And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the eleventh of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the eleventh essay reads as follows:  "You do not get a fair view of the main island of the Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa, with just a half-day stay and no excursion, but that is what we did.  Some could probably argue that you can’t even get a fair view of anywhere without an extended stay — and that is probably an accurate point of view.  We did not exchange enough money (we had just 2,000 Japanese yen — $22.6 U.S.) which was not enough for a taxi ride to and from Shuri Castle or the World War II Memorial.  They are both a fair distance from the downtown area of Naha, the capital, where our shuttle from the ship dropped us off (a mere 15-20-minute drive), and the time to get there (to the castle or the memorial) and back could have prevented a walk down the main shopping street.

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

For all of the immigration papers we had to fill out, the fingerprinting, pictures, and thermal scanning (all before going ashore), you would think we had planned to stay on the island for some time.  It is too bad that we did not have a chance to see their pottery, textiles, or glass making (products they are known for).
    
Even though we got but a meager glimpse of Okinawa, the lack of big high-rise buildings, the palms along the streets, the modern bridge connecting the port with the city, made this an interesting place to visit, but for us, it remains undiscovered, unexplored, and unexperienced.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the tenth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first two paragraphs of the tenth essay reads as follows:  "We’re in Taipei, Taiwan, the capital of the country.  TAIPEI is mnemonic for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment — something I only discovered after I Googled it when I was writing this essay back at home.

Tour with me for a moment.  Pretend you are standing in the middle of a large esplanade (courtyard) — open space.  At one end there are massive white gates, and if you’re looking at those, behind you there is the white and blue mausoleum containing a bronze statue of Chiang Kai Shek..  The mausoleum stands like a modern block-house on a huge raised pedestal.  The pictures at the Taiwan Taipei website , “Chiang Kai Shek Memorial,” are outstanding."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

There is no question that Taiwan is a jewel just waiting for greater discovery.  It’s especially nice, too, when you get a proud, knowledgeable, well-informed excursion guide who not only points out the sights along a walking tour of the city but, too, talks about all the other things that make Taiwan the jewel that it is.


And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the ninth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the ninth essay reads as follows:  "“Undiscovered jewel” is how our tour guide, Jan de Vries, described “his” island.  Married to an extroverted, lovely, Taiwanese woman, Jan, with his Dutch ancestry, is an assistant Professor and Lecturer in Aviation, Travel, and Tourism, and he loves his island.  Even with its earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, tsunamis, and storms (driven to the island from mainland China), and potential volcanic eruptions, it is truly “his” jewel.  Having been connected with the airline industry and traveling extensively (especially with the airline, KLM), he tried to promote “his” island wherever and whenever he could."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

The expansive esplanade separates the white gates at one end from the large memorial building — sitting like a modern block-house on a pedestal, topped by another royal-blue, tiled roof with a red doorknob-like structure on top.  See a picture of it at the Sinotour.com website, and read the essay there entitled, “Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.”
   
As I wrote this essay I was unaware of its length; thus, I continue it in my Taiwan Essay 2.  In the second part of the essay I discuss my seven reasons why Taiwan is a jewel — an undiscovered jewel.


And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the seventh of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the seventh essay reads as follows:  "When we saw very few motor cycles or scooters in Singapore or later in Hong Kong and we saw thousands in Saigon and Nha Trang, we realized it says something specific about Saigon and Nha Trang — motor cycles and scooters are the transportation choice for people with little money.  In Vietnam, they are ubiquitous [seeming to exist everywhere]."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

Nha Trang is a big city, a worthwhile tourist destination, and a valuable cruise stop.  It is much cleaner than Saigon, and had we been left with Saigon as our only Vietnam experience, our views of Vietnam might have been quite different.  The thousands of motorcycles present no problem when seen from the window of a “luxury” tour bus.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the sixth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the sixth essay reads as follows:  "I hesitated before using that title [Vietnam I: Saigon is a City of Filth and Poverty] for this essay, but, unfortunately, the negative value conveyed by the title is well-deserved and well-earned over and over.  I asked a couple seated next to us in the diningroom for their impressions of Saigon (Ho-Chi Minh City) and they said, “the tremendous poverty and filth.”  It is inescapable and omnipresent.  One problem for us is simply that our last port was Singapore, which is completely the opposite: by 180-degrees.

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

Our self-tour of Saigon included seeing Reunification/Independence Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the Rex Hotel, and the local market (covered, hot, dark, ventilated with small fans, full of all kinds of merchandise from souvenirs, fresh produce, fish, and food for lunch).  With aisles barely wide enough for a single person, it was smelly and dirty.

