I Cannot Believe the Utica Comets Community Spirit

UTICA, N.Y. — Artists and their helpers hit the streets of Utica as part of “Graffiti Busters,” an initiative to cover graffiti throughout the city.

Dozens spent Saturday painting the Burrstone Road underpass.

When completed the mural will say, “Welcome to Utica, Home of the Comets.”

The Graffiti Busters hope to tackle up to 75 sites this year, using a $25,000 grant from the city.

Organizers say getting the community involved in these types of projects is vital to their success.

“One of the things we found works is that when we get community volunteers together and paint a mural in an area like that, it helps to stop the recidivism of graffiti, so that’s kinda what we’re doing today, working on that,” said Gene Allen, City of Utica marketing director.

Gene, it is more than that too. Hope you realize you have a “tiger by the tail” with the Utica Comets. Never seen anything like it. All of us know Utica needs a boost and those Comets are bringing it!!!

  • Volunteers, Utica Comettes and Jr. Comet hockey players donated their time Saturday to help paint a mural along with the Utica Comets logo.

    Their day started at 9 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m.

    “I wanted to do my part and volunteer my skills,” said local artist Davide Elefante. He was in charge of painting the Comets’ logo section of the mural.

    The mural is the third and final installment that came from a $25,000 grant from the Cities of Service for Graffiti Busters. The aim of the grant is to cover or remove graffiti from 75 sites, and then to paint two murals in the city. The Comets’ mural was an extra one.

    Gene Allen, the community service officer for the Cities of Service, said the mural project “shows community pride; it brings notice to Utica and the Comets and hopefully reduces the amount of vandalism. The key word is ‘community’ on for this entire project.”

    Elefante said after helping out Saturday, he plans to the head to the Utica Auditorium at least a few times this hockey season.

    “I haven’t been to a Comets game,” he said.

Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140927/News/140929410#ixzz3EbUqmlZD

CometsMural

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Connecting The World

We know about visibility within the supply chain. The lack of visibility can lead to errors, missed deadlines, and other misshapes that lead to financial loss. But how far that visibility should go is still a topic for discussion. Should the supply chain be continuous from the worksheet that your buyers use to calculate quantities and discounts all the way through to your company’s Facebook page? And what information should be available at each point?

The question is a mixture of elements that include philosophical, security and privacy, competition, and practicality. But overriding all those issues is the issue of simply having the resources to get all the systems connected, and then keeping them functioning on an ongoing basis. This is likely to become even more of a challenge as you integrate more systems. In fact as complexity grows, supporting the demands put in place by exponentially more users can become a real burden. One that may not have been factored into your initial cost projections.

Integrations have become available for nearly every ERP system to connect with EDI/supply chain automation systems. In addition connections between Salesforce.com and even social media are cropping up. This hyper-connected environment can make a lot of sense in terms of being responsive to customers. But companies that are getting started on one of these projects should consider how they will determine an ROI for the effort.

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Comets Training Camp opens Monday. Lots of Cool Players From Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks have assigned a half-dozen players to the Utica Comets, including New Hartford native, RPI grad,   Mike Zalewski.

Mike Zalewski
Mike Zalewski

Zalewski, fellow forwards Alex Grenier

Alex Grenier
Alex Grenier

,   Kellen Lain,

Kellan Lain
Kellan Lain

Alex Mallet

Alex Mallet
Alex Mallet

and  Dane Fox

Dane Fox
Dane Fox

, and defenseman Jeremie Blain

Jeremie Blain
Jeremie Blain

will be with the American Hockey League team when their training camp opens Monday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Zalewski signed with the Canucks after his season at RPI last spring, and played two games for the National Hockey League team, picking up an assist.

Grenier (17 goals, 22 assists, 39 points), Lain (7-2 – 19), Mallet (1-4 – 5), and Blain (6 games, no points), were with the Comets last year, with Lain spending a total of nine games with the Canucks and scoring a goal. Fox had 64 goals and 43 assists for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League last season.

Two players the Canucks released also will be at the Comets’ camp. Defenseman Spencer Humphries played 17 games in the Kontinental Hockey League last season, and forward Curtis Valk, who scored 47 goals and had 45 assists for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League.

