The Story of the Week by Martin Williams

The A+ Plan

blueroompub — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:11:32 +0000

I’m taking a bit of a detour today. I wrote out some of the wisdom I gained from being a student and the things I wish someone had told me while going to school. If you have kids in college or high school or know kids in school, please forward to and/or share this with them. It will help tremendously.

Mental Stuff

You should set goals to get A’s or B’s on all of your exams from here on out. What grade do you want in a particular course? Write it down and then rewrite them every day when you wake and go to sleep. Goals help to direct us where we need to go.

Cash for Grades

The majority of college scholarships and grants are GPA based meaning that good GPA’s, 3.0 or above, get more money and lower averages mean less money. Additionally, many high profile jobs want to know a student’s GPA before they even interview. Grades aren’t the only thing, but they are the only concrete way someone can evaluate how well you did. It’s important to do as well as possible.

Attitude is everything, if you believe you’re going to fail, you will most of the time. The Bible says “You will have what you say” and it’s true. You need to be positive concerning your work and exams.

Prayer is also important, I prayed before most exams and I always did better when doing so. Sometimes you can study hard and still not do well because of silly mistakes. Prayer heightens our awareness and helps us to be sharp.

Associations – Birds of a feather flock together. My speech teacher in college was a Catholic nun. One day she asked me why I wasn’t an “A” student and I said “I don’t know”. She asked “What kind of grades do you friends get?” I said, “C’s” She replied, “You need to get around some “A students”” I’ll never forget the lesson. If you spend the most time around people who don’t care much about school, what do you think your attitude will be?

Practical Stuff

Class Notes

If the teacher gives you notes in a syllabus, study them like your life depends on it

Any time the teacher says write this down, write it. This goes without saying.
When there is an emphasis on a certain point, or the voice goes up. Write that down.
You want to write down as much as possible from a period. Don’t worry so much about neatness; just get the most information written down. After class, if you have no more classes. Rewrite the notes, on a fresh sheet of paper. This improves your memory and also organizes the notes for easy study later. If you have another class after this one, then when you get a break rewrite the notes. Never skip this step it will improve your grades. How did you learn how to walk and talk? You kept doing it everyday. Learning is repetition.

Studying for Exams

Exams are the most important thing when it comes to school because they make up most of your grades. Therefore you should know that everything you do on a day to day basis is geared towards the exam.

When is the time to study for exams? Now! Always look ahead to the next exam the moment you take an exam because I promise you, very few people in your class are doing the same, and by getting an early jump you will not have to work as hard as you get closer to exam day. Do a little something everyday.

Always read the text before class, take notes on the text but try to highlight key information. This is basically the headers, boldface and italicized print, as well as the summaries. Also, ask the teacher what would be wise to read in the book in prep for an exam, you will be surprised how helpful they are. Generally, read on weekends because you have more time to do so. During the week, you nay not feel like reading 4 or 5 chapters and your time may be better spent doing short review sessions of no more than an hour per subject.

Take your rewritten class notes and text notes and review them at least 20 minutes a day, 6 days a week. It’s not a lot of time but it adds up come test time because you will have studied the info at least 20 times as opposed to the 3 or 4 you’re probably doing now.

Always see the professor/teacher about a week before the exam and go over any questions you may have. If you are struggling with certain concepts, then see the professor earlier than later. As early as possible and if they can’t help you, ask to be referred to other sources of help (i.e. tutors or other books). Again, your attitude is key because if you think you can’t then most likely you won’t.

Study groups are OK but make sure they are serious, if all they want to do is joke around don’t waste your time, that’s what Friday and Saturday nights are for.

Study in bits and pieces up until test day. Always work during your most alert time periods. If you are more of a night person, then do your reviews between 8-10 or 7-9. If you’re an early riser, then do your reviews in the morning.

