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HomeRebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

Rebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

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Web 2.o is Prozac for your bailout blues

09-30-08
Rebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

During the events of yesterday, I was able to pick up the phone and call my father to talk through my thoughts on this issue. This is a huge deal - the biggest shake-up in many American's lifetimes. I am going to pay attention. I am going to listen. I am going to participate. I am going to learn.

We are a society used to instant gratification. Yesterday, anyone on the pro-bailout side, used to our "gimme now" culture, had a new order thrust their way - wait and see.

Regardless of what side of the fence you're on, we're all chomping at the bit. We all want the same thing in the end - a reasonable resolution and some peace of mind.

After my conversation with my father, the television spouting its fear in the background, I turned to the Internet and scoured the news stories. I watched in eerie fascination as Congress cast its vote and Wall Street responded in kind. Even though I wasn't keen on the bailout, I do feel we can't be completely hands off this issue, so when the politicking began, I was feeling a little powerless; a little sad.

Continue reading, "Web 2.0 is Prozac for your bailout blues"....

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Your perspective makes all the difference

09-14-08
Rebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

Yesterday I attended a Law Of Attraction seminar hosted by Esther and Jerry Hicks. If you don't know their story, the Hicks were the ones originally enlightening people about the The Secret. They have a unique value proposition, one that I listen to daily. Whether you follow their teachings or believe in their story is irrelevant, because what they have to say is just good common sense.

I get fired up about the Law of Attraction because it keeps me on track, focused and hopeful. I know I am a positive person, but that doesn't mean that the contrast existent in day to day doesn't throw me for a loop. Somedays I have allowed it to just knock me on my butt.

Remembering the law of attraction helps me to reach for things that make me feel better. When I am reallly good, remembering the law of attraction helps me to use the negative factors to my advantage because it allows me to desire things that make me feel better and turn my attention toward those things instead.

I read a lot of blog posts as well as write and conduct interviews every week. I observe through reading or listening a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to the pursuit of happiness. So many people struggling with self worth and past and present struggles. All different people from all walks of life have an Eleanor Rigby inside of them.

Once the questions started pouring out at the seminar I attended yesterday and the answer was given, I just found my pen flying. So many great responses and some truly life altering ones for me. Just as I was given a gift yesterday, I want to share that same gift now and offer these same words that are penned in my notebook.

These words comforted a young 20 year old boy who had just suffered a loss, a 30 something professional unsure if he should accept a gift of homeownership from his father, a middle aged woman seeking to love herself and accept herself as she loves and accepts others. These words comforted all who heard them in the room. The buzz of positive energy flowing in the 800 other attendees was transparent.

These words comforted me.

On dealing with life's obstacles-"From your contrast is always born clarity of improvement. Contrast proples you to what you want, what could be better. These better things contribute to the expansion of the world" ( I can think of a few inventions that have come about this way)

On dealing with negative emotions-"In your present negative emotion, you are not keeping up with who you really are and who you were meant to be. If you are feeling hopelessness/despair you are low on the ladder and you need to start climbing those rungs. You can climb up to revenge (just feel those thoughts, not actually acting out vengeance), from revenge climb up to anger, than climb to frustration/pettiness,and from there climb to hope.

"From hope you can really get to the best things in life that were meant to be yours. You can reach for your desires from hope." (Think of Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King or the Dalai Lama)

On the media- "It's okay to turn turn toward the media when you are having curious thoughts about what's going on in the bigger world outside of your front door. The key is not to take in all the negative media and use it as an excuse to simmer on negative feelings. Use it as a source to pinpoint what you do want. Focus on those things that you do want and do not keep your attention on the media's reporting"

The best media reporters would show you a wide picture of what was going on, and then show you how to make it better....and what is out there to make you feel good.

(Can you relate real estate to this equation?)

On accepting good things happening to you and wanting more (it's amazing how we can be our own worst enemies on this one)- "How do you justify the well being that is coming to you? My existence is justification enough."

Attending the seminar just to hear this last statement was worth it. As a mother, a writer and a coach, I have a hard time accepting things from others. I have an even harder time accepting things for myself. I always want to give, but one of the best things I can do is to accept gifts and life's rewards with open arms. this is what life is all about.

