Wise Strides

Capitol Hill: Oil & Taxes Don't Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Political Bickering Jeopardizes Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:30:00 +0000

To the politicians of the United States of America!,

You are a great disappointment to your nation! Your failure to put in place a plan to ensure that the United States of America obtain the financial wherewithal to secure and protect the country and its citizens by managing revenues and expenditures in a manner that ensure that the country can meet its financial obligations without jeopardizing critical internal operations is a dereliction of your fiduciary duty to the citizens that elected you.

Your partisanship and self interest has obviously caused you to lose sight of the gravity and potential impact to your country and the world as a result of your inertia. Every day you fail to come together as leaders to do what’s right for the country and the American people, the less you are respected and the less important your party affiliation becomes.

If the U.S. experiences a lowering of its credit rating, irrespective of whether or not the debt ceiling is raised, your negligence would have caused potential irreparable financial duress to this country and possibly the world. The value of the country’s currency will depreciate and the cost to borrow money will increase, thereby causing the US economy to experience stagflation.

Furthermore, your egregious lack of leadership coupled with the country’s now riskier securities will cause international creditors and investors to consider other investment options and therefore may choose to not invest in the US, thereby making the debate over whether or not to increase the debt ceiling of no consequence.

Have you at any time stopped to think during your so call negotiations about how your failure to act on such an important financial matter would put at risk the security of the country.

I suggest that before your next rendezvous that each and every congress person and senator take a much closer look at the potential dire consequences to you and your family personally, if this country is put in a position where it is difficult to obtain the funding required to operate and more importantly protect its citizens, if our currency is significantly devalued and/or if we cannot pay our debt obligations.

The world is watching you! Right now you are weak because of your division! As a result, you cause vulnerability to the nation from within as well as from outside threats. Again, the world is watching. Remember, you and your household are not impervious to threats and risks that your dereliction of duty has and is causing.

Can Donald Trump win the Presidency?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:19:00 +0000

It seems a lot of political pundits are making fun of the "The Don" and not taking him serious. Are they really that disrespectful of such an established well know business man or are they trying to discredit him because he is considered an outsider? I personally take Trump serious. I don't think he would risk his reputation if he didn't believe in what he is saying and doing. Don't be surprised if the country gives a serious look and consideration to a smart and wealthy business man who doesn't have a political background.

Save on Gas w/ Smart Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:21:00 +0000

Gas Buddy Website: http://www.gasbuddy.com
I'm on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wisestrides
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wise_strides

Saving and getting the best on gas using social media.

Social media is being integrated into our lives more and more every day. Now, if you have a smart phone, you can actually shop for lowest price of gas based on where you are located using your smart phone. You phone will even provide you with the direction on how to get to the station. I guess that's why they call them smart phones, hah? :-)

You Need Self Discipline

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:32:00 +0000

What is the most important factor that enables you to achieve a goal after you've identified the goal and developed a plan? You, of course, must execute the plan and you may even have to tweak the plan along the way, but what actually keeps you going, working, step-by-step, per the plan. I think its self discipline.

You have to discipline yourself and take control of yourself and sometimes force yourself to execute the steps in the plan. The people who are at the top of their sport or profession all made themselves study or train on days when they really didn't feel like it, or did even think they would be able to.

What will determine your degree of self discipline is how much you desire to obtain or achieve your goal. There is a strong possibility that you have seen a competition of some sort when a less skilled person or team was able to defeat an opponent considered to be highly talented. This is because the team or person considered to be the underdog had a higher intensity and/or hunger for winning on that day than their more skilled opponent, which usually means the team considered to be the underdog was more prepared for the competition.

