Freedom is NOT Free

All of us in this country are privileged. Yes, we live in challenging times; however, we still have the freedom to make our own decisions, worship as we choose and follow our passion. When I was twenty years old, I had the chance to go to Czechoslovakia after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The Berlin Wall had recently fallen and the world was beginning to change. The stronghold of Communism rule was slowly deteriorating, and I witnessed an amazing time in history.

The Russians were still on the border when we arrived as the country was in transition. I witnessed crowds of people pressed against the doors of churches and pouring out into the street just to listen to a religious service in a language that they could not understand. They had lived under 40 years of communist rule and this had become a way of life. The people were such an inspiration to me because they understood what was truly important in this world- family, friendship and freedom.

Vaclav Havel, the dissident playwright who repeatedly went to jail to demonstrate an enduring attachment to democratic values, was elected as Czechoslovakia's first non-Communist president in more than four decades on December 30, 1989. When I arrived in March 1990, the country was having their various elections and just witnessing democracy in action was amazing. I vividly remember one particular sign that was promoting a party that when translated revealed the words "Friends of Beer".

This made me realize that no matter how difficult I thought my life, I had the ultimate blessing of Freedom that our men and women have fought so hard to maintain since the initial vision of our forefathers of the American Revolution.

Today, the country of Czechoslovakia is no more. The return of democratic political reform saw a strong Slovak nationalist movement emerge by the end of 1991, which sought independence for Slovakia. When the general elections of June 1992 failed to resolve the continuing coexistence of the two republics within the federation, Czech and Slovak political leaders agreed to separate their states into two fully independent nations.

On this Memorial Day, take the time to reflect on these everyday heroes. According to Hope4Heroes.org these are some things you can do to show honor to those that have served our nation. Just pick one and focus on doing it all year long.

1. Shake a hand in public or place a flag in honor of the fallen.
2. Visit a VA or Military Hospital and read a book.
3. Join us at one of our events and say thanks.
4. Contact us to put an event on in your city or state to honor veterans.
5. Donate a gift card.
6. Wear one of our hero memorial bands and share it with others.
7. Host a backyard BBQ and invite just one veteran from your neighborhood.
8. Volunteer, get involved and join an organization just 5 hours a month
to do care packages and letters for members here and deployed.
9. Teach your kids about history and get a school to do a letter drive!
10. Send a care package directly or through an organization to our men and women overseas.

Don't Ignore That Small Still Voice

Have you ever had a feeling that you needed to do something for someone or give someone a call yet ignored that feeling? I would venture to guess that this has happened from time to time. I know that it has happened to me in the past; however, I now know that when this happens it is a message from a higher power, and I need to act on it.


Last Friday I was returning home from a business meeting, and I saw a man sitting by himself . Suddenly, as a made a left turn continuing on my journey, my inner voice asked "Is that man ok? Does he need some help?" I had no reason to think this. There was no indication that he was in any need, but my spirit would not let that feeling subside. I turned the car around and when I reached the gentleman, I asked him," Excuse me Sir, are you ok? Do you need anything?" He replied, " Thank you Ma'am, do you have any change for a ten dollar bill? " He continued to explain that he needed change for the bus. I asked if the bus would give him change. "No Ma'am. Perhaps someone else would come by. Are you going that way?" I replied," No Sir, I actually turned around because I just wanted to make sure you were ok." He replied, "Thank you Ma'am, I really appreciate it."


I pulled away and then suddenly my inner voice said, " Dallas, you just need to see where he needs to go and take him there. You have time." I didn't even think about the safety issue. As I was passing him now on the left side, I rolled down the window and asked, "Where do you need to go?" He replied, "I just needed to get some change for the bus. " " Well, how much do you need for the bus?" " A dollar" he replied. I quickly looked in my wallet and just happen to have one dollar.


He approached the car and after thanking me with a huge smile on his face, he tried to hand me a ten dollar bill in exchange for one dollar. " No, you had to work hard for that. Please just take this and have blessed day." He was so grateful, and I found myself driving off with tears welling up in my eyes just amazed at how God will use us if we just say Yes.


My wish for you is that you say "yes" and do not miss out on the opportunity to be part of God's daily miracles. It is through us that God touches others on a daily basis.

Etiquette tips on how to utilize videoconferencing most effectively

When thinking of this subject, I sought an expert in the field to help us highlight some tips for success.

Businesses are beginning to do what they do in completely new ways in order to adjust to the challenges of the current economy. Gone, at least for now, are the days of deep expense accounts, unquestioned travel and frivolous overhead expenses. Many tools that companies have always turned to are being utilized even more in this new economy. For example, as companies continue to slash travel budgets, eliminating all but only absolutely necessary trips, videoconferencing usage has risen dramatically. In fact, according to Regus, the world’s leading workplace solutions and videoconferencing provider, it’s video conference services have seen a 40 percent increase so far in 2009.

Because delivering new business presentations, conducting team meetings and interviewing job candidates for positions via videoconferencing is different from being live and in-person, Sande Golgart, videoconferencing expert with Regus offers the following quick etiquette tips on how to utilize videoconferencing most effectively:

1. Dress to Impress – Think of television personalities. Remember, the camera can add a few pounds! Solid, mid-tone colors are most flattering and give the best impression.

2. Houston, We Have a Problem– Sounds simple, but make sure you know how to connect your PC, so you’re not trying to connect it during the video conference.

3. Be a Natural – Today’s technology easily picks up on normal conversational voice levels, so there’s no need to speak loudly.

4. Make a Mute Point – Use the audio-mute button, especially when you need to have a private discussion with colleagues in the same room, or if you need to simply move coffee cups or papers around – tabletop microphones are especially good at picking up every sound.

5. Less Is More – Keep the setting behind participants simple so as not to distract viewers from what’s important – the person who is talking.

6. Over and Out –Turn off the microphone and power when the video conference is complete – many embarrassing moments have been caused where participants forgot to hit the off or disconnect switch!

Remember the perception camera is always rolling and although convenient, video conferencing has its own set of challenges. Practice these tips and you will be well on your way to mastering this form of business meeting.

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