The filth and poverty could not be escaped or overlooked.  It was an eye-opener, and as our Princess cruise lecturer, Petra, explained to us when describing Vietnam, it is a genuine “step back in time.”  Indeed it was.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the fifth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the fifth essay reads as follows:  "Singapore was our second stop after Bangkok on our Southeast Asia cruise, and the differences between Singapore and Bangkok are enough to overwhelm you — especially when one city directly follows the other.  Neither place, I suppose, offers the visitor a completely fair and balanced look at what comprises a Southeast Asian city, and yet, here they stand in very sharp contrast to each other."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

There are numerous other contrasts such as the existence of sidewalk vendors in Bangkok and none in Singapore, the “smart casual” dress of the people we observed in Singapore and the dress of those in Bangkok which far better represented a cross-section of the whole Thai population, and even the language — those in Singapore spoke fluent English and those in Bangkok spoke little (some very broken) English.  There were even great differences in modes of transportation as noted previously.

Just from these examples alone, you can see that the differences between Singapore and Bangkok are enough to overwhelm you.  Remember, however, that our two experiences were different in the amount of time we spent in both places and with that, our limited ability to make a thorough investigation.  Just the same, it was an enjoyable and thoroughly interesting juxtaposition.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the fourth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first two paragraphs of the fourth essay read as follows:  "At the end of essay one on Bangkok, my wife and I were touring “high-end” stores so our tuk-tuk driver could get 'gas coupons.'  When our tuk-tuk tour ended, we gave our driver 60 bahts rather than the 40 negotiated at the beginning of our trip.  Still, at 60 bahts for over 1 1/2-hours of travel, the cost in U.S. dollars was less than $2.00 (about $1.86 to be exact).

"Back at the Grand Palace (once the official home for the Kings of Siam), which was our original destination when we left the Four Season’s Hotel in the morning, our intent was to see the Emerald Buddha located within the Palace walls.  I’m not quite sure why our focus was on seeing a wide variety of Buddhas; however, that was what was happening."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

Despite not getting out of the city, however, we noticed the contrast between the traditional and the modern.  For us, one of the best symbols of this contrast was seeing one of the women sidewalk vendors toting her wares in bamboo woven baskets, attached to a bamboo pole, carried over her shoulders, then selling her wares on the sidewalk beneath a large, modern, skyscraper.  Where else in the world but Bangkok?

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the third of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the third essay reads as follows:  "It was dark when we landed at the airport, and we could see little (or nothing) during the shuttle ride from the airport to our hotel just outside the main areas of most interest (e.g., the Old City, China Town, and sights along the Chao Phraya River).  After a 21-hour, 36-minute (total) series of flights (3 different aircraft) — 3 legs (Detroit-Chicago, Chicago-Tokyo, and Tokyo-Bangkok) — we were dead tired and ready to check in to our Princess-cruise arranged, Four Seasons’ Hotel, which we did around 2:00 a.m.  We slept in until 9:30 a.m. the following day."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

This essay will be continued in a second essay on Bangkok — which was not planned when the original essay was written.  Looking back on our entire Southeast Asia trip, both my wife and I agreed that Bangkok was our favorite city of the nine we visited.  Perhaps, this is the influence of first impressions; however, it could have been our freedom (and time) to explore the city on our own, the experiences we had there, the friendly and helpful people we met, or, as I most suspect, it could have been the exciting, interesting, and obvious contrasts this big city offered.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the second of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the second essay reads as follows:  "Just for the fun of it, I pulled out a 20 Chinese Yuen at a cash register in a local store, and because I had just returned home from China, I told the cashier where I got the money, and she said, 'You know, I’ve never had any desire to leave this country.'  I responded saying, 'It is a positive experience, and it makes you proud to be an American.'"

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

My list could go on to mention 5,000-year-old traditions and beliefs, population density, societies that depend on class consciousness, or the garishness of religious symbols, but I want to add a final note.  We enjoy traveling widely, and our trip to Southeast Asia was no exception.  Just because I observed differences between cultures, does not mean I disliked anything I observed.  It comes back to the old cliche: “Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”  “While no nation is greater than another,” one writer on the Internet said when I Googled, “Proud to be an American,” “and no nationality is superior to another, I am happy to be among those who call the United States their home.” .My conclusion is simple: “It sure makes you proud to be an American.”

