Day 29, 30, & 31: Reflection

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

Please note:  I had something very different that I wanted to write on this last day of 2015.  

This is a tip for you would be writers and current writers: Do not settle on your first manuscript, blog post, or even love letter.  If something is not write (right), set it aside and pick it up later.  If you still feel the same way about the subject and content of that piece, go for it.  If not, go with your gut and write about something else.  Do not scrap the original.  With this technology, it is so easy to save it on a flash drive or in the cloud.  When the time is right, and you will know, pick up where you left off, and publish it at that time.  Sometimes, like now, you just have to scrap the piece.  Why?  Well in my case, I started writing it a couple days ago, I was angry at the way my Christmas evening ended, and it did not feel right for me to dump my problem on you, my readers.  Another tip:  never write in anger, if you never come across like that in your writings.  Calm down.  Never tell a stranger your problems, especially in writings.  People with problems look for negativity.  They want others to wallow in their misery with them. That’s human nature.  We want people to feel happy when we are happy, sad when we are sad, and so on…. Why do you see so many comments from people when a blog post or a video is posted?  Humans love to be entertained, especially with anything that makes them negative.

Anyway, back to the topic…

I want to say that this has been a year of many roller coaster rides.  Some I expected, such as trying to get my businesses stronger, and growing more and more with Christ.  I had some issues I had to continue to work out from 2014, such as the death of one of my friend’s child, but I am at peace with it.  Some things I did not expect, such as my accident at the end of July.  I am still scared of making left-hand turns, and it is going to take me a while to turning with confidence.  Overall, it was events, like my accident that helps me reflect on how good God is, and how he works.

I am not happy about the events of this country in terms against Blacks, especially the children.  I am particularly upset in terms of the two police officers of shot and killed a 12-year old child in Cleveland, Ohio.  These two officers, who are supposed to be upholding the law, shot this kid, A KID, WHO HAD A TOY GUN!! Sorry, I am screaming about this, but they never questioned him, never questioned his age.  Then, when his sister, who was also under 18 tried to go to his rescue, they arrested her for seeing about her own little brother.  Where is the justice in that?  Whatever happened to asking questions?  Two days ago, these two officers were told by the city of Cleveland, they acted according to the law and will not be charged for the crime.  It is a crime, people, against a child.  Well enough with this subject, because I can write a whole post on the subject.  BTW, yes, all lives matter, but when it comes to brown skin, I guess not.  Something needs to change, ASAP.

OK, I am done….

2016

There will be some changes in my life, and I want to share.  No, it is nothing bad, just my words of affirmation for 2016.  I have thought about them throughout the year, and I must say that I am pretty pleased with them.  I started saying them back in 2012, but I was just saying the words.  Nothing held water in them.   The more I chose a word each year, the more committed I wanted to be with a word.  For 2016, I have several, and it is not because I was indecisive, it is because I have many aspects of my life.  You may see it in these next few sentences.

Words.

1.        Truth.  Would you believe I found this word a few days ago while playing one of those stupid games on Facebook?  It was called “Find your word for 2016”, and I know you are laughing, but here me out. I had to think about this word for a moment, and I had to ask myself, what is my truth? Am I being true to myself?   To others?

2.       Authenticity.  It goes along with truth.  How authentic am I? I am basically a quiet, shy person when I first meet you, but I have a business that has clients.  This comes to this next word…

3.       Authority.  When you are naturally quiet like I am, it looks like to the surface that I am a pushover.  Not so fast, my friend.  I can be a leader when I need to, but I do not like to push it around.  It is one thing to say what you can do and will do for a client, friend, or family member, but it is another to just let them just walk all over you.  Trust is a co-word of authority.

4.       Creative.  I put this in my business, mainly because I make art, music, dance, and make dreams happen.  I want this business to be a blessing to all who request a product, be it cards, scrapbook, or a written document.   With that being said, I may have to make my other business (an Independent Home Consultant) to part-time.  It all depends on where I am at with this business.

