GreenLight’s Trunk Or Treat Candy Squeals…

Try New Things

Try new things. That’s what I did. I tried something new. Never did a trunk or treat before. I’m not an artist unlike my daughter. I’m a creator of written work–books, poems, short stories, and an encourager through daily Motivational Quotes on instagram. But my desire to participate in the Calvary’s annual Trunk or Treat event caused me weeks of agony. As I prayed I needed help. I searched the net. The ideas gleaned were generic based on movie characters, celebrity look-alikes and such. As I agonized, I shared my concept with a friend who is a creator of art…of things unique. She joined me in the vision and it emerged into something concrete.

How I Did It

My vision was to share from my book GreenLight: When God Says Go. It’s from a series of writings and I wanted to bring it to life. I got boxes and art supplies from Michaels. Bought tap lights from Amazon to portray all green traffic lights. Painted them with green art paint. Cut holes in the boxes and glued the tap lights into the holes.

I learnt that it was important to make sure your trunk matches the trunk host so I duplicated the above and cut additional holes into the box for my arms. I added my name to a piece of art board and glued it onto a head band to wear as the name of a street, green wig in tow. Remember, I am not an artist but I was pleased with my creation and the kids seemed delighted by the tap lights. I got many kiddie ‘asks’ to tap the lights as I wore them while the adults looked on intrigued. Pictures always tell a story, so here are a few.

How did you spend your time trick or treating? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Stuck In A Rut? Books For Career Changers…

Get a life, not a job! What Color is your parachute? are some of the books that speaks to those who want a change. Yes you! You want the change but are afraid to let go. To go try something new.

Recently I have been thinking about some big names of presidents, vice presidents, CEOs and others who saw themselves through the eyes of their titles. Those grave responsibilities that others who see them approaching decide to literally jump! Jump out of respect or fear that they would be fired.

And yet….these same executives have found themselves on the other side of life pondering what next? Most do not plan for their next steps simply because they so identify with their current roles that when something does arise that through no fault of their own, they find themselves like a fish out of water. They ponder…what to do?

Then there are those who are not at that level (yet) but find themselves hating the very thought of getting out of bed each morning. They tell themselves were it not for the kids college funds, the mortgage, bills, or the thought of what will I tell my friends if I am no longer employed? stay stuck in the mouse trap. Churning. But making no cheese.

Tis sad. But then again, life goes on. Before they know it, 5, 10, 15 years have passed in the same position…no fulfilment from their daily toil.

That’s where my book Ditch It, Switch It comes to the rescue. If you are brave enough this book is for you! Ditch It if you want to change career and take the brave step into entrepreneurship. Or Switch It. Go do something entirely different. A dear colleague made the brave decision to step out of media into a completely new field. Though afraid, she did it anyway and now is enjoying the fruits of something she never thought she could do. Quite refreshing she says with a big grin.

Job DemotivationSigns

Job will make you sick . Signs are

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Tiredness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of confidence
  • Irritability and other warning signs.

The book Mid-Life Career Rescue will help you:

Discover a job you love, and find your passion and purpose

  • Boost confidence, courage and self-esteem
  • Flame the embers of inspiration and enthusiasm
  • Identify and find your skills, talents, strengths, and point of brilliance
  • Reduce stress, insecurity, anxiety, depression and self-doubt
  • Improve health and well-being
  • Break free of a job you hate and be happy
  • Successfully make a career change after 50

So don’t be afraid to ditch it. Plan it. Try it and for sure with time, you’ll have no regrets.

Cheers!

The Great Resignation…

Your Career: Ditch It, Switch It. In January I published the book,Never expected so many to heed it! Our society is experiencing the Great Resignation!

But yes it’s your time to do what you’ve always wanted to do.

Learn How That Fear Ditch It

Trunk Or Treat!


I love Treats!

Join in on the fun at Calvary PSL’s Trunk or Treat event. Tons of candy, games, prizes and surprises! Safe family fun event.

Can’t wait!

Minimum Wage On The Rise…

Hospitality leaders gained first hand knowledge of the changes at the NLRB, fines for violations of Human Trafficking laws and Minimum wage changes from Board Certified Labor Attorney Bob Turk. Thanks Bob for encouraging leaders to Heed the warnings.

Minimum Wage rose from $8.65 to $10 an hour.

The Sonesta Hotel hosted the HHRABC Association and Dade Membership event. We are grateful to those who joined in virtually and those who came out to meet in person to learn about these important compliance updates.

For more info and updates visit http://www.HHRABC.org

Health. The Vaccine Way…

We don’t see sick people

~Doctor’s Receptionist

The pandemic has turned the world upside down. “We don’t see sick people.” That’s what the receptionist at the doctor’s office said. Haley’s symptoms included running nose and nasal congestion but it was annoying and missing work was even more so. After all, she had bills to pay.

