Viber... FREE calls and FREE texting

I was introduced to Viber a few weeks ago.  WOW.  An application that not only appears to do what they say it will do, but does it better than the devices designed for calls and texting.

I downloaded, told it what my phone number was, confirmed the phone number by responding to an SMS text message and that was it.  It worked, with my existing contact list too.  It is only for Viber user to Viber user, you bill, significantly.
can't call a non-Viber user.  That shouldn't be a problem over time, tell everyone and we'll all be saving money.  Minimum plans from our wireless provider.  I'm looking forward to reducing my Verizon bill.

Viber will use cellular, WiFi or wired in the case of your computer....  Viber is available for your Windows or Mac computer.  Here are the first 3 items in the Viber FAQ list:

• Why do I need Viber?
  When you use Viber, your phone calls and text messages to any other Viber users are free! The sound quality is also much better than a regular call.
• Will Viber help reduce my phone bill?
  Once you and your friends install Viber, you can use it to talk and message as much as you want. Talk, message, and talk and message some more and it's all free*!
  * When you use Viber on a 3G network you might incur operator data charges or internet access fees.
• Does it cost anything to use Viber?
  Viber and all Viber features are absolutely free and do not require any additional "in application" purchase.
  * When you use Viber on a 3G network you might incur operator data charges or internet access fees.
  
  
  Using Viber is believing.  My car has Bluetooth built in and my phone connects to my iPhone when I'm in the car.  I always thought it worked OK.  With Viber, it is AMAZING, crystal clear. incredibly better than just using the phone.
  
  
  Go to Viber.com from your computer or find Viber in the iOS Apps Store, Android Market Place or where ever you find your apps.  Try it, you'll love it, your friends will love it, your wallet will love it.
  
  
  
  

"Normalization of Risk", How sobering

I received an email on Friday concerning the death of a rescue worker who was killed more than a year ago.  I didn't work with him, didn't know him, in fact, he didn't even work for the same agency I did.  The short story of the man he was and the job his did along with the details of how he died, was not just a reminder of how short life really is, it was a prelude to the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey might have said.

I paraphrase the story here, removing the personal and logistical details....

A rescue fell to his death during the rescue of critically injured climbers.  This public servant, a 33-year-old former U.S. Marine sergeant, was in his fourth season doing this type of work with the agency. He was following his passion for the outdoors, having worked in various jobs that developed his expertise as a ski patroller, medical technician, and mountaineering and river ranger. Those who knew him describe him as a quiet, competent leader with a strong, commanding presence.

The investigation following the accident determined he died because he was not anchored with fall protection during the rescue. He lost his balance and fell from a helicopter doing what he had done many times before. Yet, the reason he died is far more complex. He was not wearing fall protection likely because of a common human tendency known as “normalization of risk” which is to become desensitized to the risk around us and subconsciously accept high levels of risk as being normal after continuously repeating the behavior without negative consequences.

Think about that for a minute.  Doing things we have done over and over before, ignoring how to do them safely because I haven't gotten hurt before.  Does this bring things like texting while driving to mind?  Running down stairways with holding the handrail?  How about smoking?  You get the idea.  

While this is not about texting while driving or other types of distracted driving, let's use it an an example.  There are laws prohibiting texting while driving and studies that report the causalities and serious injuries, yet people do it anyway.  We found the same failure in life today from people accepting unnecessary risk.  The message went on to say the lesson for us all is to make it a practice to carefully reevaluate the risks we accept as normal—or even mundane—and to build in a margin for error, create and follow our written procedures, and provide and use our training. Listen to the experts, give them credit for what they do.  we all need to be watchful of the tendency of families, friends and co-workers to “normalize” risks and must intervene to prevent this from occurring in life today. We also have to look out for one another and to get beyond the apprehension of correcting our peers when we see them engaging or preparing to engage in behaviors that may get them or others hurt.

Let's go out and live a better, safer life...  not be wrapped up within ourselves...  smell the roses.  Life is short enough without cutting it shorter because we take unnecessary risk.

As Nike might suggest... Just Do It

This picture was posted today by a Facebook friend who is celebrating a birthday today.  So to begin with, happy birthday Nanci.  I'm so happy you woke up this morning and immediately felt the love of your cyber friends.  Not that any of us want to grow older, but what a grand feeling it is to wake up on a birthday morning and feel that way, it should happen every day.

I love the words on the picture she posted.  There are times, many times, when my life feels like I am in a cement mixer or washing machine on steroids...  everything is crazy.  How do you take pause?  Almost as if you know things are going to change, but what lies around the corner may have nothing to do with the present moment...  you just know something is coming. The drum just keeps turning and we never stop.

Sometimes it happiness, sometime its turmoil, sometimes what you might expect, yet other times chaos.  Demands at work, at home, in meeting the obligations...  it's just never ending.  Nice when it is on the lower end of the stress spectrum, but the drum keeps turning, never stopping.  A constant churn.  We don't take enough time to pause and soak all the goodness in, and there is goodness, despite the negatives you think are there.

This picture reminds me, we must find a way to step back and take a break.  Our sanity, our health, our ability to be a something special in the life of someone else depends on it.  I thought I had figured out how to take pause, it isn't working, my drum keeps turning.  My health, physical and mental well being are being eaten away because I have not found a way to take pause.

This post is about you, not me.  I don't want you to fall into the same traps, feel the same pain or to continue on without taking pause now and then as I have done.  I want you to have a better opportunity.  Step back and find your method.  Smell the roses, forget the drama, the demands....  be happy for today and those around you, those that do love you.  That's really all that matters.

