Funny Voice Mail Greeting #1:
“Be advised, the person whose voice you hear is not actually speaking to you as you listen on the other end of the line. I captured the sound of my voice by using digital recording technology, and you can use that same method to say something to me, which I will hear later when I check this message. This is a proactive step I've taken in anticipation of the possibility that people may call me at times when I am not near the phone.”
Biblical Inerrancy
I think people who believe in biblical inerrancy are not being honest with themselves. Are all translations inerrant? More importantly, is my own interpretation of what I read inerrant? Is my minister's interpretation inerrant? Words are symbols arranged into meaningful patterns, and the transmission of ideas via language is an abstract process. Inerrancy is impossible when words are being used.
Why do we act so polite in public?
Why do we act so polite in public and so impolite at home with out loved ones? I think it's easy to understand.
We all feel good or bad about ourselves depending on the way we see ourselves reflected in other people's responses to us. The people you live with already know you are an asshole, but the new people you meet in public may come to think of you as an excellent person.
When you meet new people, you can make an impression as that person you envision yourself to be, and you can actually experience yourself as that excellent person.
At home, though, the best you can hope for is to impress people enough for them to say, "Hey, I wonder what's gotten into him... he has not been acting like an asshole so much lately."
At home, though, the best you can hope for is to impress people enough for them to say, "Hey, I wonder what's gotten into him... he has not been acting like an asshole so much lately."
Times when lying seems okay:
When the truth sounds like a ridiculous excuse.
When someone is trying to kill you.
When you get caught in a previous lie and need to weave a sticky web.
When the person you are talking to is being unreasonable (i.e. see #2).
When people are pressuring you to do something
With regard to this last item on the list, an example would be a situation in which your family wants you to practice a particular religion -- the Hatian religion "VouDou," for example. Or if that is a bad example, consider a situation in which your elders believe that the computer is the devil and that if you use it you are the devil. In both examples, people are pressuring you about something. In a perfect world, you would be able to tell them to knock it off, snap out of it. However, in the real world it may cause you a lot of difficulty if you insist on telling unreasonable people the truth. Maybe you are willing to work with them and help them to be reasonable, but you should not be obligated to do so in every damn situation that turns unreasonable.
Publish a blog about my parents?
-
When fading into obscurity just won't do....
Consider biography therapy!
It can be therapeutic to see acknowledgment of one's good deeds:
When fading into obscurity just won't do....
Consider biography therapy!
It can be therapeutic to see acknowledgment of one's good deeds:
- Why not publish a few pages about dad's gifts to the family, his sacrifices and efforts?
- Or you can publish a few pages about mom's success in her professional field -- the lessons she teaches with her way of living.
How to win an argument with a loved one
-
There is a trick to winning an argument against a loved one: Realize that the person with whom you seem to be arguing is not your real opponent. Your real opponent is a Relationship Demon, an invisible entity that tricks you and your loved ones into destroying one another.
How can you dispel the illusion? Look deeply into the argument that is taking place and see whether you are actually in disagreement about a particular issue. If two intelligent people have different opinions about a particular issue, they should be able to use good communication to weigh the advantages of each option and decide on a course of action. Just be logical, and if you really can't decide then just give in, because you love this person so what the hell. And if it is so important that you cannot give in, then you will have to make a subtle manipulation. But there is never any reason to keep hurting each other with argument.
Usually, what happens is not even that complicated. Most arguments involve two people who think they are disagreeing when they actually are not. Two people comment on a particular topic, and then the Relationship Demon tricks them into thinking the two things they said are mutually exclusive when they actually are not. It's like this:
We go to the park, and I say, "The birds are singing."
You say, "Um, actually, the grass is green."
And neither of us got any validation for what we have said, so we just devolve into total idiots as the demon's spell takes effect:
I say, "What do you mean the birds are not singing?"
And you say, "I don't know where you are getting your information, but what I said is definitely true."
And I say, "Oh my god I can't believe you are so stupid," because I can actually still hear the birds singing, so it is ridiculous for us to even be arguing about this.
-
Relationship demons are very tricky. When they are in the room with you and your significant other, you might agree 80% about something and disagree 20%, but the demon makes it so that you can only be aware of the part that is disagreement.
