Volume 8, Issue 3 | March 2019
 
 Inside This Issue:
Inspiration and Contemplation ...
Spirituality  ...
People Making A Difference  ...
General Computer Use/Technology ...
Talk Radio Versus Podcasting
Email Marketing  ...
Website Development and Design ...
About the Author ...
You, Me, and Spirit
 
 


Do you have a time of year that's extra special -- besides Christmas and the other celebrations of light?

Well, March is a special time of year for me. Yes, I always enjoy the rebirth and hope that comes with spring. But it's more than that.

In 1990, I walked into the rooms of a 12 Step program, and my life was to never be the same again (of course, I didn't know that then). 

If you know a little bit about the 12 Steps, you know it's a spiritual program. Well, this devout atheist, after five years of knowing about this helping program, finally became open enough to commit to attend a 12 Step meeting. And so it was on Saturday, March 10, 1990 @ 10:15 a.m. on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC, I voluntarily walked into a 12 Step meeting despite knowing the G-word was going to be uttered. 

I didn't die, I didn't get struck by lightning, I didn't get looked at like I had two heads when I started sharing. Quite the opposite. After hearing other people's stories, the "miracles" that had transpired, and being immersed in love and understanding, for the first time in my life I felt I was Home. Over time, working the Steps, my whole attitude and outlook upon life and people changed. And, hence, my life's path was altered forever.

I said that March 10, 1990 would always be the most important day in my life -- even if I got married. Well, I did get married (and divorced), and still 03.10.90 remained the most important day of this lifetime, and continues to this day.

Chances are I would not be writing this newsletter -- well, for sure, not articles about spirituality. You would probably not be reading it. In fact, you and I probably would not even have crossed paths. That's how profoundly my journey shifted.

So at this time of year when Nature is blossoming, may you know that change is always possible. And, something so seemingly small or simple can lead you on a wonderful new journey that delights and heals your spirit and soul... like my stepping into a church basement in the Big Apple so many years ago.

I will always be grateful for finally becoming willing, for without willingness, March 10, 1990 would be just another date from 29 years ago. 

What's  been an important date on your Life's journey? I'd love to know -- email me.

Blessings,

Joyce's signature
 


inspireInspiration and Contemplation
Belief Versus Knowledge

"God is not a belief to which you give your assent. God becomes a reality whom you know intimately, meet everyday, one whose strength becomes your strength, whose love, your love. Live this life of the presence of God long enough and when someone asks you, "Do you believe there is a God?" you may find yourself answering, "No, I do not believe there is a God. I know there is a God." 

- Ernest Boyer, Jr ., American Educator (1928 - 1995)

spiritualitySpirituality
The Kindness of Strangers 

Last week I was blessed to attend my very first talk of Dr. Michael Joseph Levry, international bestselling author, composer, producer of sacred music and world-renowned speaker. He is the founder of Naam Yoga and Shakti Naam, which I have been learning and practicing for three years now. Among other things, Dr. Levry's talk impressed upon me the practice and necessity of kindness.  

The following video exemplifies the goodness and kindness of people, ordinary people -- and in this case, perfect strangers. It touches my heart and soul to the core and gives me hope of a world filled with more light, love, and peace.

Syrian immigrant jeweller in Dallas, Texas
Syrian immigrant jeweler in Dallas, Texas

peoplePeople Making a Difference
High School Student Saves Money to Buy His Best Friend Something Special
 
It is especially uplifting to see young adults making a difference in the lives of others. In this case, a high school student saved his earnings from a part-time job for two years in order to make life a lot easier for his best friend.

Teen buys wheelchair for friend with his own money
Teen buys something special for his friend

General Computer Use/Technology
general_comp
Talk Radio Versus Podcasting: What's the Difference?
 
At one of my networking groups recently someone asked what's the difference between a podcast and talk radio. I thought it was a worthwhile question. But first, what the heck is a podcast, and where did that word come from anyway?

A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download in order to listen. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user's own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player. The term comes from a combination of the words "iPod" (a personal digital audio player made by Apple) and "broadcast."


