Suspended Beach House Overhanging the Beach

Sometimes you can get a great shot without even thinking much about it. On my way down to help an orphanage, some information below, I came across this very nice beach house to take a picture. What I love about it is that there are horses walking the beach below. I didn't think about it until after the picture was taken. Apparently I have selective attention.

You can donate to a non-profit that supports the orphanages.  https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1984592

Printed pictures can be purchased and profits go to orphanage.
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Contact if interested muradabel@gmail.com or text 619-540-0501
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The Journey Creates Happiness

We spend a great proportion of our time trying to find happiness. Some of us do it through buying things, some through working hard, some through friends, and some through minimization. Happiness isn't any of those things alone. Happiness is the journey where goals and appreciate for the present make the biggest impact on how we feel.

There is something about having a goal and enjoying the process that creates happiness. If you have no goals you don't really have much to motivate you everyday.

Goals should also be worthy your effort. You will want something that gets you excited each day to wake up, get out of bed, and get moving.

Its seems that happiness can be found in the process of wanting to accomplish something that seems to make a big difference in our lives. It is the forward cognition focused on a better future mixed with a focus each day that puts annoying little things in perspective.

Yet accomplishing goal after goal doesn't make one happy. We must also accept each day as it comes and live in the moment. Goals are great but so is the enjoyment of the process. Live now, work toward tomorrow, and enjoy everyday.

If you want to find happiness think about what you want out of your future and work toward it. Don't expect everything to be perfect. Don't assume you will be happy if you achieve your goals. Instead think of how to make the journey fun and meaningful to you.

3 Ways of Getting Hired Almost Every Time

Landing the job is important for people. It is a way in which we pay for our daily expenses as becomes wrapped into the way we view ourselves. Employment is more than just money as it takes on a new form of identity. You will want to grow in your jobs like you grow in your life. If you are trying to take a step up with a new job there are three great ways you can ensure you can get hired.

1.) Communication: From the clothing you wear to your body language you are communicating a message. Make sure your resume is free from errors and you are looking good so that your message is accurate. 

2.) Experience: People will want to ensure that you have the skills needed to succeed in this job. Highlight that experience which is most relevant to the employer. 

3.) Reputation: Most jobs are filled by people we already know or have received a referral. Make sure that you keep your reputation strong and engage with your classmates. 

Writing Media for Different Audiences in a Social World-A Few Good Tips

The mood of this picture might sell insurance
or safety equipment but not sun tan lotion. :)

Writing has an important influence on marketing. Writing well for your audience and media channel helps companies to increase sales. At its core marketing is communication. Nothing more or less. Marketers share information about their products as directly to interested parties as they can. Learning how to write helps to improve sales.  You will also need to find your demographic and use their preferred technology so as to best reach them with the least amount of distraction.

People are not always open to new information so we should consider how we are reaching them and what we are saying. Modern writing has changed to match new technologies. Using the proper language for that media (i.e. text vs. traditional writing) makes a difference its ability to get through the "noise". The channel will often depend on who your audience is and how they like to communicate.

The Impact of Modern Media on Writing: Texting and fast paced information has changed the very nature in which we communicate online. We would once write our sentences out in full using  typewriters and computers. Each borrowed from the next to implement into the new technology.

Because cell phones had a fundamentally different functionality it was necessary to develop a text language or otherwise it would take a lot of effort to communicate with others. Discussions became truncated and new words were developed that made their way into other language channels.

As this technology changes again with easier keyboards, speech-to-text software, and greater processing speed the language is likely to change again. For example, emojis change the meaning of a sentence through providing emotion. This was something text often lacked leading to miscommunication.

Audience Influence on Content: In today's world technology has changed and people have more access to information than they did in the past. They become co-authors in the creation of brands and have no problem voicing their opinions. Online forums and customer reviews have put the customer at the center of product value.

This is a positive and beneficial thing when we consider that people should be in charge of the product value discussion. As we use products and share our opinions we find that some products have more value and some don't. This value is not dictated by companies but by the people who use them.