A word or two about time management

The minimum you should study is the amount of credit hours you are taking during the week. So if you have 15 credit hours, you should be logging at least 15 hours a week. But think about it, if you take Sundays off, that’s only 2.5 hours a day. This allows you to still have a life. If you stay consistent, you will do well come test time.

Nutrition

Sodas, fruit drinks, sweets, junk food are all out when studying and in class. You need to be alert during these times, and these foods don’t help. So drink water exclusively. No excuses. It is the natural healer, and also helps your brain. Also, eat fresh fruit. These two things will help you be fresher in class and in the evening. Try to eat a light dinner before you study. Try exercising 3-4 days a week for even more energy.

Conclusion

All in all, the point of being in school is to learn. If you learn the subjects thoroughly and with the intention on using this stuff when you leave school, the grades will take care of themselves.

If You Learn (Inspired by the Jim Rohn Speech)

blueroompub — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:56:53 +0000

Life is worthwhile if you learn.

Beth Kuharsky was an administrative assistant for a small community hospital. She sees people come in and out of the place dealing with all kinds of sickness. Over time you would think all of this exposure would affect her attitude about health and inspire better habits, but it doesn’t. To make matters worse, her family has a history of diabetes and breast cancer, her mother and aunt were both diagnosed with the latter within the past 3 years. Still Beth, 46, has yet to have a mammogram or even researched breast cancer. The signs were beginning to form and she couldn’t ignore them.

On the next Sunday in church, Beth’s pastor preached on Matthew 24:3 when Jesus told his disciples about the signs that would indicate the second coming, for his weekly sermon. It seemed even the Almighty used signs; why ignore them in real life. Her pastor pleaded with his congregation to recognize signs in all their forms when they surface. In her own life, Beth had missed signs, the signs of her husband’s infidelity and second family, her former company beginning to fail, before the layoffs actually came. Beth had missed signs all over the place, and yet when it came to her life she continually missed the most important ones.

That Monday at work, Beth’s supervisor spoke with her one day about the importance of getting a mammogram.
“You should really get one, Beth. The hospital covers it.” Beth’s supervisor emphasized.
“I know. I’ve been meaning to.” Beth answered.
“Well, you need to make it a priority, Beth”
“I know. I know.”
As Beth superficially listened to the lecture, she inwardly began to fear the worst. Beth thought: “What if I’m really sick? What if I have cancer?” She was overweight and completely neglected her health. Beth had no idea how her health really was. She began to feel sorry for herself, and fell into a funk during and after her supervisor’s talk. Beth got home and searched on the internet for breast cancer symptoms and then in the shower, did a self examination. She noticed her skin around her breast was dimpled which is one of the signs of possible Breast Cancer. Beth began to tear up and tremble while standing in front of the mirror. For the first time she looked into the eyes of her own mortality and it was frightening. Beth called her best friend but she wouldn’t answer. Finally, Beth decided to have the mammogram. While at the doctor’s office, she recited Psalm 23. Certainly Beth seemed to be walking through her valley of the shadow of death. A few weeks later, her doctor called her back into the office.
Doctor: “Well Beth, I have good and not so good news. Which do you want first?”
Beth: “I guess the not so good”
“You have breast cancer.”
“Oh God…” Beth took a deep breath, covered her mouth and began sobbing.
“But, but there’s good news.” the doctor continued.
“Good…..? News….?”, asked Beth in between sobs.
“Yes, we caught it very early. And we should be able to get all of it out of you, with chemo”
Beth’s tears dried up as she realized her proacitivity saved her life. Finally, Beth saw the sign and did something about it. Once she was cancer free, she decided to give talks on breast cancer. During one talk she said this:
“Learning is doing. You’ve got to be proactive and learn from me and others. We can see the signs all the time but if we don’t act on them. Some many never got the lesson. I got it and thank God it wasn’t too late.”
Life is indeed worthwhile if you learn.