So remember, your ability to achieve whatever it is that you are working towards right now, rest in large part on your ability to be discipline. Unfortunately, many continue to struggle with self discipline, and require coaching to keep them on track. This is why so many people hire personal trainers to get in shape. Many of those who get personal trainers already know what exercises to do and how to do them, but they hire trainers nonetheless because they need someone to essentially coach them and hold them accountable. The health and fitness of people with this mindset, is solely dependent on the affordability and accessibility of a good fitness trainer. This is why so many people cannot maintain a healthy lifestyle after they part ways with their trainer. However, the good coaches, trainers, teachers, tutors, etc. will put more focus on teaching their clients on how to obtain the discipline they need to keep them focus and diligently taking the necessary steps to keep them on track, which will allow them to not only achieve the goal at hand but also the goals they set for themselves in the future.

Funny "Budget Cut" Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wise_strides

This video is based on an email I received from a friend. I thought it was so funny I had to make a video about it.

See the funny office policy below:

Effective April 22, 2011

NEW OFFICE POLICY

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.

2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.

3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.

4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year.
They are called Saturdays & Sundays.

Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet.
There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the 'Chronic Offenders' category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.

* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.

* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

The Management
Pass this on to all who are employed!

Personal Safety Tips for Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Times are scary and getting scarier as the economy worsens. There are things that we can do to protect ourselves from becoming a victim. The tips in this video will help keep you and your family safe. This is a must see for senior citizens.

CLICK HERE! For 6 More Tips!

How to Conquer Addictions (1 of 12)

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:41:00 +0000

This video is 1 of a 12 part series. It talks about the first step in the 12 steps of recovery from addiction.

One of the most important things that is done is to state that "We (the group) were (past tense) powerless over our addictions." Watch the video and listen to the explanation and importance of this statement. Share this video with anyone who might be struggling with an addiction of any sort (drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, food, etc.)

The presenter also gives a good explanation of compulsion and obsession and describes the difference between the two.

Do you have Adrenal Fatigue?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:25:00 +0000

There are some very educational and informative points made in this video about Adrenal Fatigue.

One of the things the video touches on is the importance of balance in your life and another is the fact that your food is your medicine. If you are not feeling well, the first thing you should take a look at is your diet.

What Lies Within?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:58:00 +0000

Our beliefs, character, spirit, outlook on life, in other words, those things within us, supersedes what we did in the past and has everything to do with what we will become in the future. This is why I love the following quote by Walt Emerson. He said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us".

Often times what lies within us is shaped and determined by how we reacted to and learn from our past experiences. However, it is important to understand and differentiate that the experiences themselves don't determine our future. The type of person we are right now has everything to do with what we will become.

Are you letting what you've done in the past, where you came from or things that happened to you effect your future, despite the fact that you are a much different person now with new dreams, beliefs and aspirations.

I say to you, let it go. Sometimes this requires forgiving others and /or forgiving yourself, because carrying a grudge and resentment keeps you connected to the past and prevents you from a real change within, which could also effect your future.

Another quote I like is "Success is something you attract by the person you become." by Jim Rohn. So while you are busy working hard to obtain the knowledge, experience, finances and contacts required to achieve your goals, do not neglect what lies within, because it's the things within that really matters.

Praying For Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:47:00 +0000

The Japan disaster is so sad. To think how suddenly and drastically life changed for the people living in the areas affected by the 8.9 earthquake and Tsunami that hit on March 11, 2011.

One day life was fine and the next day it's a struggle just to obtain the bare necessities of life. There are so many fatalities and lost of love ones. The heaviest hit cities look like war zones. Unfortunately, the Japanese are now faced with a potential melt down of a nuclear reactor, which could spread radioactive contaminants for miles. It's bad enough that they are suffering a mass destruction on the ground, but now some areas may be faced with deadly pollutants in the air.

It's tragedies like this that should remind us of how bless we are and help us to keep all the material things many of us seek after in perspective. It should cause us to stop for a moment and really think about what we really truly need in life and appreciate what we have. We don't need to have to experience something like this to know that we need to:

- Spend more time with our friends and family
- Be thankful that we have decent food to eat, water to drink and a roof over our head.
- Be thankful for good health and/or good health care.

Let us all be careful not to take life for granted. No matter what's going on in your life right now, take a pause for the cause and think about all the good things you have to be thankful for.

