It’s not just in the movies…

Is it just ME, or are you, too, stopped in your tracks when you see a news story like this…

Child Sex Trafficking Rescue: 

FBI Saves 105 Victims in 

'Operation Cross Country'

It immediately brought back stunning scenes from the movie “Taken” in which terrifying moments followed by the portrayal of events and situations we wish were “as only found in movies”.

The sad truth is that art imitates life; then life imitates art…a  great line form another movie!

You must read the article that followed this headline.   We must all become outraged, sensitive, terrified for the parents of these children and then hopeful for those whose children remain missing that they may become  – by all degrees of comparison  -  part of a positive ending. 

The FBI has rescued 105 child sex-trafficking victims, FBI Assistant Director Ronald Hosko announced Monday.

The youngest of the rescued children was 9 years old, according to Reuters.

One underage victim told officials shebecame involved with prostitution when she was 11, according to CNN.

"Many times the children that are taken in in these types of criminal activities are children that are disaffected, they are from broken homes, they may be on the street themselves," FBI Acting Executive Assistant Director Kevin Perkins said, according to the network. "They are really looking for a meal, they are looking for shelter, they are looking for someone to take care of them."

Another victim, identified as "Alex," told interviewers she became a prostitute at the age of 16, when she felt she had no other options to feed and clothe herself.

LISTEN TO ALEX'S STORY (article continues below) :

“At first it was terrifying," Alex told interviewers, "and then you just kind of become numb to it. You put on a whole different attitude—like a different person. It wasn’t me. I know that. Nothing about it was me.” 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/child-sex-trafficking-rescue-fbi-announcement_n_3670749.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%26pLid%3D350714

The raids also resulted in the arrests of 150 "pimps" and other individuals, according to an FBI press release.

The rescues were the product of Operation Cross Country, a three-day nationwide initiative to aid victims of underage prostitution.

Operation Cross Country is a part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, a joint program by the FBI, the Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created to fight child sex trafficking in the United States.

Since 2003, the Innocence Lost National Initiative has netted the rescue of more than 2,700 children.

So IS it just me, or do you, too, feel grateful for the rescues of 2,700 children trafficked like this and hopeful that so many others may have a light at the end of this dreadfully dark tunnel,

It takes a village -  a kind village!

   

Know what you don’t know…

Is it just ME, or have you, too been part of a conversation in which at least one of the parties “had no clue”?

Here’s why this is on my mind today…

Within the last 24-hours, I have received three requests from women who are inquiring about something on behalf of someone else.  It seems clear to me that the inquiring party doesn’t have enough information – or understanding – of what their task is all about…

I’ve been in those shoes…MANY years ago, The Managing Partner of the law firm I was Assistant Manager for, asked me to find out about a FAK-SIM-A-LEE…

Not wanting to sound “unedumacated” to him, I left his office… clueless about what it was I was supposed to do.

I figured SOMEONE in New York City could help me.  To my dismay, my boss must have been the second person in the world to hear about a FAK-SIM-A-LEE ; second only to whoever the inventor was!

I struggled. I made meaningless phone calls.  There was no GOOGLE to rely on…imagine that.  It’s like living in a world without electricity or CABLE TV!!!    NOOOOOOOOOO!

Thankfully, my prayers, having been answered, Mr. S_____ came back to me and told me he had the information he needed.

I learned a HUGE lesson that day…I learned  to be OK telling someone I didn’t understand something, didn’t know the meaning of a word, couldn’t remember a name…I learned to know what I didn’t know and in so doing created wonderful learning experiences.

I remember asking my Dad how to spell a word.  He’s say, “Go look it up.”  “If I don’t know how to spell it, how can I look it up”, I replied.  “You’ll figure it out”, he responded, “and you’ll never forget how to spell that word again.”

In asking and getting sound advice, we learn; that means we KNOW it and we know it forever – that’s learning and therein ls growth.

Throughout my career, I’ve been asked many things for which I did not have an answer.  I learned to tell people that I didn’t know but that I would find out for them – AND ME. 

