converter switches a voltage to an inductor, waits for the current in the inductor to ramp to a certain level then disconnects the voltage. The flyback properties of the inductor mean the switched end flies negative, causing the inductor energy to be passed to an output capacitor to power the load.
All of the current and voltage waveforms of the boost converter can be simulated in LTSpice, giving the design a fundamental knowledge of how the circuit is performing.
The current in an inductor ramps linearly with time and this ramp is proportional to the voltage across the inductor and inversely proportional to the inductance value. Thus by choosing the correct value of inductor, the speed of operation of the circuit can be determined. Again, the currents and voltages can be probed in LTSpice.
Keeping the inductor ripple current to about 40% of the output current ensures a good trade off between switching losses and inductor size.
Optimum efficiency is obtained by careful selection of the top and bottom MOSFETs too. The top MOSFET needs to have low gate charge (Qg) as well as low ON resistance. The bottom MOSFET only needs low ON resistance.
The duty cycle also comes into play. The duty cycle of a buck converter is Vout/Vin. If the input voltage is high or the output voltage is low, the duty cycle will be low, so the top MOSFET will only be on for a short period of time. Therefore the top MOSFET needs low gate charge, almost at the irrelevance of ON resistance.
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Conflict - Workplace Warning Signs
Seemingly insignificant issues in the workplace can if left to fester, evolve into debilitating conflicts that affect teams, departments, even the whole organization. Is the impending crisis looming in your workplace? Here are some warning signs:
The same issues keep coming up. If you thought you resolved the problem but it keeps resurfacing, be careful. This just may be the tip of the iceberg.
When a conflict starts to escalate, related issues keep popping up around it. Sometimes we're blindsided because we're busy putting out the little fires that we don't even see the cause of the flames in the first place. And, if you don't get to the root of the problem, the "little things" will keep resurfacing. If this is happening in your workplace, start looking for the real cause of the problems.
A flurry of "petty" issues. You may experience some of the ripple effects before you realize the weight of the stone that's been tossed in the pond. A lot of minor complaints add up to one big problem.
Taken individually, complaints may seem insignificant. And sometimes it's tempting to look at each employee's complaint or concern individually and dismiss it because it seems inconsequential. But if you're hearing similar complaints from more than one employee (even if you're hearing ongoing complaints from one employee), there is some reason for this. If employees are complaining, they're not working. And if they're distracted from their work, then you've got a situation that needs to be addressed.
Secretive cliques and informal gatherings. Discussions around the water cooler and in the coffee room are normal. But if they are exclusionary or secretive (the group seems concerned about who might overhear them) there's ore brewing than just the coffee.
When people are unhappy or frustrated by a difficult situation at work, they talk. It doesn't take long for a whole workplace to become "poisoned" by one or two individuals. You can't keep employees from talking to each other, but you can be on the lookout for negative and destructive gossip.
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What Can Bring an Economic Boom to India?
How bad is bad? Or for that matter how much sugar is there in sweetness, really? Perhaps we rarely stop to think. Bad or good is more or less absolute to us, and we often refrain from probing further into their causes. Personal health is one area, however, which we do not leave to chance. So why should we not do the same about our financial and economic health?
When I speak about 'our' financial and economic health, it is all-encompassing, from personal finance to the economy of the country at the macro level. Let us allow ourselves a glance around the current economic happenings.
The economy of the country is taking a beating. The economic fundamentals are in a deplorable condition.
The rupee is in a state of unhindered free-fall and inflation is moving up faster than a shooting star.
· GDP growth is experiencing turmoil and corporate performance is at best average.
The stock market is uncertain and sluggish and is experiencing tremors every now and then.
· The employment situation is not at all encouraging as there has been across the board job cuts all around.
EMIs' are moving in tandem with inflation and fuel costs like a luxury item.
So what does one do about the economy? Despair? Delve into the depths of absolute pessimism?
Or should we diligently explore the silver linings around the ominous clouds of gloom. Newton's third law of motion "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" is something that can inspire us to look for the good evolving after the bad. Let us look at some potential developments which can bring back the days of "India Shining" to our economy.
