Only one word....Random!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Little Scoops
Little Scoops
SCORE Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Cool Idea into Hot Business
What could be more fun for kids than a party that includes games, dancing and making sundaes in a 1950s-style ice cream parlor? And what could be easier for parents than having somebody else handle all the planning, set-up and cleaning?
That’s the vision that Michelle Violetto had for Little Scoops in early 2001. Nearly five years later, she and business partner Tanya Ehrlich have hosted hundreds of parties and opened nine additional locations.
As one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Hot New Franchises for 2005,” Little Scoops is on its way to becoming something big.
None of this would have happened, Michelle says, without the help of volunteer counselors Peter Gordy and Marty Kahn of SCORE’s Rockland Chapter.
"We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses. We refer them all to SCORE."
—Michelle Violetto, co-owner, Little Scoops
Peter and Marty helped them develop their business plan, set up finances and evaluate potential locations for the first Little Scoops shop, which opened in September 2002 in Blauvelt, NY.
As Little Scoops’ popularity grew, Michelle and Tanya began thinking about franchising.
“Peter and Marty put us in touch with people who helped us with the legal and management aspects of franchising,” Tanya says. “We’re now making preparations to go national, and we will exhibit at the International Franchise Association’s convention next year.”
Michelle adds that anyone interested in entrepreneurship will find everything they need at SCORE. “We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses,” she says. “We refer them all to SCORE. It’s a great organization.”
SCORE Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Cool Idea into Hot Business
What could be more fun for kids than a party that includes games, dancing and making sundaes in a 1950s-style ice cream parlor? And what could be easier for parents than having somebody else handle all the planning, set-up and cleaning?
That’s the vision that Michelle Violetto had for Little Scoops in early 2001. Nearly five years later, she and business partner Tanya Ehrlich have hosted hundreds of parties and opened nine additional locations.
As one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Hot New Franchises for 2005,” Little Scoops is on its way to becoming something big.
None of this would have happened, Michelle says, without the help of volunteer counselors Peter Gordy and Marty Kahn of SCORE’s Rockland Chapter.
"We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses. We refer them all to SCORE."
—Michelle Violetto, co-owner, Little Scoops
Peter and Marty helped them develop their business plan, set up finances and evaluate potential locations for the first Little Scoops shop, which opened in September 2002 in Blauvelt, NY.
As Little Scoops’ popularity grew, Michelle and Tanya began thinking about franchising.
“Peter and Marty put us in touch with people who helped us with the legal and management aspects of franchising,” Tanya says. “We’re now making preparations to go national, and we will exhibit at the International Franchise Association’s convention next year.”
Michelle adds that anyone interested in entrepreneurship will find everything they need at SCORE. “We have lots of female friends who have started their own businesses,” she says. “We refer them all to SCORE. It’s a great organization.”
An Act Of Kindness
An Act Of Kindness
He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road. Work, in this small mid-western community, was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Ever since the Levis factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and knew the country.
He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working, that came in handy. It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out, this care still running.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill that only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you m'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm. By the way, my name is Joe."
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough Joe crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk.
She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added "...and think of me".
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor, it didn't ring much.
Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe.
After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on a napkin. There were tears in her eyes, when she read what the lady wrote. It said, "You don't owe me a thing, I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do. Don't let the chain of love end with you."
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could she have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be alright, I love you Joe."
He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road. Work, in this small mid-western community, was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Ever since the Levis factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and knew the country.
He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working, that came in handy. It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out, this care still running.Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill that only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you m'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm. By the way, my name is Joe."
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough Joe crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk.
She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added "...and think of me".
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor, it didn't ring much.
Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe.
After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on a napkin. There were tears in her eyes, when she read what the lady wrote. It said, "You don't owe me a thing, I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do. Don't let the chain of love end with you."
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could she have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be alright, I love you Joe."