So the office proceeded to setup a virtual appointment for her to see the doctor. Without the necessary tools to do her vital signs at home, ‘seeing’ the doctor only meant them collecting her co-pay and telling her to go to the urgent care. More cost and even more time away from work. Several hours and doctors charges later, she tested negative for the recommended Covid test but was down several hundred dollars and lost worktime. Worse yet, she was told to visit the pharmacy to pick up something for the common cold she knew she had from the beginning. Believe it or not, this situation is repeated multiple times everyday.

Covid. Covid-19. The Pandemic

Sad times indeed. the pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world. There’s no escape. Many wander in despair. Some become house-rats. Businesses slowed. Some even closed. Entertainment suffered. Travel, hotel stays took a nose dive. With no entertainment, economic devise, anger soared. Panicked consumers wander in fear. Deaths are many and goodbyes are few. Too many have lost hope. Let’s just gallivant. Live our best life before we die. So they play. It’s not going to make a difference, they say.

Enter the vaccine. Hope indeed! Personally I jumped at the opportunity to get the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Adorned in short sleeves, I rolled up twice and got the shots. I’d take more if needed. Having worked in pharmaceuticals for a decade and more, I know what goes into research and development to help people do more, feel better and live longer. Critics will always exist but it’s well needed to prolong life, or to ease pain and discomfort.

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The Anti Vaccine Movement

The anti-vaccine are either afraid or make things political warding off and spreading fear. Oh the side effects of the vaccine will make you impotent, they say. Or you don’t know what’s going to happen later in life and the list goes on. But if something provides you with the ability to live a better life, wouldn’t you go after it? Who in their right mind would want to experience discomfort when there’s an alternative? I find it strange as most of us growing up had to be vaccinated against diseases such as MMR, Chicken-Pox and more. Chances are we are not able to enjoy epic travel trips unless we have proof of being vaccinated.

So I encourage those skeptics, to do the right thing. Get vaccinated. The life you save may even be yours. A colleague at the hairdresser was mourning. Her best friend of many years had just passed away due to Covid. She took all the necessary precautions. Stayed home, sanitized, cleaned, and sanitized again and again. Then her beloved young adult son went out, contracted the Covid virus. Unknown to him because he was asymptomatic. He passed it to her. Sadly, within a few days, she died. Another young mom decided to stay home after testing positive because the hospital wouldn’t allow family visits. That night she died. And there are many more sad stories.

There Is A Vaccine

Again there’s no cure. But there’s a vaccine. Yet many refuse to take it. Politics? Ignorance? Rumor-mongering? Fear? Who knows? But it makes sense to take it.

I close with the wise well known quote “Prevention. Is better than cure“. Choose wisdom. Save you. Deal with the consequences (if any) later. There might not be any.

Prevention is better than cure

What are your thoughts on the vaccine? Have you got it? Scared? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Show Up. That’s All He Did.…

It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path. ~Michael Dell

Steve Harvey

Opportunity comes when we are ready for it. Comedian and entertainer Steve Harvey share his story about his writing jokes for a colleague for sometime in exchange for $10. One day the guy didn’t show and he was encouraged to go check out the venue himself. Curiosity got the better of him and he did. He subsequently put his name in the bag for a future show but was called on when another contestant didn’t show. Suffice it to say he won and the rest is history.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs showed up to classes out of curiosity after he was fired from the company he started. His curiosity led to one of the greatest innovations of all times. The iPhone which global users compete daily with its competitor, the android.

Les Brown

I also think of Les Brown who was yearning for an opportunity in radio though he didn’t have training or experience. One day the host didn’t show because he was sick or something and he was invited to fill in with just music on the radio. Les Brown proceeded to be the talk show host. And the rest is history.

Opportunity. It’s Your Turn

What opportunity do you need to show up to? Are you ready for it? What desire(s) do you have? Make sure you are ready because you never know when the opportunity will arise. If you are not prepared then you may miss it.

Always Show up is my mantra. Do it today. Is there any personal story that you can share of an opportunity gleaned just by being there? On the other hand, is there an opportunity you missed because you did not show up? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What You Need To Do To Achieve Success…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

pexels-photo-297642.jpeg

Set your Goals High and Don’t Stop until you Get There

Richard Byerley was ‘officially’ the oldest person to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Byerley reached the summit in October 2010 at the ripe old age of 84 years and 71 days. However, his record was surpassed by Martin Kafer (85) and his wife Esther (84) in October 2012 (Kilimanjaro Guide).

Not to be outdone, the oldest woman to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m; 19,340 ft) Angela Vorobeva, reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, at age 86 years 267 days, on 29 October 2015 (Guinness book of records).

Naturally, these examples of goal achievement is no small feat. What of athletes, professionals, politicians, and more? We all have goals. But what really are they? Are goals just a wish or a figment of our imagination of some ideal place that we want to be in the future? Think carefully…

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Love. The Ties That Binds Our Hearts…

Two peas in a pod…literally. The Mr. and The Mrs. They were always together seated either in the front, second or third rows during mid-week meetings. Never-apart. They were the esteemed example couple to anyone of 60-years of true love.

