Arts Entertainments

A personalized weight loss program with Indian food recipes

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Indian recipes have become consistent with healthy ingredients! Indian food is well known for its ability to retain healthy and nutritious quality based on ancient texts and knowledge passed down from one generation to another. And the good news is that today they have improved even more and meet the requirements of modern men and women well. The uniqueness of the Indian menu can be well interpreted by the fact that all foods have a pair of ingredients, one that works to nullify the secondary effect of the other and complement the nutritional value of the other. Indian food is of course a great way to lead a healthy life. Great Indian food recipes have transformed the way people used to think that healthy food is always dull and boring.

Appreciation for Indian culture and understanding of its cuisine has increased greatly in Western countries and contemporary Indian restaurants are springing up in different parts of the world. But unfortunately, most people think that Indian food is hot, spicy, oily, high-fat, complicated and time-consuming to cook, etc. Indian food has been very well known until now. In reality, they are extremely rich in health benefits, nutrition, carbohydrates, and protein. Although they are a bit time consuming, with the correct preparation method it can be greatly reduced.

Vegetarian recipes are considered the most efficient nutrient since plants are the base of the food chain, along with the source of life itself, which is solar energy. Indian vegetarian dishes are loaded with antioxidants. Vegetarianism is concerned with our spiritual growth, which is evident by the growing number of vegetarians around the world. Carnivores get angry and violent more often than vegetarians, since animal instincts become stronger every time we eat meat. The nutrition obtained from the vegetarian diet has more sustaining power. Vegetarianism is a path to a healthy lifestyle! The vegetarian diet has less fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, more carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fiber and less protein, which translates into less obesity, less hypertension, less osteoporosis, fewer cases of heart attack, intestinal disease and cancer.

Vegetarianism paves the way for the health of the body, mind, and soul. The vegetarian diet not only improves your health and fitness, but also helps you improve spiritually. To achieve good health and purity for your body, mind, soul and planet, adopt vegetarianism.

Technology

Xiaomi Redmi 3s smartphone with two-day battery life

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The Xiaomi company has introduced a new product, Xiaomi Redmi 3s, which is configured with a high-capacity 4100 mAh battery and two days of battery life. In this article, I will tell you something about it. And the content consists of four parts, including layouts and screens, settings, battery, and specifications.

Designs and Shows

As for the appearance design, it is unchanged compared to the previous generation. It has dimensions of 139.3mm x 69.6mm x 8.5mm and weighs 144.1g. In addition, it has a 5-inch IPS capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1280 * 720 pixels.

Settings

It is powered by Octa-core Snapdragon 430 64-bit processor running at 1.4GHz coupled with Adreno 505 GPU. Also, it packs 3GB LPDDR3 RAM and 32GB internal storage (supports external Micro SD card up to 128GB). Except for that, it comes pre-installed with MIUI 7 operating system.

It is equipped with dual cameras including a 5.0MP front camera and a 13.0MP rear camera with flashlight and auto focus. Supporting 1080P FHD video recording, it will bring a nice shooting feeling.

Drums

The high capacity battery is the highlight of this product. It is built in a 4100mAh lithium polymer battery, which supports a normal usage time of two days. With 685Wh/L battery technology, this product goes further and lasts longer, yet feels slimmer in your hand. Compared to Redmi 2, it provides twice the capacity.

specs

Device type: Android smartphone

Brand: Xiaomi

Model: Redmi 3S Also known as Hongmi 3S, Red Rice 3S.

CPU: Octa-Core (4 x 1.2GHz Cortex A53 + 4 x 1.5GHz Cortex A53)

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430

Camera: 13-megapixel rear camera with LED | 5 megapixel front camera

RAM: 2GB/3GB | ROM-16GB/32GB, expandable up to 128GB (MicroSD uses Sim 2 slot)

Screen: 5.0 inch screen size

Size and Weight: 139.3mm x 69.6mm x 8.5mm, 144.1g

Battery: Non-removable lithium polymer battery with Quick Charge 2.0

Dual SIM with hybrid SIM support

Supports 2G/3G/4G networks with data speed up to 42 Mbps download, up to 11 Mbps upload on 3G HSPA+ and up to 150 Mbps download, up to 50 Mbps upload on LTE Cat-4.

