My daughter is a photographer. I was so proud when she graduated with her B.A. in photography this past May. So this bit on the beginnings of photography caught my attention.
– From “I Didn’t Know That!” by Lavania Dobler, 1978.
Who made is possible for anyone to become a photographer?
George Eastman who, in 1879, invented and patented a machine for coating the glass plates then used in cameras. A few years later he perfected flexible rolls of film and designed the roll holder for winding them.
By May, 1888, Eastman had made the first of the little cameras that soon became so popular. By 1900 he had a dollar camera to sell.
He thought a long time about the right trademark for his camera. He wanted a short word that everyone could pronounce. The letter “K” appealed to him. It was the first letter of his mother’s surname. Then he decided that two “Ks” would be much better, one at the beginning of the word and another at “K” at the end. Actually, he created a new word, Kodak. “If is isn’t an Eastman, it isn’t a Kodak.
Filed under: God, mind, spirituality | Tags: Sneeze, spirituality, thoughts
Why Do We Say “God Bless You” or “Gesundheit” When A Person Sneezes?
Long ago ancient people thought that the soul or spirit of a person was in the breath or air in the head. Not understanding the human body, people also believed that a sneeze might expel this spirit unless God prevented it. So it was important to say immediately, “God Bless You,” or “Gesundheit” (good health in German), or “Salud” (health in Spanish).
If a person from the Far East happened to be near when you sneezed, he or she would quickly clasp hands and bow toward you. This was a way of saying, “May your soul not escape from you!”
– From the book “I Didn’t Know That” by Lavinia Dobler, 1978
As part of my desire to give back, I am a mentor and share my business and life experiences through the process. I recently saw some rules of mentoring and thought they were right on point. What do you think?
If anything goes wrong, I did it.
If anything goes sorta of right, we did it.
If all goes real good, they did it.
Filed under: friendship, humor, mind, thoughts | Tags: Habits, Mouse, Technology, Touch Pad
Another sign that old habits are hard to break. Sometimes you only do so when forced to. Well, I was forced to the other day. My old computer mouse was forced into retirement. In another words, it broke. I have had a mouse with my PC’s over the 25-30 years I have been computer proficient. When I bought my current laptop I intended to retire my mouse and start using the touch pad. I tried to for a few days and decided I couldn’t do that to my old friend. But now that it has broken, I going to advance a few years and start using the touch pad. Or maybe I am just too cheap to buy another mouse. Regardless, I am using the touch pad today and will continue to do so. It really is not all that bad.
How about you, are old habits hard to break? Do you maintain unless forced to break? Are there more mouse users out there?
What’s on Your Mind?
Filed under: Friends, God, friendship, mind, spirituality, thoughts | Tags: family, Friends, life, spirituality
Over the past few years and decades we have increasing become a society that is based on consumerism and wealth. Success is gauged by the possessions you have. This has led to greed, excesssism, perhaps a decline in morals, values, ethic standards and other evils. Some might say that this bent on consumerism, etc., is partly at fault for our recent economic decline. Though a positive outcome of our current economic woes, is a resurgence and/or escalation of gratitude. This resurgence is one of recognizing, caring more deeply and giving thanks for the simpler things in life. We are seeing a surge in faith, more bonding with God, family and friends. This is true wealth! If you evolve accordingly, you life will more fulfilled, more satisfying and you’ll be happier. What do you think?
Filed under: mind, thoughts | Tags: Giving Back, LinkedIn, Mentoring, MentorWorks, Passion, Poetry, Resumes, Writing
From now on, any definition of a successful life must include serving others. George Bush
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. The Lorax from Dr. Suess.
If don’t know if its my age or having available time, but I have a strong desire to give back to my fellow human beings. It’s a burning passion in me. These two quotes summarize my passion quite well.
So what am I doing. Well first of all, I offer free mentoring and coaching though a service called MentorWorks. Along with the mentoring and coaching, I provide resume and LinkedIn profile reviews. To date, I have had many takers. For the most part I believe the service has been beneficial to the mentees. I know I have derived a lot of satisfaction for being a mentor to others.
Secondly, I am a volunteer member of the Board of Directors for the charitable organization Homeland Security Foundation of America. The “Price of Security” is one of the greatest challenges we face today. HSFA’s mission is to advance Homeland Security while protecting Americans’ civil liberties and ensuring freedom, safety and prosperity for all. I also serve as Chair of the Board Committee – Governance and Finance. Again, this is a very rewarding experience. I am getting to work with some of the most talented and skilled people who are very, very passionate about achieving HSFA’s mission. I am excited to be part of the effort, part of the team!
I also write and publish regularly. I have three blogs. This one on Life’s Thoughts, another on Poetry Thoughts and a third on Business Thoughts. Further, I write articles on life, business, scholarly topics, and publish them at two on-line sites and at three association newsletter. Further, I write and publish poetry. You can find the links to my works at my web page: http://jamesyoakum.synthasite.com
Writing is an easy way to share my many personal and business experiences. It is a way to challenge other to learn, to think, to grow. I get these same benefits in doing the writing/composing itself.
Lastly, I try to attend and engage in group and organizational meetings. I participate and many times I present.
So I feel I am giving back. It takes some time. But the rewards make the effort worthwhile.
Two questions for my readers:
(1) Do you have any suggestions on how I can enhance my give back experiences?
(2) What do you do to give back?
My thoughts . . . what’s on your mind?
Filed under: God, mind, spirituality | Tags: God, Patience, Prayer, Religion, spirituality, Virtue
To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need. The prayers you offer in loneliness, in weariness, in trial, God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good.
E.G. White
We live in a fast paced world. We want it all and we want it now. (This approach may be what got us into this recent economic spiral, but that’s for another day, another post.) But sometimes now is not the best time. Learn patience. Patience is a virtue as the old saying goes. Expecting too much too fast is a bad thing. It results in disappointment, unhappiness, grief, etc. So learn patience, learn that now is not always best. God is watching out for you.
Life = The People You Meet + What You Create Together
This is a new colleague’s salutation in his notes, etc. I know I said no more quotes in my last blog (Thought 36), but I thought this quote was too genius, too telling, to pass up.
I asked this colleague for the source of the quote. He actually created it from another quote from a book on networking. The book stated:
“. . . [P]eople are just another name if you stop there . . .it is when you create something meaningful together that life has meaning.”
Beautiful!
I won’t say much other than I hope I am living life this way each and every day.
What about you?
I know, recently, I became hung up on quotes. They can just be so thought provoking and most often can’t be said better. Here’s so more and I promise . . . this is it.
To love oneself is the beginning of a life long romance. Oscar Wilde
Taxes and life insurance are just about the same thing. You pay out the money, and someone else has the fun of spending it. Unknown.
If you don’t say anything, you won’t be called on to repeat it.
Calvin Coolidge
When people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong.
Oscar Wilde
We must adjust to changing times and still hold to the unchanging principles. Jimmy Carter Inaugural Address
Only a life lived for others is the life worth while. Albert Einstein
We are always getting ready to live, but never living. Ralph Waldo Emerson
With God, all things are possible. State Motto of Ohio
Time is the least thing we have of. Ernest Hemingway
Excellence is born of preparation, dedication, focus and tenacity; compromise on any of these and you become average. John Chatterton
