A King Shepherd Dog with eyes of love towards its family. Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella.
When Their Eyes Look At Your Soul
Legacy. How do you want to be remembered?
These are the words that came across my computer this week, and what I’ve been pondering since.
Many of us go through life taking for granted the short time we have on earth to make our mark, I suspect. Others of us make profound statements with our life. Most of us, I believe, carry on family for another generation.
My life mission is to share hope and God’s love in the world. That doesn’t seem to be profound on the surface of things but, if you think about it, many people today live without hope and don’t know or see how God works in our lives. People need examples of goodness and hope.
It would be great for many of us if our legacy where to build a skyscraper, or a great work of art, or invent a disease curing drug, or like Thomas Edison with the light bulb. But the more noble legacy is to get others, especially our family, to Heaven. That can have an impact three generations deep!
So, after we die there may be things we did in this world that may be remembered, but what is more important I think is the people who help others because of how we have helped them. Our name may not be on it, but it will be in God’s book of Christian service.
Enjoy your day, you won’t get it back.
Winter Red
Why I Always Use a Pinch Dog Collar
There are different sizes of pinch collars; for large dogs, for small dogs, miniature pinch for toy sized dogs. The reason it is called a pinch collar is because you have to pinch on the links to put the collar on and remove it from the dog.
Sometimes these are called prong collars, but that I think is the wrong word. Because the prongs on the collar, when used correctly, mimic the teeth of a mother dog in correcting her litter. Watch the mom and you know how to use the collar.
The dog harness, instead of a collar, has become popular because advocates say it works the same as a horse harness, but I say this is flawed thinking. Because with a horse you need a harness because you ride it. You don’t ride on a dog. When on a horse you are close to it’s head when you pull on the reins, no so much with a dog.
A dog collar is used for identification of a dog, not for walking or training. You can also attach a pinch collar to the dog collar as a back up in case the pinch comes loose (which only happened once to me, and it was my fault). A dog collar has some give to it, which makes it hard to lead or control the dog.
With a pinch collar, you don’t need to pull on it to use it correctly. Let the dog pull on it and make the corrections. You use hand and voice commands to lead the dog to listen and have eye contact with you. The pinch collar provides a night and day difference in the response from the dog.
This and more reasons is why I always use a pinch collar. Do an internet search on how to properly use it, and don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t use it.
Let Dogs Be Dogs
While on a recent dog walk I noticed down the sidewalk two people approaching me with their dogs. Once they spotted me they seemed to have stopped and where standing there talking with each other .. waiting.
I said to myself, “I wonder if they are waiting to see if I will be crossing the street” … “well, my dog is trained so I’m not gong anywhere”. And sure enough, as soon as I got ‘two driveways’ away from them they went and crossed the street.
Once they got across the street, they waved at me in a friendly like manner. I wanted to say to them, ‘nice way to socialize your dogs’.
This is a common thing today, and I don’t know why or what is causing it. It seems instead of dog owners making the time to lead their dogs and train them to be social with other dogs, they just simply cross the street. This is not very good for the dog. But us humans take the path of least resistance when we can.
For example when dogs sniff trees, and pee on them, it not only helps to relieve themselves, but they also communicate with, and learn about, each other by the odors in their pee .. yes, you can call it p-mail.
All of my dogs have been rescue dogs, and one even came with a form of aggression. The dog behaviorist who worked with us showed us how taking the lead with your dog on walks helps him with how well he behaves at home. It took about nine months, but we helped that dog to become a dog again.
Fall Bloom at the Prairie Water – Lomography
Networking
Networking plays a crucial role in life as it generates a significant and positive impact. I utilize Fine Art America as my primary platform for networking, where engaging with a modest yet viable audience allows me to establish trust and a reputable presence. Unlike many artists who directly post pictures accompanied by sales pitches or calls to action on social media, I prefer to share blog posts or provide detailed descriptions of the subjects I photograph. Essentially, I harness the power of social media when I witness tangible results, rather than relying on it as a mere tactic to yield success.
During my tenure as the executive director of a local Chamber of Commerce, I encouraged that members who actively contributed to the organization’s mission and volunteered for committees were the ones who reaped the greatest business benefits. Instead of solely promoting their own interests, these individuals invested in building relationships and wholeheartedly engaged with their fellow community members. However, after my departure, many members ceased their participation or chose not to renew their membership. While my influence was not the sole factor, a significant portion of this decline could be attributed to a change in the Chamber Board’s approach, resulting in a diminished perception of the previously emphasized benefits.
When it comes to networking, whether in the virtual realm or offline, the most effective strategy is to selflessly give and invest in the interests of others, rather than fixating on personal gains. By nurturing genuine connections, people will truly get to know you and your talents, leading them to speak highly of you and the value you offer. Although this process may require a considerable amount of time, it surpasses the futile efforts of individuals who spend years navigating social media or attending various social functions without making any meaningful impact on their relationships or sales.
Contrasting this approach, the “big fish” dedicate their time and effort to each individual they encounter, making a positive difference in their lives and actively contributing to problem-solving.
Struggle
Struggling in life can help us find answers and make it all worthwhile. What difficulties are you facing? We all go through struggles, and how we respond to them makes a difference. Sometimes we experience pain in relationships, work, or friendships. But remember, even in the toughest situations, God can work things for the better. It’s important to ask ourselves if it’s worth it and how God can use these circumstances to help others. Often, our greatest struggles end up being turning points in our lives or relationships. So keep going, because God can make it all worth it.
It’s The Sauce – Wetlands Trail
You Digital Identity Is Worth Protecting
In today’s digital landscape, the concept of identity has taken on a whole new dimension. With the prevalence of online services and the constant stream of personal data being generated, it has become increasingly important to safeguard our identities. And one of the key components of our digital identity is our email address.
When it comes to email, many people rely on Gmail as their go-to provider. It offers a user-friendly interface, robust features, and seamless integration with other Google services. However, what often goes unnoticed is how Gmail plays a significant role in shaping our online identity.
You see, when you use Gmail, you are essentially always logged in to your Google account. This means that Google can connect various pieces of information about you, such as your search terms, GPS location, photos, YouTube views, and more, all tied back to your real-life identity. It’s a comprehensive picture that Google can paint about who you are and what you do.
Furthermore, every time you sign up for a new service and provide your email address to create an account, Gmail is the one that knows about it first. It acts as a central hub, recording your digital footprints across different platforms and services. While this convenience may seem appealing on the surface, it also raises some privacy concerns.
However, it’s worth noting that securing your communications is just the first step towards reclaiming your online identity. It goes beyond simply protecting the content of your emails. It’s about understanding the intricate web of data collection and taking back control over how your personal information is used and shared.
Taking proactive measures to protect your online identity involves being mindful of the data you willingly disclose, being vigilant against phishing attempts, and regularly reviewing your privacy settings across various platforms. It also means diversifying your online presence, utilizing encrypted communication channels when necessary, and being selective about the services you choose to engage with.
Email is no longer just a means of communication; it’s an integral part of our digital existence. As such, safeguarding our email accounts and the associated data is essential in preserving our privacy and maintaining control over our identity. By taking steps to protect our identities online, we can navigate the digital world with confidence and enjoy the benefits it has to offer.
The Thoughts Behind My Thinking 