Well, that is it for this series.  I hope you enjoy it.  I am taking off for a couple of days to get situated and to prepare to organize the month of January.  So I hope you have a safe New Year’s eve and day.  Goodbye, 2015, I cannot say it has been all fun, but I thank God I am alive.  Hello 2016, and welcome to a new day, a new year, and a new adventure.  I cannot say that it going to be a great year, but it will be a great year if you let it be. THINK POSITIVE AND BE PRAYERFUL NO MATTER YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM IS.

Day 23: Going to find out….

(c) 2015 Ebay.com Lettering by
P.Lynne Designs

That is a powerful sentence, but it is not complete.  What are you going to find out?

Are you going to find out if it is a boy or a girl?  I have a couple of You Tube friends whose vlogs I watch and are expecting a baby within the first 6 months of the year.  So this something they can relate to.  Some parents are quiet about their child.  They want to know at the last minute, and for that reason, they pick both a boy’s and a girl’s name.  The trend is to choose a neutral name, that way little Jordan can be a boy or a girl.  All they have to do is change the spelling of the name.

When are you going to find out if you have the job or not?  This is for those who are looking for a job.  You know the feeling…. you find a job that is meaningful (I hope it is), and you really, really want it.  It has the right hours, location, and it uses your skill set.  It also has the pay rate that you want, and you feel that you are the right fit, but does the company?  It does not matter if you have been with the company for a while and it is a promotion or you are being hired for the first time, people are going to ask you when you will know if you have the job or not.

When are you going to find out the test results?   This can be a little nerve wrecking, because you are finding out your future.  This is both in academia, where a test determines your grade and/or if you graduating from high school, university (that’s college in the United States), the military, or even on the job.  It lets you and the instructor know that you have the right to move on to the next level.  Then there is medical. “Do I have a disease, a disorder, or am I dying?” That is what the person taking the test is asking when the doctor needs to look further into the problem.  “Why do I feel this way?” “If I have this disease, is there a cure for it?”  “What are the long-term effects?” Or “if that is not the problem, what’s next?”

When are you going to find out what you are going to get?  I threw this on in there, because it is Christmastime, and you ask a child this question?  A child knows that they want, but are they going to get it?     As adults, we are often asked this question, and we become like wide-eyed children, wanting to know what we got for Christmas (Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa), but we should not always be in anticipation of always getting something, for “it is better to give than receive” (Acts 20:35) I know it is hard for a little child to understand the concept, but that is where teaching your child this act of kindness.  It is a form a sharing.  “I share what I have so you can be blessed with my gift to you.” You can do that by showing.  Children learn best if they first learn how to share with their siblings, if they have any, cousins, if not.

So, what are you going to find out for New Year’s 2016?  I hope it something that you always wanted.  I hope it will enlighten you if it is not, but most of all, I hope it will bring you understanding, no matter the outcome.

Day 21: Making a list, checking it twice. Maybe more.

(c) 2015 P. Lynne Designs

The original title was Making a List.  I added the last part, because of a boo-boo I made with this computer.   My computer is having a search engine crisis.   It all started with me clicking on a link to check the authenticity of the link to a document on a series I will disclose later.  Now for internet security people, this link did not originate from an email.  It originated from a document I found on Google, so it was legit, and whatever else they called it.

Anyway, I received a note that said that my organization did not authorize me to click on the link, and I must contact the help desk.  “Huh”, I though as I read the note on One-Note, a note taking product from Microsoft Office (I have the full suite).  I never encountered this before.  Later, I encountered the same thing in Outlook, where I get and read my email.  First off, the desktop is mine, not a work computer.  Second, I use it for work in my own business.  Third, it is in my home, I am my own help desk.  As I started searching my way around the situation, I realized that I have been here before.  Let me explain.

Microsoft does this real cleaver but annoying little thing:  it makes sure you are running only their products.  Crazy, huh? Windows will set it so that if you are running, say, Google Chrome, and you set it as a default search engine, Microsoft programs are not allowed to open links.  At least that is my belief.  So I have to default to Internet Explorer, uninstall Google, reinstall, then set it back to default. (I cannot stand IE).  Now here is where it got worst….

I went into my usual routine; Read Facebook, have Blogger.com on another page, Pinterest on another, My Longaberger website on another (in case you have not been following my blogs, I am an Independent direct selling consultant for them), Etsy on another (I have a P. Lynne Designs shop on Etsy and Amazon), You tube on another, and Cricut Design Studio on the last page. Except it did not go to these pages at all, it defaulted to Yahoo.com.   What’s worse than that, Google Chrome defaults to Yahoo as a search engine default. 

