Golden Rules for Young Professionals Vol 1

Three things to be respected are : mother, father & teacher

Three things to be taken care of are : wife, wealth & wisdom

Three things never to be forgotten are : debt, duty & disease

Three things to be kept in control are : greed, sex & tongue

Three things to avoid for happiness are : anger, hatred & jealously

Three things to avoid are : bad company, selfishness & hypocrisy.

Three things to the path of prosperity are : god, education & hard work

Three things that do not wait are : time, death & customer

Three signs of maturity are : forgive, forget & befriend

Three things that do not come back are : arrow from the bow, word from tongue & life from body.

Three wrongs that to be avoided are : wrong eating, wrong living & wrong


Did I miss something? Do you agree? Would you change anything?

Sidenote: Happy Birthday Oprah and congrats to WPGC's Donnie Simpson who broadcasted his last show this morning after 16 legendary years on the air.

Tell us how you REALLY feel...

We have one weekend left in January before we begin black history month(where did January go??). Teachers will preach the standard lessons about King's dream, Rosa's refusal to give up her seat and the road to the Civil Rights Acts. Black College Students will embrace their afrocentric roots while white students learn about "little known black history facts." We raise our fists in the air and sing old negro spirituals. Black history month has been celebrated for decades and many of the celebrations have become mundane and lacking. Many of them can best be described as lazy and just plain boring. Dont mistake my words for disrespect but it hurts me to know that instead of embracing Dr. Carter G. Woodson's legacy and researching our history to find previously unreported accomplishments we focus on the easy to find facts. I for one would like to hear more about black inventors and business owners.

There are brewing controversies surrounding black history month (mostly led by older people). Some want to change the name to "African American History month" while others think we should do away with the whole celebration. On the other hand, there are initiatives for celebrating black history everyday and implementing the lessons learned on a daily basis.


Well you know how I feel now its your turn. Tell us how you REALLY feel about black history month. As a member of the younger generation do you believe it is still necessary? Does celebrating it mean we don't have to embrace black history everyday?

The platform is yours...

Words to Know

Here's another chance to grow your intellect with today's "word to know"


Today's word is: Invective (adj.)

Definition: insulting or abusive speech

Example in context:

•The critic's searing review was filled with bitterness and invective.


Although you may know the definition to this word, you are encouraged to explore new vocabulary words daily. Whenever you come across a word you do not know the meaning to, write it down and look it up later. Try to use the word in a sentence and in your conversations today.

Source: english-for-students.com

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Happy Friday Friends!

"By associating with wise people you will become wise yourself."
-Menander

The people around you will rub off on you one way or another. I challenge all of you to surround yourself with positive and wise people, they will be a great asset. Do not waste another minute being surrounded by someone who does not encourage your or have a positive impact on your life.

Peace and blessings :)

Sidenote: My friend B Trib is going into the academy and I want to wish him the best of luck. He's been like a big brother to me since the first time I met him and made me feel like I have family away from home. I appreciate you, I'm proud of you & I will keep you in my prayers buddy! I applaud you :-)

Image Source: fineartamerica.com

Talented Generation presents: Words to know

How is this segment going to help you? Well studies show that your intelligence is directly correlated to your vocabulary. Although you may know the definition to this word, you are encouraged to explore new vocabulary words daily. Whenever you come across a word you do not know the meaning to, write it down and look it up later. Try to use the word in a sentence and in your conversations today.
Set a goal for yourself to learn 5 or more new words per week.

Today's word is: Improvident (Adjective)

Pronunciation : im-provvi-dnt

Definition:
1. failing to put money aside or give any thought to the future
2. reckless, especially in the use of material resources
3. characterized by unthinking boldness and haste

Synonyms:
brash, foolhardy, harum-scarum, hasty, headlong, hotheaded, ill-considered, impetuous, impulsive, incautious, madcap, precipitant, precipitate, rash, reckless, slapdash, temerarious, unconsidered, thriftless, unthrifty

Antonyms:
careful, cautious, miserly, provident, thrifty

Contextual Examples:
• All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry. Haste is blind and improvident.

• Some of them retained a little of the thrift and forethought of the civilized man, and became wealthy among their improvident. neighbors.

Related Words:
• improvidence : Noun

• improvidently : Adverb

Expand your knowledge my friends!

Info source: English-for-students.com

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends!!!

Here's your "out the door" quote of the day:

"The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there."

~Monica Baldwin

The challenge today is to hold on to the possibility that anything can happen today. Do not allow negative or daunting circumstances to injure your spirit.

I hope this helps you get your Thursday off to a great start!