Sensors: Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Ambient Light, G-Sensor, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Sensor

Color: silver, gold and gray.

Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop with MIUI 7 user interface

Other features: Mi-Cloud storage, textured back cover finish.

Summary

Although this Xiaomi Redmi 3s Global mobile is an entry-level smartphone, it costs you an affordable price. And it has a 13MP high resolution rear camera setup. If you are looking for a low-priced smartphone with excellent shooting effect, you can choose this one and have a try. I think you’ll like it!

Business

8 Critical Steps to Establishing a Customer Service Culture

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“The greatest asset of any company is its customers.
because without clients there is no company”,
–Erwin Fran

During our recent weak economy, many businesses have seen declining revenues and shrinking budgets. Declining budgets often lead to reduced staffing levels and diminished services. To me, this doesn’t make sense. I think it’s during down times when service needs to be at the forefront and retaining loyal customers is even more important.

When price wars fail to generate revenue, companies often look to the service to gain a competitive advantage. Many large company salespeople are reverting to a “service selling” mentality, yet too many sell great customer service and few deliver. The problem is that few marketers have truly served a customer.

Throughout my years in the business, I have had the opportunity to interact and develop a philosophy of customer service. It is inherent that when you are in a service-based business, there will be times when your customer will be compelled to offer you feedback. It is what you do with this feedback that will shape the future and your impression of your business.

Upon reflection, most of my interactions with unhappy customers were not the result of a poor product, but rather a disappointing customer experience. Why is that? Because the product is not personal, the customer service is. Briefly, I’d like to share with you eight critical steps to establishing a culture of customer service.

1. Customers are the reason for the work, not an interruption of work

This sounds very obvious, doesn’t it? How many times have you walked into a business only to wait while someone is on the phone or busy doing some “non-service” task? Employees often lose sight of the importance of the customer and become consumed with menial day-to-day tasks. Sure, there are tasks that need to be done, but you can’t afford to sacrifice service to get them done. Good customer service should be a priority for you and your team. Without your customers, you have no business!

2. Train, train and keep training.

o Train all your staff to be able to help a customer regardless of their department. When a customer gets upset, they want their problem resolved and not mixed up between employees who are not empowered or trained to help them.

o Offer ongoing customer service training for your staff and once they are providing good service, continue training them.

o Use role-play situations to help your staff recognize and experience both easy and difficult service opportunities. If an employee is comfortable with a difficult situation, he will be able to handle it better.

3. Empower your staff to serve

o Establish a resource system for your staff to serve the customer. Allow them the freedom to take whatever steps are necessary to provide exceptional service and resolve any issues should a customer become dissatisfied. Create a structured system to allow your staff to serve customers.

o Establish a discretionary budget that an employee can access to recover a client before losing it. I recently learned that a major hotel chain has a monetary fund available per year per employee that allows them to go above and beyond to ensure exceptional service. This empowers the employee to correct a mistake or create a “memorable” customer experience. I’m not advocating big bucks, but when it comes to customer service, a small gesture can go a long way.

o Ask your staff what tools would allow them to provide better service. I wouldn’t send a firefighter into a burning building without the proper equipment. Failing to empower and enable your staff with the necessary tools to serve your customer leaves you with little choice but poor service.

4. Make service personal

o Greet regular customers by name, if possible.

o Offer a handshake and introduce yourself. Creating a service that is personal will not only retain customers, but also help defuse sticky situations should they arise.

o Thank your customers for their patronage. It really does make a difference.

5. It’s OK to say “Yes” even when you should say “No”

o Support your staff when they make customer service decisions. In my business, my policy is that an employee can act without worrying about repercussions, as long as he meets the needs of a customer. I have found that this creates a greater desire to serve the customer.

o Many times you might say “no” to a customer, however, “no” can have big implications for your business. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to potentially lose 10 customers as a result of this interaction?”

6. Offer a solution

o Move from the problem to the process for its resolution.

o Offer a choice among several options.

o Put yourself in their place.

o Involve the client in determining the solution.

o Clearly explain any limitations that exist.

