Filed under: Style & Beauty | Tags: appearance, beauty, debate, inside, looks, out, personality
“Real, true, genuine,” are concepts that endure; a term rarely applied to physical beauty. For examples of why, glance around your next high school reunion. Or, turn your gaze towards the Hollywood skyline where the knife is used more often on the surgeon’s table than at the dinner table. If it’s real beauty you seek, scratching the surface will only yield disappointing, fleeting results.
The fact is that we are all getting older. Wait. Wait. See? Parts of all our bodies have just moved one second further in the wrong direction. And, it’s probably not going back without extreme measures. So, is my real beauty found in this skin that offers a new, daily battle with breakouts? Is it this form determined by decisions beyond my control and maintained by efforts that I can manage? Even in terms of an inanimate object, does it leave an impression merely because of its composition; or because it stirs an emotion, a memory, a hope?
Perhaps the more obvious answer is found in the beauty of a captivating personality. If so, then someone needs to call the Miss Universe Pageant, because they’re missing their top contenders: used car salespersons! Before you hand over that crown, there are some who might disagree with the aforementioned theory. An acquaintance of mine, for one; he bought a used car for his growing family, only for it to die two months later. He ended up selling it at a loss. No, “beauty” is not the term I’d use for the alluring spell that some purposely or instinctively cast.
So, what is true beauty? What is ageless? Timeless? The famous proverb 31:30 referenced from the Christian Bible comments on both the inner and outer appearance. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,” expresses that charm is unreliable and beauty useless.
What, then, remains true and relevant? Pursuits, dreams, hopes, loves. I am blessed with friends who display a unique combination of wise practicality and almost naïve trust. Their stories helped shape distinct, uplifting and amazingly certain outlooks; they helplessly reflect the good that should be. And, whatever made them who they are is what helps make me who I hope to become.
Beauty is not one’s underlying story, but the generosity with which that story is shared among those who see the worth in really looking. Beauty of such depth is intense-its vessel helpless to its permeating beyond even flesh and blood.
for more commentary on this subject find this and other articles on Helium.com
Filed under: Artsy | Tags: art, artistic, associated content, diligence, diligent, discipline, helium, inherent, innate, learn, practice, skill, talent
Is one skilled in a discipline merely because they inherently possess its basic tools? If I were nit-picky, (and I am), I would argue that “talent” and “skill” are substantially different. Talent is an innate, ”special natural ability.” While Webster Dictionary considers a “skill” to be a “great ability.” At least the latter definition is attainable with discipline and regular, honest assessment; both techniques that can be applied to any area of life, and even in the realm of art.
Ken Foster (www.kenfoster.com) has seen over 1000 students during his 35+ years as a piano teacher. He recalls a student he’d had for several years who had learned all the technique that was at Mr. Foster’s disposal. Though efficiently grasping the skill of piano playing, the student never excelled beyond the basics and onto improvisation. On the other hand, there are those who possess the talent, but lack the discipline. Mr. Foster relates a personal example; “A teacher once told me that he probably would’ve given up on me long ago if it weren’t for my talent…”
…see Quo Elbert’s full article here.
Filed under: Budgets and Saving | Tags: associated content, budget, earn, finance, funds, interest, invest, learn, money, save, saving, shop, tip
Someone once told me that anything can be used as a tool. See that piece of paper? Yield it in the right manner and it’s a blade. Fold it and it’s a plane. Tear it into little pieces and wad those with spit and…well, you get the point. Similarly, money is a versatile tool that can either come to your defense or become a running gag. Here are some serious steps to saving and budgeting your finances:
Step 1. Get-ING smart. Everyone knows the phrase, “It takes money to make money.” It’s an observation that seems about as applicable to the average pocketbook as offering water to someone who’s holding a paper cup spotted with holes. But, in actuality, it doesn’t matter how much you have; even a very little can regularly earn you cash. www.Ingdirect.com is an online bank that offers a savings account yielding more on your money than most money market accounts. But, this is only a doorway to the real zinger. After owning your savings account for a while, you can open an ING Checking Account. This little baby lets you earn money on the funds you have in your account. You get a debit card, free online bill pay, a running record of all transactions. You can write and send paper checks from online (no more of those checkbooks). And, not that I’m promoting rubber transactions, but the cool feature about this account is that instead of charging you $25-40 per returned check, they’ll simply charge you an incredibly small interest rate on the amount you owe them, up to the insufficient funds limit which is initially set at $250.00. In other words, that charge you miscalculated will literally cost you cents, not dollars. And, you can transfer money to and from a physical bank account, such as Washington Mutual or Bank of America very easily, though the transfer does generally take 3-5 business days. The interest you earn on the money that flows through your online account shows up monthly in your transaction history. The longer money rests in your account, the more it earns you. SuperTip: By setting up direct deposit you ensure that your paycheck makes you a little money before you have a chance to spend it!
