Melva Gifford

I am endeavoring to see how I can become a more informed citizen on local and national issues. So today’s blog is starting to create a list of things I need to consider when studying political issues. My goal is to not be susceptible to flattering words of a politician because he or she says something I like, and later find out that they were not legit. I can see how it would be tempting to accept the shortcomings of a politician who represent me simply for the fact that they represent a political party, I favor.

1. I need to study history more because I realize that history repeats itself. Often the sequence of events that lead to a significant point of history will follow a similar pattern in modern times and can end up in a similar result.
2. I need to consider if a principle of politics coincides with principles of Christianity. Since I feel that God is all-knowing, he would be the best authority of right and wrong.
3. I need to listen to both sides of an issue. As a conservative, I’m very pro-conservative. I used to listen to liberal radio called Air America while it was broadcasting, but it has since discontinue. I think one thing that may help me, is to seek sources that don’t have a political agenda.
4. I find I really like hearing actual quotes from politicians on different issues. I like hearing their opinions in their own words. I was sad that the programming I listened to for Air America didn’t provide that.
5. When I study an issue, I need to consider the long-term, as well as the short-term effects. That means I need to become more educated in business, science and humanity so I can have a better understanding of how different circumstances can affect each other.
6. In recent years, I’ve learned that sources that I thought could be trustworthy are no longer trustworthy. I always thought the scientists were not biased; but, in recent years, I’ve learned that many can be bought. Some recent emails that have leaked from the climate change scientists have illustrated this. Another example is when I’ve learned how media has altered audio recordings of Trevon Martin case to alter the perceptions of the public.
7. I need to become better adapt in studying ones past actions. If a new politician has acted in a manner that I think represents integrity, that may indicate that he or she may be a worthy candidate for me to support.
8. I need to realize that power can corrupt. There have been multiple politicians who go to Washington or advance in their political career that start compromising themselves for the opportunity of influence or power. I have enough temptations of my own life, it’s just as well. I don’t try to go into politics.
9. Media can be used as a propaganda tool. Say something over and over and over again until people can start believing a lie.
10. Don’t become so slanted to Ward a political party that I don’t see the moat in my own eye. How many of us will excuse the scandals or lies of those of our own political party and at the same time throw mud at the opposite side for their scandals?
11. I need to go to original sources. Some people feel that the founding of America was not created under Christian values. I remember attending historical lectures listening to speeches of founding fathers that indicated otherwise. But I need to make more of an effort to seek out original sources and not rely upon what classes can teach me.
12. I need to make the effort to go beyond talk. How many decades. I complained and did nothing. Besides becoming informed and I find a person of integrity. If I do nothing can. They advanced to be a positive influence in the world. So that means I need to take a more active part. I have currently into promoting people of integrity to be leaders.

That’s just a few ideas I have of how I might become a better informed citizen.

What do you feel is important in becoming an informed citizen who is NOT susceptible to manipulation?

This week, I was contacted by an author who is a member of a group of authors who are working to promote their books at a convention up in Salt Lake on April 18 and 19th. The convention is called Fan X Comicon. These authors are collecting other authors, storytellers, and creative people to share a big table at Fan X comic con. There are several creative people already signed up for this project. I don’t know if they will be limiting participation.

These groups of authors are going to provide colorful and attractive artifacts such as calendars, jewelry, books and other promotional items that represent the universes of these creative people). By combining our talents, and having a rich mix of selections that will be on the table as well as displayed on television (commercials and book advertisements, etc.). We will be able to better promote our talents.

Besides material on the table, they are going to have a huge TV that will have author interviews, short storytelling stories, and book commercials, each of which is geared to promote each talent. They also want to have QR codes available of each participant, so that people can use their smart phones to input our QR codes into the phones for later reference. By the rich selection of visual, audio, and media displays this will draw a rich mixture of people to the table to the table.

This promotion is not limited to authors, but includes storytellers, artists and musicians as well. Don’t feel limited by just storytelling, being author, or an artist. There are other forms of attractive creativity displayed on the table that can promote everyone.

I believe we had over 20,000 visitors to comic con this last year, if not 30,000. If we can get that number of people at this convention, those involved with the table should, get some excellent exposure.

By combining our efforts, each talent will promote the others. It will also be more economic for us to share the expense of the table. We need to respond quickly so that the people organizing this media blitz can put together all the combined materials for the presentation that will be broadcast on the TV.