I. Good Monsoon: A good monsoon is a prelude to the prospect of a good harvest. A bountiful crop basket will ease the pressure on food prices and help food inflation to find its feet. This will ostensibly lead to a fillip in economic growth.
II. Global Economy: US economy is slowly trudging back to normalcy and the European economy has also turned around after keeping people around the globe on tenterhooks. This is reflected in the smiles appearing across the IT sector and the exporters are sharing the smile too, thanks to better prospects for exports.
III. China's Slowdown: China has been the frontrunner in investment-fueled growth. Slowly the law of averages has begun to catch up with this global giant and there is a marked slowdown in its growth pattern. This has cleared the stage for the launch of a growth potential which is more consumer-driven and the direct fallout of this phenomenon is the softening of the prices of consumer products. This will no doubt bring smiles on the faces of the great Indian consumer too.
IV. Petroleum Prices: Petroleum prices have been the single most disconcerting element in the overall economic crisis. Policymakers perhaps would give anything to make this aberration vanish. Perhaps their wishes have been granted. Improvements in the extraction methods of shale gas have led to a reduction in the dependence on petroleum by the US. The natural consequence of such an event is the correction of the global oil prices, thus easing the pressure on the government subsidy bill leaving more money for other developmental work.
V. Leadership Change: One of the major concerns expressed by economists and the industrialists is the inept handling of the economic situation by the government leading to this tightrope situation. A new regime could perhaps bring in fresh ideas and initiatives to make the economy turn around and become the most robust entity among the global economies. A concerted effort from all quarters will definitely bring in gains for the economy and with the elections drawing near people have enough reason to be optimistic about the future of the Indian economy.
There is no lock without a key. There is no problem without a solution. Let us defeat this economic problem with great confidence.
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"Can I Save the World?" Easy Solutions to Global Warming at YourFingertips
We all feel we have a purpose in life. As more of us become aware of the damaging effects of global warming, we are also concerned about practical solutions to the problem. Most importantly, how can we fit in as part of the solution, instead of the problem?
Unfortunately, many of us become overwhelmed when we watch the ever-increasing natural disasters and it starts to feel like the world is crashing around us. I remember watching the plane hit the World Trade Center over and over and over again. I remember being completely paralyzed to the television. Sleep was optional, but only in between important news breaks. I felt helpless. I wanted to understand the reasoning behind the attacks to ease my fears of possible future attacks, but I mainly wanted a sense of control back into my life.
I do not like to focus on the doom of global warming because that's not the best mindset for me to find solutions and implement actions. I truly believe we all can make a difference in our lives, in the lives of our families, friends, and community. I also am a firm believer that every single action taken produces a ripple effect throughout the world. When we take a simple action such as changing a light bulb to a compact fluorescent bulb, a positive motion is set in place.
Just for fun, let's see what can happen: (this will show how the action affects others)
o That old bulb in the living finally goes out. You go to your local hardware store and see miles of shelves of light bulbs! OY! (production of CFL bulbs)
o Someone comes over to help and maybe suggest a CFL. "A what?" you ask. The assistant tells you that even though the bulb is more expensive than a basic tungsten bulb, it will last years longer, it will not burn hot, uses way less energy, thus saving you money every month AND prevents the release of more than 450 pounds of emission from a power plant normally used to light the old-style bulbs into the air! (increased sales and more potential advertisement of a green product, decreased the number of carbons released into the atmosphere)
o You read the advertisement and glimpse the familiar EnergyStar sign. So, you think, "Why not!" (increased awareness of a great program)
o You go home and your kids ask you about the funny looking bulb. (educates the kids and tell their friends how smart their parents are!)
o Your friends come over for dinner and recognize the bulb, but never really considered buying one until now. (increased awareness through word-of-mouth [extremely powerful!!!] and more potential sales, advertisement, decreased emissions)
o You get the electric bill the next month and notice you really did use less electricity AND saved a little money. ($$$)
o You go to buy more CFL bulbs and realize the prices dropped a bit due to increased sales! (supply and demand of a product that improves our world)
That's just for changing one bulb! Just one action really can make an impact. Just because we do not always see the immediate results don't mean they aren't there!