I have done the following:  ran a PC cleaner I got from HSN (Home Shopping Network), ran my antivirus.  Nothing….

(12 hours later….)

Day 22: checking it twice

It has been 12 hours later, and I could have submitted my post, but I did not want to risk affecting anyone, so this is why it is a double post.  I originally had something else in mind for Checking It Twice, but this happened.  It was going to be more on the side of holiday/Christmas, but my motto has always been, “God has a sense of Humor”. It means be flexible, because your plan is not God’s plan, and God’s plan may not be what you want, but it is what you need, and as Mama Ode from Disney’s Princess and the Frog says, “Dig a Little Deeper”.

The computer is now clean, thanks to two agents at Geek Squad.  I had something called a MBAM virus that affected the Google Chrome program.  It is so funny to see these people work as they have remote access to your computer.  Just to be clear, this process cost about $199.99 for a whole year of help.   In case you are outside of the United States (and maybe Canada), Geek Squad is Best Buy’s answer to a computer tech, and instead of coming to your home, you give them permission to gain access to your computer via internet.  Don’t worry, the purpose of me watching them while they work is if I see anything suspicious on their part, I had a little red “x” to click on to terminate the process.  I was so glad that my choir rehearsal was cancelled, because I would have lost more control over my computer if I had left my computer on while they worked on it.

Anyway, I gained two new programs because if it, and a full year’s protection.  Basically, this virus would not let me have access to my internet without an ad coming on the page, and a fake Microsoft page warning me that if I turn off my computer, my ID was compromised.  I knew right away that I had to call someone, or risk yanking my 1 year, 6-month old computer out of the socket and drop kicking it into the nearest dumpster.   Now it is time to upgrade it to Win 10 January 1.  I know some of you Mac users are laughing at me right now, saying, “just get a Mac”, well, I have an Ipad Mini 3, and that is good enough for me.  Plus, I like to keep my options open.  Maybe when I am ready to change computers.

Tips for your new Christmas computer present:

·         Run a virus program the moment you turn it on.  Make sure that the computer sold to you do not have any malware or viruses on it.  You do this by installing yourself a fresh copy of your favorite antivirus software.  Do not go by the experts, unless this is your fist computer.  I like Norton (old school), but do not take my word for it, because I have not had Norton Antivirus in a while.

·         If you are not sure of the person sending a link, DO NOT OPEN!!!

·         If you did not request any information in email or text form, DO NOT OPEN!!!

·         DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM FROM THE SOFTWARE’S WEBSITE, NOT CNET OR ANY COMPANY WEBSITE CLAIMING TO HAVE THE PROGRAM.  That is what happened to me.  When I downloaded the new copy of Google Chrome, I was not paying attention to where it was coming from.  I needed to download it from Google.com. I thought I was doing that.   The different is when a person claims to have a program other than the program’s originator website, they can place malware in the coding.  Well, when I finished installing it, it looked normal. And the only thing I did in the installation part was decline some programs, but it still overwrote the original program, and started overwriting my search engines’ (Google Chrome and Internet Explorer) programs to accept the malware as part of the norm.  When I would click on a link or did anything that I normally do on the interwebs, a new program’s advertiser’s page would pop up instead of the article I wanted to read.  I was so frustrated until at one point, I wanted to cry, and toss the computer in the dumpster. That was when I had to call Geek Squad.

So the checking it twice part comes today, 2 days before Christmas, is to make sure you have dotted all “I’s” and crossed all “T’s” in the technology world. 

One other thing...

There is one more virus you need to check for, but it is not run on computer, table, or smartphone.  That virus is called the Hate virus. I will speak more on this virus through 2016.  It has an even more mean virus called Racism, whose sister is called intolerance.  There are ways to use and not use them, but the current way is not the answer.  Stay tuned.

Day 18: The Force Awakens….NOT!!!