A word to the Japanese, We are pulling and praying for you. We see your pain and misery. However,We know that you are a resilient people. Be strong and have Faith.

Earthquake Prediction / No Facts!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:53:00 +0000

It's March 11, 2011 and Japan has suffered a major earthquake of historic proportions. I'm sure by now you are aware of this.

However, what you may not be aware of is the number of earthquakes or tremors that have been taken place lately. Over the last few days, there has been quakes near or in the US ranging from 2.0 to around 4.0 in places like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Cuba, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Nevada, Baja California in Mexico, just to name a few.

There is something happening to our planet that is causing these severe weather conditions. Some say that the earth is experiencing a wobble because there is a huge planet approaching it called Planet X or Nibiru and some say that the wobble and the weather conditions are caused by earth entering into a black whole in space.

Although we are not sure of it's cause, perhaps the government is aware and are not sharing, but we do know that the changes we are experiencing in our weather pattern are real and devastating.

By the way if you have an iPhone, download a free app called QuakeFeed to monitor the earthquake activities around the world.

Mike Starr's Death - A Lesson For The Youths!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:35:00 +0000

Mike Starr's Death

Mike Starr was a bass player who played for a band called Alice in Chains. He became addicted to drugs and lost his fight against drug addiction on March 8, 2011.

I would like to take the opportunity to send a stern warning to anybody, especially kids, to avoid even ever trying illegal drugs of any type. Do not let anyone talk you into taking or doing anything because if you do, you kick the door wide open to a potential addiction that could end in death. If you never try the stuff, you don't have to worry about that. Remember the old cliche, you don't miss what you never had.

Mind altering substances are not good for your physical body, because you are putting something foreign into your body that causes an unbalance and it affects your mental health. You become under the influence of the drug, which could cause you to do things that you would not otherwise do that could literally change you life forever from just one experience. Therefore, never allow your mind to become under the influence of anything and never allow yourself to get to a point that you cannot think rationally and protect yourself.

Your first try and experience with any type of illegal drug could lead you down the path that ends with you relinquishing control of your life to the drug. After all, that's all addiction is. It is a strong desire for something that you feel you must absolutely have. However, as it is the case with drugs, they are abusive and harmful and will eventually destroy your body.

Are Your Emotions Controlling When & What You Eat?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:12:00 +0000

Today we are facing a world in crisis due to a horrible economy. So many people are feeling the brunt of it because they are either out of work, under paid and or over worked. Consequently, they are having a hard time just to keep and obtain the basic necessities of life like keeping a roof over their head and feeding and clothing their family. This along with the other day to day life issues pertaining to things like relationships, rearing kids, furthering their education, etc., has resulted in an unhealthy level of stress. Unfortunately, too many are dealing with their stress or looking for comfort to mitigate or temporarily deal with the situation in ways that is detrimental to their bodies, by consuming alcohol, using drugs or engaging in emotional eating, which is eating to feed a feeling, and not a growling stomach.

Emotional eating is what I would like to talk to you about today. Do you ever have an almost immediate craving for a certain food when you feel a certain way (e.g. sad, bored, excited, etc.) or are faced with a particular situation? It's like you wasn't hungry, but as soon as you are faced with a particular issue, you suddenly want a specific type of food (e.g. ice cream, potato chips, a coke). The hunger or craving is triggered by your emotions.

The food you crave, which is triggered by the emotion can be referred to as comfort food. Monitor yourself to see if emotional eating is something you are doing. If you are struggling with your weight or eating habits, the essence of the problem may be how you are dealing with certain issues or challenges. Make a list of what you were doing or discussing before you got the urge to eat a particular food.

Instead of giving into the temptation, try to do something else enjoyable like calling a friend or even taking a nap. Consider taking a walk or doing your laundry to take your mind off of the craving. You might even consider going ahead and eating something. However, eat something healthy like a piece of fruit, a salad or some nuts.

If you just can't resist the craving and give into the temptation, only take a couple of bites and then try one or two of the aforementioned recommendations to help you resist eating more.