*UPDATE* Watch and Discuss: President Obama's State of the Union Address

As America and the rest of the world looks on (including Supreme Court Justices in the front row and First Lady Michelle Obama in a gorgeous purple number) President Obama delivers his first address about the things that affect the state of our Union. Watch and discuss President Obama's first State of the Union address with your friends here at HUSL Today.


If you are not near a TV you can watch it live above.

Tell us how you really feel about the state of our union.

Talented Generation TIPS: Leadership in Tough Times Vol 1

We all have tough times. For some of us tough times means not having any money in the bank. For some of us tough times means means trying to make ends meet or struggling to put food on the table. For others tough times means you're so behind in school you don't know where to start in order to catch up (Amen!). We may have tough times in the work place or in our personal lives.


The bottom line is that we all have our own definition of tough times and unique ways to cope with them. How you handle tough times is often a true reflection of your character. In order to remain an effective leader in tough times you must have a keen sense of obstacles that lay ahead and the ability to overcome them. The following are a few ways to lead yourself and others through tough times:


Acknowledge the situation. The first thing you must do is acknowledge the situation. The worst thing you can do is run from it and play the blame game. Acknowledge the situation exists and be solution oriented. No one wants to hear excuses or your lame reasons for trying to get out of being accountable. When a problem arises ask yourself this: What are you going to do about it?
Know Yourself. Ask yourself whether you have the skills to do the job you have been entrusted to do? If you are completely honest with yourself you should be able to discern whether you have the capacity to tackle the tasks in front of you. If you have the talents necessary to succeed at the job, it will be far less stressful than if you bite off more than you can chew. If you know yourself and your abilities you are more likely to ask for help before you become overwhelmed.


Listen. Let me say that again LISTEN! When others are trying to talk to you do not become so preoccupied with your own issues that you cannot focus on the task at hand. Everyone has issues, you are not the only one. Do not think your issues are more complicated or more important than anyone else's. Listen to what others are saying around you because they may be telling you the solution to your problem(s). Keep your ears open. Even a fool says something wise every blue moon.


Do not be afraid to ask for help. Unless you work in a dog-eat-dog place where you cannot rely on your co-workers for help without them stabbing you in your back (believe me such places exist) you should not hesitate to ask for help. Sometimes we bring tough times on ourselves because we want to do everything on our own and relish in the glory of our success. This becomes a problem for young professionals because we are eager to prove ourselves. Young professionals are less likely to ask for help because of our desire to stand out from the crowd by taking on and tackling more difficult tasks. Ask for help from someone you trust and who has been in your shoes. When they give you their perspective-Listen!


Never lose sight of the goal in mind. This one should be self explanatory. Keep your eyes on the prize. If you were asked to write a 10 page brief yesterday do not spend your time griping about it, tackle the task and move on. The time you spend focusing on how tough times are is wasted time you will never get back. If the task seems impossible, acknowledge the situation and ask yourself whether you have taken on too much. Do not allow the task at hand to deter you away from your end goal. Take responsibility for what you have committed yourself to but do not lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.


What do you think? Did I miss anything? Do you have any TIPS you would like to share? Consider the comment section your platform.


Stay focused my friends!


Note: the above key points are excerpted from Kelvin Redd's monthly newsletter "Servant Leadership Today."

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends! Congratulations you have made it to the halfway point of the week! Give yourself a hug and a round of applause. Here's the "out the door" quote for today:

"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want." -Ben Stein

Ben Stein reminds us that before we can embark on a journey to get what we want out of life, we have to stop and smell the coffee long enough to decide what we want. A wise person begins a journey with the end in mind. Before you start your day, take a moment and decide what you want out of today and what you want out of life. Take the first step!

Sidenote: Praise HIM for the miraculous survivor in Haiti pulled from the rubble 2 weeks later!!

Happy Hump Day my friends!

Alert: 5 Things you should know about your facebook privacy settings!!!

This one is for all of my social networkers. A little over a month ago the powers over at Facebook decided to change a few key things about their privacy settings. According to Facebook's guide to privacy, the changes mean:

• You can now control who can see every post you share, from status updates to photo albums.
• Regional networks (like London or Australia) have been removed.
• A common set of information for all users is now publicly available.
• Facebook-enhanced applications and websites now have access to a limited set of information when you use and interact with them: your publicly available information and information you've made visible to Everyone.
• No changes whatsoever to ads on Facebook. We do not give—and have never given—anyone's data or personally identifiable information to advertisers.

Although the changes were supposed to be user friendly, I was only able to figure out the new layout a few days ago. Based on my experience with securing my profile and the information contained therein, here is my list of the things you should check (and possibly change) in your privacy settings.