(c)  2015 LucasFilms

 Ok, I am making a PSA:  I am not a Star Wars fan.  Never have, never will.  Although I enjoy a good science fiction movie, Star Wars does not fit the bill for me.  I was 12 when I saw the original movie (Help me, Ob-wan Kenobi, you are my only hope), which I now understand has been renamed:  Star Wars Episode IV: The New Hope.  I thought I was ok with it all, but I had a nightmare that night.  I dreamed that Darth Vader was after me.  My father, who in real life was an airman, became a Jedi knight overnight, and Darth Vader wanted him to come to the dark side.  In order to force my father to do so, my life was on the line.  How special.  

I did see Return of the Jedi, and Empire Strikes back, but they did not faze me at all.  I did not get excited about them.   I thought that Episodes 1-3 were snooze-ville and very, very violent.   I did not care to see how Darth Vader became the menace that he was, but I care enough to see it on TV when I was bored out of my brains as my brother, a huge Star Wars fan watched each and every episode, and do not talk to him while he is watching.  You will never get an answer from him. 

When Disney announced they had bought the Star Wars franchise a few years ago, I was not impressed, I was mad.  I asked a question of “why does Disney want to get rid of Mickey, Minnie, and the gang, as well as all the princesses, Mary Poppins, and all the rest that made Disney, Disney.  Why do they want to ruin what Walt built, and would Walt Disney himself have bought the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas?  These were the question as a die-hard Disney fan wanted to know?  The answer is I do not know.  My question is still, are they trying to compete against Universal, who bought Harry Potter for a song.  

In case you have been crawling under a rock within the past 10 years, Universal has this huge HP land at Universal Orlando, and maybe, just maybe, it had Disney quaking in their boots.  They needed to act fast, so they bought Star Wars.

My next question is, who is going to buy Star Trek?  Now that is where my future with the “Stars” lies.  I am not a huge fan of Captain Kirk (although J.J. Abrams did a balling ass job on last two movies)-oops sorry for the language.  I like Captains Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and Archer (even though Captain Archer was before Kirk in the ST timeline).  This is the future I envisioned, a more Utopian-like atmosphere, where people (human and humanoid) try to live in harmony. I know, in the timeline, I would never see this, and there are some quadrillion different ways to look at the future beyond 2064 (the year that I turn 100).  God has not promised how long before the end of time and space will everyone and everything last.

In the meantime, if I decide to see this new movie, The Force Awakens, it will be on own my terms, not anyone else’s terms.  I am just tired of hype and everything conforming to its theming. It is not that serious people.  Let those of us who hate Star Wars or have not seen a single movie in its franchise have our peace and our space.  

Day 17: Making money

(c) 2015 P. Lynne Designs

Hello, and merry Blogmas 2015.

Today’s subject is a little on the “what can I do to make money on the side or a new career” type of blog post.  I used to do these all the time, and I felt like I was one of those scam artists.  Do not get me wrong, some of these methods do work, if you have the time and money to invest into it, but it was the way I presented it, and if I was uncomfortable with the posts, I knew in my heart my readers were uncomfortable reading them.

Showing people affiliate links to get started was one of the main basis of this blog when it was named My Blessed Life, and I had that type of blog post for a whole month, before I asked myself, “What the heck am I doing?” This was not me in a nutshell, and I did not want to come off that way.  I still think that you can make extra money by having affiliate links, but you have to do the research and be dedicated to finding that perfect product for the subject you are talking about in your blogs.  You cannot let yourself be suckered into every Tom, Dick, or Henrietta that comes your way.   You have to learn to say no if it does not fit you and your readers.

With that being said, I want to talk to you about You Tube for a moment.  There is an article on Fusion.com that I read last night, and in the article, the author talks about why you should not use You Tube to make videos and make money.   The article is called “Famous and broke on You Tube.”  I got angry and basically blow it off, because that was her opinion, and I do not value it.   Then, today, I tuned into one of my favorite YT Channels, The Nive Nulls, and Austin Null was talking about the same article, but because he has a working successful YT channel, his approach was very different from the author’s.  Now that the rat got loss in the cheese factory, here is my take on YT and making money there or anywhere on the Interwebs.