…see Quo Elbert’s full article here.
I am short. I am a daughter. I am a goof-ball. These are just three of my descriptors, but already they cover several methods of presenting oneself. When describing oneself, you want to impress the audience. And, if you want to keep their attention, you must be relevant to the situation.
Let’s proceed as if your intent is an informal, but impressive first-impression (vs. a formal initial meeting, as in for a job.)
The fact is facts are the bread and butter of a person’s personal story. And, they’re just as boring, too. If you’re standing right in front of someone, they can see half the tale. And, if not, I doubt anyone’s in a hurry to ruin the image they’ve quickly conjured in their mind.
When you describe yourself, use characteristics that distinguish you from others: “Low-key. Hopeful. A little vain. A lot of joy.”
Now, one place where the above rule does not apply is in the area of negative characteristics. A rich, approachable description exhibits honest, constructive self-assessment; however, make sure the observations you choose to share are ones that most of us can admit too in ourselves. If you admit you have an unhealthy love of fire, yes, that is unique…and very scary.
“Scary” is not a good attribute. Write that down.
And, if you have a good sense of humor, use it! If not, take the safe route and hire a ghostwriter. But, whether you’re in front of someone, over the phone or in front of a screen…smile. These tools help put your counterpart at ease, and remarkably, it does the same for you!
Describing yourself shouldn’t be a tortuous affair. Sure you’ve got your bumps, bruises and even a few (fresh?) scabs, but overall you’re a sight for sore eyes, aren’t ya’? You’re pretty decent pickins’, ain’t ya’? If you feel uptight, overly intense or hesitant about the act of describing yourself, don’t think your audience won’t feel the same.
Lastly, make sure to add at least one idiosyncrasy about yourself. This is a detail that, coupled with your other adjectives, points to you and you alone. The movie, “Sleepless in Seattle,” offers a wonderful example. Tom Hanks’ character explains to his son for the millionth time how the boy’s deceased mom had possessed the ability to peel an entire apple in one long strip. Houdini, it ain’t. Oddly endearing, it is.
Again, this is not the time to share your pyromaniac tendencies. Save that for a quiet dinner by the bonfire.
- Quo Elbert
for more commentary on this subject find this and other articles on Helium.com
Filed under: humor | Tags: annoy, humor, joke, libraries, library, patrons, prank, visitor
Finally! A serious topic. I, for one, am a library groupie/dweller. Wuv, wuv, wuv the place; that is to say that my feelings for these refuges of knowledge, hope, dream, fantasy and assumed wisdom run just slightly less intense than Love, Love, Love. So if you want to annoy me and my brethren, let me offer ten quick tips to assure dirty sideways glances, rolling eyes and the occasional tight-lipped reprimand hissed in your direction:
1. The Home Office…at the Library.
Stroll in, briefcase and papers in hand. Litter the table with your papers, leather-laptop satchel, and a couple thick books for looks. Now, the problem is not the scene unfolding here. The problem is the conference calls you insist on holding.
