Did you Know?

Indiana

Did you Know?

Indiana (IN, Ind., US-IN) There were a lot of firsts in Indiana. The first professional baseball game in 1871 and the first long-distance automobile race, Indianapolis 500, was in 1911, with a car that went 75 mph. The latest winner averages 167 mph.

During WWII the P-47 fighter-plane was manufactured in Evansville at Republic Aviation.

Marcella Gruelle of Indianapolis created the Raggedy Ann doll in 1914.

Santa Claus, Indiana receives over one half million letters and requests at Christmas time.

Historic Parke County has 32 covered bridges and is the Covered Bridge Capital of the world.

More than 100 species of trees are native to Indiana. Before the pioneer's arrive more than 80% of Indiana was covered with forest. Now only 17% of the state is considered forested.

Although Indiana means, "Land of the Indians" there are fewer than 8,000 Native Americans living in the state today.

Many Mennonite and Amish live on the farmland of Northeastern Indiana. One of the United States largest Mennonite congregations is in Bern. According to Amish ordnung (rules) they are forbidden to drive cars, use electricity, or go to public places of entertainment.

Indianapolis grocer Gilbert Van Camp discovered his customers enjoyed an old family recipe for pork and beans in tomato sauce. He opened up a canning company and Van Camp's Pork and Beans became an American staple.

Before public schools families pitched in to build log schoolhouse and each student's family paid a few dollars toward the teacher’s salaries.

Indiana Origin of Name:   Indiana is a word that refers to the local Indians. Meaning “land of Indians”

Indiana Motto:   “The Crossroads of America”

Indiana Nickname:   Hoosier State

Capital City:   Indianapolis

State Area:   36,420 square miles

State Population:   6,376,792 (est. 2008)

Admission to Statehood:  December 11, 1816, 19^th state

Major Industries:  Agriculture (corn, soybeans, wheat), manufacturing, mining (coal, limestone), steel-making

State Environments:  Plains

State Bird:   Cardinal

State Tree:   Tulip Tree

State Flower:   Peony

State Stone:  Limestone

State Song:   “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”, by Paul Dresser

Elevation: Highest Point – Hoosier Hill, Wayne County 1,257 feet above sea level
Lowest Point – Ohio River and mouth of Wabash River, Posey County 320 feet above sea level 

Time Zone: 80 counties Eastern UTC-5/-4
12 counties in Evansville and Gary Metro Areas Central UTC-6/-5

Average Annual Rainfall: 33.34 inches

by Melissa Taylor

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ; he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"   2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Devotion:

Once a liar, always a liar.  Once a bitter person, always a bitter person.  Once a failure, always a failure.  Once impure, always impure.  Once a bad mom, always a bad mom.  Once a person living in fear, always a person living in fear.  "Once a ____, always a ____." 

What did you fill in the blank with?  Do you have anything from your past that still defines you?  I have good news for you. You can stop living like this today.

Who is Jesus to you?  That is a question we all need to answer.  Jesus' disciples were asked this in Matthew 16:15.  ^"Then Jesus asked them, 'But who do you say I am?'" (CEV).  Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (v.16).  How would you answer Jesus' question?

So many of us know and believe Jesus is indeed the Son of the living God, but what does that mean to us in terms of our identity? The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but live forever in eternity.  "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned." (CEV)

Did you notice that last part?  Jesus did not die for our sins so that we would live under condemnation of them.  Nor did He die so we would forever be labeled and falsely identified by our sins.  He died so we would be set free from our sins and their shame, labels, and condemnation.  Don't believe anyone who tells you different.  Know who Jesus, your Savior from sin, is and rest in that truth.

Maya Angelo said, "When people show you who they are, believe them...the first time."  I will have to disregard Ms. Angelo's statement.  "Once a ___, does not make me (or you) always a ____."  Why?  Because of who Jesus is in us. Our God is not only a God of second chances, He is a God of infinite chances, forgiveness and grace.  

We can't change what people think about us.  Sure, we can try to explain how we've changed, but often others will define us by one or more sins we've committed in the past.  It's happened to me before. Even though I may have once earned the "Once/Always" names I was called, I know that's not who I truly am.  Our identity is NOT in what we did, but in who and Whose we ARE.

"Once a ___, always a ___"?  No ma'am, that is not true in the context of Christ!  In Christ, you are washed clean.  Look again at our key verse, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the old has gone, the new has come."  The old has gone.  Gone.  Gone.  It's gone!  Answer the question Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?" And believe the answer that He is your Savior from condemnation.  You are a new creation in Christ Jesus.  No person or past action can take that from you because, "Once a beloved child of God, always a beloved child of God."  That is the truth!

by Luann Prater

This is a great story and I can't tell you how many times I have seen children try to catch those soapy bubbles in their mouths and then make a face when they realize that the bubbles taste like soap!

