via @notiun
sábado, fevereiro 06, 2016
"Menina frágil, de coração mole. Cheia de segredos, guardados no mais profundo de si mesma, mas que..."
“Menina frágil, de coração mole. Cheia de segredos, guardados no mais profundo de si mesma, mas que ela queria dizer a alguém. Alguém esse que não a julgasse, que os guardasse e que se interessasse por seus segredos, que se interessasse por quem ela era.”
- Sarah Pedra (via florejaste)
via @notiun
- Sarah Pedra (via florejaste)
via @notiun
"Minha solidão tomou proporções enormes. Nunca os dias foram mais compridos, nunca o sol abrasou a..."
“Minha solidão tomou proporções enormes. Nunca os dias foram mais compridos, nunca o sol abrasou a terra com uma obstinação mais cansativa. As horas batiam de século a século, no velho relógio da sala, cuja pêndula, tic-tac, tic-tac, feria-me a alma interior, como um piparote contínuo da eternidade.”
- O Espelho - Machado de Assis (via poesografa)
via @notiun
- O Espelho - Machado de Assis (via poesografa)
via @notiun
10 Real Reasons Behind Kids’ Bad Behavior
Parenting is always uneasy. It’s often about striking a balance between loads of elements like attention, advice, freedom, etc. Below are 11 images created by Curejoy.com to inspire us to think from another angle.
# Lying
# Poor self-esteem
# Not dare to stand up
# Taking things that don’t belong to them
# Coward
# Jealous
# Getting angry quickly
# Not respecting others
# Secretive
# Behaving rudely
Featured photo credit: Curejoy.com via curejoy.com
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10 Filters For a Conscious Life
Information. In-Formation. What you take in shapes your formation.
What kind of person do you want to be at the end of the day? How about in a month from now? How about in five years? Imagine the qualities and characteristics of this amazing person you intend to be. Imagine your form. Now think about all the media you are surrounded by. Will the information you take in form the person of your dreams?
Since what you take in shapes your formation, the only thing stopping you from leveling up are stronger information filters. Think about any sport. The best coaches say to watch how the pros play as practice; the visual information of a professional golfer swinging is what shapes the performance of a novice. Same thing goes for music; listening to virtuoso musicians helps a student to bridge gaps in their abilities. If we watched bad examples for our hobbies, we would never improve. So why aren’t we more conscious about the rest of the information we take in?
Everything we perceive is information, whether visual, auditory, or otherwise, and what we take in is what we become. Here are ten information filters to help you shape a conscious life:
1. Does it encourage me to be a better human?
This filter limits any music or media that clashes with the person you want to be at the end of the day. If you really want to be a gangbanger, and if your greatest happiness lies in degrading women, then by all means continue to listen to the music that glorifies that life. If not, consider searching out better media. It’s hard to do because most of the popular options for music and TV are worthless, but if you search, you will find.
2. Would silence be better?
This filter is what all great musicians use to refine their compositions. Since your life is your greatest composition, try asking yourself whether a contemplative silence might be better than the noise from your earbuds or speakers. If your inner voice is more appealing than whatever content you are listening to, you’ll automatically look for higher quality information.
3. Is it truthful?
This filter is tricky because it excludes almost 98% of news channels. But if the information you take in is not truthful, then you won’t grow into your full potential. Just like lies prevent meaningful relationships with other people, untruthful information will compromise your relationship with yourself.
4. Is it useful?
What can I take away from this information? What is the overall message? Will it help me to get better at x, y, or z? Is it good for relaxing when I’m stressed? Will I learn how to be a better husband or wife, or mother or father? If the information is of no use to the person you want to be, then find something better. The process is hard but rewarding, like pruning a garden.
5. Is it uplifting?
Does this encourage me to keep my chin up even when things get tough? Is the message something I can come to when things look hopeless? Does it reveal the goodness and decency of humanity? If not, you can either find something better, or consciously choose not to be uplifted.
6. Is it inspiring?
Does this spark creative ideas for me to act on and shape a better world with? Am I inclined to more actively pursue my passions and talents through this information? Is this energizing me to create a brighter future through my gifts?
