The world I hope to see this yearEvery January, I hope this year will be better than last year. And with all the insanity of last year, I actually started the year more angry than hopeful. But I also remembered a quote that says "where your mind goes, your body follows," and decided if I wanted to see a more positive year, I'd have to start by imagining
one. So my resolution this year is to be more hopeful. This year, I hope to see a world . . . Where people come before profit. Where our "values" mean we don't measure everything in dollars and cents
Where we realize that health, family, and the "land we love" are priceless. Where we spend less on killing people and more on teaching them. Where we stop being driven by terror and start driving ourselves towards tomorrow. Where we stop being afraid to speak up and are once again free to speak out. Where truth is more important than ideology. Where we stop spoiling for war and start working toward peace. Where leadership is more important than playing politics.
Where "we the people" don't just listen to what leaders say, we hold them accountable for what they do. Where we stop making our children pay for our mistakes. Where facts, instead of opinion and polls, find their way back into the news. Where lies are once again called lies and not "spin," and we strive to find the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Where we stop undermining and start understanding. Where fear and paranoia aren't mistaken for security. Where governments stop working against us, and start working FOR us. Where we stop accepting immoral acts by our own leaders, even when they claim God is on their side. Where we realize we're all in this together, and that our future is closer than we think. Where freedom rings again. If you think you can argue with this, think again about what you are arguing for. 
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Free Anti-Virus Software As you know, there's another major virus slinking across the web. I've received over 1,700 virus e-mails (over 31MB of them, luckily all kept out of my inbox by www.mailblocks.com) IF YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN INFECTED: Go here, download the free software to remove it. If you don't get have anti-virus software, I recommend
Norton Anti-Virus www.norton.com . I don't recommend McAfee (a previous computer was infected while running McAfee, so I'll never trust that again). If you have anti-virus software make sure it's set to regularly check for new virus definitions. I have mine set to check once a day so make sure I'm always up to date. http://www.avast.com/ offers a FREE anti-virus program for _home_ use--if you're using it for your business computer, you need to purchase their Professional Version. It's also wise to have a firewall. For personal use, you can download one for FREE at www.ZoneAlarm.com - This excellent and easy to use firewall include a feature that blocks suspect attachments, as well as keeping your computer from illicitly sending out virus e-mail or other sensitive information. The Pro versions contain even more security features . . . . . . . .
Automatic Google Searches www.googlealert.com - create up to three "standing"
searches which GoogleAlert will run daily on Google and e-mail you of any changes or new search discoveries. Interesting Google Graphs -- want to see how your site is related to others? This site does Google searches for related web sites and displays them in a graphic "web." Try it, it's interesting: http://www.touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html . . . . . . . .
What People Think Of You www.Googlism.com is a clever site that "will find out what Google.com thinks of you, your friends or anything!" You enter your name, or the name of any person, place or
thing, and the site searches Google for phrases like your own name or "SchmoozeLetter" and you get a list of "SchmoozeLetter is..." (here's a real one, "schmoozeletter is the only mail that I actually read from start to finish.") If you have an ego the size of Rhode Island, then this is THE site for you. I occasionally find myself there to read
nice things about myself! But not everyone gets nice results. Search for the name of current U.S. President and you'll read far more BAD comments than good ones! . . . . . . . .
Giving Hope http://www.heifer.org/ is a simple way to help create a better world - changing poverty into prosperity, despondency into hope, strangers into neighbors - and even war into peace. You can change lives and bring hope and possibility to the people who need it most. Giving the gift of an animal can start a never-ending chain
of giving, as each family promises to "Pass on the Gift" of their animal's offspring to another family in need. Heifer has helped more than five million families become self-reliant. The gift of an animal can change a family's life. For Beatrice Biira and her family in Uganda, a goat provided nutritious milk and gave her family extra income that enabled Beatrice to go to school and allowed her family to
build a new house with a tin roof. Gifts start at $20 for chicks. It's a great gift for the person who has everything, to the person who doesn't. http://www.heifer.org/ or call them at 1-800-422-0474. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DO GOOD WITH A CLICK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One Final Word Let's also hope our votes are actually counted this year. And if you're not registered, do it today! There's no time like the present to start working towards a better future.
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