"Look grandma, this makes super-duper bubbles!" my grandson squealed.  The new bubble gun I bought him at Cracker Barrel was indeed a marvel at propelling hundreds of soapy spheres at the touch of a button.  He entertained himself for hours, shooting bubbles then chasing them across the yard.

At some point he decided catching them in his mouth might be fun, to which I warned it might make him sick.  Grandpa chimed in, "That bubble might go down in your tummy and get bigger and bigger!"  Matt stopped in his tracks, fixated on my husband, and replied, "Is that what happened to you grandpa?"  This four-year old comment made me chuckle and then ponder.

What does God see when He looks at me?  Does He see a wide-eyed child who simply believes Him?  I'm afraid that innocent, uncomplicated girl got lost. And I don't think I'm alone in this.  Simple faith is a rare find. 

In this information age, the journey for knowledge has become the driving force in our society.  As Dragnet's Sgt. Joe Friday always said, "Just the facts, ma'am."  Faith gets pushed aside in exchange for internet wisdom.  If you haven't been bitten by the know-it-all mentality, you simply haven't let your fingers do the walking across your keyboard!  Do you want to find out how to build a house, take apart an engine, or stay up on the latest news?  Google it.  You can instantly become an expert in almost in field!  So if God tells me to, "Go," my first instinct is to research the web for direction, instead of trusting His voice. 

During a concert performance recently, our church choir wore costumes from Bible times.  It struck me as I watched and saw only their faces showing, how each one had a childlike image. No one out-dressed the other.  No one was thinner or heavier.  No hair was perfectly styled. They all had rosy cheeks, bright smiles and joy in their eyes.  The prevailing trait we find in children - innocence - shone through.  I found myself wondering if that is what God sees when He looks at us, simple children.

When we come to Jesus it is critical to come like a child, innocent and amazed.  My grandson simply believed his grandpa.  When was the last time you simply believed God?  No analyzing the situation.  No studying alternative theories.  Plain and simple, childlike trust in the One who created the heavens, the earth and you.

Today, I want to focus on coming to Him as a child.  I want to stop the grown-up worry and gaze lovingly into His Word.  Today, I want to enjoy being "the least among you all" so I can spend time with the greatest, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

by Dr. John C. Maxwell

When I was a kid, every once in a while my parents would back my brother, Larry, and I up to a doorframe, lay a ruler across our heads, and mark a line with a pencil to chart our growth. They would then write the date next to it. It was always exciting to see how much I'd grown since my last measurement.

If only measuring our effectiveness as a leader was so easy. Why is it so hard to get a clear picture of our own strengths and weaknesses?

Self evaluation means:

* Being willing to critique myself.

* Asking for and accepting honest feedback from those who can most accurately assess our leadership-those who follow us.

* Exercising self-discipline.

This last point is perhaps the hardest. I define self-control, in the beginning of life, as the choice of achieving what I really want by doing things I really don't want to do. Once this becomes a habit, discipline becomes the choice of achieving what I really want by doing the very things I now want to do! I really believe that a disciplined life becomes a joy – but only after we have worked hard to practice it.

All great leaders have understood that their number one responsibility is cultivating their own discipline and personal growth. Those who cannot lead themselves cannot lead others.

Here's what I call the START plan for becoming a disciplined leader.

* START ON YOURSELF - We'd all rather focus on changing everyone else to conform to us. The only problem with that is we end up with an organization full of people who reflect our weaknesses!

* START EARLY - I'm grateful for parents who taught me the value of a disciplined lifestyle early on.

* START SMALL - A simple plan will more likely bear fruit than anything elaborate will. Remember the value of small things, consistently practiced over time, in transforming a life.

* START NOW - The will to prepare is more important than the will to succeed. The dream to succeed, apart from the will to prepare, is simply wishful thinking.

* START ORGANIZED - Those who take time to organize have a special power. Organizational skills allow for the possibility of gaining stamina and momentum as your successes build. You gain a reputation as the person who always follows through.

Now that you've started down the road of self-evaluation, receiving constructive criticism, and self-discipline, you're ready to determine where you are as an effective leader.