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the first of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise during March, 2010 - our tenth cruise.  The first paragraph of the first essay reads as follows: "There is a certain safety and security that can be appreciated when you are protected and followed pre-travel (and during your travels) by a well-known cruise-industry line.  For example, when my wife and I traveled to the Great Rivers of Europe via Grand Circle, a representative met us at each of the airports: the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Amsterdam, and Vienna, our final destination.  Nothing was left to chance, and there was someone at all points to shepherd us to the places we needed to go—even when a plane was missed in Amsterdam because of a prolonged security investigation of our carry-on baggage."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

This essay was not intended to scare-off would-be world travelers; however, once aware of the kinds of things that require early thinking and preparation, the entire process becomes easier, more efficient, and less stressful.  Although it is comfortable being protected by a cruise company, a cruise company cannot nor will not remind you of all the activities and processes necessary prior to traveling.  As I said, the more you travel, the easier it becomes to remember everything.  One key for us is simply starting the process early.  For example, we began setting things out a month or more before traveling, and we were fully packed (except for small last-minute items) a full five days before leaving home.  It was Henry Ford who said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.”

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

I read and reviewed Sharon Begley’s book, Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain (Ballantine Books, 2007).  I gave it an outstanding review ---- five stars out of five.  Then I read and reviewed Shawn Achor’s book, The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work. (Crown Business, 2010).  I gave it an outstanding review — five stars out of five.  What these two books have in common — and I’m sure there will be many more that discuss the topic — is neuroplasticity — the basis of and foundation for neurogenesis (brain growth).

Thursday's Essay Excerpt

I know that you’ve heard it all before; however, there is a better context now (neuroplasticity) that should renew the spirit, regenerate the willpower, and reinvigorate the body.  And, in all of this renewal, regeneration, and reinvigoration, you will automatically be renovating, redeveloping, and rebuilding something even more important than your spirit, willpower, or body, you will be revitalizing your brain.  Now, that’s a powerful incentive!


And Then Some News

Thursday Essay Preview -"Lucky Sevens" and Relationships

Thursday's Essay Preview

Thousands of couples got married on July 7, 2007, because they believed that date would result in wedded bliss—“lucky sevens” they thought.  But, what effect does luck have on relationships?

For this essay I depend on the research of Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire who studied “luck” for more than ten years.  I have avoided using quotation marks, however, I depend on his article, “The loser’s guide to getting lucky” (sponsored on the Web by BBC News) for the information in this essay.

Thursday's Essay Excerpt

So, for those who chose to marry on July 7, 2007, because it had the potential of bringing them triple the amount of luck for wedded bliss, I leave them the following suggestions.  Let your luck motivate you to pay attention and plan carefully.  First, pay attention to everything around you so you can take advantage of all opportunities to make life better for your relationship and your relationship partner.  Second, plan not just for today but for years ahead.  Plan to make time for yourself, for your partner, and to enhance your relationship.  Save money every week to assure financial security.  Because there is always an element of chance in life, you need to capitalize on that chance to make life more rewarding, challenging, and  exciting.  If luck is truly the confluence of preparation and opportunity, then it is easy not just to understand but to support what Thomas Jefferson said: “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have it.”

And Then Some News - Thursday Essay Preview

Thursday's Essay Preview

My wife and I took a seminar some time ago that used Wilson Learning materials, and one of the conclusions after learning about various social styles and determining our own, was that one of the key predictors of relationship success was versatility or a relationship partner’s ability to change and be variable.  The more rigid or inflexible a partner was, the less likely a relationship will survive.  In my mind, having a marriage that has lasted more than forty years, this appeared to be common sense.  I, as it turns out, am less versatile than my wife; however, she scored as extremely versatile, and it is revealed daily at a variety of different points in our relationship.

Thursday's Essay Excerpt

Once you and your partner come as close as possible on important components of compatibility, then it depends on your versatility — your flexibility and willingness to adjust.  Improving versatility reduces tension in relationships and enables people to focus efficiently on daily tasks and the work to be done.  Partners who remain versatile, flexible, and nimble will benefit their relationship. This versatility helps them resolve problems — even though clear-cut answers may be impossible to find.  Effective partners know how to handle uncertainty by drawing on their experience and the experience of their partner. They are able to notice and analyze important issues in complex matters, track down answers, and resolve issues in mutually compatible and satisfying ways.

Site-stripe Updates and Richard L. Weaver II Thursday Essay Preview

And Then Some Publishing and ANTworkstudio Updates

This week the yellow site-stripe was updated.

What is that you ask?

Atop all of our blogs and many websites there is a yellow band that includes links to more books, videos, blogs... And Then Some!

Upon visiting the pages that include the site-stripe, the popular opinion was the site-stripe was too demonstrative and felt as if you were to navigate the current website using this feature. Confused? Most people were and that wasn't the point.