2. The Deaf Parent…at the Library.
The Christian Bible tells us to, “Suffer the little children…” But, crying babies kill the vibe as much as the unattended car alarm. If your precious doesn’t come with a remote, and you refuse to take your bundle of joy outside, you’re well on the road to annoying even the best of us. *
3. The Parentless…at the Library.
Now, let me preface this with the fact that the majority of unaccompanied minors know how to act courteously. Now, let me follow that up with the fact that the preceding statement is a total and complete lie if kids are in groups of 2 or more. (Hey, I understand the intoxicating power of peers, even as an adult!) One of the absolute best ways to annoy us Library Dwellers is to leave your litter of tweens/teens and their friends behind, while you peel off, leaving only the screech of tires and your maniacal laughter trailing behind you. Most adults are scared of today’s kids (much less “funny” than “true”.) Because of that, this technique is not only annoying, but also frustrating and a little humiliating. Kudos.
…see Quo Elbert’s full article here.
*This scripture is shortened and taken out of context. Please refer to Matt. 19:14 of the Bible for full text.
Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: Christ, Christian, Christianity, forgiveness, gift, God, grace, Heaven, helium, Jesus, mercy, Sin
Non Christians’ chance in Heaven; a snowball’s chance in hell.
If I knew, for certain, that following doctor’s orders would avert the negative outcome of my life-threatening disease, how would I respond?
“Well, doc, that prescription doesn’t sync with my current lifestyle. What are my other options?”
Hmm…probably not. Instead, I’m gonna take that horse-sized pill three times a day ‘til I die rosy cheeked at the unnatural age of 156.
Well, the bad news is that not one of us is capable of slaying every underlying fear, unacknowledged addiction and accepted/harmful family legacy that keeps us from being the absolute best person we can be. All that “weakness” is called sin and it’s a crippling disease that holds us back. And, you have the right to be mad at it! Yeah! Cause it’s the worst kind of fatal. The for-sure-you-ain’t-getting-no-second-chance-so-you-best-address-it-now kind of fatal. We all share it; whether believer, non-believer or I-don’t-know-what-I-am-so-I-call-myself-a-Christian believer.
So, it’s a good thing we’ve been given exclusive access to the top Physician! His credentials? Oh, He raises people from the dead…sans stethoscope and “STATs!” And, if you believe in a heaven where He reigns, why wouldn’t you believe His direction in getting there? Or—to get back on metaphorical track—why would you try to guess your way to a happy ending by concocting your own remedy?
And, if you don’t have an inkling of hope in the Christian idea of God’s grace and a rich heavenly home, then why are you reading this article?
Jesus Christ wasn’t shy about the truth, because He knew that, “The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” John 14:10. Nor was He hesitant to reveal the diagnoses of death for Lazarus, the sin of adultery to the woman at the well (John 11:11-15; John 4:17-18 ) or the sin of pride of the Pharisees.
Now, was Jesus rubbing their faces in the dirt? Was He giving them spiritual wedgies? He tells us in John 12:47 that that job has not been placed on His shoulders. Judgment is Someone Else’s department (down the hall and to the right).
He’s just here to give us the helping hand that we desperately need, if we only admit it.
Why didn’t Christ shy away from these truths? Because He also held the cure. “I came that you might have life, and might have it abundantly. (John 10:10)” “I Am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6).
Whether you adhere to the label of “Christian,” or not, unless you’ve given your life to Christ and relying on the gift of His death and the justification of His resurrection…well, you’re not following the doctor’s prescription. Simply stated, if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. See Romans 10:9 for the dosage and directions (and it’s not even in fine print).
The right answers are not always going to conform to our schedules, our priorities, to our likes and our dislikes. But, since when has the truth been convenient for everyone? The good news is that we don’t have to grope around for our own path to fulfillment; or be our own gods, bearing every consequence and outcome on these two puny shoulders.
Nor do we have to live condemned lives as a sign of our piety as is practiced even in non-Christian belief systems. Upon accepting Christ’s gift, we rely on the fact that our struggles lead to affective and personally fulfilling lives, that through genuine repentance our sins are forgiven and our approach to the world around us forever changed for our and others’ good. And when this vibrant life ends, we get the ultimate high…a place prepared in heaven by a friend who we’ve known, and who knows us individually, personally and completely. (John 15:11, John 14:2-3,20)
- Quo Elbert
for more commentary on this subject find this and other articles on Helium.com.