7. Recognize your staff members for outstanding service

o Implement a customer service awards program that recognizes employees for exceptional customer service. Maybe you’ve tried them without success and don’t think they work. I’d tend to agree if the show was like most I’ve seen. Try something different; break the mold One of my most successful clients offers spa treatments for his employees if a client goes out of his way to recognize them for their great service. Another client offers his employees a “paid day off” incentive for every five unsolicited positive customer comments he receives. These are just a few examples that are “out of the box”. Get creative and get your staff excited about customer service.

o Take time to recognize employees at staff meetings. People want to make their mark and feel like they matter. Taking the time to acknowledge them in front of your peers can make a real difference.

8. Ask your customers what they think of your service

The best way to know if you are satisfying customers is to ask them. Formal efforts could include customer surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or comment/suggestion cards. Informally, go out and talk to your customers and your staff. Ask them how they feel about the service you are providing. Ideally, use a combination of both methods.

You might be thinking, “Why should I go looking for trouble? Who knows what I might hear if I ask?” That is the point. As you will see from the statistics below, most customers will not express disappointment with your service levels. They will just go away and never come back. If you don’t ask about the quality of your service, you can make the wrong assumptions and feel like you can lower service levels because you get few complaints and take your organization into areas that drive your customers away or cause problems you never intended.

On the other hand, asking your customers about their satisfaction sends them a message that you care about your business and about them. While you may hear some criticism, you can also learn what you’re doing right and see what you need to change.

In addition to the information, you will benefit from the interaction. Every interaction is a customer service opportunity. Make the most of each and every one.

Most of us continue to do business with people and companies that provide good service. We may not say anything, but we reward good service providers by continuing to do business with them. If the service is excellent, we will probably tell our friends and colleagues about it. Likewise, when we receive poor service, most of us vote, not with our voices, but with our feet, we just walk away.

In the 1980s, the White House Office of Consumer Affairs commissioned a report called the TARP study. The report revealed the following facts about dissatisfied customers:

96% of dissatisfied customers do not complain directly.

90% will not return.

An unhappy customer will tell nine others.

13% will tell at least 20 other people

Superior customer service is one of the most difficult deliverables facing the business world today. Selling service is the easy part, delivering on that promise offers a tremendous challenge. So I ask them, what can they do to improve the service they provide? Implement these eight steps and start excelling at delivering a superior customer culture today!

©Anthony Mullins – Elite Coaching Alliance 2005

Home Kitchen

10 ways to organize your home like KonMari

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There’s a Japanese way of tidying up that boils down to finding a specific spot “for leftovers” once you’ve completed all other household cleaning methods. This is a tried and tested method according to Japanese cleaning professional, Marie Kondo. It bears her name and is called the KonMari Method.

The KonMari method of decluttering homes is one of the simplest, yet unique ways to clear clutter and organize a person’s life by decluttering their home. There are so many areas that can be cleared, be it a bedroom, the bathroom, or even the kitchen. In fact, there are plenty of other places, like the closet and garage, where you can follow these steps to declutter and declutter. It doesn’t matter if you have an apartment or a house, you can follow these steps quite easily with a little patience and time. Yes, even you can pick them up quickly once you get the hang of it.

get rid of objects

The philosophy focuses on detaching ourselves from specific possessions that we mentally tie ourselves to. There are certain ways a person might want to clean their house or apartment, but it’s when we “stumble” on those things that we find it hard to throw them away, even if we don’t use or need them! Perhaps it is because it becomes a laborious task and that prevents us from wanting to clean up after having accumulated so much. The next step is to let go of these mental attachments that we seem to have with various things. This, in fact, can be very difficult, mainly because we have convinced ourselves that we need to have these things. Also, the best approach to decluttering your home is to start with one room at a time.

The main rule applies to everything.

KonMari has a rule that applies to everything. Some of the easier rules can also help you with tedious tasks around the house. When you collect all your things, or order each room, you will have a lot of extra things that you did not know you had, such as: papers, pencils, books, plates, glasses, clothes,…etc. .