Someone out there loves you and needs you.  Be there for them.   (((hugs)))

Actions that speak for themselves...

Sometimes it doesn't take words to describe some people...

Just watch them... their actions speak volumes

Don't mimic them... they're useless

Don't ask them... they think they are important

A mirror wouldn't show...  they are clueless

They're good for one thing

Walking to Eradicate Breast Cancer

Earlier today, my daughters passed the 5 mile mark in their Avon walk to eliminate breast cancer in Washington DC. I've since heard they have passed the 12 mile point... This is a huge fundraiser in the effort to eradicate breast cancer.

They are both short in their fund raising efforts, but tall in their efforts to complete the walk and reach their required goal to be in this walk. I am encouraging each of you to reach as deep as might be comfortable for you and make a donation to help them out in their efforts. Your donation will go directly into the Avon fund and you will receive a receipt for tax donation purposes. The minimum donation the page is set up to receive is $5.00, and every bit helps.

Thank you!

Tina's (pictured on the left) Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Web page is at:
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDC?px=6441427&pg=personal&fr_id=2190

Rebecca's 

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Web page is at:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDC?px=5333776&pg=personal&fr_id=2190

Your help is greatly appreciated.  PLEASE share the link that brought you here.

Take back America, we are #BostonStrong

As I see the years pass, I am often disheartened with the things I have witnessed and the direction I see things going in. I have allowed myself to be changed in a way I don't like because of it and it is time to stop. The following paraphrases parts of others writings, as a call to action by all Americans.  In times like these, I want to encourage the spread of love rather than hate and revenge, however, make no mistake about it, that does not mean I can or will accept that which is harming and dismantling this society or country from that which our forefathers built, and we must now reestablish and maintain.

Unacceptable events in our American society in recent months and years were not caused by religion; other countries did not do it; guns were not the cause of people, including children dying; an ethnicity did not do this – marginalized, sick individuals did this.  That's who needs to be dealt with. We don't needs to change our gun control laws, we just need to enforce our laws. None of us can even fathom the pain that parents, families and friends of those who's lives have been lost or maned because they just happened to be in the path of a monster criminal at the wrong time... monster criminals don't follow the laws or play by societies rules! It does not help to change the rules good, honest, level headed people already follow.  Find the core problems and fix them.

Instead of seeking revenge and perpetuating hate, let’s find ways to personally extend our hands to those around us who may be in pain, who may feel alone, who may feel disconnected from the rest of us and do what we can to welcome them into our communities.  That said, we should not be ignorant to those potential monster criminals that will use our own rules to hide behind.  Know that if you cross the line or even push to the boundaries of the line, societies hand will not be there to help you because it is also educated enough to crush you if necessary.  Tolerance is a two way street.  If you expect me to be tolerant of your beliefs, remember first, you must be tolerant of mine.  Most recently, kudos to the emergency responders and persons working the Boston Marathon case as a show of strength, capability and force when someone crosses the line.  Thank you for shutting down the city, mass transit and telling people to stay home while you identified, tracked down and captured one 19 year wayward young man that has forever negatively changed so many people.  That said, banning the sale of pressure cookers is not and will not be the solution to the problem, nor will it help in the healing for all the innocent victims of April 15, 2013.  As our forefathers before us, we must work to resolve the problems in our society today, and not the symptoms brought forth because of cancers within it.

God bless everyone affected by recent events that have come to our American streets, including any of the very misguided individuals that may be responsible. However, make no mistake about it, this is the United States of America, founded on a core set of rights, freedoms and laws... follow them.  We are not a third world country...  we are Americans.  We do not accept a way of life that allows violence in our streets.  Justice will and can be served without, preferably without any more loss of life.

Awesome show of capability #BostonStrong.

The Power of Love...

Yesterday was a special day...  not really very exciting, more or less a quiet day, but 3 things happened within the span of an hour that made the whole day worth it.  It all started shortly after noon, I received a text message, out of the blue from a dear friend, I rarely get to see.  It was short and simple:

"Happy Friday Dan! You're such a dear friend!  I love you! Stay true to your divine heritage... You come from the best"

So short, so powerful, and just what I needed today. A dear friend... a friend that is there for me, despite my shortcoming.  I know that and it makes this friend so special to me.

I love you!  Nearly brings tears to me eyes.  I know it is an unconditional love, not judgmental.  I was in such need to hear and feel that love.

A reminder to turn back to God and back to my roots.  Duly noted Becca.  I also note you keying in on that and I'm beginning to remember I need to rearrange my priorities.

Ten minutes later, I get an email from another friend in response to a request I made to use some of his published materials (he's an author, mentor, key note speaker who has worked around the world)...  he said:

"use anything, any time in any way ….I LOVE YOU!!"

Again...  I LOVE YOU!!!  This is a very special friend to me... I wish I could work with him more, his life seems to be the life I have always strived to have.  An amazing family, loving wife, I believe a personal relationship with God, well respected, well educated and living what I'd call...  the good life.  Don't get me wrong, I have tons of amazing great things in my life...  but I strive to be better, and to mean to someone else, what Kirk means to me...  and I love you too man.

Lastly, although a typo...  Someone else said "I love you... ", meaning to say, "I love your... ", but I'm taking it and running with it as a third.

The power of love...  Celine sang it best...

I hope love strikes your inner being today and every day....