I earned the respect of many people this way and I served their needs better by ferretting out the right information and sharing it.  For that reason I have grown to be somewhat of a reliable source of information and to the dismay of many, have gathered bits of info  here and there that  I am often asked, “how do you know that?”

Somewhere along the way, I asked, I listened, I learned…  

 

So, to the three who reached out to me this week, I would say that if you don’t understand the assignment, you have little chance of completing it correctly.  Sadly, you may remain among those who provide incomplete – and usually negative information – it’s safer that way – and you have denied yourself and your Taskmaster from enjoying the experience of personal growth – why would you want to do that?

So, IS it just me, or do we all know that my boss was asking for info on what we know call a FAX MACHINE – already among the devises becoming less and less used in today’s world – because WE CONTINUE TO LEARN – AND SHARE!

Mr. S, call me – on your SMART PHONE!

  

When is it too late?

Is it just Me, or do you, too, feel your shoulders go up and your head retreats when you hear women say, It’s not the right time”, or “I’m too old”, or It’s too late for me” ?

If you are looking for an excuse, I suppose any of them will do, but why might you be looking for an excuse?

I recently spoke to a group of rising entrepreneurs and was asked, “How will I know when the time is right”.

“You’ll know”, I said.  It’s almost like falling in love. 

That’s a simple answer and I mean it most sincerely; when you can’t go on without ____________ (a special person in your life, starting a business, writing your first book). When you can no longer go on without that _____________ in your life, the time is right.

BUT – it’s never too late and that’s the real answer here.

Age is merely a time stamp as to your arrival on Earth; it is a statistical fact.  Once you make it a state of mind or a determining factor in your life, you are likely denying yourself an opportunity to experience something new and to grow personally.

OK, I don’t think it smart (for some) to bungy jump on your 90^th birthday – but God bless those who do.  It might not be smart (for anyone) to run with the bulls in Pamplona if they need a cane (and God help those who might try), but short of silly examples, such as these, it’s never too late.

Julia Childs is a  great example of someone who became a household name in the second half of her life.  With a personality bigger than life (and a voice to match!), Ms. Childs was the genesis of what we cannot seem to get enough of these days – cooking shows.

Her real success began in her 50s and continued to grow for decades.

There is such a saturation of child stars and youthful beauties every where we look, it is easy to feel that at 30, our shot at happiness or success has waned.  Our obsession with youth and beauty and too often allow our own to die on the vine.

Well, I heard some fascinating news just yesterday…

It has been determined (I don’t know how), but surveys indicate that the two happiest times in our lives are at age 23 and 69.

So, if you are younger than 23, you have two fabulous “times of your life” to look forward to.

If you are older than 23 and younger than 69, you have 1 great set of memories to look back on and another yet to be created.  How  wonderful!

If you are older than 69, you are blessed with two happy chapters in your life to look back on.

Are you getting the point…there are no losers based on age or based on time.  There is always something to look forward to and back on.

The time is always right to begin a new chapter, tackle a new project or complete one put off to the side.  Every other time is just full of excuses!

So, IS it just me, or are you, too ready, willing and able to say “It’s never too late” to start, finish, apologize, forgive, create, love…. LIVE.

                              It’s NEVER too late!

One is one too many!

Is it just ME, or do you, too, feel outrage when you hear stories that just don’t add up?

As an American woman having lived my entire life in New York, USA, I remain stunned at the conditions of women in other parts of the world.  This is not by virtue of naiveté, but one of hope.

All of us would have hoped that by now, governments, culture, communities.  individuals, would have come to understand the true meaning of humanity towards our fellow man.  That lesson, perhaps, years ahead of the one still left to be learned; humanity toward women.

Last evening I was shocked to hear what is now a local story to those of us living in the suburbs of New York City on Long Island, New York, USA.  When anything hits close to home, I guess it becomes more real.  To hear the voice, to look into the eyes, to hear the story of a sister about a sister,  broke my heart.  I share the story, below:

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

Priyanka Puri told reporters on Monday that she heartbroken over the loss of her beautiful younger sister, Bhoomika Kochhar, 25. The family from Syosset, Long Island, has many unanswered questions surrounding Bhoomika's death in Nepal.