These things seem to multiply in quantity, so KonMari came up with a simple way to “declutter” anywhere, no matter what room in the house it’s in. You can also do it with a “yes or no” answer to this question, “Does it make me happy?” This simple rule can be applied to everything!

The answer to KonMari’s question

KonMari’s simple rule applies to anything you keep or throw away. In fact, if you answer “yes” to each item as you sort, you’ll be able to sort everything more easily.

On the other hand, if you answer “no”, you throw it away. Gone are those days of wondering, “Have I used this in a year?”

This is the way of KonMari as a step-by-step implementation of cleaning, while you order.

You should immediately start cleaning or tidying your house or apartment.

  1. Just focus on the “discard phase,” which KonMari calls the “ordered marathon.” You can make it a special event with background music, takeout and refreshments to make it an enjoyable experience as you complete your “tidy marathon”.
  2. Miscellaneous items can be done first, as these are the most tedious. These include: books, papers, clips, miscellaneous things, trinkets, and whatever else you have on your shelves, in your drawers, and on your counters.
  3. The next step is called the “feeling” step, which applies to those things that, for one reason or another, you just can’t get away from. These can be stuffed animals, roses, or gifts from ex, specific clothes… etc.
  4. Do not keep these items at the home of your friends, partner or parents. Why lug them around when you can just throw them away or keep them if you’re going to need or use them?
  5. Empty your closet. Get everything out, including the hangers and all the miscellaneous things (ie hats, scarves, belts and hanging accessories,…)
  6. Throw ALL of these things (clothes, knick-knacks, and junk you’ve accumulated over the years) in the center of the floor or on top of your bed.
  7. For shelving ideas, you can add 2 or 3 pieces of art deco, like vases, framed photos, a lamp, a plant, but that’s about it! No need to clutter your shelves with things that will eventually collect dust.
  8. The containers in the kitchen can contain the basics, such as: flour, sugar and blended coffee. You can simply place this set of essentials near the counter after you have wiped down the counter space with a rag. If you place this simple set of containers near the kitchen sink, you will benefit from having them close at hand. This goes back to the KISS (Keep It Short and Simple) technique.
  9. Simplify your life by keeping each category of stuff in the same place instead of scattering it all over the place. For example, you can keep all your cleaning products in the same place in the kitchen and the same goes for all your shoes, which are best kept in the same place in your closet.
  10. Use a cheat sheet and detail the categories. As you go through the pile of stuff, check off which category you’ve worked on so it’s removed from your list.

Go through the extra stuff and throw it away.

These steps tell you to “check all the items” you have. When you go through everything, you’ll probably have some things that you just can’t answer yes or no to. Just put those items in their own box labeled with a question mark, and then when you’re done sorting everything, you can come back to this box and try again. This box of stuff is representative of the “extra stuff” you’ve accumulated over the years. In some way, you must mentally detach yourself from these elements. When in doubt, throw it out!

Finally, just try to truthfully answer the main question that the KonMari method suggests. “Does it bring me joy or does it give me joy?” Decide if you feel any kind of “spark” or excitement when you hold it in your hands. This is the KonMari method at its finest. The core of his method for cleaning and tidying is precisely this. You will see, over time, that your house will look much more tidy.

Also, when you feel like you need to clean your home, you can also tidy up by adding shelves if you don’t have any. Shelves work wonders for homeowners and those who live in small apartments. You can use the KonMari method with shelving and declutter your living space at the same time. Sorting everything initially is the first step in the KonMari method.

For most of us, clutter builds up over time, and with these methods or steps, as KonMari suggests, you’ll be better organized. Time and patience are two of the main things people need to have when starting this type of project. After successfully completing this project, you will find that you can do it much better and faster next time. Every time you work on it, you will find your place much more organized and tidy.

Auto

7 seater cars – Ford Taurus X

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Ford Taurus X among 7-seater cars

We all know that Ford was the first company to make a car. But do you know a 7-seater car made by Ford? Taurus X is a 7-seater car from Ford. This particular car belongs to a category called the crossover SUV. This car was first developed by Ford Motors in the USA in the year 2005. Since then, this car has been famous in its category and can comfortably accommodate 6-7 people. This car was born more because of the lack of enough space for a large family. People used to squeeze into a small hatchback that was only supposed to fit less than 5 people. Since these 7-seater cars have hit the streets, all medium and large families have begun to prefer it.