Point of contact: Hedi Angle and Mike Tanner.

Phone: 803-439-6912.

Fan X comic con will probably be at the salt palace like the previous convention.

Dates April 18 and 19^th, 2014. Make contact with these people ASAP and instruct the pairing your materials for your promotion.

Thanks.

Bad: courtsey

Good: courtesy

I see that it is the last few characters of this word that messed me up on the spelling. Here’s a possible mnemonic that may help.

Men and women spent time at the Royal court during the 1700s and 1800s to help hE/hEr to feel their Social Yearnings. When you communicate with others of a similar social class. You always want to present your best courtesy during the exchange.

Court      hE/hEr  Social Yearnings

Court        E         S           Y

To have an alternative’s recommendation? Please feel free to share it in the comment section of the blog. Thanks

Here are some notes I took when learning about job searching from one of the presentations I attended.

– Appeal to the hiring manager emotionally.

– Practice your interview with friends or family.

– Pre–think and prescript your responses and rehearse them.

– Posture is important.

– Try to keep an open relaxed stance.

– Keep confident body language which includes  eye contact

– Leaning forward shows eagerness.

– Answer all questions completely but don’t run off the mouth.

– Be prompt at your interview.

-Assassinating the competition by providing benefits that were not on the list of requirements. that way it can redefine the job. add unexpected value.

Examples: an accountant who owns is a small business, owner or teacher hiring at a care facility

-Follow up with a thank you letter with a physical letter. it gets more attention than an email that can be skilled. you can include a short statement how you can benefit them.

If you have items add to the list, please feel free to share them in the comment section this blog. Thanks.

I hope the following lesson can be of use to youth ministries, family counselors, teachers, family home evenings and family devotionals.

There has been a lot of conversations about how same-sex relationships can be part of the religious community. I recently watched a presentation by a media fellow from the church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. I liked how he acknowledged that people can have feelings of attraction for someone else for their own gender and can still participate in the religious community as long as those individuals abstain from acting upon those feelings. This would just be like, but acting upon feelings of adultery, cheating and stealing. All of which are God’s commandments.

If I’m a religious single female who believes that sex outside of marriage is considered ‘sin’, then, to prevent myself from performing such an act I need to employ abstinence. Those individuals with same-sex attraction would need to pursue a similar purpose.

Here is an object lesson to help teach abstinence. Put some water in a plugged sink. Fill the sink with water about halfway up. Put a couple of quarters in the paper cup. Place it in the sink of water. The cup remains buoyant in the water. The water does not come past the edges. The cup is surrounded by water/temptation, but because of the walls of abstinence/walls of the cup, temptation cannot enter. The quarters remain dry because of abstinence.

I know this is a very simplified object lesson, but I hope it expresses the point of abstinence. If you have another way to share this concept, please feel free to share it in the comment section this blog. Thanks.

There is a performance at the Lehi arts Center this Saturday that I wanted people to know about.

I’m familiar with two people who are involved with this project and think it would be worth your time. Let me go ahead and share the info from the flyer.

An Original Musical Song Cycle.

Saturday, January 4, 2014 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Throughout our history during times of American war, soldiers and those who love them have written letters. Some of these incredible stories of struggle and personal triumph are expressed in this four person song cycle. They vary in time and perspective. From the revolution to Vietnam, Civil War, and Desert Storm, protester to private, warrior to widow. Each song has an echo of our national anthem, woven together to make up the fabric of the nation.

Suggested donation $10. For questions, email rachely@gmail.com or call 310 – 854 – 9688

Bad: significent

good: significant

You can accomplish signifiCANt things when you Think CAN rather than CANt.

Do you have additional ideas on how to spell this word? Please feel free to share.

http://theartofsimple.net/five-year-plan/

http://michaelhyatt.com/goal-setting.html

http://kidshealth.org/teen/homework/goals/goals_tips.html

http://zenhabits.net/really-simple-goal-setting/

http://topachievement.com/goalsetting.html

http://www.successfactors.com/en_us/lp/articles/setting-goals-effectively.html

http://www.lululemon.com/education/goalsetting

http://www.amazon.com/Goal-Setting-Create-Achieve-Worksmart/dp/0814401694

http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Goals

Do you have some personal experiences that you have found has helped you achieve your goals? Please feel free to share.