Getting LinkedIn has been a most pleasant surprise!

 

I have now gotten to the point in which my reaching out has got to reach out farther. And so, I joined LinkedIn. I have been putting off this type of outreach for a while.

There are many reasons for my joining the LinkedIn community.

Basically, I have decided that working outside the home, part-time, may not be such a bad idea.  Also, I felt that this site would enable me to connect with other bloggers on a different and more profession level. And since I have started another blog, Piece Of My Mind, I thought it best to spread myself around a bit more.

 

I must admit that I had great apprehensions because of my preconceived notions about LinkedIn. I thought that it would have a professional smugness about it and that it would not lend itself well to those of us who do not hold a fancy higher educational degree. These were a couple of the reasons why I had put joining in for so long. Only after I took the plunge did I realize how wrong I was.

As a LinkedIn member, I now have access to a plethora of opportunities I would otherwise not have ever known about. There are not only business contacts and job listings but also blogging groups and many more connections on many different levels just waiting to be made.

 

So why am I sharing this with you, dear reader? Well, for me, this was another lesson in assumptions. That being so, I thought that maybe a few of you may benefit from what I learned and how I made my approach. Having these assumptions can hinder you greatly from making the changes and advancements that you may need to make.

Also, assumptions based on fear are never a good idea. In order to avoid this type of behavior one must first come to terms with what scares them. Since fear is usually the driving force behind most unhealthy and therefore unrealistic responses. It could be as simple as just not knowing what to expect and in turn, making up scenarios that seem too difficult or unattainable.

How did I finally make my move? Well, I first thought about it for about a week or two. Then one day, out of the blue, I held my breath and just dove right in!

 

My suggestions in order to work your way through these restrictive assumptions are not the same for the innately apprehensive than for the extrovert (yes, even some extroverts experience feelings of anxiety when trying new things).

 

For the innately apprehensive, I suggest taking approaching it in baby steps, incrementally. For the extrovert, your best strategy is to just take a deep breath and dive right in.

 

All in all, I cannot wait to finish my profile and begin to really dig into all that LinkedIn has to offer. I'm so glad that I was so wrong about this site!

 

 

"Paraprosdokians", Now say THAT 10 Times Fast!!

Paraprosdokians  "Figure of speech in which the latter part of a
 sentence or
phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous
 situation"
 (i.e. "Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a type of paraprosdokian).

So here's the dealio. I thought I'd lighten things up today with the bit of humor so many of us are in need of. If I make you smile, then I will have accomplished my daily goal. If I make you laugh, well then, I will have exceeded my goal. If you do neither, then you could say that I will have failed at this, or I could look at it from another angle and just insist that you have not done well with getting your Happy on. But I do not think that the latter will happen. I have faith in your Happy Skills today, dear reader!

The following is a list of paraprosdokians for you to enjoy:

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and
beat you with experience.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear
bright
until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it
in a fruit salad.

8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good Evening,' and then
proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is
research.

10. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a
train
stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

11. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

12. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the
street
with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

13. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a
successful man is usually another woman.

14. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

15. I asked God for a new car, but I know God doesn't work that way.
So I
stole a car, and asked for forgiveness.

16. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute
to
skydive twice.

17. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live
with.

18. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so
they can't get away.

19. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

20. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

21. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever
you hit, a target.

22. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

23. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

24. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than
standing in a
garage makes you a car.

25. A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way
that you look forward to the trip.

26. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish
they were.

27. I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon,
and a shot of tequila.

28. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire
Department usually uses water .

The Betrayal of Beauty.....

I have written before on the subject of Beauty. So when I happened upon this quote, I couldn't help but share it with you. It's short enough, to the point, and speaks volumes.

There are too many individuals who are misled into believing the lie/illusion of beauty. They, themselves, are therefore left feeling inadequate and undeserving of acceptance, and in even worse cases, love.

This self defecating attitude must end. These "ad wizards" and "image makers" should be held accountable for their unrealistic public portrayals of beauty. Unfortunately, society is brainwashed in this myth and all too compliant with these portrayals.

Maybe I'm a bit passionate about this subject because I see beauty in all things.

Maybe it's because I know that perfection is an illusion.

Maybe it because of all the pain and heartache that comes with trying to live up to others' expectations in regards to their appearance. Which, in some cases can be a precursor to self abusive behavior.

I believe that the key to success in changing any negative perceptions about others lies in education and positive role models and mentors. We must learn to not live in ignorance but to thrive in the acceptance of all.