1. Public search listing: Before the switch, I had this feature turned OFF but after a quick google of myself I quickly discovered that this feature had been turned ON without any sort of notification to me. To check this setting, log on to your account and click on Settings>Privacy Settings>Search. If the "Allow indexing" box is checked next to "Public Search Listing" then search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing will be able to index your information. 24 hours after you change this, type your name into any search engine and verify that the public search listing has been deleted. If it has not, double check that the"allow indexing" box is unchecked and then post your question under the "help" option.

2. Publicly available information. This is the information that is available to members of a group, quiz developers or fan page you may be a member of. Even if your Facebook profile is "private," when you take a quiz, an unknown quiz developer could be accessing almost everything in your profile: your religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, pictures, and groups. Facebook quizzes also have access to most of the info on your friends' profiles. This means that if your friend takes a quiz, they could be giving away your personal information too. The ACLU has created a quiz called "What do Quizzes really know about you?" which will give you a shocking idea of what info is shared about you when you take a quiz. It may make you think twice the next time you feel compelled to answer questions to find out "what kind of girlfriend are you?" or "which boondocks character are you?"

3. Privacy lists. These can be useful when you want to publish information but only allow certain people the privilege of viewing it. With the new changes, You can select a privacy level or choose to customize your privacy. You can easily create Friend Lists from the Friends page and selecting "Custom Setting" any time you set your privacy. This will allow you the opportunity to restrict the information for the intended viewers.


4. Friends lists: You can restrict who sees your friends lists. If you want to restrict who sees your friends list within Facebook, click on the pencil icon next to your Friends widget below your profile picture, and uncheck the box that says "Show my friends on my profile." While you're at it, you may choose to make your gender and yoru current city invisible as well


5. Be careful what you post. As an avid user of social networking sites, I can relate to one's concern about their privacy on the internet. However, I encourage all of you to avoid things that you would rather not share with the world because you never know who may see you or when a hidden camera may just be filming you. Use online communities sparingly and with care. Be honest, polite and meet new people while putting your best (digital) foot forward. Once you post something, you can never truly delete it. Think twice before you post an angry status update about your spouse or family members because the memory of those words will linger long after you have deleted the post.

You can read Facebook's privacy policy here.

Are you concerned about your privacy on facebook? Were these tips helpful for you? Did we miss an important tip? Drop your thoughts and feedback off in the comments area.

Image source: Google

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Happy Tuesday friends!!!

Here's your inspirational quote for the day:

You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.
~Charles Buxton

We MAKE time for things that REALLY matter no matter how busy we are. Today you are encouraged to make time to do something that brings you joy.

Before you embark to accomplish anything today take a moment to meditate on the personal meaning you find in the quote and dedicate your day to positive thoughts.

I hope these words help you all start your day off on a positive note.



Image source

Tell us how you REALLY feel...

How often have you heard about the projected effects of the economic stimulus? How many of those projected effects have been specifically about young professionals (25-34)? I can answer that-not very man. That is a problem! Many of the stories we hear about people who benefited (in one way or another) from the stimulus are stories about older (35+) people who have been able to find and keep their jobs due to the eight month old initiative to get our economy back on its feet. Every industry has been affected in one way or another by the economy but young professionals are once again feeling left out. Saving the pension of a newly hired 20 something does not seem as important as saving the pension of a 50 something worker who has worked the same career his/her entire life. Also, younger generations are not staying on the same career path like our parents and grandparents have. We are also more inclined to change careers and to return to school. We are entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, grad students, Ph. D candidates, founders of social networks and CEOs. Some may argue that these are good things while others believe these are hindrances on our generation since we are more dynamic in our life choices.



Its your turn to share your thoughts about how the stimulus has affected you. Our generation is constantly taken for granted and underestimated because we are silent about things that we do not think will directly affect us. This practice has to stop right now. We make an impact. We have spending power. We have a voice. Stand up and tell us how you really feel. As a young professional do you believe the stimulus has helped you? Has it hurt you? Tell us how you believe you have been affected.

Just for laughs....

(click picture for larger view)




I don't know about you all but I love Boondocks(random fact about me). In keeping with today's challenge to say kind words in difficult situations Huey reminds us how difficult it can be to remain calm and kind throughout the day. Live your life like an adult, but see it through the eyes of a child. I hope this makes you smile.


Source: http://news.yahoo.com/comics/boondocks

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Goodmorning beautiful people of HUSL Today!

I hope your weekend was rejuvenating and exhilarating. For most of us, Monday means back to work and the inevitable onset of the Monday blues. Well my mission today is to get you off on the right foot so the Monday blues doesn't set in and deter you from making today a great day. Without further delay, its time for the "out the door" quote of the day.