At age 70 she fell ill. To date we are not sure of what ailed her but she passed away during a life changing year. How could he live without her? Lady B as she was affectionately called. The truth is, he couldn’t.  He lost his thoughts to the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease a year after she passed. He began to make errors. Things got mixed up. Soon he could no longer adequately take care of himself. Death took him away quietly one night after several bouts of strokes, hospitalization and rehab stays.

Like that couple, life is bitter-sweet. The memories live on through offsprings. Today, be encouraged to live your life. Be kind. Enjoy each day like it is your last. Love binds no matter the kind. The love of a couple, friends, family and more.

Sell More Books This Holiday. Here’s How…

Writers write. Readers read. Together they are one.

The holiday season brings many opportunities for authors. Families, co-workers, friends, networkers and even the Grinch shop for the perfect Gifts for book-lovers. From fiction, non fiction, Poetry, Sci-fi and sweet holiday romance for those hallmark enthusiasts who dream not only of movies but to curl up in the warmth of Christmas bliss. Their goal? To get lost in the world of the ideal relationship.

Marketers go crazy to capture the holiday magic for those on the naughty or nice list. So why shouldn’t authors…well author-preneurs participate? It’s become a common trend for non-traditional publishers to want to optimize the sweet fruits of their labor. They want to see their hard work nicely wrapped under the Christmas tree or at minimum, stuffed into Christmas stockings.

So how can authors prepare? I was chatting with a group of self published and traditionally published authors who long to boost their holiday sales. Why have the books gathering dust on Amazon’s platform or even yours? It seems the practice is to write it, publish it, and forget it, with the hopes that writing and publishing the book will attract sales. Not so. It does not work that way. Not for any type of author. The point is, after your book is published… unfortunately that’s when the hard work begins. You have to make the world know that it exists. So here are a few simple tips to help get you started. Don’t be overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.

Create That Holiday Plan

  • Create a plan for the holidays. I am a firm believer in the saying if you are not planning you’re just practicing.
  • Evaluate where you are now and where you would like to be at the end of the holiday period. For example, you could include factors like doubling or tripling your year-to-date sales. If you are an experienced author with several books, take a loo at your past holiday sales. Project an increase in sales over past years.
  • Plan to up your Marketing and Promotional strategy. Sometimes just a little effort goes a long way from doing nothing at all.
  • Update your book covers. Make it festive (easier if you’re self-published) but whatever you do, make sure your cover looks professional.

Your Holiday Author Platform

  • Become more visible
  • Get your website holiday ready
  • Update your Amazon Author Central profile
  • Get more amazon reviews
  • Make your book covers more festive
  • Update your book description
  • Update your author bio. It’s a good idea to edit and review often on your amazon page. You would be surprised when you look back you seem to be looking at a stranger who essentially is a person you hardly recognize. Think of this like a resume. Update frequently.
  • Get a professional photo done and spread it across the different media networks

Build That Strategic Audience

  • Set up or expand your mailing list
  • Write blog posts
  • Create a newsletter… if that’s on your agenda
  • Find and connect with your audience. Engage, engage, engage them
  • Offer free holiday shipping

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Get Social

  • Update your Social Media Profile
  • Do a holiday-themed hash tag search
  • Dig a little deep and find out who your followers are
  • Create images of your books in holiday settings on instagram
  • Create your own 12-Days of Christmas

Show. Don’t Tell

  • Increase your book reviews. Aim for 25 which means you have to go after many in order to get this done. You will receive promises but usually only lower percentage will come through
  • Create gift bags and other swags for giveaways
  • Create holiday videos. Already doing that? Do some more
  • Have a series? Make the first book FREE
  • Prep your own 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Holiday Party Connect. Collaborate.

  • Collaborate with other authors in Holiday Book Events
  • Participate in Holiday Book Guide
    • Gifts for the Poetry Lover
    • Gifts for the Sci-fi lover
    • Gifts for the child reader enthusiasts
  • Invite your fans to an “ask the author” virtual Holiday party on social media
  • Get involved in local festivities (holiday markets, local fairs etc.)
  • Contact local independent bookstores

Hope these few tips will help get you underway. There are tons more but these few will get you started. Don’t get overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and Sell More Books this Holiday!

Cheers!

What’s Life All About?

Life is what you make it

What’s your life all about? That’s the question i asked 10 year old Xavier. Seriously and Without hesitation he replied Video games, basketball, God, watching TV. Gotta give him credit, he knew exactly what he was about.

At that young age, life can be easy. But what about you and me? As we grow older it’s important for us to ‘get a life’ as the common saying goes. Mine is about and encouraging personal growth of anyone in my sphere of influence.

Today I encourage you to Reflect, start planning and take action.

What’s your life all about? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Travel with Intent

A photographer's view of the world - words and images to inspire your travels and your dreams

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Alex Tafur

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