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
James Hudson Taylor
James Hudson Taylor (May 21, 1832 – June 3, 1905), was a British Protestant Christian missionary to China, and founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM) (now OMF International) who served there for 51 years, bringing over 800 missionaries to the country and directly resulting in 18,000 Chinese converts to Christianity by the time he died at age 73.Taylor was known for his commitment to cultural sensitivity, wearing native Chinese clothing even though this was rare among missionaries of that time. Under his leadership, the CIM was singularly non-denominational in practice and accepted members from all Protestant groups, including individuals from the working class and single women as well as multinational recruits. Taylor has been referred to as one of the most significant Europeans to visit China in the 19th Century. The agency that he founded was responsible for the widest Christian evangelistic campaign since the first century when Paul the Apostle brought Christian teaching to Europe.[2] Ruth Tucker summarizes his accomplishments in her book "From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya".
The Great Commission is a command. Where we are to go is decided by God alone. Are you staying where you are because God called you to do so or because you assume that is where He wants you to be
Do You Know the Secret?Do You Know the Secret?
Do You Know the Secret?
If not, why not?
And what exactly am I talking about anyway?
I'm talking about the hot movie going around the internet called The Secret. It's available to be watched on the web or can be purchased on DVD at www.thesecret.tv. The movie is sweeping spiritual communities across the country, being shown in church after church, state after state. The buzz just keeps growing.
So what is The Secret?
It's the Law of Attraction.
Simply stated that means "like attracts like." The energy that you give out, is the energy that is returned to you. Or even, "what goes around, comes around."
You attract into your life whatever you focus on - whether it's negative or positive, whether you want it or not. That is the truth of the Law of attraction, plain and simple. It is a Universal Principle.
Let's say you're worried about not having enough money (a common complaint, to be sure) and you wish to have more in your bank account.
Well, focusing on NOT having enough invokes the Law of Attraction to continue your predominant thought - not having enough. As you think, so you receive. So what you must do is picture yourself, FEEL yourself, being prosperous. Yes, feeling is critical. It makes all the difference in the strength of your manifestation.
Feel what it would feel like to have a checking account filled seven figures … even better -- eight figures! Picture those numbers on your monthly bank statement. Visualize those numbers clearly in your mind, see the printed numerals on the page itself. Feel what it would be like to be that wealthy. Feel the freedom from burden, freedom from stress. Shift it further. Feel the excitement of being able to do ANYTHING you want. Cost is no longer an issue. Feel yourself starting to soar with your new potential.
But keep going. Visualize yourself using that wealth. Put it to good use. Maybe visualize driving a high-powered sports car, sailing on a yacht around the world, or holding extravagant parties at your chateau in the south of France. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. Not as long as yourdesire puts you in a high vibrational state. That's the key to manifesting whatever you want. Getting into the highest vibrational state you possibly can and holding that state for as long as you can. At first, this may seem difficult, but with time it will get easier. It will even become fun.
Now you may ask yourself HOW this new-found prosperity is supposed to occur? What do you have to do? That's the magic of the Law of Attraction. It is not your job to know how it will occur. It is your job to hold a clear vision of what it is you want and FEEL it into existence.
As you continue to so do, strange things will being to occur. People, places, and circumstances will show up in your life in ways that you couldn't have planned for. Opportunities will "fall into your lap." Your job is to watch for these opportunities, then follow them. Trust your intuition and take the steps necessary to move forward into your new life of prosperity. Follow the guideposts.
As the Bible states, "It is done unto you as you believe."
And that, my friends, is the secret of the Law of Attraction.
How To Find a Good Church
How To Find a Good Church
As Christians, it is very important for us to find a good church. However, there are so churches around today that it can be hard to make a decision. So, how do you go about finding a good church for you and your family? Here are some things that you should do whenever you are looking for church to join.
1. Before you do anything else you should take some time to pray. Take time to seek the Lord’s directions. After all, the Bible does teach us: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)
2. Find a church that is in a good location according to where you live. Looking through your local newspaper or phone book will help you locate nearby churches. Another option is to ask a good Christian friend. Find out where they worship and what they like and dislike about it. Ask if they've worshiped anywhere else in the area and, if so, why they moved. Recommendations are usually the best way to get a list of good potential churches.