7. Is it challenging?
This universe is so immense, but we tend to get trapped in tiny world views when our perspectives aren’t challenged. So will this information challenge you to think outside of the box, even if that is uncomfortable? If not, the real world might pass you by, and your happiness with it. Life is where the challenges are; filter your information accordingly.
8. Would you want your kids exposed to this?
If sleaziness and raunchiness are part of growing up, please hand me my ba-ba (translate, milk bottle). If the content is suggestive of adultery, or behavior that would limit a family’s growth and success, what is the point in watching it? When you question whether a kid should watch or listen to “x” program, think about the needs of the kid in you. If you believe in lasting love, don’t let your information compromise that.
9. Does it promote the dignity and respect of men and women?
If the information makes people out as objects for pleasure or lust, what good can it possibly do you? If you don’t consent to being dehumanized or hypersexualized, filter your media accordingly. Bad information corrupts our relationship standards and invites lovers who will use us only for pleasure or comfort.
10. Is it part of the mission for world peace?
This might be the most important filter because it forces you to think of your actions in terms of peace or war. Is your peaceful world built on happy families, committed marriages, and courageous people who do right even when it is the hardest thing? If your information conflicts with that peaceful world, it will also prevent you from adding to it.
Conclusion
Filtering your information can be scary at first because it excludes so many of the things that give comfort to a person. Most of our information is like a security blanket; we cling on to the music, movies and media that make us feel safe. But the question is, does your blanket have smallpox? These filters will help you decide, and it is up to you summon the courage to change.
Featured photo credit: NEC-conference-35 via flickr.com
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The 8 Best U.S Cities to Start a Business In
While a well-developed new business can survive in challenging circumstances, there are certain U.S cities that provide the most fertile soil to bring your business from a seedling to a thriving operation. But what makes these locations the best? A variety of factors interact to create the ideal circumstances for a new business venture – things like less competition and a lower cost of living. Nerdwallet researchers also considered unemployment rates, income levels, and population density to determine where you’d have the best chance to start a business and succeed in the long-term. Just as a web-hosting directory allows you to compare virtual domains for your company page, this Nerdwallet study lets you compare the best physical locations for your business.
1. Boulder, Colorado
Everyone’s favorite ski town, Boulder ranks number one on the list of best places to start a business. With a population of 301,072, Boulder showed a high number of businesses per 100 people: 14.1. While it may see counter-intuitive, having other businesses nearby is actually a strength. Most of the businesses surrounding you will not be competitors, and it offers the perfect opportunity for foot traffic and drive-by exposure. Boulder hosts a strong technology scene and is home to several coworking spaces, incubators, and networking events.
2. Wilmington, North Carolina
A seemingly random choice for the second best place to start a business, Wilmington is both close to the beach and growing as a tourist attraction. Downtown Wilmington hosts the highest number of businesses per 100 people: 15, making it an especially bustling spot for businesses owners to set up shop.
3. Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut
The most noticeable scene you’ll find in Bridgeport is its active art scene. Bridgeport also ranks the highest annual median income of all cities on the list at $63,369, and has a highly educated population. Family-owned businesses like Amodex have garnered significant financial success in this city of opportunity.
4. Evansville, Indiana-Kentucky
Evansville is a lesser-known city on the list, but features several active cultural districts. The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville also offers some unique assistance to new entrepreneurs, like help in selecting a location, tax phase-in assistance, and programs to assist you in expanding your business.
5. Greater Portland, Maine
Often mistaken for the hipster mecca of Portland, Oregon, Portland, Maine is actually the safer place to start a business in the U.S. This city hosts an impressive foodie culture with countless culinary businesses already thriving. There are opportunities for meeting places, health insurance, and even cell phone plans thanks to the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. To top things off for bootstrappers, Maine is also one of the cheapest states for car insurance, with a premium that is $539 less than the U.S. annual average.
6. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is a top city in the world for corn and grain processing, and home to cultural centers like Orchestra Iowa and the Paramount Theatre. While it may not be known for attracting entrepreneurs, it does have a pleasantly lower cost of living. Furthermore, it’s unemployment rate is the lowest on the list at just 3.8%.
7. Greater Beaumont, Texas
You may not know anything about Greater Beaumont, but its cost of living is something to pay attention to. Greater Beaumont’s average household paid a total of just $8,316 per year on housing costs, lower than any other city on the list. The town is also home to a delightful Cajun culture, as well as a view of the Gulf of Mexico.