"Never lose a chance of saying a kind word."
William Thackeray

I know I know. The quote seems so elementary school right? Well I thought I would take time out to acknowledge that it is not always our tasks that make getting through our days most difficult; sometimes it is the people we must deal with. With that said, I challenge all of you to take advantage of opportunities to say a kind word today. When someone rubs you the wrong way today, take a step back and resist the urge to react negatively. Kind words will take you a long way.

Before you start your mission to make today a great day, take a moment to meditate on what the words above mean to you. As always, hold on to that meaning and keep it in mind when you encounter difficult situations.

SN: I'm excited that the WHO DAT nation is going to the Superbowl :-)

Happy Monday my friends!

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Happy Friday friends. T G I F!!!! I know some of you have been looking forward to this day ALL week (for one reason or another). Without further delay, what follows is the inspirational quote to get your Friday off to a great start.

"The shortest distance between two points is under construction."
Noelie Alito

Before you begin conquering 1.22.10 take a moment to think about what those words mean to you. Keep that in mind throughout your Friday when it seems like the weekend can't come soon enough. I firmly believe a quote can change the way you approach challenges so remember the distance from now until you're where you want to be is still under construction. YOU have the power to change direction if you are unsatisfied with your current path. Nothing happens until you make it happen. Grab the reigns and go on the ride of your life!

Stay positive my friends :)



Image source: Nemsis.org

*Update* How you can help Haiti

The photo above has been facebook'd, twitpic'd and posted several hundred times since the quake in Haiti a little over a week ago. It has slowly become a symbol for the pain caused by the quake. Reports have increased the projected amount of deaths to 200,000 and some areas are reporting 10,000 new bodies everyday. The pictures are heartwrenching and the images are enough to make the toughest person become overwhelmed with sorrow. Concerns about violent behavior and looting as a result of a lack of resources are reported daily. Those who have already donated are baffled by the fact that authorities in the island nation are still having difficulty delivering food and supplies to the people of Haiti. Nonetheless, there is still a dire need for aid in Haiti and if you are blessed to give you are encouraged to do so.

Have you donated to relief efforts in Haiti? Still wondering how you can help?

Text 'HAITI' to '90999' and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. Your donation will be confirmed AFTER you pay your bill.

OR

Text "Yele" to 501501 and you will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

OR try one of these:

Starbucks
Participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada will enable customers to make monetary donations at store registers, with no purchase necessary, to benefit the American and Canadian Red Cross organizations for a limited time. The Starbucks Foundation will also donate $1 million (U.S.) from The Starbucks Foundation to the American Red Cross efforts to help Haiti.

Visit your local STARBUCKS store to donate! You know you're going to get a cup of coffee anyway!

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by the earthquake. Your gift will support emergency relief and recovery efforts including deploying personnel, sending relief supplies, and providing financial resources.

http://www.redcross.org/ (click Giving and Getting Involved)

Lakay Pam
On February 12, 2010 Victoria Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio will be hosting a fundraiser at the Opera Gallery in NYC for Lakay Pamin order to raise money for the orphans of Haiti. The orphanage is receiving new children at their doorstep every day and needs help to provide them clean diapers, food, water and much more.

http://www.lakaypam.org/ (Click Donate to help the children of Haiti)

PSI
PSI has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years and had 100 staff on the ground when the earthquake struck. Its top priority now, beyond ensuring the safety and security of all staff members, is to make certain there is an ongoing supply of clean drinking water for those in need.

http://www.psi.org (click Support PSI and you choose the donation amount!)

Doctors Without Borders/MSF
Doctors Without Borders/MSF has been working in Haiti for 19 years, most recently operating three emergency hospitals in Port-au-Prince, and is mobilizing a large emergency response to this disaster. They are currently reinforcing their teams on the ground in order to respond to the immediate medical needs and to assess the humanitarian needs that MSF will be addressing in the months ahead.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ (click Donate to donate $1 or more)

CARE
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. They are deploying additional emergency team members to the devastated city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti.

http://www.care.org/ (click Donate Now and give as little as $1)

MTV's concert
MTV will be airing a "Hope for Haiti Now" benefit concert which will feature performances by superstars such as Rihanna, Jay-Z, U2s Bono and The Edge and many more. The concert will air on Friday (1/22) at 8pm. Beginning Friday, iTunes customers will be able to exclusively pre-order the "Hope for Haiti Now" full-performance album ($7.99) and the full two-hour video telecast ($1.99). All donations will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yele Haiti foundation. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme will also benefit from the telethon's efforts, as aid will be split evenly among each organization's relief programs for the ravaged island. Other artists scheduled to perform during "Hope for Haiti Now" include Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting and Wyclef in New York. Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Steve Wonder and Taylor Swift will be in Los Angeles, with Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow joining forces for a group performance. The marathon will air commercial free on Friday at 8pm.