So what are the best solutions to global warming? Can we help save the world? Yep. I would first suggest do whatever feels right for you. The level of comfort will be different for everyone. To me, it can be summed up as AWARENESS and ACTION
AWARENESS
My first exposure to environmental issues came about while working at Home Depot. I watch as a person chained himself to our lumber shelves and awaited the local police. His actions, maybe a bit extreme to some, created awareness to the customers, Home Depot and the media. Many of those same actions ultimately changed the way Home Depot purchased and sold lumber.
For me, my level of comfort was turning off the lights. The more I learned, the more I did to help the environment. Learning about basic, easy-to-do home repairs really made a difference and increased my confidence as well as the confidence of my customers.
Now, years later, I must say living in Thailand has taught me a lot about saving energy as well as joining together for what you believe in. I've seen Thais go to the employment office and march because the wages were too low. I have witnessed the ousting of a political figure because the Thais felt betrayed.
I have greater respect for Thais and for others I've met from different countries. Their views and actions have taught me so much about global warming. I also have a greater appreciation for our abilities as Americans to make changes worldwide.
So to further answer people's questions - "What are the best solutions to global warming?" My suggestions are all easy to do, but the main factor lies with what is comfortable for you. If I am given a great idea but it is too time-intensive, I probably won't do it. But if it's as easy as hitting the enter key, now you got my attention!
Ok. We are much more aware of what's going on. We understand we have a problem. Now what?
ACTION
I started with small steps. As I learned more, I found the bigger steps easier than I realized. I discussed my views with others and listened to their ideas.
My friends in Alabama recently installed solar heaters and a tankless water heater. Businesses are seeing the advantages of doing the right thing and stepping up their environmental cleaning efforts People from all walks of life have created petitions requesting a more proactive government. Even the 2008 Presidential Candidates are listening. Many are now including global warming as their primary issue.
Need some ideas to get your creative green juices flowing? OK! Here you go! Enjoy!
o Get the family involved - make it fun and educational.
o Make it a project during your child's science fair.
o Chat with your friends - they may have some unique ideas.
o Add a signature tag to your emails. I have a personal account with Yahoo. Whenever I send someone an email, my signature message or quote is at the end of the page. I create the signature once and forget about it. If you see a quote you like or have a message to share with others - signature it!
o Find out what tax incentives or refunds are available to you, i.e. hybrid car tax incentives, toilet replacement rebates, deduct the costs of energy-saving appliances and energy renovations in your home.
o Support greener businesses. Our money dictates what businesses sell. Our support encourages businesses to continue doing the right thing.
o Want to invest in the stock market? What companies are moving forward in clean-up? Researching new technologies? Contributing portions of their profits to support environmental organizations?
o Vote. What candidates are fighting for positive changes in the environment? Who seems to be making global warming a primary focus in their campaign? How does the candidate balance global warming and the economy? Does the candidate understand the threat and what solutions does he or she offer?
o Join others online and become a part of something bigger. In the past, petitions involved going door-to-door or standing near the mall entrance. Thanks to the internet, a letter to Congress has never been easier - or more effective! Read the letter already prepared. If you agree with it, type your name and hit ENTER!
o Submit your ideas to websites. I would love input from you! Your ideas can be just what someone else needed! Many websites would also benefit from your thoughts and appreciate the communication!
o Start a discussion group in your community. Barnes and Noble or Borders are excellent meetings spots. It's a great way to meet others and bounce around ideas.
o Help improve your neighborhood. In Tampa, there's a wonderful community group that has a Project Lottery. Each participant chooses a project they need to be completed on their house. A name is pulled every month. The neighbors spend one weekend on the project. The lucky owner provides drinks and snacks to the neighbors volunteering.
o Create a website of your own! Everyone has a voice. Today, websites are effective communicators and very inexpensive. Get the kids or the community involved.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Jesus the Magician? Archaeological Find Unlikely As Earliest Referenceto Jesus Christ
Underwater find
A bowl newly discovered in Alexandria, Egypt, and dated to the period from the late second century BCE to the early first century CE bears an engraving that may be the world's earliest known reference to Jesus Christ. The engraving reads dia chrstou ogoistais, translated by the excavation team as "through Christ the magician." According to French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio, co-founder of the Oxford Center of Maritime Archaeology, and Egyptologist David Fabre, the phrase could very well be a reference to Jesus Christ, since he was one known as a primary exponent of white magic.