8. Green Bay, Wisconsin
We know Green Bay for its fanatical football fans, but there’s way more to the city than this. Along with museums, restaurants, and shops, Green Bay also features the CityDeck, a boardwalk that runs along the Fox River. The Greater Green Bay Chamber offers hefty microloans to new business owners.
This isn’t to say that you’d fail to start a business in a city that is not on this list. However, if you live in or near one of these cities and are thinking about trying your hand as an entrepreneur, this report gives you the official “OK.” The report shows that above all, the Midwest seems to be the ticket, offering easier circumstances than most coastal cities.
Featured photo credit: Cory M. Grenier via imcreator.com
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How to Say More by Talking Less
He who does not know how to be silent will not know how to speak. – Ausonius
Talking less has always been a struggle for me. As a child, those close to me constantly chastised me for my need to stir the air with incessant chatter. As I grew older, their comments made me feel as though none of my words were worthy of being heard. Ironically, one of the people who made those comments the most is someone who, to this day, is incapable of sitting in silence with others. That individual must fill the void of silence with the most arbitrary (and oftentimes, annoying) nervous banter. To the point where I would wince with each word.
Talking less can bring you closer to those you love
When my daughter was very small, I was a single mother and worked multiple jobs to support us. Some days, my daily responsibilities left me both emotionally and physically exhausted, and I just wanted to sit in silence. (Two decades later, I still have those days.) My sweet little angel would sit beside me and chatter at a mile-a-minute pace, excitedly telling me about her day—or even what Barney The Dinosaur did to inspire her. Although I loved my alone time with her, and adored hearing her stories, there were some days that I was on overload. Since I knew how I was stung by people’s words when I was a child, I did not want to do the same to her; so instead of telling her to be quiet, I simply said, “Sweetheart, mommy’s ears are tired tonight.”
My vivacious little girl would then turn to me and say, “Okay mommy. We can just sit and ‘nuggle.” And with that, we sat in silence and cuddled on the couch or worked on a coloring book together. Even at a young age, my daughter was not intimidated by talking less.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. – Max Ehrmann
Talking less is how leaders are made
I am certainly guilty of being a talker. I am also guilty of not being the best listener. I recognize those traits in me, and do my best, on a daily basis, to be better balanced in those areas. I was always the person who only half listened, as I waited for my chance to throw in my two cents. From time to time, I still catch myself doing it, but have learned to recognize my anxious inner voice and cast it away.
One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. – Bryant H. McGill
Parents and supervisors are some of the biggest offenders of not recognizing the strength of talking less. I’m sure everyone has either done this, or experienced it. The person asks a question and, if the reply does not occur almost immediately, they begin feeding the answer to the other. Here are a couple examples:
- Parent to child: “Billy, why did you cry when grandpa touched your teddy bear?” Insert momentary pause. “Is it because you thought he hurt Mr. Bear? Or because you don’t like sharing? Is it because grandpa smells funny?”
- Employer to staff: “I’d like to know why no one made contact with our supplier regarding the discrepancy in the order.” Insert five seconds of silence. “Did everyone think someone else was going to do it? Did you think that it was an insignificant loss? Do you just not care about this company’s success?”
In both of those examples, they should have asked the question and then sat silently, rather than feed their audience a selection of multiple-choice answers from which to choose.
A silent mind is a productive and healthy mind
Luminita Saviuc at Purpose Fairy wrote an article about the positive results that come with talking less. She confirms in The Wisdom of Silence: Learning to Talk Less and Say More that we have permission to just breathe. She reminds us that in the wake of our silence, we will not find ourselves in danger, but might actually experience clarity. When our mind is still, we can help our body purge itself of the stress of our day.
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. – Plato
I want to be a wise woman. I am learning more and more how to be that wise woman.
Fear not the silence around you
As technology takes a stronghold on us, we now replace our silence with the “noise” of turning to our mobile devices. I have witnessed many couples or groups in public, whose devices appear the moment there is a pause in conversation. The only sounds you hear are their fingers tapping on tiny keyboards. Why are we so afraid to be still?