Ford Taurus X Styling

Ford Taurus X, which is among the few good 7-seater cars, implements a style of seating arrangement called freestyle. In this arrangement, the 7 seats are distributed in 3 rows, so that the driver has maximum visibility of the front and rear view of the road. And this arrangement also ensures that the entry and exit of passengers is very smooth. With this arrangement the car gets a higher H point which is always safe for the car. Ford Taurus was launched to replace its old competitor Taurus Station, and Taurus X did that job well.

Ford Taurus X Design Factors

Ford Taurus X was a 7-seater car built on the Ford D3 concept. Ford Taurus X uses a 3-liter capacity Duratec V6 engine and can produce a maximum of 203 hp at 5750 rpm. Taurus implements CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) technology in its engine, which makes it even more popular.

Taurus has many power options like power folding seats and also provides power liftgates. Although Taurus is no longer in production against the other 7-seaters, it turns out to be a great 7-seater on the market even to this day. It will be a good option if you decide to buy one, if you get a good deal on the market. With that being said, it might be a bit difficult for you to find a new Taurus in the Ford showroom. But you’re sure to find at least one of them somewhere in your local showroom or online auto store.

Digital Marketing

Where can real estate agents find content for social media marketing?

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It’s Monday morning, you’re staring at your computer screen as you try to write your social media posts for the week. What should you post? Even a cat? Another inspirational quote? A link to your MLS listing?

Marketing messages must be consistent across all marketing channels. So instead of stressing about creating new content for social media, just look at the marketing you’re already doing and find easy ways to optimize it for social media. Did you recently send a direct mail campaign? Do you send a weekly newsletter? Are you running an ad in the local newspaper? All of these marketing pieces can provide great material for a social media post. By keeping your messaging consistent across all channels, you create brand consistency that helps build brand trust and recognition.

Below are some common print and mailed pieces that real estate agents use regularly and tips on how to place these pieces on digital channels.

Invitation to the open day

Create an event through your Facebook page to invite your followers to an open house. Then post a link to that event on Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn. During open house, be sure to encourage people to follow you on social media.

Newly Listed or Newly Sold Postcard

Use the exact same images and messages from the postcard to create a blog post. Then share a link to that blog on your social networks. Interact with your followers by asking them what their favorite room is or ask them to guess how much they think the house sold for.

property brochure

Select one or two of the best photos from the brochure and put them on Instagram. Include a brief description (2-3 sentences) and some hashtags so that people who aren’t following you yet will find your photo more easily.

Testimonials

In the LinkedIn experience section, you can upload a digital version of customer testimonials in document and video form. You can also connect with past clients and ask them to leave you feedback directly on LinkedIn.

triple agent brochure

Almost all social networking sites have space for a bio or “about me” section. Instead of writing a new bio for each one, take the text from your brochure or listing presentation and modify it for each social network.

Don’t kill yourself trying to create completely original content for every marketing channel. Instead, take a basic message and optimize it for each channel. Not only will this save you time and sanity, but it will create brand consistency and repetition will motivate your target audience to take action.

Health Fitness

Recent studies show that inflammation leads to diabetes

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When most experts talk about diabetes, they focus primarily on your blood sugar level. However, new research shows that inflammation plays an important role in diabetes. This article will point out the most important facts about inflammation and its role in the development of diabetes. Additionally, it will provide you with information on anti-inflammatory foods that could help you fight inflammation in your body.

Is our inflammatory response good for us?

The inflammatory response is the body’s most important defense mechanism. Our immune system plays a key role in this, and without it, we would not be able to survive as a species. All living organisms on Earth have some kind of immune system that helps them fight off the infectious germs that cover every cubic inch of the planet’s air and water.

“If it’s so important, why do I need to fight it?” You can ask…

Well, not all inflammatory responses are good for us.