In light of recent reports about miraculous rescues 6 days after the quake, there are people still holding out hope that they too will locate their loved ones. Please keep Haiti in your hopes and prayers.

Feel free to share your concerns, prayers and opinions in the comments area. Are you concerned about your donations? Are you concerned about accountability in the midst of the tragedy? If you haven't donated what are your reasons? What factors did you take into consideration? Your 2 cents is appreciated :)

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Its time for the best part of the day-the inspirational quote of the day!

"People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be."
~ Harvey Mackay

Take a moment to meditate on the quote of the day and make a conscious to decision to make today better than yesterday. Think about what the quote means to you and carry that thought with you throughout your day. Hold on to the personal meaning you find in each quote and use it to inspire you to push through difficult situations. Decide RIGHT NOW that you will become successful. You will want to remember this moment so take whatever calendar you use to stay organized (if you don't have one its time to change that) and write down these words "the beginning of my success" along with the time. Not many people can trace their success down to the day and time but you are different. When you are interviewed about how you got your start you can simply tell them on January 20, 2010 you decided to become successful.


Sidenote: Happy 7th birthday to my niece and the love of my life D. Hanna.

Take Charge: Make your car a NO PHONE ZONE. End distracted driving!

How many times has this happened to you? You're driving on a busy street and your phone rings. You look down for a brief second to pick it up and you realize it is a text message. You remove one hand from the wheel and commence typing your reply message while steering the vehicle with your other hand. You're barely paying attention to what is happening on the road because you are familiar with the area and you are a "professional multitasker." You believe you can text, talk, drive, and DJ seamlessly and effortlessly. You are still accident free and no one is getting hurt by it right? WRONG! Science shows your brain just cannot keep up when you are distracted while driving. In fact, studies have found that talking on a cell phone quadruples your risk of an accident.


Consider this story profiled on Oprah yesterday:
19-year-old Reggie Shaw was texting on the way to a mandatory drug and alcohol screening. Shaw crossed the center line and clipped the vehicle driven by Jim Furfaro who was driving to work with his friend Keith O'Dell. Furfaro's vehicle ended up in the oncoming traffic line and was broadsided by the vehicle behind the 19-year-old, and he was killed instantly, along with Keith. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system, but cell phone records confirmed Reggie had been texting from the time he got into his car up until the moment of the crash. Reggie was sentenced to 30 days in jail, community service and to honor a unique request from Jackie—to watch a video of her husband's funeral. "I just wanted him to know who he killed," she says. "That was a way for him to get to know one of the men."

Before the accident, Reggie says he texted "pretty close to 100 percent of the time" while driving. "I just never thought about it," he says. "Growing up, going to high school, going to driver's ed, it was never taught to me how dangerous it was."

Reggie says he's haunted by what he's done. "This affects my life every day. It's something that I can never really forgive myself for. It was a poor choice that I made," he says. "I have trouble sleeping at night. You drive down the road, you see accidents on the side of the road, and instantly that's the first thing that I think of. It's hard every day. It never gets easier."

What a non distracted driver sees:


What a distracted driver sees:


Can you spot the differences? What you do not see could be a small child, or a jogger or a dog.

Bottom line: Someone who's drunk at a 0.08 blood alcohol level has a four-time crash increase which means talking on a cell phone is about the same as driving drunk. University of Utah researcher David Strayer, who has been studying distracted driving habits for 10 years, proclaims "When you're text messaging, the crash risk goes up to eight times." Most of the time we become distracted because we think we are better than average drivers and thus our driving ability is not impaired when we multitask.

Oprah calls it "America's new deadly" obsession, texting, emailing and calling while driving

Still not convinced? Check out these brief stories:

A train conductor wasn't paying attention while receiving 40 text messages. The train collided head-on with a freight train, injuring 135 people, killing the conductor and 24 other people.

A truck driver while texting hit a school bus carrying 21 students while. Twenty students escaped, but 13-year-old Margay Schee was killed.

Nearly 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 are killed each year because drivers are talking, texting and e-mailing behind the wheel.

If these stories are not enough to change your mind, check out a mother's heartfelt message about driving and cell phones here.


In the age of Twitter and Facebook mobile, our generation is becoming more and more connected. We check our emails on the go, update our facebook status and write about our lives in 140 characters or less dozens of times per day. We are constantly sharing and always connected.Our parents began the trend of distracted driving by applying makeup, changing cds, and eating while driving. Advancements in technology have allowed us to become even more distracted. Young drivers have taken this to another level. We may have a handsfree headset but we also have a GPS, ipod, 6 disc cd changer, smartphone equipped with a QWERTY keyboard or touch screen.