The team found the bowl during their underwater excavation of the ancient harbor of Alexandria. They speculate that a first-century magus may have used the bowl to tell fortunes. They note that the bowl is very similar to one depicted on two early Egyptian statuettes that are thought to show a soothsaying ritual. Ancient soothsaying manuals describe a technique in which the fortune teller poured oil into the water and then entered an ecstatic state while studying the whirling mix. In the hallucinatory state, the fortune-teller hoped to meet mystical beings that could field questions about the future. The inscription, the archaeologists theorize, may have served to legitimize the soothsaying by invoking the name of Christ, acknowledged being a wonder-worker.
How weighty is the evidence?
o Is it "Christ" or "Good"? - The archaeologists may have mistaken one Greek word for another in their interpretation. A glance at the photograph of the cup reveals a letter between the rho ("P") and the sigma ("C"). The letter, though poorly formed, seems unmistakably the letter eta ("H"). If this identification is correct, then the lexical form of the Greek word inscribed is not christos, but chrestos, meaning "kind, loving, good, merciful."
The prepositional phrase, then, probably indicates that the bowl was a gift, given "through kindness" from some benefactor. It seems obvious that Christou is much more likely than Christou for the engraved word. Rather than referring to the power of Christ, the word Christou might be a reference to the person who gave the cup as a gift-as we might write on a gift "from Donald with best wishes." This explanation seems as plausible as its alternative is unlikely.
o References to Christos too vague to reach certainty - Yet even if Christou is the correct word, we are still far from reaching certainty that it is a reference to Jesus Christ. We must remember that the word Christos was not a personal name of Jesus but a title, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Mashiach ("Messiah, anointed one"). Like its Hebrew counterpart, this Greek term could apply to any number of people. It occurs in the Hebrew Scriptures more than 60 times, designating priests, prophets, and kings, as well as the anticipated Messiah. It even describes the pagan ruler Cyrus of Persia (Isa. 45:1, LXX). Calling someone Christos does not necessarily identify that person with Jesus. Even the Greek Scriptures warn that many would claim that title (Mark 13:21-22).
o The meaning of goistais - In Theological Dictionary of New Testament, Gerhard Delling defines go-es, the lexical form behind goistais, as "imposter, charlatan, one who performs magic through formulae." Its only New Testament occurrence is in 2 Timothy 3:13: "...evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." Delling says that among ancient people, those who believed in demon possession tended to hold the gos in high respect, while the educated people tended to look down on such a person. (See also the entry for go-es in the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon, which defines it as "sorcerer, wizard" and secondarily as "juggler, cheat.")
If this term goistais, therefore, were a reference to Jesus Christ, it would be most inappropriate. Jesus did not perform miracles through such formulae as abracadabra, alacazam, or presto. When He did speak, he gave simple commands, such as "Be healed!" or "Rise and walk!" Even the words ephphatha and talitha koum of Mark 5:41 and 7:34, respectively, are merely "Be opened!" and "Little girl, I say to you, get up!", spoken in Aramaic, Jesus' native tongue. Rather than using formulae, Jesus constantly varied the means by which he healed people-sometimes touching (e.g., Mark 1:31), or saying a few words (e.g., Mark 2:11), or healing without touch (e.g., Matthew 12:13) or even without being present (e.g., Mark 8:13). Some scholars believe it likely that He varied His healing procedures for the very purpose of avoiding magical associations.
