A Friend Emailed this to me and It touched me so much, I'm sharing with you....

There is a God in the Post Office.

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , 'in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:Dear Meredith,Abbey arrived safely in heaven.Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,God

If you knew you were dying...

This is a must see video clip...a friend sent this to me and I watched as I got the tissues out!

You will find that it will humble you and make you stop and think of your life. I try to live my life with the Motto of pay it forward, I try to help each person that I come in contact with either by a word of encouragement or guidance in how to interview well and make an impression. At the end of the day all we have are our good deeds...

My very best friend in the world who I've known for over 35 years got in a car accident in November of 07 and unfortunately her husband did not make it, she never got to say "Good Bye" or "I Love You"...She is my Tigger (video clip) I Share her pain everyday and all I can say to her is "I Love You & I'm here for you!"


Make each day count and try to help everyone that you come in contact with... Pay it forward!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roRGBqGgbqY

Counter Offers

Counter Offers

For those who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing a counter offer, it is one of the most common scenarios played out today to keep an existing employee from leaving for a new employer. Counter offers come in all shapes and sizes - ranging from offers of more money to title promotions, to leased cars and other benefits.
The idea is basic: companies entice departing employees by offering ups and extras. They often tempt the individual with an offer of a promotion, or prey upon their insecurity (ex. fear of the unknown, feelings of guilt, etc.) by making a more emotional appeal. The conversation can open with anything from, "How much will it take to get you to stay?" to "We haven't given you the recognition you deserve, please give us another chance." The present employer will then come up with promises that are seemingly lined with gold. Are they? And furthermore, should employers use them?
In a survey done by the Wall Street Journal, over 50 percent of individuals receiving counter-offers after turning in their resignations accepted them. Within eighteen months, 93 percent of those accepting counter offers had left, some voluntarily and some fired. All of the remaining 7 percent were actively seeking new employment. All in all, the reasons the employee had for searching for new employment in the first place do not go away just because they received more money or a promotion.
Given these alarming statistics, many companies have policies against making counter offers. A national survey recently conducted by The HR Team, Inc. of human resources executives (at companies with more than 50 employees) found that less than 20 percent of respondents even make counter offers. For the minority that does make counter offers, the criteria is dependent upon: the employee's contribution to the company, the value of the employee, the skills of the employee, the position, and the employee's previous performance.
KEEP RESIGNATIONS SHORT, SIMPLE AND POSITIVE

Leave your employer on a positive note. Your moving on does not have to be a time for long faces. After all, you have just won an opportunity to advance, an opportunity for which you owe your employer sincere thanks. Thank your colleagues, too, for their help in preparing you to move onward and upward.

If you have given your best to the job, you will be missed – especially by those inconvenienced by your leaving! Let them know that you intend to assist them in whatever ways you can. By showing your boss and firm due respect, you encourage future support you may someday need.

When you resign, keep your conversations simple and concise. The more you say, the more questions you may have to answer. Avoid lengthy discussion about your new opportunity with your old employer. Typically, your resignation creates extra work for others.

Chances are, your boss will be caught off-guard by your resignation, and will not be able to listen clearly to your explanations due to concerns about the sudden challenge your leaving presents. Because your boss is losing as valued employee, he or she may express negative opinions about your new firm or position. This will only confuse you. You may find yourself having to justify your personal goals and decisions or absorb the personal frustrations of others. If you’re dealing with volatile or vindictive personalities, it may be best to avoid revealing where you will be going.

If you feel you may face a hostile atmosphere, resign at the end of your workday so that you are no longer on company time and are in control of your schedule. Try to schedule any discussions for the following morning when everyone can face your departure after time to absorb and reflect on the news. If you have to defend yourself at this first meeting, or if things begin to get out of control, ask to re-schedule the meeting for a more appropriate time.

Hope this information helps you in your steps toward your new Career change.