When I first got started on doing anything on the Internet, I was not thinking about the money aspect of it all.  I wanted people to know that I am here, in my own little corner of the world, and I have something to say.   This is how I got started with my first blog, MDN Creates (now P. Lynne Designs), and I moved on from there.   I knew about You Tube, I had been a subscriber since 2007, but I never thought about doing video at all.   I made my first video 5 years ago, showing the first mini book I made.  I never thought about hitting the monetarize button a vlogger can push to make money of their videos.  I was not even thinking about the views either.  (I still have only 85 followers).  The point was I am not on YT to make money, even though I did push the button.  I am not looking for sponsorship for the moment, at least not the way this author was putting it. 

If your goal is always money, you may not achieve that at first.  Your channel first of all has to be likable.  How do you do that?  First have something that draws a person to that channel.  A catchy title (such as The Nive Nulls, Gabe and Babe TV, and so on).  My channel just has my name for the moment, because I want people to know who is making the vlogs. Next, have a subject.  Some of the people I watch have daily vlogs where they vlog about 15 mins of their life, which is usually spread through the day.  Others have hobby vlogs, such as scrapbooking or skateboarding.  For those vlogs, the video usually contains a tutorial, anywhere from 15 mins to an hour, depending on the type of project being made, or technic.  Brands like Disney, for example, has vlogs on YT talking about parks, the movies, and almost all things Disney.  There are also the food vlogs and the stupid vlogs.  Do what make you happy on your channel.

If you want sponsorship, make the sponsors come to you, not the other way around.  Give them something that makes them say, “I want my product to be on that video, their viewers will come to us, and that will give them more brand awareness to that product.  Coming to the sponsor sounds like you are needy and desperate.  It takes time and patience before a sponsor will notice your channel in order for them to even contact you.  Same with subscribers.  Now it is ok to say, “if you want to see more, like, comment, and subscribe”.  This is how you get more readership (viewers).  It shows appreciation for the viewers who do watch you and brings in more.

Lastly, do not concentrate on numbers.  A channel has to be view so many times before you can get a million subscribers or views, and yes, YT does rewards you with plaques and invitations to workshops that help you to get even more views. One way is a Vlogger’s Fair held annually the last part of July.  If you are famous enough, you get to have meet-ups, and invited to be on a panel or two.  Gabe Flowers-Raider of Gabe and Babe TV told me once in a Google Hangout to stay consistent with your videos.  If you are going to make and upload twice a week, for example, try to make and upload videos twice a week.  Stick with the schedule for a while, then when you are ready to increase your videos, make an announcement that you are changing your schedule so your viewers can be in the loop.

Again, don’t worry about this, for the numbers will come.  Do not concentrate on the money either.  The more views, the more money, but it depends on how many clicks you get and who you attract to your channel or blog.  My top video has only 436 views.  My blogs have way more pageviews, but I will cover that at another time.  I will get more, when I make and upload more.   That is one of the goals of 2016.  The summary of all of this is, you will only get what you put forth in both your videos and your blogs.  Do not let the article steer you into thinking that you will never make on You Tube. 

The purpose of this post was not to discourage you if you are thinking about making money this way, but to encourage you to start if that is what you want to do, but be realistic if the money is not coming within the first year.  Not everyone is cut out for YT.  Remember, it does takes time and practice, but at the same time, make it only part time to start, and when the money is right, go full throttle.  Good luck. 

Day 16: The season of giving

(c) 2015 P. Lynne Designs

I do not know what is it about the holidays that put people into two major categories:  give me, give me, GIVE ME and “what do you need I will give”, and it has been baffling my mind since I became an adult. I know you are saying, “Tricia, people do that all the time”.  I know, but it is really noticeable around the holidays.

For instance, the “Give me, give me, give me” person is the person who does not consider

what it takes for another person to get a (material item) for them.  They think that the person is a bank.  This is what children, and often times teens, do when they see a shiny new toy or electronic gadget.  What the person (usually a parent) often does, is appease that person, so they will not constantly ask for that item.  The receiving person has not learned how to accept the word “no”, “Wait”, or “do you REALLY need it”.  When the receiving person does not get it when they want it, they cried and throw tantrums.   This is one of the personalities of a child, and children (as well as some adults) need to learn the concept of “you can’t always get what you want”.