The archaeologists have apparently forced their translation, as if goistais is genitive singular, like chrestou, and functions in the phrase as an appositive. The word goistais, however, is dative plural, making their suggested translation impossible. The phrase dia chrestou goistais probably means "[Given] through kindness for the magicians."
o The dating is probably too early - At the time of Jesus, tens of centuries before the printing press, and two millennia before the digital age with its instant communication, events in one part of the empire often had little impact beyond the immediate vicinity. For the ripple effect of the ministry of Jesus to reach Alexandria would take some years, and at first, would be felt only in Christian and then Jewish circles. For it to sweep across to pagans like the owner of the soothsayer's bowl would take even longer. And not only would the magician have to know of the miraculous power, but enough time would have to elapse for to convince him or her that customers would also be aware of Jesus.
Yet the latest date assigned for the bowl is the early first century. Given that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ happened no earlier than 30 CE, that only allows 20 years before we reach mid-century. One hundred years or even more might be needed for the ripple to flood the pagan consciousness of Alexandria.
What can we conclude?
If the engraving did refer to Jesus Christ, it would constitute an extrabiblical confirmation that Jesus was a miracle-worker. This is similar to the impact of what is now known as the Paris Magical Papyrus, dated to about 300 CE. It describes an elaborate exorcism ritual, which begins, "I adjure you by the god of the Hebrews," and then lists a number of mystical names, of which Jesu is the first. The adjuration continues with numerous references to biblical events and persons, some of which are garbled. The point for New Testament studies is the confirmation that in Egypt about 150 years after the resurrection, Jesus was known as a successful exorcist and called "the god of the Hebrews." This latest discovery would make a similar argument from evidence much, much earlier.
Such evidence opposes claims skeptics have made for generations that Jesus' miracles all have rationalistic explanations. The eyewitnesses found sufficient proof in Jesus' works to discern the all-powerful hand of God. In the words of the Apostle Peter, Jesus "went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). Even if legitimate, this evidence would not constitute proof that Jesus was a magician, despite the claims of such books as Jesus the Magician: Charlatan or Son of God? by Morton Smith, published in 1978. (See Barry Crawford's largely negative review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion [10/26/1978].)
The problem, however, is that the evidence is too early and that it is too ambiguous to be credible. It seems to be another example of archaeologists attempting to grab headlines be placing their latest discovery in the same sentence with the words "Jesus Christ." Such unwarranted coupling often contributes to unjustified conclusions about Jesus among the ignorant and the credulous.
Want to Go Deeper?
Recommended for purchase
Howard Clark Kee. What can we know about Jesus? Cambridge, 1990. - Kee explores both the biblical accounts of Jesus' life and works and the extrabiblical material touching on this. Extrabiblical references to Christ include the writings of non-orthodox Christians, pagan authors, and Jews. Kee analyzes all the relevant material to determine what precisely can be deduced about Jesus from these diverse accounts, written by both friend and foe.
Craig L. Blomberg. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. 2nd ed. Inter-Varsity, 2008. - Blomberg reveals the faulty analysis and presuppositions that have led to mistaken conclusions about the Gospels, providing scholarly criteria for judging these books and biblical answers to our hard questions. Readers will find that over the past twenty years, the case for the historical trustworthiness of the Gospels has grown vastly stronger.
C. K. Barrett. The New Testament Background. HarperOne, 1989. It contains a discussion of the Paris Magical Papyrus along with its text in English translation (pp. 34ff). It also contains a wealth of other material relevant to New Testament studies.
Recommended for online reading
Details about the Paris Magical Papyrus in G. A. Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East. Hodder & Stoughton, 1910. pp. 254ff.
Gary R. Habermas, "The Late Twentieth-Century Resurgence of
Naturalistic Responses to Jesus' Resurrection." Trinity Journal, 22 NS (2001):179-196.
Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ. Eerdmans, 2005, pp. 358-364. - A short but helpful discussion of the title "Christ" ("Messiah").
You may want to study the earliest charge that Jesus was a magician, leveled by the anti-Christian debater Celsus in the third century. The church father Origen ably defended the orthodox view by pointing out that in contrast to magicians, Jesus' miracles all had a moral purpose. See Origen, Against Celsus, book 1, chapter 68. See also Justin Martyr's second-century anticipation of this argument in his First Apology, chapter 30.