The statistics are alarming. After surveying 800 teens in 4 US cities over the summer of 2009, Pew estimates that 26% of all American teens 16-17 have texted while driving, and 43% have talked on a cell phone while driving. I believe the numbers are much higher than that. If we count teens and young adults who check emails, apply makeup, and fiddle with anything else in the car,it amounts to is millions of distracted drivers.

Here are some other interesting and perhaps alarming statistics:

- 75% of all American teens 12-17 own a cell phone
- 82% of teens 16-17 have a cell phone & 76% text.
- Overall, 34% of teens 16-17 say they have texted while driving, which translates to 26% of all American teens 16-17.
- Boys and girls are equally likely to report texting behind the wheel.
- 55% of teens 14-17 report that they have witnessed a driver texting as a passenger (48% for 12-17, and 32% for 12-13).

Want to make your car a phone free zone? Well there isn't an app for it yet but you can make the pledge here. The pledge is not only to end texting while driving, but it aims to end distracted driving altogether. So far over 39,000 people have made their pledge which reads as follows:

I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.

Test your knowledge of distracted driving here.
Check out what happens when distracted drivers are put to the test here.


Remember its not where your hands are, its where your head is.

The next time you are tempted to text, call or email while driving remember this: Don't tempt fate! That text or call can wait!

Source: http://mashable.com/2009/11/16/teens-dangerous-driving/; Oprah.com
Image source: google (where else?)

Happy Anniversary Mr. President!!

Today is the 1st anniversary of President Barack Obama taking the official oath of office as the 44th President of the United States and our first African American President. He inspired our nation not to give up on its leaders and to be the change we want to see. His campaign signs assured us that he was the "Change we can believe in". From the beginning of his journey, Obama broke records. He broke monthly campaign fundraising records and he is the first President who understands America's attachment to their blackberries. He inspired us all to believe in our dreams and to embrace change. 2 days ago, he became the first President to tweet (update a status on Twitter). He encouraged us to hold fast to our dreams in the face of adversity. He became an example of what it meant to have the audacity of hope. He spoke about unity regardless of your political affiliation, race and national origin. Young voters came out in record numbers during primary elections and to cast their votes on November 4, 2008.  Yes we can! Yes we did!

One of Obama's speeches, which was also used as a campaign slogan inspired the Emmy winning video "Yes we can." The video still inspires me. Those three words are so simple and yet so powerful. They inspired millions and reminded us that we are not as divided as our politics of our nation suggest. From coast to coast and sea to shining sea "Yes we can."  


Here is his victory speech from Grant Park in Chicago:


One of my favorite quotes from the POTUS:

The true test of the American ideal is whether we’re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them.
Barack Obama

From the 4am wake up call to the hours in line. I remember it like it was yesterday. We chanted during our train ride over and stood for hours in freezing temperatures. We stood bundled up and uncomfortably cold. The music played and we all reflected on the historic moment. The crowd began to roar with cheer and heads turned as the President and First Lady exited the car.  I am proud to say I took part in American history and I will forever remember that day. Words cannot describe the feeling.


Share your memories about President Obama's journey to history and your favorite quotes in the comments area. 


We are change!

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Happy Hump Day friends!!! Its time to get your day started off on a positive note with the "out the door" quote of the day. This has quickly become my favorite part of the day and I hope you all appreciate it the same way I do.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

-Barack Obama

Now for the tough part. Take a moment to meditate on the quote of the day and make a conscious to decision to make today better than yesterday. Think about what the quote means to you and carry that thought with you throughout your day. Hold on to the personal meaning you find in each quote and use it to inspire you to push through difficult situations.

On the anniversary of President Obama's inauguration you are encouraged to become the change you want to see. Instead of complaining when something is not going well, use your energy to become the change you seek.  Embark on a journey of change today.

Sidenote: Happy 25th birthday to my good friend AW!

Network problems :(

I apologize about my lack of posting today. I've been having connectivity issues since this morning. I will resume my normal posting soon. In the mean time, check out previous posts.




Thank you for your patience :)

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good morning to all of my beautiful friends!! It's time for the inspirational quote of the day. Look here for encouraging words that will get you through your day with a positive and proactive attitude. Before you leave your dwelling or tackle your workload take a moment to meditate on the "out the door" quote of the day and make a conscious to decision to make today better than yesterday. Think about what the quote means to you and carry that thought with you throughout your day. Hold on to the personal meaning you find in each quote and use it to inspire you to push through difficult situations.

"There is no reason, no excuse, no alibi, no fate, that can hinder an individual that is focused on a specific purpose."

~ Mike Jones

Stay focused my friends!