On the other hand, the “Giving” person is just that.  This is the person who will give the shirt off their backs to help out, make sure a homeless person is safe and make sure that the universe is aligned with everything that is good and right with the world.  Their motto is “I give so you can have”, and it does not stop and start with the holidays.  That motto carries some weight.  It means “I give, so you can have food on the table”.  Not the gourmet stuff, but basic essentials, such as bread, meat, vegetables, milk for the kids, but a decent meal.  “I give, so you can have shelter”.  Not a fancy downtown hotel, but a place with a roof over your head with running water, and if it cold, a place to warm your body.  “I give, so you can have clothes on your backs”.  Not some $300 Gucci sweater, but a pair of pants, a coat, a top, and diapers for the baby, and shoe on your feet, and a warm blanket to wrap a child in.  These are the things that a giving person does, and they are not looking for anything back from that person.  A giving person gives from the heart.

Now there are some people who are Hybrids.  They are people, who masquerade as a giving person, but they want something in return.  They want a payback.  There are ways to be a hybrid without expecting anything in return for you.   For instance, when you give an opportunity for a person to get a job, say to that person, “What I want from you in return, is for you to do well, and make a better life for yourself.”  You are asking for something in return, but it benefits that person who received the job offer.  There is a string attached, but that string is to wish that person would do better than the life they are leading right that moment.  Saying anything less would look like that you want some type of money, and that is not right.

So in the season of giving, keep these things in mind:

·         This season is very hard on the jobless and the homeless.  They are often parents who want to give the world to their children, but cannot.  Be patient.

·         Volunteer in the food pantries, shelters, and other places of need.  Do not volunteer just to make yourself look good, but you never know who life you may touch along the way.

·         Giving of your time is better than money, especially if you have none to give.

·         Do not stop after the holiday season.  There are 365 days of the year, and there is a need during all 365 of 2016 and beyond.  You may even find your life’s calling.

Day 15: The wish List

(c) 2015 P.Lynne Designs

Every year without fail, I have given my parents (who are now both in their late 70’s) a list of what I wanted for Christmas.  Some years I would write it out, and some years I would verbally tell them.  This was their idea from when I was young, so they will not be confused on which child wanted which toy or gift from them.  I appreciated the gesture, so I would not get a boy toy (my brother), a little girl toy (my sister, who came along in my 20’s), or a baby toy (my nephew).  Sure, I could tell as I opened up each gift.

One year, when we got our first computer/game console, I was confused on why I got a tape recorder that went to the game console (an Atari 2600) while my brother got the game console itself.  While my brother was very happy in telling me not to touch the console (How else are you supposed to play Donkey Kong?), my parents were too eager to tell me that the game console was for both of us. I felt better, whereas, my brother did not.  My sister and nephew got into a similar argument years later with their gifts.

As I got older, I decided that it did not matter if I got the gift or not, but when I asked, my parents got it.  I have asked of the same thing from my niece and nephew (my sister’s children) who are 7 and 8.  The youngest nephew can tell me what he want, because he just turned 5, rather than write it.

I want to turn back to my wish list for a moment

because I do ask of something.  This is not just my parents, but from everyone in America (including myself).  I ask that we stop being so hatred towards one another.  I know it is hard, especially when this is the hardest time of the year, and of the recent shootings across the country.  Do not be like Donald Trump, spewing hatred, because you have some money and you are afraid.  In fact, you do not need money to hate, I am just pointing him out because he is running for president.  I am afraid too, but at the moment, I am more afraid of losing my life because a car hit my car, not a gun.

Last week, one of the departments at my church had a meeting, and the meeting had to do with security.  I never thought that there would be any talk about securing a church during service, when we are feeding the hungry in our food pantry, or during choir rehearsal.  The whole thing just scares me to death, but I am keeping my cool, and I am refraining from speaking hatred towards the Muslims.  Why?  Because I am an African American, and my race always deals with being hated, even sometimes within our own race.

So, during this Christmas season (and I refuse to say holiday), please be mindful that not all Muslims have ISIS on their minds, just like all African Americans do not hate white people or fear the police.  We are all Americans, just trying to live day by day, and mom and dad, this is part of my wish list for Christmas 2015.