Bhoomika was well educated. She had a family in the United States that loves her. She had a bright future ahead of her. Instead of planning for that bright future, Bhoomika's family is in mourning after she died last month in Nepal.



Bhoomika moved there to be with her husband, Akaash Jatia, who she met while studying at Boston University. The two fell in love. 


Despite the reluctance of her parents, they got married in an extravagant affair in Nepal in 2011. The pictures were even featured in a wedding magazine.

But things quickly changed.

Priyanka said her sister's marriage was filled with abuse at the hands of her husband and his parents.

"We have learned that she was regularly and persistently yelled at, locked in rooms, denied food, ridiculed and demeaned, restricted in movements outside the home and subject to mean-spirited discipline," Priyanka said.

The Kochhar family said Bhoomika was unhappy so she was planning to end the marriage and come home. Then on June 15 Bhoomika was found dead inside her home in Nepal. Police ruled the death a suicide.

But her family says the details simply do not add up, especially the suspicious behavior of Bhoomika's husband, Akash, and his family.
"On the day of Bhoomika's death, Akash Jatia brought her to a hospital but provided a false name for Bhoomika and a false identity for himself," Priyanka said. "To this day no member of the Jatia family has contacted my mother my brothers or sisters or I. No one attended the funeral services for my sister."

The Kochhar family recently contacted Rep. Steve Israel to help get the government of Nepal to investigate this tragedy.

"I am going to seek a suspension of a scheduled U.S. assistance bill, foreign aid to Nepal, until the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu can certify there is a full and fair investigation into the death of Bhoomika Kochhar," the congressman said.


There has been an outpouring of support on social media. The Facebook page "Remembering Bhoomika Kochhar" has thousands of "likes."

As the Kochhar family mourns Bhoomika's death, they say they are hoping to get some answers.

They're ultimately hoping for justice for Bhoomika. They say she didn't deserve to be mistreated.


Read more: http://www.myfoxny.com/story/22905577/li-family-of-woman-who-died-in-nepal-wants-answers#ixzz2ZsXKZ4kI

So, IS it just me, or do you, too, believe we are all  victims in the mistreatment of women, children – the mistreatment of anyone, anywhere?  We must be outraged; we cannot turn a blind eye, nor a deaf ear.  Please, reach out to those you feel are too afraid to share their story, to those who you feel need to be heard.  Let them know you are there; that may be their most empowering first step in changing their lives.

Dare to care

Law Of Opposites

Is it just ME, or do you, too, find inspiration, hope and encouragement for words of wisdom? True words of wisdom from the renowned Bob Proctor: Have you ever paid any attention to the idea that there are "two sides to everything?" Think of how often you have heard that. Look at your hand. It has a front and a back side. Your body has a right and a left side. The automobile or room you are in has an inside and an outside. You couldn't possibly have one without the other. This is an orderly universe, of which you are a part. The whole universe is governed by laws. If you have watched The Secret you heard me quote the father of the space program, the late Dr. Warner Von Braun who said the natural laws of the universe are so precise that we do not have any difficulty today building a space ship, sending a person to the moon and timing the landing with the precision of a fraction of a second. The law I am referring to today is the Law of Polarity or the Law of Opposites. If it is a long way up to the top of a building, it must be a long way down. If it is a mile from point A to point B, it must be a mile from point B to point A. They are not only opposite, they are equal and opposite. Everything that happens in your life today will either appear negative or positive. Keep in mind whatever happens must have a positive side to it. A large majority of the population seems to be mentally programmed to pay attention to the negative side of life and unfortunately, ignore the positive. Make a decision right now that, regardless of what happens today, you are going to look for the positive aspect of what's happening. Remember... every cloud has a silver lining. Do this again tomorrow and the next day until it becomes a habit to see the positive in everything. You will feel better, you will be more productive, and you will have more friends.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too see there can be no other perspective on all we face in life.