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New York MTA proposes $32 billion in capital investments for safety, reliability and expansion

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) just published a proposed $32 billion, four-year capital program designed to invest in safety and reliability measures for its subways, commuter railroads, buses, bridges and tunnels.

Proposed for 2015 through 2019, the program would “renew, enhance and expand” the MTA network, which moves 8.7 million riders each day, authority officials said in a press release.

The program’s largest element is $22 billion allocated for safety and reliability projects, including buying new subway cars, Staten Island Railway cars, commuter cars and buses; improving track, signals, power supplies, stations and support structures; renewing and enhancing seven bridges and two tunnels; and installing positive train control on commuter railroads and communications-based train control on subways.

In addition, the program proposes $4.3 billion for new technology, communications systems and railroad infrastructure. Moreover, it would help expand the network with investments such as $1.5 billion to begin the next phase of the Second Avenue Subway from 96th Street to 125th Street; $2.8 billion to complete funding for the East Side Access project that will bring the Long Island Rail Road into Grand Central Terminal; and $743 million to begin the Penn Access project to bring Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line service into Penn Station and build four new stations in the Bronx.

Since 1982, MTA has allocated more than $100 billion for its capital program to rebuild the network, which led to record ridership and spurred growth throughout the region, authority officials said.

“The MTA capital program is our single most important effort to ensure we can keep the New York metropolitan region moving, so people can get where they need to go, businesses can thrive and the quality of life here can continue to improve,” said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast.

MTA staff identified $16.9 billion in funding sources for the program, including more than $6 billion in federal funding, $6 billion in bonding and $3 billion in funding from MTA sources. The MTA plans to work with its funding partners and other stakeholders to develop proposals to bridge a $15.2 billion funding gap.

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Florida Rail Is, As Always, Exciting

Florida East Coast Railway boosts intermodal capacity

Florida East Coast Railway will boost its intermodal capacity with new equipment that will help further its strategy to convert existing trailers to containers to provide double-stack transportation service.

The Class II railroad has acquired 500 new 53-foot containers and 100 chassis, as well as 50 refrigerated trailers to cater to customers in the perishables market. All of the units will be in service by mid-October.

The containers and reefer trailers are equipped with GPS technology, providing real-time tracking capabilities, and the reefer units are also equipped with systems that provide information about operational performance, including temperature levels.

“We continue to see positive growth in our intermodal business as customers from a variety of industry segments recognize the value we provide,” said James R. Hertwig, president and CEO, in a statement. “With the addition of these new units, we are well-positioned to meet the needs of the marketplace during the upcoming peak shipping season and beyond.”

Earlier this month, Florida East Coast Railway launched a 53-foot container service, giving North Carolina shippers a new option to ship goods to South Florida for domestic consumption or transloading for export.

Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) is expanding its services to include intermodal transportation between Charlotte, N.C., and a number of South Florida locations.The railroad’s Piedmont Express service is available five days a week using FECR assets. The seamless two-day service offers various pickup and delivery options, including door-to-door, ramp-to-door and ramp-to-ramp service.

Now, customers have another option to move their freight to the growing South Florida market more efficiently and effectively, FECR officials said in a press release.

“On average, for every four southbound shipments arriving in South Florida, there is only one northbound shipment. This imbalance can be challenging,” said FECR President and Chief Executive Officer James Hertwig. “However, Piedmont Express [service] in FECR’s containers provides a cost-effective option for customers in the Carolinas.”

Florida East Coast rail bridge in downtown Jacksonville now has limited open and close schedule following repairs

FloridaJacksonvilleBridge

The span adjacent to the Acosta Bridge in downtown had been closed to a significant amount of boat traffic since Sept. 8 after a pinion gear broke. It was operational again at 3:45 p.m., said Debra Phillips.

“There will be a limited opening schedule to be sure the repairs continue to function properly,” she said.

She said the schedule is being coordinated with the Coast Guard and it will remain in the upright position for Sunday’s Jaguars game, as has been done in the past.