Here is a trick for winning an argument with a loved one. First, explain to her or him about the relationship demon and how it is playing a trick on you both. Then, use the following three steps:
There is a trick to winning an argument against a loved one: Realize that the person with whom you seem to be arguing is not your real opponent. Your real opponent is a Relationship Demon, an invisible entity that tricks you and your loved ones into destroying one another.
How can you dispel the illusion? Look deeply into the argument that is taking place and see whether you are actually in disagreement about a particular issue. If two intelligent people have different opinions about a particular issue, they should be able to use good communication to weigh the advantages of each option and decide on a course of action. Just be logical, and if you really can't decide then just give in, because you love this person so what the hell. And if it is so important that you cannot give in, then you will have to make a subtle manipulation. But there is never any reason to keep hurting each other with argument.
Usually, what happens is not even that complicated. Most arguments involve two people who think they are disagreeing when they actually are not. Two people comment on a particular topic, and then the Relationship Demon tricks them into thinking the two things they said are mutually exclusive when they actually are not. It's like this:
We go to the park, and I say, "The birds are singing."
You say, "Um, actually, the grass is green."
And neither of us got any validation for what we have said, so we just devolve into total idiots as the demon's spell takes effect:
I say, "What do you mean the birds are not singing?"
And you say, "I don't know where you are getting your information, but what I said is definitely true."
And I say, "Oh my god I can't believe you are so stupid," because I can actually still hear the birds singing, so it is ridiculous for us to even be arguing about this.
-
Relationship demons are very tricky. When they are in the room with you and your significant other, you might agree 80% about something and disagree 20%, but the demon makes it so that you can only be aware of the part that is disagreement.
Here is a trick for winning an argument with a loved one. First, explain to her or him about the relationship demon and how it is playing a trick on you both. Then, use the following three steps:
- Try to identify, as many times as possible, the parts of her argument that you can accept and validate.
- If you get the opportunity, the greatest thing you can do is admit you were wrong about some aspect of the argument. Do that, and you gain a kind of invincibility against the demon.
- Try to express in a sentence what you seem to be disagreeing about, and invite your loved one to correct the sentence if it seems wrong.
Writer's Block
-
People use the term "writer's block" when they want to complain about not being able to get inspired for a writing project. Actually, it is not specific to writing; a musician, painter, or any other kind of artist can feel blocked.
The energy of inspiration can be felt by the reader if it is present in the paragraph. I don't know how it happens, but it does. I had it when I wrote the first sentence of this paragraph, and if you reread the sentence you can feel it a little. When you have the energy of inspiration, rhythmic sentences spill out of the mind naturally.
"For score and seven years ago..."
"What a marvelous night for a moondance..."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder..."
Some sentences have that energy. You know when you have them. Write them down. And do not pretend you can force them to come if you feel blocked. Work with your words even though you are blocked, but do not let any uninspired words appear in your final draft.
And never revise inspired words out of your writing project to accommodate a change you are making. The inspired words are the most important.
Another way to infuse a project with inspiration is to make it a collaborative project. Like music played by a band instead of a soloist, collaborative writing compounds the energy it creates. You can send your project to my inspired colleagues at DoctorMyDocument and let us add our own touch of inspiration with the $40 trial.
People use the term "writer's block" when they want to complain about not being able to get inspired for a writing project. Actually, it is not specific to writing; a musician, painter, or any other kind of artist can feel blocked.
The energy of inspiration can be felt by the reader if it is present in the paragraph. I don't know how it happens, but it does. I had it when I wrote the first sentence of this paragraph, and if you reread the sentence you can feel it a little. When you have the energy of inspiration, rhythmic sentences spill out of the mind naturally.
"For score and seven years ago..."
"What a marvelous night for a moondance..."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder..."
Some sentences have that energy. You know when you have them. Write them down. And do not pretend you can force them to come if you feel blocked. Work with your words even though you are blocked, but do not let any uninspired words appear in your final draft.
And never revise inspired words out of your writing project to accommodate a change you are making. The inspired words are the most important.
Another way to infuse a project with inspiration is to make it a collaborative project. Like music played by a band instead of a soloist, collaborative writing compounds the energy it creates. You can send your project to my inspired colleagues at DoctorMyDocument and let us add our own touch of inspiration with the $40 trial.