Our goal was for you to visit our many websites, videos, and blogs in the And Then Some Publishing and ANTworkstudio world using the yellow site-stripe. We weren't supposed to create confusion.

We hope we've fixed the issue. Use the new yellow site-stripe links and see more books, videos, baby books...  you guessed it... And Then Some!

Let us know what you think of our yellow site-stripe atop this page. Did you find something interesting? We hope you did! 

It's always fun to start off with a joke:  Laugh... And Then Some

Thursday's Essay Preview

 As I write these words (at the end of the first week of February), over one-third of those who made a New Year’s resolution have already broken them.  According to John C. Norcross, a professor of psychology at the University of Scranton, six months after January 1st, 46% of those who make them will not have fulfilled them, and FranklinCovey, based on a poll of 15,000 customers, claims that 80% of those making resolutions will break them.  So, how long does it take for the shine of a new resolution to rub off?

Thursday's Essay Excerpt

At the Time/CNN web site, Maia Szalavitz, in her essay, “How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions: Advice from the Experts,” writes: “ . . . recognize that willpower is like a muscle — it gets stronger with appropriate use but ultimately weakens if overloaded” . . .  set “short-term goals that are moderately difficult, realistic, concrete and measurable” . . . start “at a level that is challenging but not overwhelming [to] provide a sense of achievement and success — which can give you the drive to take on bigger challenges.”  That is, not only do you not need to let the shine rub off, but you can polish it to an even higher level of shine!

News... And Then Some

 

Interview with Author Richard L. Weaver II, New Blog Design, and Thursday Essay Preview

Blog Design Changes

Have you seen our redesigned blogs?  If you're getting our blog via email and haven't visited our online blogs, you're in for a treat!  Our goal was to create a better navigation system throughout our blogs.  Using the colored navigation tabs above, you can easily click to the news, quotes, essays, fine art+, jokes... and then some!  Each blog open in a new tab in your browser. We hope this will help you keep track of where you started from.  Everyone dislikes getting lost in links and hitting the "back" button in our browsers ad nauseam.  Our brain gets fried and we end up not caring where we started from.

Here's a great place to start... Let's Laugh

New Video Interview with Richard L. Weaver II

And Then Some Book 1 has been hard to describe.  There are 50 essays

covering a variety of subjects from self-improvement, public speaking,
relationships, travel, and more.  Richard L. Weaver II and Anthony Weaver
discuss how And Then Some Publishing's first book came to fruition,
and Dr. Weaver's inspiration and approach to this book. 

See lots more videos with author Richard L. Weaver II via ANTworkstudio YouTube Channel

Thursday's Essay Preview

What prompted me to make a return visit to my seven “Messages” essays, is the current state of politics in America.  This is not designed as a political essay, and I am trying not to take sides; however, the political climate, best symbolized in the expression, “the party of ‘no,’” brought my “Messages” essays to mind.  I haven’t written an essay entitled, “Messages Politicians Need to Hear,” but the political climate certainly encourages me to make the effort.  It would easily fall into line with six of the other seven “Messages” essays, the essential message of which is: “take responsibility for yourself and your behavior.”

Thursday's Essay Excerpt

In the essay, “The Message Students Don’t Want to Hear,” I end the essay saying: “Drop the excuses, change your attitude, and recognize that it’s all up to you!”  In, “The Message Women Don’t Want to Hear,” my final line in the essay reads, “Just remember that, in the end, the burden for the strength and endurance of your relationship falls squarely on your shoulders.”

Essay Preview - Self-efficacy, self-discipline, and self-motivation: Like 3 peas in a pod

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

From where does hard work, pressure to excel, push, and drive originate?  In the final analysis, it doesn’t come from friends, parents, siblings, or teachers, although all of these can lend some assistance.  Look at the three sets of words in the title of this essay, and you find one common denominator: self.  Hard work, pressure to excel, push, and drive all originate with your self.  If you yourself do not have the efficacy, discipline, and motivation to work hard, excel, push and drive yourself, then there is little (or no) hope that it will appear.

Self-efficacy, self-discipline, and self-motivation: Like 3 peas in a pod
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Having self-efficacy, self-discipline, and self-motivation are essential to succeeding in life. Those who don’t possess these traits will find themselves left behind.  Developing these characteristics means that you believe that you can succeed even when others may say you cannot and continuing on even when you would really like to quit. Those who have these attributes will be more likely to complete tasks, try out new things, and not give up when things are hard.  Having self-efficacy, self-discipline, and self-motivated means that you have important internal goals that you want to reach and reasons for doing things.  It is like being motivated to fill your time with purpose and direction.  It is like being stimulated, invigorated, and inspired on a daily basis.  It is like having a reason for living rather than just occupying space.