Tell us how you REALLY feel...the reality of King's dream

First, if you haven't done so already today watch or read Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech.

You know the drill:
No holds barred.
Be completely honest.
You may choose to remain anonymous.

Now tell us how you REALLY feel. Has Dr. King's dream been realized?

Breaking news: Magnitude 6.0 quake hits Guatamala

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit Guatemala's Pacific coast near the border with El Salvador. At this time, no further details are available.

Hope for the best for the people of Guatamala.

Spotlight: Dallas law firm keeps King's dream alive

What are you doing today?

In a quest to answer one of Dr. King's most famous inquiries, a Dallas law firm is working to keep King's dream alive. For the past 18 years, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP has sponsored the annual MLK Day oratory competition in Dallas and 4 years ago they expanded the competition to Houston. Oratory participants merge Dr. King's message and their hope for the future. Each year, students deliver their speeches, which include their favorite quotes from Dr. King, in front of hundreds of eager listeners. The competition encourages youth to embrace King's dream and to make it their own.  In addition to famous quotes from King, the fourth and fifth grade participants pay homage by captivating the large audience with what his dream means to them.

Tamia Gaines, this year's top winner out of 149 students in Dallas had this to say: "Dr. King once said, 'At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love.' That quote inspired me to believe that it does not matter what color or race we are, we're still brothers and sisters, and love is what we need in order to change things."

Gaines encouraged adults to become an example to younger generations. "Wake up, grown-ups," she said in her presentation. "You're poisoning the young minds of this world. Dr. King preached nonviolence. If you're fussing and fighting all the time, we fuss and fight. What can you do to help us?"

Check out Tamia's speech, it is truly remarkable to hear such profound words from such a young person.

Another participant, Jasmine Cox, a fifth-grader at S.S. Conner Elementary, said: "One day I dream to help or lead other people in the right direction just like the honorable Dr. King. Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last."

Nina Davis, a fourth-grader at Marsalis Elementary, proclaimed she is King's dream. "His vision was me," she said. "You see, I am the future Dr. King dreamed about, and, because of his achievements and dreams, I can achieve greatness and succeed at anything that I am determined to do or to become."
 
We appreciate the efforts of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP to give King's message eternal life. This year's competition was co-sponsored by the Dallas Independent School District. I commend all of those who forge similar paths to ensure that we never forget what King means to our nation and to the world.

Here is this year's winner from Houston:

Check out videos of previous winners:

Happy Martin Luther King Day!!!

Today is America's official observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. In honor of Dr. King's work towards social equality and his legacy, America is celebrating him through a national day of service. Although federal offices are closed, all are encouraged to use the time off to make a difference in his/her community by volunteering. Hence, the reason it has been referred to by many as a day ON and not a day OFF.

Although Dr. King's birthday is celebrated in January, we all benefit from his accomplishments everyday.  For that reason, do not stop at celebrating Dr. King and other heroes in your life on special occasions; instead, take advantage of every opportunity to honor your heroes everyday.

To find out about the many opportunities for young professionals to make honoring Dr. King's legacy in 2010 a success, visit MLKDay.gov.
 

Check out HUSL Today's tribute to Dr. King here.

Beautiful people of HUSL Today, how do you plan on impacting your community today?

Take a moment to leave your favorite MLK quotes in the comment box. Don't worry, we wont judge you if you have to do a quick Google search :)

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

In honor of America's National Day of Service, today's quote is from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know most of us have the day off and we want to celebrate in our own way but today is a day of remembrance and honor. Dr. King encourages us to uplift humanity and to do it with excellence. Do your part to honor Dr. King by participating in something that will uplift your fellow man. No matter how big or small your project may be, you should find comfort in knowing you have made the world better. To those who choose to give their time today, you are appreciated.

Carpe Diem!

Video: Clinton on Haiti, the aftermath AND more ways to help

Candlelight vigils. Late night phone calls. Neighborhoods gathered in prayer. Missing children. Broken Families. Tears of sorrow. There is no doubt that the quake in Haiti has devastated the island nation. That is no longer a question. However, questions still remain about how we can help. Feelings of helplessness, strife, and fear have swept over people around the world. As reports pour in about a possible 50,000+ deaths, miraculous stories of survivors, and the unfathomable amount of damage people are wondering how they can help.

Although the images are graphic and the videos are grim, perhaps the sight of the devastation will move people who may be on the fence to decide to help. You can view aerial photos of the damage here.

To add insult to injury, scam artists have targeted people ready to donate. If you are concerned about the legitimacy of the relief efforts, CNN has composed a valid list of legitimate charities here.