Before I left the conference I was looking at a series of books for children. I want to start teaching my children more about the Law of Attracting and the Art of Allowing. I don't want them to grow up in this world thinking defeatist thoughts and feeding into the negative hype. As I was at the table I started a conversation with the woman next to me, a grandmother who told me she would be purchasing the children's books.

This was a gift for her granchildren. She wanted them to "...have the opportunity to learn this stuff earlier than her".

There wasn't any religion, race, creed or sexual preference that wasn't welcome in the conference room yesterday. I was sitting in a rainbow of acceptance and love. In a room of people who knew that life was about feeling good. I walked away from the conference confident and assured, eager to share with my children. The first thing I will tell them?

"Your perspective makes all the difference"

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911- "I remember..."

09-11-08
Rebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

Today is the 7th anniversary of 911. Almost a decade later after the tragic events and stregths that united our country and our nation's friends and I still remember where I was, how I felt, what I did on that day in 2001.

I remember that my family was in Door County Wisconsin for a family wedding, my cousin had just gotten married the day before. I remember coming into the living room where my brother was fixated on the t.v., and then I remember watching the t.v. as a plane hit the second tower.

I remember my dad, a New Yorker, pacing back and forth and saying that it was the "end of the world as we knew it". I remember being relieved when I found out the daycare in one of the twin towers had not been occupied that day. I remember worrying about what was next.

I remember the need to hug my children tight. I remember driving home how quiet the ride was, flags were at half mast, there were no planes in the sky. 911- I remember.

What I learned today is that the events of that day are fresh in the minds of many.

I sent an email to my fellow co-workers at Connect2Agent , asking them to "...answer the question what do you remember, starting each thought with "I remember...".

Here are their memories of September 11th, 2001:

I remember that I was in my car and the confusion of trying to grasp the initial reports coming across the radio. I remember turning around and heading back to the day care provider with the need to hold my child. I remember the shock of watching the towers fall, it was a feeling that affected every cell of my body. I remember not knowing what to say.- Kristi

I remember the principal of the Christian school where I was teaching walking into my 4th grade classroom and encouraging me to turn on the TV, that "an attack" had taken place in New York. I remember that upon turning on the TV my students and I witnessed a plane flying into the 2nd tower. I remember turning off the TV and asking my students to join me in prayer for the victims of the crash, their families, and for the lost souls of the persons who planned and executed this tragedy.

I remember a new student to our school, in my classroom, wanting to find her mother, who was assisting the teacher in the 1st grade classroom. She explained that her uncle, her mother's brother, was a New York City fireman. She was in tears. I walked her to the door and was met by her mother, also in tears. I remember finding time to call my oldest daughter, out of state at college, my son, who was home sleeping, and my youngest daughter, who was a freshman in high school.

I remember longing to hug each of them and assure them, and myself, that God was in control, and that I was there to help them in anyway I could. I remember calling my mother and sister, both out-of-state, later that day, and expressing my love to them. I remember feeling extremely small, powerless and humbled. I remember longing to feel a physical embrace from God.- Sharon

I Remember it being such a scary and sad day. I was at work, 7 month pregnant with my son and wondering what kind of world I was bringing him into. I remember having contractions (probably from stress) and being so scared too, thinking-"What's next?". I remember our office closed mid-day so everyone could go home and be with their families.

The rest of the day, my husband and I sat and watched in horror the devastation in NY. I remember crying as I watched those who could not find their family members and praying for each of them and our country.-Tricia

I remember being at work and the news coming through my desk radio. I remember how everyone stopped what they were doing, and the room fell silent with disbelief. I remember my mother crying with worry over family members who live in the areas where the destruction occurred.

I remember the days that followed, and the shock, dismay and grief that engulfed our Country. I remember America rising as the phoenix from the dirt and debris, and forming a united front.