Acute inflammation helps us fight infection (for example, the swelling, itching, and burning you feel when bitten by a mosquito is an inflammatory response). It is a “good inflammation”.

Chronic inflammation is what we want to combat. It is a prolonged process of low-grade inflammation that changes the hormonal profile of our body and damages body tissues.

Chronic inflammation is the process that cannot resolve itself (unlike acute inflammation) and tends to worsen over time. Chronic inflammation is commonly seen in people with access to body fat. This is also known as metabolic inflammation. People with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and psoriasis, tend to have more chronic inflammation.

What connects diabetes and inflammation?

The whole process is quite complicated, but let’s put it in simple words.

How does insulin work in healthy individuals?

Insulin, the hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation, needs to bind to its exposed receptor on a target cell. Once the insulin molecule “grabs” its receptor, downstream signaling begins (a complex molecular cascade), the cell “opens” some of its transport channels, transferring sugar from the blood into the cells, thereby reducing the level of sugar in the blood.

What happens if there is chronic inflammation in the body?

Many studies show that inflammatory mediators (which are special signaling molecules that regulate the intensity of inflammation) interrupt subsequent insulin signaling so that blood sugar stays elevated for longer. This condition is known as “insulin resistance” and is “the first step towards diabetes.”[I]

What to eat to reduce the intensity of chronic inflammation in the body?

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids (can be found in flaxseeds, walnuts, walnut oil, fish oils, etc.) can actively heal inflammation by providing necessary nutrients that modulate the immune response.[ii] This is not the only benefit of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: people who consume enough of them have a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes[iii].

Additionally, blueberries, ginger, chia seeds, turmeric, wild-caught salmon, red bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, olive oil, black beans, spinach, and pineapple are just a small fraction of foods that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. You should also increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet to get the full benefits of fiber.

Keep in mind that when it comes to health, the secret is in balance. A good diet and physical activity plan will help you maintain and improve your health. Consistency is another secret to a long and healthy life. Eating healthy two days a week has the same effect on your health as eating healthy zero days a week. Be patient, stay consistent with healthy habits, and before you know it, you’ll notice a difference in the messages your body is sending you.


[I] Wellen, K. (2005). Inflammation, stress and diabetes. Journal of Clinical Research, 115(5), pp.1111-1119.

[ii] Kirwan, A., Lenighan, Y., O’Reilly, M., McGillicuddy, F., and Roche, H. (2017). Nutritional modulation of metabolic inflammation. Transactions of the Biochemical Society, p.BST20160465.

[iii] Gebauer, SK, Psota, TL, Harris, WS, & Kris-Etherton, PM (2006). Dietary recommendations for n-3 fatty acids and food sources to achieve essentiality and cardiovascular benefits. Am J Clin Nutr., 83: p1526-35.

Legal Law

An admission and a green card

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One Easter weekend a couple of years ago a news story broke that could be of importance to those interested in Immigration Law as well as those interested in Evidence Law. The story came out of New York state and may have object lessons for federal immigration officials and immigrants seeking to obtain their green cards. The story involved an immigration officer who was recorded demanding sex from a young foreign woman in exchange for her granting him a green card.

Those who know a little about immigration law understand that one of the fastest ways for a foreigner to obtain Lawful Permanent Resident status in the US, that is, to obtain a “green card”, is to marry a US citizen. Under this procedure, the foreigner becomes what is known as an “immediate relative” and does not have to wait for an immigrant visa to become available, a process that can sometimes take several years. Those who know a little about evidentiary law understand that in a criminal or civil proceeding a statement is not hearsay if it is a statement offered against another party and it is that party’s own statement. This is known as an “admission.” Since it is not hearsay, such an “admission” would be admissible in court against the person who made it.

I understand? Of course yes. Now consider this.

One Good Friday in March last year, an adjudication officer from the US Immigration Service office in New York state was arrested on corruption charges. He had threatened to delay an unknown woman’s green card application and even threatened to deport his relatives if she did not have sex with him.