The closing affected both commercial fishermen and recreational boaters who could not pass beneath the rail crossing when it was in the down position.

The railroad bridge was built in 1926 and has had a history of breakdowns.

All Aboard Florida’s northern route will have minimal impacts, federal study finds

FloridaEastCoastRouteMap

The Federal Railroad Administration has found the overall environmental impacts of the northern leg of All Aboard Florida’s passenger rail service will be minimal, according to a draft study released this afternoon

The 500-page study, known as an environmental impact statement, evaluates the impacts of the rail project between northern Palm Beach County and Orlando.

The much-anticipated study was originally expected to be released in April.

The Palm Beach Post is in the process of reading through the document, which was released at 2:20 p.m. Check back for updates.

Read the All Aboard environmental impact study.

 All Aboard Florida could impact man’s pet business in Vero Beach

VERO BEACH, Fla. – A local business owner worries All Aboard Florida could force him to close.  He recently received a letter from the company behind the project telling him they have rights to part of his property.

Douglas Moore owns Cindi’s Pet & Aquarium Center here in Vero Beach. He sells reptiles, fish, birds and puppies plus food and treats.

“My future is very uncertain at this time,” says Moore.

That’s because of All Aboard Florida. The project will run from Orlando to Miami. It will add 16 round trip high speed trains in his backyard.

“According to my vet the vibration alone of that many more trains will probably put me out of the animal business,” says Moore.

He told us the vet says the vibration will frighten the animals. Moore is also concerned about a letter from the Florida East Coast Railway. The letter tells him the company has a right of way to the back of his business. That includes several parking spots and storage space.

“Losing 5, 6 parking spots is gonna mean I lose 5 or 6 customers,” says Moore.

He’s the not the only one concerned. Next door is Royal Ballroom Dance Studio. The owners started their dancing business almost four years ago.

“People like it you know we don’t want to move,” says owner Oleg Dimidrov.

He and his wife Asya worry about the noise and if the project will impact their property just like their neighbor.

Moore says he has written to lawmakers including the governor asking for help. He also has an attorney.

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Top 5 Disaster Risks To Your Business

Before going into the list of biggest risks, here is a “preamble to risks”. You need to be familiar with emergency procedures. This means the entire Chain (purchasing, etc.). The Control Tower idea, when done correctly and in conjunction with other fixes can be very successful. Visibility is a prerequisite to supply chain agility, responsiveness and almost everything in the supply chain. Companies need to find the right people, provide continuous training and allow them to learn and develop by rotating their roles in the supply chain.

It’s not the first time the Bay Area has been rocked by an earthquake, yet events like a recent magnitude-6.0 earthquake never fail to serve as a wake up call to small businesses in California and beyond. Guess what? Earthquakes–though, often severe–aren’t the biggest ecological events owners need to be concerned by.

Weather-related storms like hurricanes, tornadoes and Nor’easters can wreak far more havoc.

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Scotland Freedom Vote. What is Next? California, Texas?

Interesting to watch all the hoop-a-la about Scottish Freedom. Frankly, I would want to get rid of the Queen. But then, that is why in the U.S., I’m a Democrat, not a Republican.

Scottish independence would have been “cataclysmic” for Europe, spurring separatism elsewhere and creating an “ungovernable” continent of rival nationalisms, a senior European Union official said on Friday.

In one of the first comments from a European commissioner following a referendum on which the EU executive had observed a scrupulously neutral stance in public, trade chief Karel De Gucht told Belgium’s VRT radio he had feared a Yes vote.

“If it had happened in Scotland, I think it would have been a political landslide on the scale of the break-up of the Soviet Union,” said De Gucht, a Belgian liberal who does not support demands from some of his fellow Flemings for their own state.

“It would have been cataclysmic for Europe. That was what I feared,” he added.

“A Europe driven by self-determination of peoples … is ungovernable because you’d have dozens of entities but areas of policy for which you need unanimity or a very large majority.