Let’s not misunderstand this focus on talking less though—excited chatter, banter, and conversation have a place in all of our lives.
Talking less does not mean that there is nothing left to say
My husband and I carpool to work each day, and a couple years ago, the silence in the car was almost deafening for me after we had finished exchanging our anecdotes of our workday. I thought, “Have we run out of things to talk about? Do we know everything we know need to know about each other?”
I was panicking as I thought of all the years we talked endlessly about anything and everything while on our path of getting to know one another. Instead of sounding my emotional alarms, I should have been appreciative to simply share that space with him, and realize how comfortable we both are just being together—even in silence.
Although, my genetic circuitry still pushes me to the chatter zone, as I grow, and learn, I do my best to circumvent those urges and let my mind and soul be still.
Featured photo credit: Shh/Amickman via flickr.com
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5 Alarming Signs That Your Business Is Failing
Starting a business with a great idea doesn’t necessarily mean success. Launching a startup is surprisingly simple, but no one wants a bad start. When a business fails, entrepreneurs sometimes feel that the failure came out of nowhere. The truth is that very few businesses fail without warning. Here are five signs that your business is in serious trouble.
1. Low Sales
The first and most obvious sign that your business is floundering is low sales. This can mean lower than your projections, or lower than last year. For companies to succeed, they need to be making sales; if sales drop off suddenly, then you have a problem.
Turn it around by figuring out what went wrong. Did you introduce a new product that’s missing its target? Can your marketing be improved in an inexpensive way to better spell out your message? Is there a problem in the sales or service sector that can be resolved? Whatever’s going on, you have a limited amount of time to turn it around, so don’t wait.
2. No Differentiation
For a business to find success in a noisy global market, it needs to be doing something different from the competition. Amazon pioneered two-day shipping, Jamberry offered a fashionable alternative to manicures, Lularoe took into consideration the needs of busy moms to have comfortable clothing and reminded them that they deserve to look beautiful as well.
What does your company do differently? If you can’t give a passionate, cohesive answer in a few sentences, you’ve missed the mark.
Turn it around by reexamining your ideal customer and figuring out what you can offer them that no one else can. Make sure your marketing reflects what you do differently than the competition and always strive to get more done for your customers.
3. No One’s Talking
There’s nothing worse for a business than silence. If your customers aren’t talking, aren’t leaving reviews, aren’t engaged on social media, then you have a communication problem. After all, if they’re not talking to you, they’re definitely not talking to their friends about you.
Turn it around by understanding why they’re not talking. Are you not asking customers for reviews and reminding them how useful they are, or are they just not impressed enough with your services to talk about them? The two problems have very different solutions—know which one you’re fixing. Ask your customers to connect with your on social media and engage them in conversation about a specific product.
4. Struggles Around Cash Flow
Even though on your company’s profit and loss sheet you’re doing well, you struggle to pay your bills on time, or you find you have too much inventory on hand and have to engage in extreme promotions to make room for new products. Properly managing your cash flow is the single most important thing you can do for your business.
Turn it around with practices like offering discounts to customers who pay cash or within 15 days, and only buying the inventory that you need, rather than investing heavily in something you’re just positive will take off soon.
5. Saying Things Like “Failure Is Not An Option!”
Here’s the truth of the matter: failure is an option. When the numbers say that 8 out of 10 businesses fail, it’s the worst sort of arrogance to assume that your business couldn’t possibly be one of them. Entrepreneurs and CEOs make mistakes all the time. Why are you exempt?
Usually, new business owners plan step-by-step how to start a company, but sometimes they will look up and realize that their business is headed in the wrong direction. They’ll manage to correct course, right the ship, and steer off in a new and smoother direction. But sometimes, it’s too little, too late. Your customer trust is gone, or your startup cash is depleted, or you’ve traded too heavily on employee morale and it’s all just over.
In those situations, the way to turn it around is to close things down as gracefully as possible and to figure out what went wrong. Dig deep to find out where mistakes were made, and make sure you understand how to keep the same mistakes from recurring.
The next step is to move on. Find the next idea, do a better job of differentiating, communicate your ideas more clearly, keep your cash flow more consistent. The right idea and the right timing will happen—unless you give up.
Featured photo credit: VIKTOR HANACEK via picjumbo.com
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