Identify Targets for Marketing: The era of big data is here and companies can use that information to find their core demographics that are most likely to buy products. When a target audience is found the return on investment of a product moves upward. People of certain demographic backgrounds have more interest and motivation to buy certain products (i.e. outdoor products and outdoor enthusiasts).

Conducting marketing research makes it more possible you will find the demographics you seek and are capable of reaching those groups using channels. Channels are the type of media you use to reach out and communicate with potential customers (i.e. newspaper, email, text, etc...). In essence, they are pathways of communication. The better we get at finding them, the more sales we can make.

Tips:

          1. Write for Your Customer and Technology Limitations: Write for your customer in the
              language they understand while keeping in mind how technology is used.

          2. Audience is a Co-Creator: It is important to remember that the audience is a co-creator of
             information. You may write it and customers may change its meaning.

         3. Understand  Your Target: The target can get confusing so make sure you know who you   
             want to reach and what channel you will use.

A Few Hidden Pics of the Forest-In Pictures

I have to admit. I'm a little bit of an outdoor enthusiast and like to take my Cannon out on a hike. I've been learning to change around my setting better to get nicer shots. This was off of the beaten trail at a slow running waterfall. A tranquil place where you can sit for a while. 

My Very First Dive Class-Methods of Overcoming Situational Fear

For years I rolled around in the back of my head getting an diver certificate. From the earliest days I used to watch TV ads with wonder how people would explore places unknown to discovery something new. I've had plenty of opportunities to get a certificate but either didn't have the money, time, or decisiveness. Then one day I found a discounted price at a local place and I signed up.

A little sheepish with a hint of fear of dragging a lot of heavy equipment into the water I stood contemplative. "If I sink to the bottom this instructor will be able to help me". I looked at the 160 lb instructor and my 200 lb weight and thought, "OK he can't lift me! I'm a goner!".

We don't just head into the water without a little lecture. That would be unsafe. Good news is that if I needed to dump the items I could with a few release levers. "I guess I can get out of this if I'm sinking", I thought to myself. By the time the lecture and practice on the equipment was over I had a solid working knowledge of how everything worked.

Fear is one of the most difficult things to get over. We are afraid of everything. Maybe we look silly, maybe we will drown, maybe my tank will blow too much air, etc., etc......Fear is just a possibility so give it a second and then let it slip away if it isn't likely or doesn't have much merit.

I can say that there is no other feeling better than sitting in the water with neutral buoyancy. You float and breath slowly and the world around you comes alive through your suspension. Granted, the first few lectures are in the pool but the feeling of finally being under water and using the equipment makes life interesting. Much of our planet is covered by water so we are missing out on most of it....as an unexplored environment.

Ways to overcome fear:

1.) Give yourself a minute to think about the "reasonable" negatives. Find a potential solution for any of the most likely.

2.) Switch your brain to think about all of the positive things and the enjoyment you are going to have.

3.) Realize you that in every new situations you will feel a little nervous. As you habituate it will go away. Just keep pushing your comfort level.

4.) Slow your breaking and stay focused on what you are doing right now.

Early Morning Hiking and Fishing

One of the best ways to wake up in the morning is to go hiking. While it is cold and the last thing you may want to do is to head out into the woods. Let me say it is also one of the quietest times where few other hikers are out. By the time you really get moving the sun will be peaking through the trees.

Animals and wildlife are just waking up from their night slumber. They are out searching for food and finding mates. You can still smell the wet grass and freshness as you make your way down the trail. Off in the distance white tail deer are fleeing your approach.

Because hiking doesn't always get you enough exercise it can be helpful to enhance your hiking workout by either using a backpack with some weights or doing high knees as you walk. It may look a little silly but you will get your heart pumping without limiting the enjoyment of nature.

Once finished with my hike I decided to catch breakfast (I didn't...the little thieves stole my worms). I stopped by a local pier and threw in my fishing pole as I checked email and read a little on the Philosophy Magazine. There are few things better in life than a sunny day, fishing pole, and contemplating the greater nature of things. 🙈🙉🙊