Moving to the United States:

The failed Scottish vote to pull out from the United Kingdom stirred secessionist hopes for some in the United States, where almost a quarter of people are open to their states leaving the union, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Some 23.9 percent of Americans polled from Aug. 23 through Sept. 16 said they strongly supported or tended to support the idea of their state breaking away, while 53.3 percent of the 8,952 respondents strongly opposed or tended to oppose the notion.

The urge to sever ties with Washington cuts across party lines and regions, though Republicans and residents of rural Western states are generally warmer to the idea than Democrats and Northeasterners, according to the poll.

Anger with President Barack Obama’s handling of issues ranging from healthcare reform to the rise of Islamic State militants drives some of the feeling, with Republican respondents citing dissatisfaction with his administration as coloring their thinking.

But others said long-running Washington gridlock had prompted them to wonder if their states would be better off striking out on their own, a move no U.S. state has tried in the 150 years since the bloody Civil War that led to the end of slavery in the South.

“I don’t think it makes a whole lot of difference anymore which political party is running things. Nothing gets done,” said Roy Gustafson, 61, of Camden, South Carolina, who lives on disability payments. “The state would be better off handling things on its own.”

Scottish unionists won by a wider-than-expected 10-percentage-point margin.

Falling public approval of the Obama administration, attention to the Scottish vote and the success of activists who accuse the U.S. government of overstepping its authority – such as the self-proclaimed militia members who flocked to Nevada’s Bundy ranch earlier this year during a standoff over grazing rights – is driving up interest in secession, experts said.

“It seems to have heated up, especially since the election of President Obama,” said Mordecai Lee, a professor of governmental affairs at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, who has studied secessionist movements.

A lot of it is about STATES RIGHTS

The 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution was simple:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”

Everybody has their own “bug in the tail” about this one. Mine is education. The United States before Dwight Eisenhower did OK. The local communities took care of education: hired a teacher, built a school, etc. Some of the states got involved and built state-wide systems. New York built the best, Mississippi the worst. (No I won’t even argue, just substitute your own choices. I just picked two.) Some in-between did better than others. Even Connecticut (an affluent state, was teaching about the Soviet Union five years after it’s demise, because “we don’t have the money to update the textbooks”). First it was the Department of Health, Education & Welfare. Then it got elevated to the Department of Education. Now, New York and Mississippi are the same: BAD NEWS.

Of course, we have Texas who still wants to be independent.

But we have California who wants to split umteen ways

California-Five-States

CaliforniaSixCaliforniasmapsMultiState

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The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

www.singingwheels.com

For Immediate Release

To celebrate the centennial of August Fruehauf’s 1914 invention of the semi-trailer, The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

announces the release of

Singing Wheels, August Fruehauf & The History of the Fruehauf Trailer Company”

By Ruth Ann Fruehauf & Darlene Norman

129 pages, 90 pages of original photographs, 39 historical text

Fruehauf’s story is an integral part of the nation’s transportation history in the last century. The pioneering company facilitated the growth of continental transportation as a viable alternative to rail and brought efficient transportation from the farmer’s gate and the factory’s loading door. This expanded markets for all manner of enterprises across the country.

It all began in 1914 in Detroit, Michigan, where German immigrant August Fruehauf was a well-known and accomplished blacksmith and wagon maker. A local lumber tycoon needed to transport an 18-foot boat to a lake house and preferred to do so with his new Model-T roadster. He asked Fruehauf if he could convert a wagon to haul behind the Model-T.

It took August and his partner, Otto Neumann several days to create a solution that would accomplish their customer’s goal. They shaped and bolted a sturdy two-wheeler that hooked to the rear of Sibley’s Model-T frame with a pole that acted as tongue and brake. They removed the back seat of the Model-T roadster to support the front end of the wagon and devised a coupling to hitch the wagon to the car. August called it a semi-trailer. Henry Ford responded by cancelling the warranty on the Model-T.

Their customer, Frederick Sibley, was so pleased with the performance of the rig that he returned the following month and submitted an order for several more semi-trailers to use in his lumberyard. Other lumber merchants recognized Sibley’s advantage and were quick to follow suit.