If you are curious about Morton's Smith's book, take a look at the exchange Professor Smith had with Frank Kermode over the latter's review of Smith's book in the New York Review of Books. This exchange includes a summary of Smith's main points and the essentials of Kermode's critique. Be sure to read all four essays, the first two published on Dec. 21, 1978, and the second on Feb. 8, 1979. Unfortunately, Kermode's original review, "The Quest for the Magical Jesus," is unavailable without a subscription to the Review. Also available online is a brief review of Smith's book by Terrance Callan from the Library Journal (June 15, 1978).
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Quick and Easy Sonic Vibrations Homeschool Projects
Sound is everywhere. It can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, but it does so at different speeds. It can rustle through trees at 770 MPH (miles per hour), echo through the ocean at 3,270 MPH, and resonate through solid rock at 8,600 MPH.
Sound is made by things vibrating back and forth, whether it's a guitar string, drum head, or clarinet. The back and forth motion of an object (like the drum head) creates a sound wave in the air that looks a lot like a ripple in a pond after you throw a rock in. It radiates outward, vibrating it's neighboring air molecules until they are moving around, too. This chain reaction keeps happening until it reaches your ears, where your "sound detectors" pick up the vibration and works with your brain to turn it into sound.
As long as there are molecules around, the sound will be traveling through them. That's why if you put an alarm clock inside a glass jar and remove the air, there's no sound from the clock. There's nothing to transfer the vibrational energy to. It's like trying to get a ripple on a frozen pond. The rock just stops on the surface.
Sound can change its travel speed. Another word for sound speed is a pitch. When the speed slows down, like with drumming, the sound speed is low. With clarinet reeds, it's high. Guitar strings can do both, as they are adjustable. If you look carefully, you can actually see the low pitch strings vibrate back and forth, but the high pitch strings move so quickly it's hard to see. But you can detect the effects of both with your ears. The range of your ears is about 20 - 20,000 Hz (cycles per second). Bats and dogs can hear a lot higher than we can!
Let's try out some experiments with sonic vibrations:
Bobby Pin Strummer: Straighten three bobby pins. (A bobby pin, when straightened, has two different sides - a smooth side and a rippled side.) Wrap a rubber band tightly around the base of an empty tin can. Slip in a clothespin under the rubber band, jaw-end first. Add three clothespins, about 120 degrees apart. Clamp the rippled end of a bobby pin into each clothespin, so that your contraction low looks like a can with three legs. Strum each pin, one at a time. What happens if you clamp the pins at different heights?
String Test: Push the end of a length of heavy string and a length of light thread through a hole punched in the bottom of a can. Tie the ends inside the can to a paperclip so they stay put. The can should have two different strings coming out of the bottom. Place the can near your ear as you strum each strand. Can you make the pitch high and low? What other types of string, yarn, thread, fishing line, etc. can you use?
Mystery Pitch: Blow across the mouth of an empty soda or water bottle to make a whistling sound. Add a little water and try again. Add more water and try again. Add more water. What happens if you use a glass bottle? Place an empty glass under the sink faucet and tap the side of it with a fork and listen to the sound. Slowly fill the glass with water while you continue to tap. What happens if you use a spoon? Knife? Whisk? Wooden spoon? Of these two experiments above, which one increases the pitch and which decreases the pitch?
Phonograph: Pierce the bottom of an empty plastic container (such as a butter tub or yogurt container) with a tack. Choose an old record that you don't mind scratching and place it on a turntable. (In a pinch, you can place it on a pencil tip and spin, but this takes practice.) Use your new "stylus" and hear the music! Doe the size of the container matter? What if you use a pin instead of a tack?
Easy Guitars: Wrap a rubber band lengthwise around a ruler. Push a pencil crosswise (perpendicular) under the rubber band. Pluck the rubber band. What happens if you move the pencil? What if you use a different kind of rubber band? What if you use a different sized ruler?