3. Spend some time visiting the churches that you have selected. Go and worship with them to find out more about the congregation and their beliefs. While you're there keep an eye out for things you're looking for in a church and things you know you want to avoid. Make sure to stick around after the service to talk with members of the congregation. See if you get along with them and whether you share the same beliefs.
4. Learn about the church’s history. You should ask how and where the church began. This will help you understand any affiliations that they may have. After all, you want to make sure that the church is accountable to someone so that you are sure that you're not joining a cult.
5. Be certain that you know and understand the church’s government and discipline. This should be Biblical and you can see what that means by reading Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3; 1 Timothy 1:19-20 and Titus 3:10.
6. Take some time to meet with the minister. Since the minister is the leader of the church, you should ask him about the congregation's beliefs. While you can discover this simply by reading the church’s statement of faith, it is much better if you and the church’s pastor can sit down and talk for a while before you join the church. This way you will get to know the pastor outside of the church setting. While this is not the first thing that you should do, if you're seriously considering joining a church it is a must. You do not want to blindly follow someone.
7. Do not rush into joining a church. Instead, spend some time fellowshipping with the church members. Remember, a church is not a building; it is a body of people who make up the body of Christ. These are people that are going to need to love and accept you and, of course, you are going to have to love and accept them too. So you will want to make sure that this is the right place for you and your family before joining the church.
Once you have found what you believe will make a great church home for you and your family, it is time for you to pursue joining that church. Of course, this should be a decision that you make only after going through each and every one of the above steps. Good luck and God bless!
As Christians, it is very important for us to find a good church. However, there are so churches around today that it can be hard to make a decision. So, how do you go about finding a good church for you and your family? Here are some things that you should do whenever you are looking for church to join.
1. Before you do anything else you should take some time to pray. Take time to seek the Lord’s directions. After all, the Bible does teach us: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)
2. Find a church that is in a good location according to where you live. Looking through your local newspaper or phone book will help you locate nearby churches. Another option is to ask a good Christian friend. Find out where they worship and what they like and dislike about it. Ask if they've worshiped anywhere else in the area and, if so, why they moved. Recommendations are usually the best way to get a list of good potential churches.
3. Spend some time visiting the churches that you have selected. Go and worship with them to find out more about the congregation and their beliefs. While you're there keep an eye out for things you're looking for in a church and things you know you want to avoid. Make sure to stick around after the service to talk with members of the congregation. See if you get along with them and whether you share the same beliefs.
4. Learn about the church’s history. You should ask how and where the church began. This will help you understand any affiliations that they may have. After all, you want to make sure that the church is accountable to someone so that you are sure that you're not joining a cult.
5. Be certain that you know and understand the church’s government and discipline. This should be Biblical and you can see what that means by reading Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3; 1 Timothy 1:19-20 and Titus 3:10.
6. Take some time to meet with the minister. Since the minister is the leader of the church, you should ask him about the congregation's beliefs. While you can discover this simply by reading the church’s statement of faith, it is much better if you and the church’s pastor can sit down and talk for a while before you join the church. This way you will get to know the pastor outside of the church setting. While this is not the first thing that you should do, if you're seriously considering joining a church it is a must. You do not want to blindly follow someone.
7. Do not rush into joining a church. Instead, spend some time fellowshipping with the church members. Remember, a church is not a building; it is a body of people who make up the body of Christ. These are people that are going to need to love and accept you and, of course, you are going to have to love and accept them too. So you will want to make sure that this is the right place for you and your family before joining the church.
Once you have found what you believe will make a great church home for you and your family, it is time for you to pursue joining that church. Of course, this should be a decision that you make only after going through each and every one of the above steps. Good luck and God bless!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Secret to Attracting an Overflow of Abundance, Blessings, and Success in Life
The Secret to Attracting an Overflow of Abundance, Blessings, and Success in Life
If you want to attract fortunes, luck, blessings, or the so called good things in life, then you've to follow 3 simple yet overlooked rules.
1) Show Gratitude.
My editor and friend named Jones (I call her JK because she aims to be the next JK Rowling), told me that she's itching to buy the Hypnotic Library Package, but she doesn't have a credit card. I told her she could use mine.