If You Try (Inspired by the Jim Rohn Speech)

blueroompub — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:44:33 +0000

Bob James was a new salesman working on 100% commission for a technology consulting firm that called on commercial clients. Bob’s demeanor was that of a quiet soft spoken soul, and many predicted that the profession of sales would swallow him up. For hours on end, he would sit at his desk and read books on sales. Bob could tell you who wrote what sales book and the quotes attributed. Bob knew a lot about sales but he never sold much of anything. To be exact, Bob sold nothing in almost 12 months. It didn’t matter much at the time because Bob’s wife, Jen, was working at the time and there was a little savings left over from his salaried job. Bob also never called on anyone, he would send letters and postcards only to get a little response. It got to the point that he would sit at his desk and read for 8 hours, never calling or seeing anyone. When his more successful colleagues would ask him why, he would say “I don’t have your network or your contacts, if I did, I’d be more successful”. Bob’s manager, Dave Lemon, believed in him, but was becoming concerned. Sometimes it takes a hour for salesman to become comfortable with what he’s doing. Finally the manager called his mentor, known just as Jack. Jack was a sales legend that wrote tons of books and produced CD’s on the subject.
Dave: “I don’t know how else to motivate him, he’s not costing me anything.”
Jack: “Well, he’s costing you office space. Hunger is a great motivator. When he starts getting hungry, he’ll seek out help.”
When Bob got home, his wife was watching TV. She immediately shut it off, and sat Bob down.
Jen: “Honey, we gotta talk.”
Bob: “I know, I know it’s about the sales”
“Just list-“
“I feel like I’m about to break through any moment now.”
“You’ve been saying that for a year, Bob. Our savings are low and I got laid off today.”
It hit Bob like a ton of bricks.
Jen continued, “And I’ve been meaning to tell you for a week, I’m pregnant and now we don’t have any insurance.”
It caught Bob by surprise to say the least.
“Wow, I guess I have been fooling myself,” Bob said sheepishly
“It’s not that I don’t believe in you, it’s just that our backs are against the wall. You may need to get a salary job just for the insurance.”
Bob took the words to heart, and knew he had to do something. Arriving at his office the next day, Dave was waiting for him at his desk. “We need to talk.”, said Dave.
Bob was ready to quit but Dave had a suggestion.
“I want you to talk to Jack.” Dave asserted.
“But I’ve read all of his books. What else could he tell me?” answered Bob.
Just go, Bob.
So Bob drove 45 minutes over to see Jack at his country estate.
When Bob drove up he saw the life he dreamed of when he got into sales. The unlimited income, maids, cooks, drivers and so on.
As he went inside and sat down, Jack came out and shook Bob’s hand. Shaking the hand of a living legend certainly made Bob’s day but it wasn’t going to pay his rent next month.
“How many people do you call on a day, Bob?” Jack asked.
Bob said, “Well…..”
“That’s not a number, son.”
“Maybe one or two.”
“One or two huh?”
“We have 5 million people in our city, and you call on one or two a day? Why is that?”
“I guess I’m not confident.”
“Why are you not confident?”
“I’m afraid I’ll fail.”
“Why are you afraid to fail, Bob?”
“Because people will think I’m a loser.”
“Who cares what they think?”
“Well, I do.”
“You should stop.”
“OK”
“They’re keeping you from being rich.”
“Who?”
“These people whose opinion you worship. Stop caring about what they think. Your reputation is none of your business.”
“Ok?”
“You should always carry yourself in a professional upstanding manner. But you’re way too fearful to be an effective salesman. Now Dave says you’re a Christian, is this true?”
“Yes, sir”.
“Could you tell me what Deuteronomy 30:9 says, as Jack opened up a Bible he had on the coffee table and handed it to Bob.
“It says, Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands, sir.”
“Why are you not prosperous, Bob?”
“I don’t know. I guess that’s why I’m here.”
“I know why, Bob.”
“Ok, I’m ready to hear it.”
“It says the work of your hands, son.”
“It does.”
“You haven’t done any work, son. If you did, you would give the Almighty something to bless.”
Bob sat silently looking down, realizing he wasted the better part of a year being lazy.
Jack continued, “You have to do something. You have to try. Life is worthwhile if you try. Maybe you do need to quit sales, and go into something else but not until you try. I’ll tell you what, Bob. Call on 50 people a day. Actually either call or talk to them. It doesn’t matter what the say. Just call them and tell them how you can help them. Remember what they say isn’t important just call them. Is that fair?”
“Yes sir, more than fair.” Bob answered, feeling refreshed.
Bob called 50 people the first day, no responses. Then 50 on the second day, 1 “maybe”. By the 4th day, he had called 200 people and made ten sales. He was back in the game and didn’t have to quit. By the end of the month, Bob tied for second in sales out of a group of 74. He had the know-how, he just didn’t try. Life is indeed worth it if you try.