I remember a tragedy that did not break a nation, instead - it made us stronger and brought us together as never before.- Amber

I remember I was checking my email right before going into one of my classes at college, and a friend had sent me an email saying a plane just crashed into the Twin Towers. While I was concerned, the extreme seriousness of the situation did not completely register with me yet. I remember going on to class, where everyone was worried, trying to figure out what was going on, and no one could concentrate.
As I was walking out of the building after my class, I remember a TV in the hallway was on and a lot of students were gathered around, staring at the news. I stopped for a minute, then left and went straight home, where my roommate was glued to the TV.

I remember both of us sitting there in shock, watching everything replay over and over. We had just started working at the same place and had to go to work that afternoon. I remember riding in the car and looking outside at the clear blue sky; it was a beautiful, calm day which was a total contrast to what had just happened. Everything looked peaceful, but felt the opposite. I remember looking up in the sky and wondering if I would see any planes. My sense of security was gone- Erin

I remember sitting in my vehicle in a parking lot across from one of my classroom buildings at Central Michigan University studying for an exam because the library was still being constructed. I remember looking up to see hundreds of students pouring out of the building - some heading back to their dorms others heading to their vehicles. I remember being confused and asking the guy who parked next to me, "What's going on? Have classes been canceled?" I remember his reply didn't make sense and at first I thought he was being a smart-assed kid telling me a line of b.s. I remember his facial expression was serious and sad.

I remember starting my vehicle and hearing the radio announcer say, "The World Trade Center is no more." I remember listening in disbelief as the horror and tragedy of the morning's events were told. I remember wanting to be with my (then) husband, and headed toward home. I remember crying non-stop on the long hour commute home. I remember holding my husband tightly. I remember feeling helpless. I remember watching the images on T.V. and my heart aching for the people.

I remember realizing the world had changed forever.

I will never forget.- Abbie

I invite readers to share their experience on this post. In the comments section, answer the question “What do you remember about September 11, 2001?” starting each thought with “I remember … ”

Thank you for sharing.

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Need Wi-Fi? Here's a list of the wired spots in the Lake Geneva, WI area

01-23-08
Rebecca Levinson-R.E. Blogger/Connect2Agent

Often in the spring, summer and fall I will go to a local coffee shop to research, blog and even conduct interviews. I find the change of pace refreshing.

When I went to find Wi-Fi for the first time in my town, I was very disappointed. I wanted to work from the Lake Geneva Public Library. It has one of the best views of the lake and seemed like the perfect spot.

Unfortunately, it is a very old building and as such, has no accomodations for the those who need to be tuned in to the internet.

While I was being educated by the librarian at the Lake Geneva Public Library about the lack of Wi-Fi there, I spied a list of Wireless Internet Locations she had on her desk.

I asked about it and she graciously made be a copy. Since then I have been able to go about my town wirelessly (less so now because it is winter, and I tend to hibernate and write from my cozy home location).

Here are the Wireless Internet Spots in the Lake Geneva Area courtesy of a very kind librarian at the Lake Geneva Public Library:

  • Caribou Coffee- Main Street, Lake Geneva- First hour is FREE; You can then obtain a code for the remainder of the day with purchase.
  • Geneva Java- 723 Geneva Street, Lake Geneva- FREE
  • Postnet- 253 Center Street, Lake Geneva; M-F- 9-6 p.m.; Sat. 9-1/Full or half day rates
  • Starbucks- Main Street, Lake Geneva- charged through T-Mobile
  • Soleil Caffe- FREE- 58 Market W, Elkhorn- #723-1470
  • Panera Bread- FREE- Hwy. 50, Delavan, #728-9914
  • Fontana Public Library- FREE, M- 9:30-5 p.m.; T- 9:30-8 p.m.; W- 9:30-5 p.m.; Th- Summer- 9:30-5/Fall- 9:30-8 p.m.; Saturday- 9-1 p.m.
  • Burlington Public Library- FREE- M-Th- 9-9 p.m.; Fri- 9-5:30 p.m.; Sat. 9-5:30 p.m.; Sun- Closed
  • Aram Public Library-404 East Walworth Avenue, Delavan, WI 53115; #262-738-3111

I have been to only two spots on the above list, Starbucks and Caribou Coffee. In both these spots it was easy to set-up the Wi-Fi and the connection was fast. The views were great also.

If you have any additional spots to add, please comment below. Happy surfing, blogging, and internet use.


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