The woman, who was married to a US citizen, admitted that she had given in to the officer’s initial demand for sex because she was afraid of his threats. But she was smart! She used her cell phone, hidden in her bag, to record the sexual encounter and the conversation that preceded it. She was even smarter then. Days after the meeting, she went to the New York Times with the recording of her cell phone to tell her story. She then notified the New York District Attorney about the matter. The officer was arrested and suspended from his job. Most likely, the case was turned over to the feds for prosecution of him. A trial in this type of case would be unlikely. The case would be ripe for a quick plea deal and a quicker plea, in light of the recorded sexual encounter and his threats that could be used against him at trial as admissions.

We don’t really know the outcome of this particular case, but experience with the criminal justice system provides insight into the usual course of these types of cases. The officer likely would have been allowed to plead guilty to attempted racketeering and abuse of office and, upon sentencing, receive a 14-month sentence in a minimum-security federal correctional facility. Of course, he would also lose his job as an immigration officer. The woman married to an American would likely have received a green card from her and become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

In real life, these kinds of cases only happen once in a while. In this case, the immigration officer was not very smart. As they say on the street, he literally “stumbled” on his own manhood! During his likely sentence of a 14-month trip to a minimum-security federal correctional facility, the officer would not be locked in a single cell, but instead would be in a dormitory or “capsule” that would have a large gathering space for inmates. known as the “day room”. Every day that he would be incarcerated he could, perhaps, “travel” to the prison day room and do penance for that “trip” that sent him there. Many would have done it before him.

Lifestyle Fashion

Generation X: Taking retirement into their own hands

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With all the attention given to baby boomers, it’s hard to believe that another generation is fast approaching retirement age. In 2015, the first wave of Generation X turns fifty. And Gen Xers are taking retirement into their own hands. According to the recent Ameriprise Financial Retirement 2.0 study, one orthe overwhelming majority of Gen Xers say they started saving and investing early for retirement. They also seek to redefine retirement. As this generation heads into their golden years, health, wealth and work are their top priorities.

thoughts about work

Gen Xers see work as an important part of their lives. Half of the group are currently working toward financial stability (55%), while a third say they can’t afford not to work (33%). With retirement on the horizon, Gen Xers aren’t planning on laying off work anytime soon. Instead, they plan to continue working when they retire, but in a way that is more meaningful than just earning a paycheck. Nearly 3 in 4 respondents plan to stay in the workplace beyond retirement age to pursue something meaningful (73%).

Staying mentally and socially engaged is at the top of the list of priorities to work towards in retirement. Gen Xers anticipate that work at this point in their lives will be less stressful (50%), more rewarding (33%), socially meaningful (24%) and more interesting (18%). They see themselves as possibly working part-time, as consultants, or running their own business.

money matters

For the most part, this group seems to be grabbing retirement savings, with 77 percent reporting that they are taking steps to save enough to afford the lifestyle they want. Additionally, 64 percent are investing with the goal of generating extra income for retirement. However, not everyone is on board. A minority of Gen Xers in this study say they haven’t really planned for retirement (22%), and a few haven’t even thought about it (1%).

The majority of Gen Xers surveyed have taken advantage of an employer-sponsored savings plan. Eight in 10 report that they are currently saving in a 401(k), while seven in 10 regularly put money away in an IRA or similar account. Nearly a third of this group expect these savings to be a primary source of income in retirement (29%). Far fewer respondents expect to rely on Social Security or pensions to help finance their new lifestyle, a significant change from previous generations.

Goals and Challenges

Gen Xers are confident in their ability to save for retirement, but have some concerns as they consider their future. Despite the Great Recession, 27 percent of Generation X managed to increase the amount they save. Some report investing more conservatively. Due to their disciplined nature, it is not surprising that this group has already paid off significant debt (23%) or is confident that it is on track to do so in the future (63%).

This group also plans to retire on their own terms while maintaining their current lifestyle in retirement (65%), with some anticipating the possibility of living more comfortably (22%). The main retirement activities they foresee are:

Travel (80%)

Relaxing (64%)

Keep fit (50%)

Pursue hobbies (50%)

Spending time with grandchildren (48%)

Take on volunteer work (36%)

Meanwhile, Gen Xers are confident in their ability to save for retirement, but have some concerns as they consider their future. Some respondents are concerned about the potential costs of caring for aging parents (46%) and supporting children (22%). The cost of health care also weighs heavily on them, with 75 percent saying it is one of their concerns.