Throwing Away Your Cares

blueroompub — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:52:00 +0000

As Helen Stokes waited for the bus to come, the heat made her sweat copiously. The sweat served also to mask her tears. Helen had just been turned down for food stamps due to a paperwork mistake and not allowed to apply again for 30 days. Laid off, down to her last $50 and two months behind in rent, Helen is at a point of genuine hopelessness. Helen is single with no children, but also has no friends or family in town. Pride won’t allow her to go home especially after the last time that life’s conditions forced her back to her mother’s house. Helen’s mom is a proud woman, divorced for 20 years, who raised her only daughter the best she knew how. Her mother, though loving, is also harsh with her words and made Helen feel unwelcome and unwanted at home to the point that she would rather stay in a shelter than move back. Helen was also not going to let a man help her, although she was attractive and plenty of men sought the opportunity, she knew that almost always the help came with a price she didn’t want to pay. Helen knew her purpose was in the city to help at-risk youth in anyway she could and somehow she had to fulfill it.

The bus finally came and with it; air conditioning and a chance to sit down. As the bus roared through the city streets and in between then beeps of the opening doors and crying babies, Helen began to look up and wonder how she would make it to next week. She had applied to over 200 jobs in the past month, and only received 5 interviews with no offers. The mountain she had to climb looked bigger and steeper while her faith diminished. The bus passed Helen’s stop. When she realized it and went to pull the stop cord, she saw her landlord waiting outside with a paper attached to the front of the door. It was a good thing she missed her stop because she had nothing to tell the landlord at this point. Wiping away tears, Helen noticed she had 2 blank sheets of paper to write down any job opportunities. While looking at the sheets, she recalled a minister talking about the importance of casting your cares upon God and not carrying burdens. Certainly at this point God seemed like a abstract concept, she needed real answers. Helen was also desperate and had nowhere else to turn. She took the 2 sheets and began to write down everything that was bothering her, one by one. Among the things she listed:

Mom’s loneliness since being divorced
My abortion at 17
My money problems
My last break-up

Everything she could think of, she recorded. As she left the bus, she threw the 2 sheets of paper in the trash can. Instantly, the weight she had been carrying for months lifted off of her. Helen smiled for the first time in weeks. She had an inexplicable peace about her. As she came up to her door, the landlord had left. Helen looked at her phone to see 5 missed calls, 3 were from the landlord, 1 from her mother, and 1 from a college friend she hadn’t heard from in 8 months. Helen called the friend back.
“Hey Delia, it’s Helen.”
“Hey Helen, it’s nice to hear your voice again. How are you?”, responded Delia.
“I…..I’m OK.”, Helen said hesitatingly.
“Well, that’s good to know. I had to call your mom to get the number she told me you were unemployed.”
“Oh wow!” Helen exclaimed. “Good old Mom.”
“Well, I’m glad she told me because my sorority sister has been looking for a live-in counselor at an at-risk girls home for over 6 months”
Helen began trembling at the “Almost-too-good-to-be-true-news”, “Really??”, Helen sounding shocked.
“Yes, girl, you may have to break your lease though.”
Oh that’s not a problem, Helen said excitedly, knowing she had 5 days to be out anyway.
“OK, Delia laughed. Here’s her number, call her first thing in the morning. She wants someone to start ASAP.
Okay, Helen hung up the phone and smiled at her amazing turn of events. A voice began speaking to her and it said,“ Stop carrying your burdens, When you’re weighed down, you can’t get up to where I am”
Helen said “Amen”, and now the tears flowed for an entirely different reason.