I ‘m feeling better already!

Choose words carefully!

Is it just ME, or do you, too, sometimes find yourself in a situation when the misuse of a word, or poor selection of a word or phrase changed the entire atmosphere?

Damage Control!

It’s an uncomfortable moment, for sure.  If you are a party to it, either “offensively” or defensively, the struggle to spin the moment goes into high gear.  Awkward moments follow, even if you are just a witness to the situation.

Words are powerful; the written word, extremely so.  I remember my Dad always saying to be careful of putting things in writing in an angry moment;  one day, regret could follow.  

Because the world has become a smaller place, giving us the opportunity to cross paths with a very diverse mix of people, we come to realize that not everything translates exactly as s it is intended.

So, be global!  Appreciate – and from both sides – that what you intend to imply is not always what is inferred.  Words are subject to interpretation; both sides must be aware of this; both sides must “play fair” in coming together in the implication and the inference  (The implication is the spoken word; how the listener interprets it is the inference. (Thank you, Professor Judge Shapiro, Undergrad Business Law.)

The added beauty of the spoken word is that how we emote helps what is intended to be implied inferred properly.  Ah, the beauty of the spoken word; the opportunity to deliver the  story the way you want it to be received.

 

What is it that you want the world to know?

What action – or reaction – do you want them to take?

Make sure the message, spoken or written, is your most compelling one.  Passion can instill passion;  passion can ignite compassion; that is the power of conveying the best message possible,  the strongest position possible, the message that moves others to take action, hopefully, the action you intend. 

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR VIDEO

If you have a voice, well, then, you have a voice (brilliant of me to know that!) and you have the opportunity to share your story, the present your side; you have the power to change the world.

Watch this moving video.  Experience the power of it.  Experience the power of expression and the change of reaction to it.  Beautiful!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too, get that words are jewels;  they are also weapons.  They can wound; they can heal.  

Say what you mean; mean what you say!

Change the world!

Are You A Pink Elephant?

Is it just ME, or do you, too, just love stories with great visuals?  Well, my friend, you are in for a treat with this one…enjoy…

Once upon a time a pink elephant was born. She was so clearly different from the rest that soon the grey elephants started to distance themselves and ignore her. The little pink elephant felt very sad and rejected. She realized that in order to fit in with the rest of the herd she had to be just like them. So, she covered herself with mud and dirt until she became a dirty grey. Throughout the years she kept covering himself and hiding behind the dirt.

Then one day, rain began pouring down and washed away all the mud and dirt from her body. She was pink again! The grey elephants turned and started laughing at the sight of her obvious pinkness. As the laughter grew louder she realized that she was trying to fit into a group that would never understand her. She knew that she was different and that she needed to find a group of pink elephants just like her, where she would be accepted and learn to love herself as she was.

Imagine yourself as an “Elephant”, the largest land animal on earth. An elephant is too massive to miss. It has an enormous amount of power. If you were a “Pink Elephant” when you were born, then you are different from most of the people around you. People will think that you are a bit strange when they meet you and because of this you may try to hide your true self. You try as hard as possible to fit in, but people always notice you. Sometimes you will be admired for being different, but often you will be ridiculed. Then, you have one of two choices to make. Either you gather your strength and are proud that you are Pink or you try to convince everyone that you are exactly like them. Most choose the second option. It seems easier to just fit in.

The truth is that it doesn’t matter that people will laugh at you, think that you are weird, or feel your dreams seem totally unattainable - You must not listen to them. They are too entrenched in the limited herd mentality to see the greater possibilities that are available.

I travel around the world and teach (hidden) Pink Elephants to become themselves. I bring them together and show them that they are not alone. They come alive in the presence of others just like them. Keep in mind that all the great inventors and innovators were Pink Elephants. It takes a unique person to get to the moon, be a music icon or create personal computers. The herd is always afraid of new ideas, but unabashed “Pink Elephants” are never stopped. Pink Elephants live in a world of possibilities, not fear.