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:45:00 +0000

A relationship with Jesus is what reveals what true love is and love is the only thing that will make us truly happy and fulfilled. No love, no true happiness regardless of how much money and riches you are able to acquire. This is why we see wealthy and famous so called mega stars self destructing by trying to fill the void in their heart and soul with abusive substances.

In order to love Jesus we must obey his commandments. The bible said those who claim to love Jesus and do not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in them. A relationship with Jesus and obedience to his commandments is fulfilling because those who “know” him, have surrendered their life to him and they have received God’s gift, which is his Grace, as a result.

His Grace transforms and fill those who receive his Grace with love, desire and the power to keep his commandments. God’s word is a double edged sword, which when obeyed, keeps his followers on the straight and narrow path and protects them from being affected by Satan’s deceptions to rob them of their love, happiness and their ultimate gift, which is eternal life.

No weapon formed against them shall prosper. God even takes Satan's attacks meant for evil and make it turn out for the good of those who love God, which are those who know God and keep his commandments.

Anyone struggling with finding love or anyone who may have a feeling of despair or un-fulfillment in life right now, should try God. God is his Word. Read the bible and ask God for revelation and understanding. Ask him to reveal himself to you, so that you may know him and through him find true love!

Google and NSA / Secret Relations?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:32:00 +0000

Read Full Story

Consumer Watchdog may have an ally in Issa, a California Republican. In July, he sent a letter to Google raising concerns that White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer Andrew McLaughlin, the former head of global public policy for Google, had inappropriate e-mail contact with company employees.

Get to the Point!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Success Coaching

The point of this message is for you to not lose sight of the fact that although it is important to take action and make an effort when pursuing any goal, preparation is of the utmost importance. Furthermore, the sooner you begin preparing the more practice time you are able to get in before it’s time to step into the limelight and take the shot and the less time you spend practicing and missing critical and costly shots in the actual game. In fact, your chances of getting passed the ball and being in a position to take the shot is unlikely unless you have practiced and proven yourself worthy.

In summary, you should keep dreaming and visualizing being in a position and place to take that critical game winning shot while you practice hard and prepare. It is preparation that will most likely get you in the game to be in a position to take the shot.

Anti-American Song Performed in the White House

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:40:00 +0000

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Chinese pianist Lang Lang totally disrespect the US in the White House by singing and playing an anti American song.

There is absolutely no excuse as to how this could be allowed to happen in the home of the US president!

If this story is accurate as reported by the New York Post, our political leaders should be ashamed of themselves for being so careless. This should not have been allowed to happen. No way! No How!

This was an act of total disrespect.

It was reported by Epoch Times that the performer later posted on a blog.

"Playing this song praising China to heads of state from around the world seems to tell them that our China is formidable, that our Chinese people are united; I feel deeply honored and proud"

5 Good Social Media Marketing Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:17:00 +0000

It is getting easier to get the attention of web browsers these days especially using social media marketing. It's even easier if you learn how to optimize networking via social media marketing platforms by using best strategies.

It's important that you be familiar with your target audience before engaging in these social media marketing techniques to ensure that you deliver the products and services your market is really looking for. The key is to build trust and rapport with your friends and followers. You do this by being yourself and by providing valuable information and content.

The one thing that online marketers must realize and come to grips with is that it takes time to earn the trust of your followers. You must provide fresh, quality information and content on a regular basis and you must be very responsive to their questions and comments to incentivize future interactions.

Please note that providing valuable information alone will not result in effective online marketing. No matter how good the information you provide, is not worth anything if not reaching the people who are seeking it. Therefore, learning how to using keywords effectively in the content you're sharing irrespective of the medium you are using, is very, very important.

So, just to recap. To be a successful and effective online marketer you must:

1.) Be tuned in to your target market
2.) Build trust and rapport
3.) Continuously provide good content
4.) Be patient
5.) Use keywords to get your content found

Remember, this type of marketing takes time and and quite a bit of effort to provide good content continuously. However, online marketing is a godsend to those who are trying to market their products using no or a very limited budget.