Officer Down

blueroompub — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:02:07 +0000

Officer Kelly Estien is responding to a disturbance in the plush neighborhood of Narberth. As she drives, Kelly recalls things she had forgotten to do before work. Kelly begins to rub her head to massage the stress away. It is a quiet beat for Kelly, with not a lot of crime. However, she is short handed and if the rich kids decide to cause trouble it could turn into a long one. Her mind races and races as she pulls up to the house that called. Kelly jumps out with her hand on her gun taking in the scene. The perimeter was secure and there were no noises that jumped out.

Kelly knocked on the door; “Police, We got a call about a disturbance” A woman comes to the door and said “No, you must have the wrong house”. The woman told the officer.
Kelly was suspicious of her assertion, “Well ma’am we got a call about a disturbance but if you’re okay, I’ll leave.”
“Officer, thank you for coming but I’m fine.”, answered the woman.
As Kelly left, she was somewhat relieved about not having to do much on the call. As she got in the car, she stopped and observed the 2nd car in the driveway and how familiar it was. She closed the door of the cruiser and walked toward the suspicious looking car, looking inside with her flashlight. It looked even more familiar, she began to look even more and process what she was seeing. She realized that it was her sergeant’s car. At that time a shout came from the 2nd floor of the house,
“Hey!” What are you doing?
“Sorry, sir.” Kelly responded as she began making her way to the squad car, and the man rushed downstairs. “Who told you could look through people’s property without a warrant?” as the streetlight hit the man’s face she realized it was her Sergeant. Sergeant John Reynolds, who was married, and the woman who answered the door wasn’t his wife.
“John!?” “What are you doing here?” Kelly questioned.
“What are you doing here, Officer?” John replied.
“Oh, so I’m just an Officer now?”
“Kelly, this isn’t the time.”
“Well, when is??”
“It’s not what you think. You should leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere, until you tell me what’s going on”
“Kelly, don’t be stupid, you have a lot to lose.”
“Not anymore than you, Sergeant.”
John Reynolds turned as he was walking into the and backhanded Kelly. It caught completely by surprise. John then grabbed her hair and puilled her into the house. Once in the house, the other woman said what are you doing?? She’s a cop.
“So? I’m a cop. Shut up!” shouted John “If you didn’t call the cops, this wouldn’t be happening”
John delivered a crushing blow to Kelly’s stomach,
The other woman screamed out…”God, are you sick?” But John knew what he was doing. John kicked Kelly as she tried to gather her senses. The other woman looked at John and said,
“My God, you’re a monster!,” the other woman screamed.
“Shut up, slut”, snorted John.
Doubled over and in excruciating pain, Kelly contemplated the choices she made that brought her here, and how she could make them right. She knew busting John meant destroying her career and her marriage. At first even though the choice was obvious, she balked at making a move. As John was arguing with the other woman, Kelly took her nightstick and drilled John between his legs. He was the one doubled over in pain now.
“You………bitch.”, John struggled to utter toward Kelly.
Kelly stared long and hard and called for backup. Knowing it could be her last such call. She asked the other woman, “Why did you call the police”
The other woman who is Candice Rogers, a powerful lobbyist in Washignton, said, “I wanted to embarrass John, he wouldn’t leave his wife for me” Apparently, John was trying to get a post in the FBI through Candice.
Kelly’s heart sank even further. She had been involved with John at the same time, also wanting him to leave his wife. Kelly called for backup, saying “Officer Down”. It was true for her fallen Sergeant as well as herself.