Sneaky Clocks: Place an alarm clock (the kind that ticks) or a timer that is ringing on a table and listen. Now place your ear on the table. Fill a zipper bag of water and press it between you and the clock to hear the difference. Next, place the clock in a closed metal can (like a cookie tin or coffee can). What about a paper bag? A glass jar? A newspaper-filled shoebox?
Stryo-Phone: Make yourself a telephone by punching a small hole in the bottom of two cups (foam, paper, tin... is there a difference?) and threading string into each one. Tie the end of the string inside the cup to a paper clip so the string stays put. Cut the phones apart and tie each end to a slinky and try it out. What happens when you bang the slinky into different things, like walls, metal chairs, wood tables, or the floor? Untie the slinky and try a wire coat hanger, fork, spoon, or another kitchen utensil.
Bitcoin has been the buzz word in the financial space. As of a matter of fact, Bitcoin has exploded the scene in the last few years and many people
Commercial Landscaping - Benefits
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Source by Shoma Paul
The commercial landscaping takes care of every task associated with the maintenance and growth of greenery around the area. It makes sure that the area has lush green lawns and trees. Read on to learn why having commercial landscaping for your office will prove to be a very clever business decision for you:
Create the Identity of Being Environment-Friendly
You can take your corporate identity to the next level with the help of commercial landscaping. When you plant trees, grow lush green grass, have flowers in rows, you transform your image from being a solely profit-driven business entity to being a company that cares for the environment and the interest of the community too.
It helps in humanizing your image and declaring that you want to contribute to the cause of environment-conservation.
Elevate the Market Price of the Area
Commercial landscaping will change the face of the area surrounding your office and make it stand out. Being pleasant to the eye, it will attract more visitors to your office.
Your gain in the number of clients will certainly be noticed. Other offices will eventually follow your example and take landscaping services for their places too.
Gradually, as a ripple effect, the entire area will transform into a very attractive place that will draw a huge number of visitors. This will help in raising the market value of the whole area that will benefit you as well in the long haul.
Commercial Landscaping for Boosting Productivity
Your business will grow faster if you can extract greater productivity from your employees. Studies have established that the surroundings that have a lot of greenery inspire the human psyche to work with more enthusiasm. Greater level of enthusiasm translates into more efficiency and faster speed at work.
Hence, by hiring commercial landscaping for your office, you will have lush, verdant landscapes all around. It will create conducive environment for your employees to give their best to the company and their careers.
Attract More Clients and Retain the Current Ones
Hiring a professional landscaping company for your office will help you in winning the hearts of your prospective clients and eventually contracts too. Beautifully maintained landscapes will put your clients in a friendly disposition. It will be easier to push your ideas, as they will be more inclined to listen to you and accept your offer.
Similarly, the amazing trees and lawns in the backdrop will foster goodwill about you in the minds of your existing clients. This will work favorably in holding on to their loyalty.
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Source by Shoma Paul
Tarot Card Interpretation: The Devil - The Tower - Death
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Source by Leslie A Stone
It is human nature to want to see the future. To see what is coming, before it actually arrives. It's the reason many people get readings from Tarot Readers, hoping to get a glimpse of what life has in store for them. While Tarot Reading does offer you insight into some of what lies ahead. The reading provides information about where you are, where you have been, and where you are going. It is my personal experience the 3 most challenging cards in the Tarot deck are, The Devil, The Tower, and Death.
These cards can elicit fears, or a sense of impending doom. This stands to reason, due to preconceived idea's and false symbolism of what these cards actually represent. The Devil is the opposite of God, or evil. The Tower represents a strong foundation being struck, crumbling in destruction. While of course Death equates with the end of life and the unknown. When we are faced with any one of these things, most people feel danger and a sense of fear. These cards actually represent truth. They allow us to see the fears we already have inside us, and how by bringing those fears to awareness, it allow us to move forward in life.