Advertising Your Business
Expensive advertising firms do not have more inspiration than we have. We know how to doctor your advertisement.
**A quick, easy way to find out about our service is to purchase the $40 trial.
More Examples:
Advertisement we created for a small painting business.
Advertisement we created for RCLmoving (A delivery service and moving company).
***Below is an example of a Craigslist advertisement we created for All-Size Roofing.
TITLE:
ALL-SIZE ROOFING, Inc. – Your friendly, local contractors for 23 YEARS
CRAIGSLIST ADVERTISEMENT:
FOR 23 YEARS, we have contributed to success in Central Massachusetts, for HOMEOWNERS and BUSINESS OWNERS. Our experience enables us to enjoy our work, providing top quality in fewer work hours and making your roofing project simple, easy, and affordable.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS about Firestone Rubber Roofing, Gutter Installation, Architectural Shingles, Fascia/Soffits, or Chimney Releading/Repointing?
NO HASSLE FOR YOU, we can get most roof repair jobs done quickly and easily.
Please take a minute to call Mike at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email ALLSIZEROOFING@gmail.com so that we can provide either advice or an estimate, depending on your interests. We enjoy making life easier for people with roofing projects and look forward to hearing from you, anytime.
All Size Roofing
30 Abbey Rd. Leominster, MA 01453 AllSizeRoofing@gmail.com (XXX) XXX-XXXX ------------------------------THANK YOU-----------------------------------------
[END OF EXAMPLE]
***Below is an example of a Craigslist advertisement we created for our tutoring service:
TITLE: --- ONLINE TUTOR -- WRITING HELP: We help parents empower students ---
CRAIGSLIST ADVERTISEMENT:
"We impart the knowledge that leads to real mastery of language."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
Thanks for looking at our post. Students often struggle with academic writing in high school and college, and it can cause them to form negative perceptions about their intelligence and ability.
--
Our goal is to empower students by using writing assignments as OPPORTUNITIES to teach important principles and build intellectual enthusiasm.
--
Increased Confidence
Powerful Writing
Critical Thinking
Grammar and Composition
Web-Research
Poetry, Prose, Persuasion, Narration, Speeches and Rhetoric
---
Perhaps you are concerned about a struggling student, or perhaps your student is thriving in school and you want to enhance his/her ability by taking a proactive step.
---
We provide "scaffolding" (based on Vygotski's "Zone of Proximal Development") to support students while they gain new writing skills. By directing them to apply principles of grammar and style along with great study/research strategies, we make their work easier and more educational.
---
The student likes getting the help, and the parent likes knowing that an additional teacher is working to empower their child.
---
This is the kind of service you need to try in order to assess. You can use our $40 TRIAL for your student's first correspondence with us.
--
Each session involves email correspondence over the course of several days and consists of consultation, guidance, editing & proofreading, and review.
---
A 10% DISCOUNT is available for those who pay for five sessions in advance.
---
TYPICAL SESSION
Step 1: The student sends us a writing project and asks one or more questions.
Step 2: We provide answers, guidance, and direction for "taking the first step."
Step 3: The student completes all or part of the assignment and sends it to us for corrections and feedback.
Step 4: We answer any questions and reflect with the student on the important principles that have been learned.
Most importantly, the student is empowered psychologically.
--
During a typical session, we might correspond with the student via email THREE TO FIVE times, spending a total of about 2.5 hours:
1.) Helping the student to correctly interpret the requirements,
2.) Providing advice that makes academic writing easy and fun,
3.) Making corrections and giving feedback,
4.) Reviewing and reflecting on the principles that have been learned.
In college, the student will always know that his or her education was "elite" in the sense that professional writer/editors were used to supplement their formal education.
As an adult, the student will realize and fully appreciate the proactive steps you took to ensure his or her success.
***Discounts are available for those who pay for several sessions in advance.
***English Language Learners Welcome!!
---We look forward to hearing from you, taking note of your interests and concerns, and following your special instructions. You can respond to this ad or contact kevin.matteson@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Matteson, Sue O'Neill, Sarah Yazdi, and John Griffin are the writing and editing professionals that launched www.GiftBiography.com, but we also help students of all ages learn to write and communicate powerfully by applying the principles of grammar & composition, classical rhetoric, and literary style.