Harry Fruehauf, August’s son, demonstrated their creation in the shop yard

By 1918 August Fruehauf needed to incorporate the growing business and the Fruehauf Trailer Company was founded. The new company’s inventory did not list a single horseshoe when they signed their incorporation papers.

As the practicality of the semi-trailer idea was demonstrated, larger trucks, replacing improvised passenger cars, were immediately purchased and placed in service by forward-looking businesses. Fruehauf trailers had now arrived on the American road. By 1919, with the nation whirling in a postwar business boom, Fruehauf sales zoomed to a whopping $302,000. August’s motto was, “A horse can pull more than it can carry; so can a truck!”

Page 42 of “Singing Wheels” depicting an early

advertisement and trailer

The Fruehauf Trailer Company created the first flatbed semi-trailer, van trailer, ground-hugging carryalls, refrigerated trailer, adjustable pole-trailers, tandem trailers and commodity tankers for bulk food stuffs, fuel oil or chemicals. They introduced hydraulic lift gates and in 1919 developed their own patented fifth-wheel coupling. In 1926 they automated this device allowing a trailer to be coupled and uncoupled mechanically by the power of the tractor’s engine. Innovations like piggybacking and fishybacking, which later became known as container shipping, were introduced after WWII.

August Fruehauf educated in the old fashioned ethics of his German forbears, believed that the customer was the boss. His company’s creed: “Do a good job, put everything into it of materials and workmanship, and take a pride in your work whether you get paid for it or not.” He demanded the same ethic from his employees and his sons who joined him in the company.

Despite the Great Depression, sales had reached $3,759,000 by 1929. And the following year August retired, leaving the company in the hands of his three sons. To say that the Fruehauf Trailer Company was the General Motors of its industry understates the case. Not only was Fruehauf the biggest firm in the field, it sold more trailers than all the others put together.

The Fruehauf Trailer Company became a global giant with over 90 branches throughout the United States and plants and subsidiaries worldwide. In 1997 Fruehauf was ranked 75th among the largest companies worldwide. But it couldn’t last. In subsequent bankruptcy proceedings, international subsidiaries became independent and the U.S. company was purchased by Wabash National. Fruehauf Trailers are still being produced around the world in countries like France, Germany and New Zealand. These companies still model the philosophies of August Fruehauf.

Singing Wheels, August Fruehauf & the History

of the Fruehauf Trailer Company”

By Ruth Ann Fruehauf and Darlene Norman

available for sale in softcover and hardcover on www.singingwheels.com or on www.amazon.com for

$29.95 and $39.95, respectively.

Publisher: The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

Authors: Ruth Ann Fruehauf & Darlene Norman

Bio’s available on singingwheels.com

ISBN: 978-0692025987

Size: 10” x 8”

Ruth Fruehauf is available for interviews and/or public appearances.  She is the daughter of Roy & Ruth Fruehauf and the granddaughter of August Fruehauf.

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GLENEAGLES, Scotland: Brain Dump on the Ryder Cup

Event: 40th Ryder Cup matches.

Date: Sept. 26-28.

The course: The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Resort was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1993 as The Monarch’s Course. It has been revamped and renamed ahead of the Ryder Cup. It has hosted a European Tour event since 1999. The course plays as a par 72 at 7,243 yards. The 16th and 18th holes are par 5s that are easily reachable in two shots.

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Points: Europe needs 14 points to retain the cup. The United States needs 14½ points to win the cup.

Captain Tom Watson
Captain Tom Watson

 

Series: United States leads 25-12-2.

Last time: In what has been called the “Miracle at Medinah,” Europe produced the greatest comeback for a visiting team when it rallied from a 10-6 deficit to win, 14½-13½. Ian Poulter began the rally Saturday night with birdies on his last five holes to win a fourballs match and cut the U.S. lead to four points. In Sunday singles, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Poulter each won the last two holes of their matches for 1-up victories to lead the rally. Poulter went 4-0 for the week.

Captains: Tom Watson (United States), Paul McGinley (Europe).

European roster: Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood.

U.S. roster: Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Bubba Watson.

Key statistic: The Americans have three Ryder Cup rookies, their fewest since 2002.