So start a Pink Elephant group in your community today and see your world change!

“What is different about you is what makes you special.”

Bernard Hiller: Excerpt from “Stop Acting – Start Living” by Bernard Hiller www.bernardhiller.com   
(Originally written in the masculine; changed to feminine by Blogger, Beth Johnston, TheIWLA.)

So, IS it just me?  NO!

Be proud of whatever shade of pink YOU are!

In a word, I give you Malala…

(CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO )

(Are you) Using all your strength

Is it just ME, or do you, too, appreciate a simple little story that says a whole lot…….? At TheIWLA, we receive so many wonderful stories, words of wisdom, quotes…such wisdom in a brief story, a handful of words. Here’s one such tidbit I feel so worth sharing…because it is about sharing…

Using All Your Strength A young boy was walking with his father along a country road. When they came across a very large tree branch the boy asked, “Do you think I could move that branch?” His father answered, “If you use all your strength, I’m sure you can.” So the boy tried mightily to lift, pull and push the branch but he couldn’t move it. Discouraged he said, “Dad, you were wrong. I can’t do it.” His dad said, “Try again.” This time, as the boy struggled with the branch his father joined him and together they pushed the branch aside. “Son,” the father said, “the first time you didn’t use all your strength. You didn’t ask me to help.” This is an important lesson. There are many things we can’t do alone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get them done. We all are surrounded by resources that can be mobilized to help us achieve our goals including family, friends and faith. Sometimes we fail to ask for help because of pride or stubbornness. Sometimes we think it’s a sign of weakness to admit we need a hand. And sometimes we don’t even think about asking for help. Whatever the reason, it’s a waste. It’s important that we learn to use all our strength; this includes inner resources such as discipline, courage and even love. But it also includes outer resources. Just as we should be willing to help others we should be willing to ask the help of others. It’s one of the great things about being human. Michael Josephson www.charactercounts.org *The story is derived from a story told by David Wolpe inTeaching Your Children About God (Harper Perennial 1995)

So, IS it just me, or have you, too, been on both sides of this story – many, many times?

SHARE

Everyone wins!

US First Ladies, leading by example

Is it just ME, or have you, too, ever wished you could be a fly on the wall during certain events, or to hear certain conversations?

Well, today, I got my wish (always be careful what you wish for!)…I got to hear the exchange between two women, both held in very high esteem by millions around the world:  Former First lady of the United States, Laura Bush (George W: 2000 – 2008) and current First lady, Michelle Obama (Barack).

The two First ladies were brought together to speak at a Summit for African First Ladies.

 

The Bush Institute has launched this summit to support and empower First ladies from African nations to participate more fully and more freely in the advancement of their nations particularly, their women.  The hope is that this summit will become an annual event and that in bringing the wives of African leaders together, they may thrive in their roles more quickly.

I so enjoyed the exchange.  It honored the distinct style and flair of both women and they “got along” as well as any one could  have hoped.  Perhaps seen as opponents to each other, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush clearly let it be known they were there to lead by example and to get along.  Women AND Ladies; WOW!   

Listen to the exchange via the link below and enjoy how these two powerful women  of opposite political perspectives come together for the benefit of other women and simply talk like girl friends.

CLICK HERE

 So, IS it just me, or do you, too, find something so real in a woman to woman exchange like this?  We all can get along!!

Class Act!

Are you ever too old to give up on a dream?

Is it just Me, or do you, too enjoy hearing that someone has finally fulfilled a dream and taken something off the bucket list?

I see age as a frame of reference, not a frame of mind.  Age documents time spent here; it doesn’t define or limit all that  is possible at any age – at every age.

I’ve been blessed to share time and space with many who defy the age on a driver’s license by the very way  they drive around:  being, doing, living.   In a previous Blog, I referenced the ageless Tina Turner, asking that noone tell her how “old” she really is.

In a separate Blog, I wrote about Bucket Lists, stating they the one who passes over to the other side with the longest list is NOT the winner.