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

The first paragraph of the essay, "Self-discipline can change your life in any way you want it to," reads as follows: "During my early years, I heard from my parents about the Puritan work ethic, but every time I heard the phrase it was connected with working hard.  Never did I know that it was a Biblically based teaching on the necessity of hard work, perfection, and the goodness of labor.
                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

"If you tend to be undisciplined, use the little discipline you have to build more.  The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets.  Challenges once impossible will seem like child’s play as you learn new skills, overcome difficulty and hardships, and improve your life.  Because we are what we repeatedly do, self-discipline will not be an act, but a habit."
      




And Then Some News

Essay Preview: It all boils down to self-efficacy

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

For much of my life I have thought that growth, development, and change all depend on a single element: self-discipline.  On January 6, 2009, as I was sitting at the dining-room table reading The New York Times page on“Health.”  It was in an article by Tara Parker-Pope entitled, “If You Find the Motivation, Exercise Follows,” that the underlying key to self-discipline revealed itself, and I was astounded I hadn’t thought of it much sooner.  It all boils down to self-efficacy.

It all boils down to self-efficacy
by Richard L. Weaver II 

Excerpt:

The point of this essay is to demonstrate how to develop self-efficacy.  Since it is so important, I wrote about the same four methods from the point of view of two writers.  Of course, it is easier said than done, however, awareness of how to achieve it is the first stage of developing it.  People who are successful have self-efficacy.

Happy New Year and Essay Preview: If you want to change, you must be open-minded

Happy New Year!


We hope your New Year's was safe and lots of fun! In 2011 And Then Some Publishing will be releasing more videos through our ANTworkstudio YouTube channel. These videos will include "How-to Paint a Portrait," more interviews with Richard L. Weaver II about his books, and the introduction of eBooks to our repertoire. We expect 2011 to be a GREAT year!

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:
Thursday’s essay is called, "If you want to change, you must be open-minded." Open- mindedness requires that you be open to new findings and understandings, and you must be open to options, alternatives, and possible new choices.  It can be a great journey, but without a commitment from you, there’s likely to be no journey at all — just words on a page or ideas that travel in one ear and out the other — if, indeed, they get that far.      


If you want to change, you must be open-minded
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
For many people, it isn’t necessarily fear, doubt, and concern, it is that you either think you know everything you need to know, or you think there is no need or room for improvement.  Another possible problem is that you know that a change in your self-concept may require other changes, new behaviors, actions you cannot anticipate, and an unknown set of problems that you are just not ready or willing to take on.

And Then Some News

<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Find out more about what And Then Some Publishing has to offer:</span></b></span>

<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the reviewers of Willis's book said, “While some veterans would be content to simply remember through a haze of rose-colored reflections, Dr. Willis clearly reports the truth as he knows it.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Civilian-Ill-fitting-Uniform-Memoir-World/dp/0984302522?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=andthensomeworks-20&amp;link_code=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969" target="_blank">Civilian In an Ill-Fitting Uniform: A Memoir of World War II, by Edgar E. Willis</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=andthensomeworks-20&amp;l=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969&amp;o=1&amp;a=0984302522" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">reports the truth—unvarnished as it may be.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The book is available right now from Amazon.com.</span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>
See more book reviews every Monday:</b> <a href="http://bookclubandthensome.blogspot.com/"><b>Book Club... And Then Some!</b></a></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;">Thursday's And Then Some Essay  preview:</span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday’s essay is called, "If you want to change, you must be open-minded." Open- mindedness requires that you be open to new findings and understandings, and you must be open to options, alternatives, and possible new choices.&nbsp; It can be a great journey, but without a commitment from you, there’s likely to be no journey at all — just words on a page or ideas that travel in one ear and out the other — if, indeed, they get that far.&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;

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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you want to change, you must be open-minded</b></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://www.andthensomeworks.com/biography/biography.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">by Richard L. Weaver II</span></a></span><a href="http://www.andthensomeworks.com/author/author.htm"><span style="font-size: 85%;">  </span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">

Excerpt:</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For many people, it isn’t necessarily fear, doubt, and concern, it is that you either think you know everything you need to know, or you think there is no need or room for improvement.&nbsp; Another possible problem is that you know that a change in your self-concept may require other changes, new behaviors, actions you cannot anticipate, and an unknown set of problems that you are just not ready or willing to take on.</span>


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