Stuck in Neutral

blueroompub — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:38:30 +0000

As mediocre reggae music wandered its way out of the speakers, James Roland sat in the corner clicking away on his laptop in a neighborhood coffee shop. James was a large man and every breath was an effort. Sweat created pathways down his bald head from the extra weight he was carrying. James was a good man in that stayed out of trouble and did what was expected of him. It just seemed that his life was stuck in neutral. He hadn’t been promoted in over 5 years at his current job, though he desired a higher position. His wife left him 4 years ago for another man. James has been single since, not necessarily by choice. When you’re in neutral, the obvious answer is to shift. But James was afraid to do so. He never believed in himself that much, so he never took any risks. James was the epitome of playing it safe. Until tonight, that is. What exactly is James clicking away at over there? Escort Services. James figured, “It’s a Friday night, in the big city, what do I have to lose?”. Little did James know, a lot more than the $50 an hour he was about to pay. As he contiues to surf the net, his cell phone rings. It’s his daughter, Jessica who’s in college.

“Hey Baby”, whispered James

“Hi Daddy”, bubbled Jessica. What….are you doing?”

Nothing, Sweetie, just work stuff.

“You’re always working, Dad.”

“That’s what you do honey, what are you up to tonight?”

“Nothing, I have to work, myself. Don’t want to go.”

“I know honey, but one more year, and you’ll have your degree.”

“I know Daddy, but it’s tough.”

“Honey, you’ll get through it. Listen, I gotta go. You’re coming over this weekend?”

“Yep, I’ll see you then.”

As James hung up, he took a deep breath, and continued looking at various escort services. He found one he wanted. James stepped out of the coffee shop and dialed the number from memory. When a female voice answered on the other end, James let it be known he wanted a 5’5’ brown skinned woman with long hair. The voice on the other end said she had a 5’7’ with caramel skin. James said, “Mmmm…that’ll work, just send her to the Pine Motel on Waveland. The key will be waiting for her.” As James hung up the phone, he took another deep breath and looked up. James wondered what his mother would think or his friends. He was definitely out there now.

James packed up his laptop and headed out to his car. It was an older car, but James kept it up well. As he started the car, James tried to shift into first with great difficulty. It didn’t shift for 45 seconds, then finally it moved. A small voice said “Go home”, but James already ordered the escort and the time was paid for. He wasn’t going to lose the $100 plus the hotel room. On the way to the hotel, James began to sweat as if someone was pouring water on top of his head. The pressure began to build to the point that it felt like a sumo wrestler was sitting on James’ chest. At least a half dozen times, he felt the urge to turn around only to keep going. As he pulled up to the motel, he breathed deeply again, reaching into the glove compartment to get a condom out of the box. As James held on to the condom, he recounted how his entire life he played it safe. He never broke the rules or pushed the envelope. Only this time, he was doing that and more. James was about to have sex with a complete stranger.

James got out of the car, and already had his key. His guest, as the concierge described had already arrived. James walked to the end of the first floor, and his room 111, he remembered a Bible verse Psalms 111:4, the Lord is full of pity and mercy. It looked more and more like James would need it. If only he could turn back, but he couldn’t. The room was dimmed somewhat. As he cracked the door open, he saw the carpet, the comforter, the bed and then a sliver stiletto heel and shoe. Then he saw the legs of his entertainment for the evening. There was no way James was leaving now, he was fully engaged. As he slowly opened the door more, a soft voice said, “It’s Ok, I won’t bite”. James began to chuckle, as he cracked the door open more, He glanced at the vixen.

Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

“Oh God!

Oh No!”

James bolted out of the room. The escort, confused, shouted “What’s wrong!?” James made a beeline to his car but the woman was in hot pursuit. James, out of breath as they hit the parking lot, screamed back , “You have my money leave me alone!”. James got in his car and started it, but he couldn’t shift out of first. James was stuck in neutral. The escort ran up to his car and put her hands on the window, it was his daughter.