Today, I share the story of a 100 year-old Grandmother who just graduated elementary school!  Yes, she graduated from the 8^th grade.

 Yes, she is 100 years old!

Born in Mexico in 1913, Manuela Hernandez attended one year of school as a child.  At age  six, she could already wash and iron, so her fmaily withdrew her from school so she could help support them; a fate most likely known to many children of that time.

Manuela never gave up her dream to go to school.  As a recent graduate of the 8^th grade, Manuela plans to begin high school without further delay.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too wish  yo could throw Manuela the biggest graduation party and celebrate this wonderful achievement?

I love you, Manuela!

                                                                                                       

How do you spell P-O-W-E-R?

Is it just ME, or do you, too, struggle to create “top 10” lists, name your all-time favorite song, movie, book…?

I guess my favorite color is blue; but what shade, what tone, what depth?  I don’t wear it all the time and my home has very little of it as décor.  So, why is it my favorite color?

Perhaps because of what it suggests in my mind: the color of the sky on a beautiful day, the color of my Mother’s eyes (and my Dad, and all my relatives….my husband’s eyes), a calm ocean, my prom dress???

There are clearly different ways of “measuring” likes and dislikes and I am always curious when I see “the lists” coming out.

FORBES has just published its list of the “top 1o most powerful celebrities”.  Interesting.  How do you determine power!  It used to be by the magic of a Marvel comic or a Halloween custume, but in the age of technology, at least FORBES is considering other attributes than your cape, magic boots, or wrist cuffs!

Of the 2013 top 10 most powerful celebrities, six are women!  Good show, indeed.  Those six include Oprah (#1), Lady Gaga (#2), Beyonce (#4), Madonna (#5), Taylor Swift (#6; she’s 23 years-old and this is her 5^th year on the list!!) and Ellen DeGeneres (#10); 23 talk-show hosts and 4 entertainers (specifically “out-there” singers).

So, while you might not want your sons to grow up to be Cowboys, you might consider singing lessons for your daughters!

FORBES?

Thus, my question: how do YOU spell P-O-W-E-R?

While that question obviously has no finite answer, it strikes me, that according to FORBES, there are certain habits or course of action, M.O.s that these powerful celebrities have used to hone their skills that we can all use to “emP-O-W-E-R” ourselves.

Briefly, here’s what we should all be doing:

Engage Social Media:  I see it as the go to place for staying current, sharing your in-the-moment thoughts and engaging with others.

Exposure, Exposure, Exposure: it’s a very competitive world out there and technology open up a world of possibility for global business.  The flip side is that is increase the competition in every market.  (BTW: ever notice how Taylor Swift does EVERYTHING she can to be noticed at every award show – even when others are performing? She dances in the isles, waves her arms, sings along – she’s got it down!) EXPOSURE!!

Marketability: cannot over-state the importance of marketability…know your market, know your specific audience, stay relevant, make yourself marketable, make others want to market you. No market means you are enjoying a hobby; not building a business.

SO, is it just me, or are you, too willing to put these tools to work for YOU and take the risk of being added to a “top 10” list in your area of expertise?

Dancing is good, too!

What price freedom

As an American, I am getting ready to celebrate Independence Day; our Fourth of July.

A day like this causes me to pause to express my appreciation for the freedom I have as an American, the true love of my country, my wish that all peoples in all places could know the sweet taste of freedom, even to my right to express myself in this blog.

Freedom comes at a very high cost; we all know that.

Losing personal independence also comes at a very high cost; a cost too few could ever bear; a cost too few could ever recoup.

So, as I am blessed to celebrate the independence of my country, I celebrate the personal independence that lives in each of us.  It is a gift to be cherished as our own, a gift to be honored in others.

Independence gives us the right to dream, the right to imagine, to right to hope for and to believe that all things are possible – for they truly are.

Be an independent thinker; allow others to do the same. Wherever you are, your personal independence may be your greatest freedom of all.  Exercise it; strengthen it.