If you keep at it, you will begin to see results.

Practical Wisdom or Bible Principles?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Barry Schwartz: Using our practical wisdom | Video on TED.com

In this video, "Using Our Practical Wisdom", Barry Schwartz talks about some key principles that we as a people need to return to in an attempt to save our world after it has been ravaged by people in authority who took advantage of others because of greed and because the opportunity to plunder presented itself.

Barry quotes Aristotle, but I believe what he really is talking about is Bible principles.

Nonetheless, this video touches on real factors that have had a deleterious effects on our economy recently and will ultimately destroy the US economy and possibly the world, if they are not properly addressed and reversed.

Barry touches on the following points:

1.) There is a collective dissatisfaction with the way our institutions are ran right now:

(i.e. Banks, Education, Medical, Government, etc.

2.) We worry that the people that we depend on don't really have our interests at heart.

Too many people have the "WIFM or What's In It For Me" factory and are only worried about make money at any cost.

3.) There are no set of rules or incentives that will get us what we need or back on track.

4.) What we need even more so than rules and incentives is virtue.

- We need more people that are willing to do the right thing and treat people the way they would want to be treated and not take advantage of a situation just because they can.

I am not very optimistic that people will take the high road and start to do the right thing for the sake of humanity. It's more likely that those who are in authority will take advantage of struggling people and struggling people will take advantage of each other as times get harder and harder. Needless to say, I will be more than happy to be wrong with respect to this prediction. However, I'm afraid that the signs of the time shall prove me right.

Before you Take the Shot!

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:37:00 +0000

You don’t want to take the shot for the first time in a game or at a time when it’s going to cost you. You want to practice that shot over and over again when missing doesn’t cost you anything but time and effort. When practicing the shot, you start to learn important information about your ability to make the shot, such as:

1. Your range or the distance away from the basket or goal from which you can make the shot
2. The best place on the field or goal for you to take the shot
3. The best conditions or situation to take the shot

Eventually you will learn, when, where and how to take the shot and the probability of making it. If you are able to make the shot in practice 7 out of 10 times, chances are you will have confidence with taking that shot in the game.

Get Prepared to Take the Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:31:00 +0000

The Success Principle

You’ve probably heard the saying “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. Another way of saying this is if you want to score or have success in anything, you have to take a shot. Nobody can score from the sidelines or sitting on the bench.

You have to be in the game. You have to get the ball in your hands and you have to take the shot. Of course taking a shot does not guarantee a score. There is an element of risk involved. Your chances of making the shot are directly related to your abilities or level of skill, which is largely dependent on your level of preparedness. With no practice, you could miss 100% of the shots you take.

FDA Approved: Drugs in Our Milk! - May Cause Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:24:00 +0000

Could IGF-1 and rBGH in milk be the reason why we are seeing our kids growing so much bigger, maturing faster and why there seem to be more antibiotics in humans, which is starting to cause human resistance to antibiotics, which in and of itself is a serious health risk.

Cows are being injected with these drugs to produce a higher quantity of milk and at a faster rate to increase profits. According to this video, studies are beginning to show that dairy products with these drugs are a health risk to humans and may even be causing cancer! The video also implies that these drug were not thoroughly tested before being FDA approved and their usage has been allowed due to a payoff.

Swine Flu Vaccine: Will We Have A Choice?

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:33:00 +0000

What is a public health emergency and what does it mean for you and your family? It makes sense to become educated about vaccination, influenza vaccine list or public health requirements in your state and find out what your rights and options are under new public health rules that may require you and your children to get vaccinated.

iPhone App: Earthquake Monitor

noreply@blogger.com (Lafate Smith) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:39:00 +0000

This is an awesome free iPhone app called QuakeFeed, which can be used for monitoring earthquakes that are occurring around the world. You can view the quakes by date, distance, or magnitude. You'll probably be amazed by how many earthquakes occur in a day, week and month even.