The Devil - While many have a view of the Devil as a horned beast, creating mass destruction, in fact this card speaks to the ego in each of us. Most humans have some form of shadow, or dark side. These dark sides usually represent temptations, choices, and decisions we make in our daily life. For instance, I was a terrible drunk, and yet I continued to drink, in that process I repeatedly hurt the people I love, the Devil in a reading for me was telling me that if I continue to make that same choice, knowing that it brings chaos to my life, I will most assuredly continue to suffer the same outcome, time and again. Yet the one message remains clear, it is my choice. This doesn't apply to any one addiction, or temptation, but any action or choice that brings us to that same painful,or uncomfortable outcomes. To recognize these choices they are the ones that after engaging in them, will probably will leave you feeling a sense of; guilt, shame, or anger or lack of trust. It simply is telling us that life puts unlimited choices in front of us, if we know that one hurts us, then look for another choice, one that builds character and strength, and makes us feel self-respect, and self-worth.
The Tower - This is a card of great change and disruption. The card depicts a Tower being struck and crumbling, a shaking of the very foundation on which it stands. For a person in a reading it can come a time where we are not particularly wanting or expecting change. This may come in any area of your life. Perhaps you've been working at the same job for 10 years. While you are making a living at it, you do not find any true satisfaction from the work you do. It could come as change in a relationship, which up until now has offered security and comfort, but is void of any passion or happiness. It could be you have lived in the same home for years, even though you never loved the home it was affordable. These are area's of life that if suddenly change we can feel overwhelmed. For instance if you work at a job you dislike, and you stay for the money, you may suddenly find the company is downsizing and are letting you go or you may come home to find that your lifelong partner has decided he/she is no longer happy and have moved on with someone else. You get notice from your Landlord that they are selling the home you are renting, and it means you have to move. Any of these things can send us into fear of the unknown. In that moment we feel unsure of what we will do, and wonder why this is happening to us. These are examples of the Tower shaking. It is sending us a message that we are clinging to something out of fear. The Universe is going to make us move. What we do with that unexpected disruption will determine if we are really paying attention. We can do what we have always done, and get what we have always gotten. Take another job that is the same as the last one. You can find another partner that has the same personality traits as the last partner. You can move to the house at the end of the road that is the same price, and keeps you in the same area. Or you can think about each of those things, and understand you are being asked to look at change. An opportunity to find work doing something you love. Beginning a new relationship where you will find true happiness and passion (even if this represents a new relationship with yourself). You could think about moving to a place you never imagined, just to see what it would be like. These changes may seem impossible at the moment when we first feel the shake. Yet if you listen to what you really want, you may feel empowered to take chances that offer you unlimited possibilities.
Death - When receiving the death card in a reading you might suddenly feel fear that you, or someone around you, maybe coming to literal death. Usually this card has nothing to do with literal death. Death is a part of life that eventually happens to all of us. This card speaks to Death of a way of being. Coming to a place within ourselves, that allows us to see the set patterns and beliefs we have lived with for years. These engraved thought processes which have developed from a painful childhood and/or many other factors. You may have never thought to yourself there was any other way but the one way you have always lived. The Death card tell you that there are other ways. Rebirth says you can change those thought patterns that may have told you not good enough, not worthy enough, not strong enough, into a brand new right of passage. Faith is not necessarily any particular belief system, but is very much about the belief in yourself, others, and the Universe. If you have lived life as a victim, perhaps hanging on to negative experiences, you may feel you have endured more than your share of pain, and it's not fair, you feel resentment, and so you never help others because others don't help you. Rebirth then could be a time to look beyond yourself, to think about how you might serve others. By allowing yourself a new way of being, it can suddenly take you from victim to healer. This card is asking you to remember yourself, as you were when you entered the world, vulnerable and innocent as we all were. That doesn't actually ever change, the only thing that changes is the way we come to view ourselves and others. If we can allow ourselves to once again embrace that state of innocence. We are given opportunity to begin again, and just as you once believed you were deserving of pain and hurt, you may find yourself deserving of Love, Compassion and so much more.
So the next time you find yourself getting a reading and you receive any of these auspicious cards, take heart, you are being given the gift of awareness in some area of your life. Like DNA, a tarot reading is as unique as the person being read. You are given an opportunity to go within where you can discover what each of those cards represent for you.
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Source by Leslie A Stone
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