Noteworthy: The United States has not won the Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993, the last time Tom Watson was the captain. Watson (65) will be the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history.

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Steve Jobs: The Poet

I Love Poetry

I love to write poetry

I love to read poetry. My favorite poet is Ezra Pound. I won’t even give you a link to him. If you have not heard of him, then this post may not be for you.

I write “FREESTYLE” poetry. I have never sold any of my poetry. Agents just would laugh at me: “Die First”

We had a guy amongst us who I never liked: Steve Jobs.

Always regarded him as a “disruption”. Why should I not have a nice comfortable keyboard in front of me? Why do I need to deal with “icons” instead of words? (Thank God for Open Office).

Steve dies and a lot of his writings come out.

THIS GUY IS A FREESTYLE POET

1. Steve Jobs said: Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

Innovation has no limits. The only limit is your imagination. It’s time for you to begin thinking out of the box. If you are involved in a growing industry, think of ways to become more efficient; more customer friendly; and easier to do business with. If you are involved in a shrinking industry – get out of it quick and change before you become obsolete; out of work; or out of business. And remember that procrastination is not an option here. Start innovating now!

2. Steve Jobs said: Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

There is no shortcut to excellence. You will have to make the commitment to make excellence your priority. Use your talents, abilities, and skills in the best way possible and get ahead of others by giving that little extra. Live by a higher standard and pay attention to the details that really do make the difference. Excellence is not difficult – simply decide right now to give it your best shot – and you will be amazed with what life gives you back.

3. Steve Jobs said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

I’ve got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” Seek out an occupation that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life. Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times. Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? If the answer is ‘no’ keep looking, you’ll know when you find it.

4. Steve Jobs said: “You know, we don’t grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved… I mean, we’re constantly taking things. It’s a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.”

Live in a way that is ethically responsible. Try to make a difference in this world and contribute to the higher good. You’ll find it gives more meaning to your life and it’s a great antidote to boredom. There is always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing. Don’t preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts people off, but at the same time, don’t be shy about setting an example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you are doing.

5. Steve Jobs said: “There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.”

It is the kind of mind that can see things as they are, which step by step and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything. Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgments and prejudices. Think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement.

6. Steve Jobs said: “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.”

Reams of academic studies over the decades have amply confirmed television’s pernicious mental and moral influences. And most TV watchers know that their habit is mind-numbing and wasteful, but still spend most of their time in front of that box. So turn your TV off and save some brain cells. But be cautious, you can turn your brain off by using a computer also. Try and have an intelligent conversation with someone who plays first person shooters for 8 hours a day. Or auto race games, or role-playing games.

7. Steve Jobs said: “I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.”

Don’t equate making mistakes with being a mistake. There is no such thing as a successful person who has not failed or made mistakes, there are successful people who made mistakes and changed their lives or performance in response to them, and so got it right the next time. They viewed mistakes as warnings rather than signs of hopeless inadequacy. Never making a mistake means never living life to the full.

8. Steve Jobs said: “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.”

Over the last decade, numerous books featuring lessons from historical figures have appeared on the shelves of bookstores around the world. And Socrates stands with Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein as a beacon of inspiration for independent thinkers. But he came first. Cicero said of Socrates that, “He called philosophy down from the skies and into the lives of men.” So use Socrates’ principles in your life, your work, your learning, and your relationships. It’s not about Socrates, it’s really about you, and how you can bring more truth, beauty and goodness into your life everyday.

9. Steve Jobs said: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?”

Did you know that you have big things to accomplish in life? And did you know that those big things are getting rather dusty while you pour yourself another cup of coffee, and decide to mull things over rather than do them? We were all born with a gift to give in life, one which informs all of our desires, interests, passions and curiosities. This gift is, in fact, our purpose. And you don’t need permission to decide your own purpose. No boss, teacher, parent, priest or other authority can decide this for you. Just find that unique purpose.

10. Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Are you tired of living someone else’s dream? No doubt, its your life and you have every right to spend it in your own individual way without any hurdles or barriers from others. Give yourself a chance to nurture your creative qualities in a fear-free and pressure-free climate. Live a life that YOU choose and be your own boss.

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