Okay, now for a brief comparison of these two vehicles for communicating ideas:
  • Schedule vs. On-Demand - When you have a live radio show, you have to stick to a strict schedule and format. With a podcast, your audience can listen to your podcast whenever they want, they are able to start from the beginning of every episode, and they have the ability to stop listening and come back to the podcast later at the exact point that they stopped. 
  • On radio, the clock is always ticking. Podcasts are free from time constraints.
  • Radio is delivered live (typically) and can reach as far as its signal (typically). A podcast is recorded, and can be heard across the world. It is delivered via a web feed.
  • Radio cannot be edited after it has been broadcast, whereas podcasts are pre-recorded so they can be easily adjusted after recording.
  • Radio stations aim to appeal to a mass audience. Podcasts focus on niche audiences.
emailEmail Marketing
Email Permission Policy
 
As someone who uses an email marketing provider to build relationships and stay in touch, it follows that I want my contacts to truly want to receive my e-newsletter. And, the same is true for you.

Constant Contact (my provider)  requires you have permission from all your contacts in order to email them. You can collect and document permission from potential contacts by using Constant Contact sign-up tools like the confirmed opt-in for new sign-ups.

If you're not using Constant Contact as your email marketing provider, check the permission policy of the vendor you are using to ensure you are following permission marketing.

Who You Can Email
It's helpful to know that there are two types of permission:

Express Permission is when an individual has opted-in or specifically requested to get your emails. Some examples of this are:
  • Anyone who goes through a double opt-in or confirmed opt-in process.
  • Someone who signs up to receive your emails from your webpage.
  • People who sign up using a form with the specific purpose of being added to a mailing list.
Implied Permission happens through a client or customer relationship. For example, you may get implicit permission through:
  • The exchange of business cards.
  • A verbal request.
  • A fishbowl collection where no consent to email is asked.
  • The sale of a product or service.
  • An inquiry about a product or service.
  • A donation to your nonprofit.
  • Membership in your organization.
In addition to Constant Contact's permission policy, you may also need to comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) or Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Learn the differences between implied and express permission for each of these laws.

Who You Cannot Email
On the other hand, you are never allowed to email:
  • Any purchased, rented, or appended list of email addresses from any source, no matter what the source claims.
  • Any shared list of email addresses that haven't given you direct permission to email, such as a
    • trade show attendee list
    • affiliated company contact list
To learn who else you cannot email, click here.
 
hour-free
Complimentary One-Hour Consult with Your Free Constant Contact Trial
 
When you sign up for a free 60-day trial of Constant Contact, let's work together for an hour gratis and start putting your email together, upload your contacts, etc.
  • No credit card required to sign up for your trial!
  • 60 days to explore all the campaign types and features that Constant Contact has to offer.
  • Create as many campaigns as you want.
  • Try out all the different campaign types available - there's more than just email!
Sign up for your free 60-day Constant Contact trial using the link below
websites
Websites and Coffee header


Guide to WordPress SEO
SEO-wise, WordPress is a great content management system. Yoast offers a plugin to further improve performance. If you're using the plugin, follow the Yoast WordPress guide to higher rankings for WordPress sites, now updated for 2019.

Click here to read the l-o-n-g article or download the guide.
____________________________________

April 2019 Schedule of Websites and Coffee WordPress workshops
These workshops are hands-on: you will actually work in a real, live website and personally experience working with self-hosted WordPress. Space is limited to just 4 participants so that you can receive the attention you deserve. 

"Intro to WordPress: First Steps"
$ 49-

April 03, 2019 | Wed | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

April 15, 2019 | Mon | 6:30 - 8:30 PM


"Intro to WordPress: Going Deeper (Part II)"
$ 49-

April 24, 2019 | Wed | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Workshops take place in Gilbert, AZ
(Val Vista Dr near Baseline Rd)


To learn more and/or to register, please visit the Websites and Coffee website, or call me @ 928.301.7292.



"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."

- Harriet Ann Jacobs

May your soul be inspired by Nature and spring forth!

Blessings,
Joyce's signature

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