The role of financial advice

Generation X members who work with a financial professional seem to be more proactive about saving for retirement. With the support and knowledge of a financial expert, they are more likely to save enough to live comfortably in retirement (38%), cover emergency expenses (35%) and leave a legacy (17%).

Talk to a financial advisor to explore your retirement dreams and what you can do to prepare for your financial future.

Pets

A story of reincarnation

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He had been working at the international headquarters of a spiritual organization in Menlo Park, California. Since most of the employees were members of this particular organization, conversations at the lunch table naturally turned to topics inherent in teaching, topics like dreams, past lives, and the shortest way home to God.

One day, while nibbling on a carrot stick, a coworker I’d nicknamed Zeta told me about a recent past life memory she’d had. She recalled flying in a one-person plane, seeing herself as pilot and bombardier. A white cloth was tied around her head. She was horrified to see herself dropping bombs on people going about their lives in an open plaza in Atlantis.

At the time, some of my managerial duties included overseeing a department that was editing video recordings of a recent conference. We had hired an outside company to help record the event and help our own people gather the material for eventual distribution to members.

One day, in a casual conversation, one of the production assistants from the outside company confided in me that years ago she had an unusual dream that still troubled her. However, before continuing, she made it perfectly clear that she didn’t believe in any of the things that we believe in, things like prophetic dreams, reincarnation, or karma. Slightly red from being in contradiction to her own belief system, she told me about her dream.

It seems that he had been walking through a square where there were many people doing what people do on nice days. A deafening sound descended, literally, from nowhere. The crowd began to run in all directions as dozens of low-flying planes roared into view and began dropping bombs, creating small but effective explosions. The production assistant recalled that the pilots wore (here drum roll) white headbands.

If your logical mind wonders how anyone on the ground could know what the pilots were wearing, I can only say that dreams don’t play out like our lives in the physical universe. In dreams, you can be present in your all-knowing 360-degree soul-filled body as an observer.

I imagine my mouth must have dropped open as I listened to her story. Two people I knew who didn’t know each other had the same dream from different perspectives: one bombing and the vaulted. As they say, something was going on in all this.

Hesitantly, I asked the production assistant if she would like to meet someone who had told me about a similar dream. She nodded. “Stay here,” I said as I turned on my heel and headed in the direction of Zeta’s cubicle.

Zeta and the production assistant exchanged stories while standing in the back hallway. Hardly able to breathe, I watched in silence and amazement. This was one of those momentous moments in time and space that are somehow orchestrated to resolve a longstanding karmic debt. The haunting memory of that day in Atlantis, lodged deep in their hearts, was about to be removed with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel.

How simply the karma ended. Zeta looked at the production assistant with tears in her eyes and said, “I’m sorry.” The production assistant nodded and a debt was paid.

The world began to spin again.

Not all karma is resolved in such a simple and direct way. And who knows, maybe the two of them have been meeting and working for this moment for centuries. The moral of the story, however, is to stay awake. Be on the lookout for those times when you can consciously finish unfinished business and make further spiritual progress possible for all. If a moment is missed, it can be a long time before all the circumstances and conditions for resolution line up so perfectly once again.

Most recalls are not as dramatic as the story above, so pay close attention. He can begin by taking a close look at the people, places, and things that deeply attract him or inexplicably repel him in this lifetime. I had a sister-in-law, for example, who mentioned Druids in all other conversations. I suspect that something important might have happened to him in a past life among these priests, medicine men and arbiters who first appeared in Britain around 600 BC.

Think about it. Have you found yourself collecting books on Spanish folklore, avoiding the Mayan exhibit at your local museum, or knowing intuitively what it feels like to be a servant? Our lives today are filled with hints of our past. Pay attention. Start taking some notes on possible past life connections and see where it takes you.

The end result: live consciously, resolve, grow.

-Except he would be holy available mid-April in paperback on Amazon.com