[END OF EXAMPLE]
More Examples:
Advertisement we created for a small painting business.
Advertisement we created for RCLmoving (A delivery service and moving company).
**A quick, easy way to find out about our service is to purchase the $40 trial.
More Examples:
Advertisement we created for a small painting business.
Advertisement we created for RCLmoving (A delivery service and moving company).
***Below is an example of a Craigslist advertisement we created for All-Size Roofing.
TITLE:
ALL-SIZE ROOFING, Inc. – Your friendly, local contractors for 23 YEARS
CRAIGSLIST ADVERTISEMENT:
FOR 23 YEARS, we have contributed to success in Central Massachusetts, for HOMEOWNERS and BUSINESS OWNERS. Our experience enables us to enjoy our work, providing top quality in fewer work hours and making your roofing project simple, easy, and affordable.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS about Firestone Rubber Roofing, Gutter Installation, Architectural Shingles, Fascia/Soffits, or Chimney Releading/Repointing?
NO HASSLE FOR YOU, we can get most roof repair jobs done quickly and easily.
Please take a minute to call Mike at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email ALLSIZEROOFING@gmail.com so that we can provide either advice or an estimate, depending on your interests. We enjoy making life easier for people with roofing projects and look forward to hearing from you, anytime.
All Size Roofing
30 Abbey Rd. Leominster, MA 01453 AllSizeRoofing@gmail.com (XXX) XXX-XXXX ------------------------------THANK YOU-----------------------------------------
[END OF EXAMPLE]
If you are ready to let us help with advertising, purchase the $40 trial.
***Below is an example of a Craigslist advertisement we created for our tutoring service:
TITLE: --- ONLINE TUTOR -- WRITING HELP: We help parents empower students ---
CRAIGSLIST ADVERTISEMENT:
"We impart the knowledge that leads to real mastery of language."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
Thanks for looking at our post. Students often struggle with academic writing in high school and college, and it can cause them to form negative perceptions about their intelligence and ability.
--
Our goal is to empower students by using writing assignments as OPPORTUNITIES to teach important principles and build intellectual enthusiasm.
--
Increased Confidence
Powerful Writing
Critical Thinking
Grammar and Composition
Web-Research
Poetry, Prose, Persuasion, Narration, Speeches and Rhetoric
---
Perhaps you are concerned about a struggling student, or perhaps your student is thriving in school and you want to enhance his/her ability by taking a proactive step.
---
We provide "scaffolding" (based on Vygotski's "Zone of Proximal Development") to support students while they gain new writing skills. By directing them to apply principles of grammar and style along with great study/research strategies, we make their work easier and more educational.
---
The student likes getting the help, and the parent likes knowing that an additional teacher is working to empower their child.
---
This is the kind of service you need to try in order to assess. You can use our $40 TRIAL for your student's first correspondence with us.
--
Each session involves email correspondence over the course of several days and consists of consultation, guidance, editing & proofreading, and review.
---
A 10% DISCOUNT is available for those who pay for five sessions in advance.
---
TYPICAL SESSION
Step 1: The student sends us a writing project and asks one or more questions.
Step 2: We provide answers, guidance, and direction for "taking the first step."
Step 3: The student completes all or part of the assignment and sends it to us for corrections and feedback.
Step 4: We answer any questions and reflect with the student on the important principles that have been learned.
Most importantly, the student is empowered psychologically.
--
During a typical session, we might correspond with the student via email THREE TO FIVE times, spending a total of about 2.5 hours:
1.) Helping the student to correctly interpret the requirements,
2.) Providing advice that makes academic writing easy and fun,
3.) Making corrections and giving feedback,
4.) Reviewing and reflecting on the principles that have been learned.
In college, the student will always know that his or her education was "elite" in the sense that professional writer/editors were used to supplement their formal education.
As an adult, the student will realize and fully appreciate the proactive steps you took to ensure his or her success.
***Discounts are available for those who pay for several sessions in advance.
***English Language Learners Welcome!!
---We look forward to hearing from you, taking note of your interests and concerns, and following your special instructions. You can respond to this ad or contact kevin.matteson@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Matteson, Sue O'Neill, Sarah Yazdi, and John Griffin are the writing and editing professionals that launched www.GiftBiography.com, but we also help students of all ages learn to write and communicate powerfully by applying the principles of grammar & composition, classical rhetoric, and literary style.