The good news is relief efforts have intensified and donations have poured in. The demand level for aid is described by relief workers as "overwhelming." Search and rescue efforts are a top priority but there is still a need for basic supplies like food, water, blankets, clothing, toiletries, and medical supplies. Authorities admit they have been unable to transport a decent amount of already donated supplies due to a fallen trees, damaged communication networks and debris covered roads.

You can also text donations for Haiti relief from your cell phone. In addition to your donation amount, standard text messaging fees will apply.

Red Cross: Text HAITI to 90999 ($10 donation)
Yéle Haiti: Text YELE to 501501 ($5 donation)
United Way: Text HAITI to 864833 ($5 donation)
Intl Medical Corps: Text HAITI to 85944 ($10 donation)

Still looking for news on your loved ones? The U.S. State Department has set up a hotline for information on family members who may be in Haiti: (888) 407.4747. NOTE: This number is for information on U.S. citizens in Haiti only.

My heart is heavy with sympathy and concern for all people affected by this tragedy. As one personally affected, consider this my plea that all of you do what you can to help the people of Haiti in what is quickly becoming a nationwide catastrophe. Stand up and show that our generation is not as self-involved as we are portrayed. Organize efforts in your neighborhood. If you do not have money donate non-perishable food items and clothing. Find out more info about Red Cross donations here.

Check out previous posts about the quake in Haiti here and here.

For news updates click here.

Beautiful people of HUSL Today the devastation is too great to be ignored! The time is NOW to stand up and lend a helping hand to Haiti.

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King from Talented Generation!

For the past 27 years, America has celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15. We also celebrate by observing a national holiday on the third Monday in January. School, banks, federal offices, and post offices are closed in his honor.

Stevie Wonder singing the best ever version of the "Happy Birthday" song:

Dr. King sought to unite a divided nation at a time when it seemed impossible. His nonviolent approach, inspired by Mohandas Gandhi, inspired people of all religions, ages, and national origins to fight for peace and equality for all mankind. On August 28, 1963, King led the now famous March on Washington where he delivered his epic "I have a Dream" speech. King's distinctly profound voice and unique ability to speak with precision motivated a nation to work united in our journey towards change. You can watch King's speech here. The text of the speech is here.



King's efforts to help African Americans earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in October of 1964. He donated his award money to the civil rights movement.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 by escaped convict James Earl Ray. Check out Walter Cronkite's coverage of the assassination:

In 1986, a national holiday was created  in King's honor. Today would have been King's 81st birthday. You can watch snippets from one of the saddest days in American history here.

In honor of Dr. Kings significant contributions to the world, you are encouraged to take a moment and reflect on the impact he has had on our world. On January 18, there will be a national day of service to "improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer" according to MLK.gov. It is considered a "day ON" and not a "day OFF." To find out about opportunities to volunteer in your area, visit MLKDay.gov Last year, on the Tuesday following King's birthday our nation celebrated the inauguration of our first black president, Barack Obama.



I believe we can all learn something from Dr. King. We celebrate him today and everyday. In the words of Dr. King "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." One day, King's dream will come true. 

Happy Birthday!

Be Young;
Be Professional;
Be Great!

Source: MLK.gov

Out the door...Inspirational quote to start your day

Say it with me "iiiiiitsssss Frrrriiiidddayyyy!"

Good Morning beautiful people of HUSL Today!! It's time for the inspirational quote of the day. Here you will find daily inspirational quotes to help you get your day started on a positive note. Before you leave your dwelling take a moment to meditate on the "out the door" quote of the day and make a conscious to decision to make today better than yesterday. Think about what the quote means to you and carry that thought with you throughout your day. Hold on to the personal meaning you find in each quote and use it to inspire you to push through difficult situations.

"Don't count the days, make the days count."
-Muhammad Ali

I know we all start off our week with the Monday blues and we often get through tough moments by thinking about how we can't wait until Friday. What I hope we can do as Young Professionals is become an example to others by resisting the urge to count the days and beginning to focus on how we can make each day count. Time will fly when you find a way to have fun! Be encouraged to make this and everyday significant for positive reasons and your days will be better for doing so.

Be Young;
Be Professional;
Be Great!

Breaking News-R&B and soul legend Teddy Pendergrass dies

Legendary R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass died today at the age of 59 following a difficult battle with colon cancer. According to reports by the soul singer's son, Pendergrass died at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Philadelphia.

From one day of tragedies to the next. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pendergrass family in their time of bereavement.

My favorite song by Teddy P.was "When somebody loves you back." I still laugh at the scene from Nutty Professor when Professor Sherman Klump sings "Close the door" to his food. Beautiful friends of HUSL Today are you a fan of Teddy Pendergrass? If so, what was our favorite song?

Below are a few of my favorites: