So, Let's consider: are you a generous person? 0

Posted by on in Let's Consider...





So, Let’s consider: are you a generous person?

It’s time to do another self check. Are you a good person? Am I a good person? Are you a generous person? Am I a generous person?
I ask these questions twice intentionally as I feel they’re ones we need to ask of ourselves as much as of others. And, we need to make whatever changes and corrections that we may think to be warranted and appropriate. Let’s continue checking by asking ourselves a few questions:
– When was the last time I/you gave of my/your time, attention, work, resources without any expectation in return? True altruism in practice is what we’re talking about here.
– When was the last time I/you gave anonymously? Yes, I’m also including here the times when you know you’re get a receipt for IRS purposes but that you did so without any comments, etc. This would include donations to the local food bank or “Goodwill” type of establishment that would resell your unneeded items and put the proceeds towards the good of the community.
– What is my/your emotional tone when I think of others? I’m going to leave this one open ended intentionally and just leave it out there for you to think about.
– Am I/Are you living in a way that if everyone lived in the same way as we did, the world would be a better place for all of us?
I leave this out there as a few rhetorical questions going into the weekend for all of us to ponder.
I hope you have a good weekend.
I’m Don Rima and that’s the view From Where I Stand.


Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 27, 2019 0

Posted by on in Word of the Day





Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 27, 2019

January 27, 2019
Ubiquitous – n. – everywhere at the same time
January 28, 2019
Adamant – adj. – unyielding or absolutely firm
January 29, 2019
Depraved – n. – incorrigibly evil
January 30, 2019
Fiasco – n. – complete and utter failure
January 31, 2019
Perfidious – n. – traitorous or treacherous
February 1, 2019
Tacit – n. – unexpressed but understood
February 2, 2019
Assiduous – n. – constant or persistent
Last Week’s Words Can Be Found At

Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 20, 2019




Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 27, 2019 0

Posted by on in Thought of the day





Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 27, 2019

January 27, 2019
Great leaders leave a legacy.
January 28, 2019
Make others better because of your presence. They’ll remember you after you’ve left.
January 29, 2019
Great leaders serve.
January 30, 2019
Serving is never below a leader.
January 31, 2019
Don’t dream of success, work for it.
February 1, 2019
Don’t just make a sale, make a customer.
February 2, 2019
There is no traffic going the extra mile.
Last Week’s Thoughts Can Be Found At

Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 20, 2019




Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 27, 2019 0

Posted by on in Quote of the Day





Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 27, 2019

January 27, 2019
“Where do the solutions go when a candidate gets elected?” – Orben
January 28, 2019
“I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the ordeal of meeting is is another matter.” – Churchill
January 29, 2019
“Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.” – Thatcher
January 30, 2019
“Too bad all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs or cutting hair.” – Burns
January 31, 2019
“Professional life is like a fire hydrant. You spend all your time putting out fires and stand your ground against the big dogs.” – Nash
February 1, 2019
“Few great men could get past personnel.” – Goodman
February 2, 2019
“I don’t like the fact that doctors are referred to as practicing.” – Schwartz
Last Week’s Quotes Can Be Found At

Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 20, 2019




So, Let's consider – Interviewing yourself 0

Posted by on in Career, Family, Friends, Life, Making Life Better, Self Improvement





So, Let’s consider – Interviewing yourself

Of all the stuff I read and have to read, I find that a good interview is amongst the most interesting, enjoyable and enlightening types of articles. I read interviews in things as diverse as Parade, business and trade journals, food and social journals and there’s always the gold standard of interviews – Playboy.
Now interviews can vary in terms of focus from a profiling, business centric, solution centric and may other ways that the author/interviewer is attempting to skew the direction of the article. The ones I enjoy the most are the ones that profile a person and tell me about them, their history, likes, dislikes, priorities, goals, etc. They can also make one think about their own directions, values, history, decisions, etc.
Now chances are, very few of us are ever going to be interviewed for a magazine article, but I was wondering what it would be like to interview my self and how I might answer the questions I see being asked others a lot. Frankly, I’m going to cheat a bit, I’m only going to ask the questions and let you answer the questions for yourself, as if you were being interviewed. If you like this idea and some of the questions, you may find this concept useful at a party or as an ice breaker for a social event.
So here goes and I hope you come up with the right answers:
How did you end up in the occupation or line of work that you’re doing?
What skill sets would you like to acquire or improve on?
What’s your favorite part of the day?
What is the largest lesson you’ve learned in your life?
The game I still play is?
The best gift I ever recieved was?
What one thing can you not live without?
Who has had the greatest impact(s) on your life and the decisions you’ve made?
What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current occupation? Why aren’t you doing it?
What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
What trends are most impacting your life?
What is your most favorite word?
What is your least favorite word?
What is your favorite curse word?
What’s the first thing you do when you get home each day?
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
What profession would you not like to do?
What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office or work place each day?
What do you like to hear? What’s your favorite sound?
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Who are your favorite fictional heroes?
Who are your favorite characters in history?
Who are your favorite heroines in real life?
Who are your favorite fictional heroines?
Who is your favorite painter?
Who is your favorite musician?
What quality do you most admire in a man?
What quality do you most admire in a woman?
What is your favorite virtue?
What is your favorite occupation?
Who would you have liked to be?
What’s the one thing that most people don’t know about you?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Did you follow it? Did it work?
If you had infinite money, what would you buy? Why?
Who’s your favorite composer or musical artist?
The last movie you saw was?
What was the Best movie you’ve ever seen?
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
Where would you like to live?
What’s your guilty secret pleasure?
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
If you were stuck on a desert island, what three items would you want?
What’s the nerdiest thing you’ve ever done?
What do you value most in your friends?
The biggest trend affecting what I do is?
What are the biggest challenges that you are facing?
What accomplishment are you the most proud of?
Who are your favorite fictional heros?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
What’s your favorite part of the day? Why?
Where do you see your life going?
What will be your next “big thing”?
What historical figures do you most despise?
What event in military history do you most admire?
What was the best decision you ever made?
What was the worst decision you ever made?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite bird?
What decision in your past would you like to have a “do over” on?
What place would you like to visit and haven’t?
What do you like on your pizza?
Boxers or briefs?
Favorite ice cream? Least favorite ice cream?
What person in history would you like to have lunch with? Why?
How would you like to die?
How would you like to be thought of?
Where would you like to be buried?
What should they write on your gravestone?
Think of a few I missed? I’m sure there’s many. Add them to your list and see where the answers take you.
I’m Don Rima and that’s the view From Where I Stand.


So, Let's consider: the right career or trade for you 0

Posted by on in Career, Family, Trades, work





So, Let’s consider: the right career or trade for you

OK, so I’ve been doing the same gig I’ve been doing for most all my life. I’ve done a little university teaching as well and frankly I wish there were more of it out there as I kinda like it more than the normal gig. But then, this week I needed a plumber. I can’t believe how much those guys get an hour! I’m talking quotes of $150/hr and more! That’s a lot of green stuff! An then there’s electricians, carpenters, masons, etc! Did I make the right job decision back years ago?
More frequently the decision of going to college to get your degree and then find work is being called into question by the trades. And offering shop class in high school is DEFINATELY being called into question as to why it was removed from availability in the first place! It’s a given that we need workers that know the trades and frankly if I had any idea these guys were going to be making that kinda of money and not have to wear a tie all day I would have given it serious thought long ago!
With this column I’m going to try to concentrate specifically on trade vocations, but, you can extrapolate much of what I’m talking about and use it in your searchings for what you want to do in and with your life.
So, chances are your parents did some kind of work. You may have helped them at their jobs. Did you like it? Maybe you were lucky enough to take shop in the few high schools left that offer it. Was there something you enjoyed? Carpentry? Masonry? Welding? Or maybe they did office/business work and you just really hate the idea of being stuck in an office! So, let’s look at what things you may be looking seriousely at.
What about this kind of work interests you?
Trust me, if you have a line of work that pays good cash, that’s nice. It’s A LOT NICER if you enjoy what you do. So take some time to think and answer: What is is about this gig that I like? Would I enjoy doing this for a long time? Do I know someone else doing the same gig? Would I want to be like them? Are they making the kind of money that I think I should be making?
With trades, as in any line of work, the earlier you get into the one you like and develop your expertise base in it, the better you are going to be and the more in demand your skill sets will be.
What are your interests and what’s important to you?
Here again, you need to take some self inventory time. If you don’t like working with sewer pipes, then chances are plumbing may not be for you. If you have a fear of getting shocked, either grow out of it (easy to do) or remove electrician from consideration.
Are there any global causes that you find of interest? SPCA for instance is in regular need of people that like to care for animals. The park service likes people that enjoy working the outdoors and natural preservation. Trades extend into health care, veterinary, horticulture, agriculture and the list goes on…
What skill sets and experience do you offer?
Make a checklist of what skills and experience you bring to the table. This is important. And keep it updated.
Many trades have apprenticeship programs that will help you develop these skill sets. Many of these are offered through the trade unions. Most of groups are looking to develop a skill set that you have already developed some form of aptitude for or have a special interest in. Classes in high school, trade school, community colleges, etc., offer great cirriculums as well in getting the book knowledge, but more importantly the hands on experience, that you will need as your career develops.
Explore, play and learn while you decide
An old baseball pro once said “you can see a lot just by watching…” So, go watch. If you’re thinking something in the line of construction, find a foreman that will let you watch what’s going on at a construction site. Same thing goes for working at a nursery, animal shelter or vet office, etc. If you haven’t already had exposure to what you may think you’ll like, go get some. Ask questions. Find out how they learned what they did, who taught them, how, when, where… Go talk to your local trade schools, vocational schools, even perhaps high school career counselors and shop teachers. Learn how to strike an arc and burn a bead…frankly, welders are making a heckuva lot more nowadays than bean counters are!
Am I saying that time spent in college is wasted? Well, it depends. If you’re sitting in classes that are any of the many esoteric liberal arts classes that basically only your teacher and a handful of others have ever heard of the subject matter, then, yeah, there may be reason for question. But, if you’re looking to build your future by understanding how to run a business, communicate with future clients, understand their businesses, or build your knowledge of your trade then taking that class might be a good idea.
The world has enough people that can quote Shakespeare…and frankly his quotes are about as dead as he is. We are in need of people that know how to keep our houses and businesses together and build infrastructure. Chaucer and Shakespeare, well, not so much. We also need people that know how to care for plants and provide food, as well as those we can go to when we need some medical help, build things and many more of the more skilled based hands-on types of work. We call these the trades.
All the best as you think and explore where you want to be in your life.
I’m Don Rima and that’s the view From Where I Stand.


So, Let's consider: Do you REALLY understand DACA? 0

Posted by on in DACA, Immigratoin, Law, Law Enforcement, Let's Consider...





So, Let’s consider: Do you REALLY understand DACA?

OK, so DACA’s become the latest political football being tossed around between the political forces when one of them’s not making plans for all their family and friends to fly on lengthy excursions to Europe and Asia on the taxpayer’s expense.
Just WHAT does DACA mean to you and me?
Well, let’s presume that my house was broken into this past Saturday. It’s all ok, my mutt’s safe and nobody else was home.
Luckily, the alarm told the local cops and they caught the perp and his 10 year old kid that were helping themselves to my home and everything in it.
The bad news is, all the locals took a vote and decided that the kid was innocent since they were only there because the parent brought them. Now, I have to feed, house, room, educate, and otherwise totally care for this criminal’s kid! It gets worse, since the kid would be abandoned if the parent goes to jail. However, if the parent is found innocent, then I have to let them stay with the kid also and totally take care of all their needs, free to them of course, as well!
If this sounds totally unfair to you, then you understand DACA.
If you’re asking yourself as to why the US is the only country stupid enough to allow this, well, keep in mind that Obama did it all, WITHOUT ANY CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, by executive order. There’s many that think it was an is illegal, but since we have a liberal Supreme Court at the current time, there’s basically no reason to legally challenge it.
Now, there is a bright side to some of this. There is a small percentage of the DACA population that actually settle in and start businesses. Frankly, small business is the backbone of what makes America great. Even others buy a home here. but that’s accounting for maybe 10% of the entire DACA populate(depending on who’s numbers you want to believe).
We’re a country of immigrants. But we’re also a country of laws, and not just suggestions. We welcome people who come here, legally, and want to become part of our great nation. We don’t build walls to keep people out, we just want them to use the door and not climb in through the windows.
Unfortunately, our politicians are more intent on getting votes than protecting America’s future. They’re more intent on “tolerance” for those that chant things like “Death to America” and those that are criminals and smugglers. These policies and politicians can not be tolerated and need to be removed.
We need to Keep America Great.
I’m Don Rima and that’s the view From Where I Stand.


Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 20, 2019 0

Posted by on in Word of the Day





Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 20, 2019
January 20, 2019
Autonomous – n. – self-governing, independent of outside control
January 21, 2019
Chicanery – n. – trickery or subterfuge
January 22, 2019
Expiate – v. – to atone for or make amends for
January 23, 2019
Laconic – n. – brief or terse
January 24, 2019
Parsimoniuos – n. – excessively frugal, penny pinching
January 25, 2019
Sententious – n. – full of old sayings, maxims or proverbs
January 26, 2019
Esoteric – adj. – hidden or secret
Last Week’s Words Can Be Found At

Word(s) Of The Day – For The Week Of January 13, 2019




Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 20, 2019 0

Posted by on in Thought of the day





Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019
Barking dogs rarely bite.
January 21, 2019
Give people more than they expect.
January 22, 2019
When you find an opportunity, make it count.
January 23, 2019
Fiction is based on fact…think about it.
January 24, 2019
Be as happy having what you want as you with wanting what you have.
January 25, 2019
If you want something to last, believe that it won’t.
January 26, 2019
Kisses are meant to be returned.
Last Week’s Thoughts Can Be Found At

Thought(s) Of The Day – For the Week of January 13, 2019




Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 20, 2019 0

Posted by on in Quote of the Day





Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019
“The advantage to being poor is that the doctor will cure you faster.” – Braude
January 21, 2019
“If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all his impersonators would be dead.” – Carson
January 22, 2019
“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it’s just possible you haven’t grasped the situation.” – Kerr
January 23, 2019
“If you want the rain bow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Parton
January 24, 2019
“Perserverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another.” – Elliott
January 25, 2019
“Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it’s important.” – McCarthy
January 26, 2019
“A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.” – Guinan
Last Week’s Quotes Can Be Found At

Quote(s) Of The Day – For the week of January 13, 2019