[END OF EXAMPLE]
More Examples:
Advertisement we created for a small painting business.
Advertisement we created for RCLmoving (A delivery service and moving company).
If you are ready to let us help with advertising, purchase the $40 trial.
Let the Reader Wonder
Make your message resound in the mind of the reader. How can you get good acoustics in there? It's the same as trying to get a nice sound in any other room: you can improve acoustic conditions by emptying out the room. When 100% of the reader's attention is on one thing, it makes a powerful impression.
Consider this sentence:
The children were hurting my head.
Add another item for the reader to consider or remember, and the attention is divided. It may be necessary to add more words when trying to be informative, but be careful when being informative, because information encumbers the reader:
The children were playing an awkward tune on some flutes they had been given for Christmas, and the shrill noise was hurting my head.
This sentence is more informative, but it is not as fun to read -- not as intriguing. Also, I hope it gets good gas mileage, because it takes a long time to go from point A to point B. This has more power: The children were hurting my head.
So, informative details are not always helpful. Sometimes, it is best to let the reader wonder.
***If you want to learn about strategic writing or get help with a document, you can hire us for a "Doctor My Document" $40 trial.
Consider this sentence:
The children were hurting my head.
Add another item for the reader to consider or remember, and the attention is divided. It may be necessary to add more words when trying to be informative, but be careful when being informative, because information encumbers the reader:
The children were playing an awkward tune on some flutes they had been given for Christmas, and the shrill noise was hurting my head.
This sentence is more informative, but it is not as fun to read -- not as intriguing. Also, I hope it gets good gas mileage, because it takes a long time to go from point A to point B. This has more power: The children were hurting my head.
So, informative details are not always helpful. Sometimes, it is best to let the reader wonder.
***If you want to learn about strategic writing or get help with a document, you can hire us for a "Doctor My Document" $40 trial.
Strategic Writing: Trim away unnecessary words.
Let's give this sentence a complete makeover:
#1.) Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, was shot by a killer named Boothe.
#2.) Abraham Lincoln was shot by a killer named Boothe.
Sentence #2 is more powerful, because it is not weighed down by unnecessary words. Big, fat, heavy sentences that cannot hold their own weight are very cumbersome to the reader. They are tedious to read and interpret.
Taking this idea a step further, let the reader sometimes do the work of interpreting what you write. Don't spoon feed them and rob them of the opportunity to experience their own insight. For example:
#1.) The sound of the piano will always remind me of my dead little brother, who enjoyed playing piano very much. I like to visit his grave and play a little tune on an electric keyboard.
#2.) The sound of the piano will always remind me of my dead little brother. I like to visit his grave and play a little tune.
Example #2 is not as informative, but it let's the reader achieve a profound state of mind. You want the reader to have a profound state of mind when reading. Let the reader do some of the work. Let her wonder.
Make it your priority that you give the reader images and concepts without a lot of unnecessary detail. Do not waste a single word.
If you want to get involved with strategic writing lessons, you can visit us! (DoctorMyDocument.com).
#1.) Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, was shot by a killer named Boothe.
#2.) Abraham Lincoln was shot by a killer named Boothe.
Sentence #2 is more powerful, because it is not weighed down by unnecessary words. Big, fat, heavy sentences that cannot hold their own weight are very cumbersome to the reader. They are tedious to read and interpret.
Taking this idea a step further, let the reader sometimes do the work of interpreting what you write. Don't spoon feed them and rob them of the opportunity to experience their own insight. For example:
#1.) The sound of the piano will always remind me of my dead little brother, who enjoyed playing piano very much. I like to visit his grave and play a little tune on an electric keyboard.
#2.) The sound of the piano will always remind me of my dead little brother. I like to visit his grave and play a little tune.
Example #2 is not as informative, but it let's the reader achieve a profound state of mind. You want the reader to have a profound state of mind when reading. Let the reader do some of the work. Let her wonder.
Make it your priority that you give the reader images and concepts without a lot of unnecessary detail. Do not waste a single word.
If you want to get involved with strategic writing lessons, you can visit us! (DoctorMyDocument.com).
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