I bought her the package and told her we can share in its cost (my share is slightly bigger), and that I'll just offset her share from her salary.
What happened next is something unbelievable.
She cried tears of joy because she said she has never met anyone "as kind as me."
"Huh??!?" I thought to myself, "It's no big deal."
At that time, she has just started editing for me, and said she can't believe I trusted her enough to buy a high ticket item for her, and that I even proposed to offset her share from her future salary.
I couldn't believe her either, because I have never met anyone who has shown such appreciation in exchange for a small favor I just did.
Appreciation. Gratitude. Giving thanks. You can attract good things in your life by temporarily cutting off any negative thoughts or problems from your mind, and start counting your blessings. Thank God/the Universe/people around you for all the wonderful things you've received.
By doing this, you are acknowledging that you are indeed blessed and flowing with abundance. And by showing gratitude and giving thanks, you are befriending the Universe to give you more.
2) Give Unconditionally.
I bet you've often heard that what you're giving will come back to you many times over. It's true. If you want more money, give money to those who need them more. You want to have lots of friends, be a trusted friend to everyone you meet. It's a simple rule.
But the most important thing is not to expect anything in return. Don't give a gift to your boss with the expectation that he will give you a promotion. Give because you want to and because it makes you happy, not because you have a hidden agenda in mind.
3) Receive Gratefully.
If someone says, "You're a genius for coming up with this idea," what is your response? Many people would say something like, "No, I'm not that good."
If your response is similar to the above everytime someone praises you, then you're blocking positive energy from entering your life. Instead, just say, "Thank you."
I know someone who has such a big pride that he never accepts any gift or help from others. I tried to give him something many times, but he refused to accept every single one of them.
Guess what his status in life now? He's lonely, friendless, and poor.
It's not bad to receive. In fact, it's a blessing that you deserve to have. And by being grateful and appreciative to the one who has given something to you, you are attracting more blessings and abundance into your life.
If you want to attract fortunes, luck, blessings, or the so called good things in life, then you've to follow 3 simple yet overlooked rules.
1) Show Gratitude.
My editor and friend named Jones (I call her JK because she aims to be the next JK Rowling), told me that she's itching to buy the Hypnotic Library Package, but she doesn't have a credit card. I told her she could use mine.
I bought her the package and told her we can share in its cost (my share is slightly bigger), and that I'll just offset her share from her salary.
What happened next is something unbelievable.
She cried tears of joy because she said she has never met anyone "as kind as me."
"Huh??!?" I thought to myself, "It's no big deal."
At that time, she has just started editing for me, and said she can't believe I trusted her enough to buy a high ticket item for her, and that I even proposed to offset her share from her future salary.
I couldn't believe her either, because I have never met anyone who has shown such appreciation in exchange for a small favor I just did.
Appreciation. Gratitude. Giving thanks. You can attract good things in your life by temporarily cutting off any negative thoughts or problems from your mind, and start counting your blessings. Thank God/the Universe/people around you for all the wonderful things you've received.
By doing this, you are acknowledging that you are indeed blessed and flowing with abundance. And by showing gratitude and giving thanks, you are befriending the Universe to give you more.
2) Give Unconditionally.
I bet you've often heard that what you're giving will come back to you many times over. It's true. If you want more money, give money to those who need them more. You want to have lots of friends, be a trusted friend to everyone you meet. It's a simple rule.
But the most important thing is not to expect anything in return. Don't give a gift to your boss with the expectation that he will give you a promotion. Give because you want to and because it makes you happy, not because you have a hidden agenda in mind.
3) Receive Gratefully.
If someone says, "You're a genius for coming up with this idea," what is your response? Many people would say something like, "No, I'm not that good."
If your response is similar to the above everytime someone praises you, then you're blocking positive energy from entering your life. Instead, just say, "Thank you."
I know someone who has such a big pride that he never accepts any gift or help from others. I tried to give him something many times, but he refused to accept every single one of them.
Guess what his status in life now? He's lonely, friendless, and poor.
It's not bad to receive. In fact, it's a blessing that you deserve to have. And by being grateful and appreciative to the one who has given something to you, you are attracting more blessings and abundance into your life.
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