-- Dr. John C. Maxwell

by Ron White

His name was Jason Dunham and he was a corporal in the United States Marines. The story picks up with Jason as he was talking with the men in his unit. They wondered whether a person could jump on a grenade and survive by putting it under his helmet. Deep down they all knew that it most likely wouldn't work, yet on the streets of Baghdad all topics of conversation can soon become quickly exhausted and hypothetical solutions to real-life problems can pass the time.

Unfortunately for Jason Dunham, the circumstance that he had hypothesized about arrived just a few weeks later. However, fortunately for his unit, Corporal Jason Dunham was there. In this life and death scenario, there is no time to think. There is only time for fight or flight. Jason chose fight and performed above and beyond the call of duty. He threw his helmet and body over a grenade and gave his life for his friends. Jason was nominated for The Congressional Medal of Honor. He was 20 years old.

Your stance on political matters or world issues is irrelevant in this scenario. Jason did not do this for you. He did not do it for the people of Baghdad. He didn't do it for the U.S. government or a politician. He did it for the men beside him, period.

To give your life for your friends is perhaps the greatest thing one person can do for another. It is also one of the rarest acts of civilization.

In 1981, shots rang out and bullets screamed through the air to pierce the flesh of the 40th President of the United States. No sooner had the gun powder been ignited than secret service agent Tim McCarthy stood up as straight as a board and extended his arms to make himself a large barrier between would-be assassin John Hinckley and President Reagan. While others ran for cover, Agent McCarthy stood looking directly at his potential death with firm resolve. Tim was shot square in the chest and, believe it or not, that was exactly his goal. As he positioned himself spread eagle to take a bullet for a man, an office and a nation, others cowered in trembling fear. Because of amazing grace, agent McCarthy survived.

What causes men and women to lay down their lives for another? It takes a lot. First and foremost, it takes a realization that life isn't about you. It is about making a difference, about making an impact and about giving.

Jason Dunham and Tim McCarthy were able to respond the way they did because:

• They decided how they were going to respond long before the event occurred.
• They were not selfish people – the farthest you could be from selfish, as a matter of fact.
• They realized that life was not about them; it was about making a difference – it was about others.

I hope with all my heart you are never placed in a situation where you have to choose between your life and those around you. Yet, every day you are in situations where you have to make choices. You must decide right now how you will respond.

The lesson to extract from the lives of Corporal Dunham and Agent McCarthy is that of an overall attitude on life. That attitude, simply put, is that it is better to give than receive. It is honorable to view the lives and well-being of others above yourself. If we can take any pearl of wisdom from the extraordinary lives and attitudes of these two men, it is that making an impact on the world is not always about recognition, power, money or personal gain. Sometimes the greatest success is one who gives himself up so others can succeed. That is the mark of the ultimate high achiever.

Decide today how you will respond in your moments of crisis - whether it is financial, personal or life and death. As you plan your actions, remember the selfless lessons of Corporal Dunham and Agent McCarthy.

-- Ron White

by Jim Rohn
(Excerpted from The Power of Ambition series)

What is the origin of true ambition? There exists really only one place to find true ambition and that is within you – in every thought, in every movement, in every motivation. Your ambition is an expression of who you truly are, your own self-expression.

Self-expression. Isn't self-expression really self-direction? How you think, how you move, how you motivate yourself. Ambition is a result of self-direction and self-direction is one of the six key principles necessary for building ambition. Positive self-direction says, "I know who I am and I know where I want to go. I'm accumulating knowledge and experiences and feelings and philosophies that will help prepare me for opportunities that I know will show up without notice or any help on my part." Because you know where you want to go, you have already been working on the parts of your personality that will make you better. Working on your attitude, working on your health, working on your time management skills. Putting it all down on paper. And you constantly see yourself in the place you want to be, going in the direction you want to go.

Direction determines destination. So here is a question you must ask yourself, "Are all the disciplines that I'm currently engaged in taking me where I want to go?" What an important question to ask yourself at the beginning of the month, the beginning of the week, the beginning of the day. Because here is what you don't ever want to do - kid yourself. Kid your neighbor, kid me and kid the marketplace, but don't kid yourself - fingers crossed - hoping you will arrive at a good destination when you're not even headed that way. You have to ask yourself often, Am I? Am I doing the disciplines that are taking me in the direction I want to go? Don't neglect to ask these important questions, questions that help determine your direction, the set of your sail, your destination.

Is this the direction I want for my life?
Is this someone else's direction?
Is this a goal I have been ingrained with since my childhood?
Is this goal my parent's, my spouse's, my boss', my children's or is it Mine?

Ask yourself these questions and then debate them. After you have answered these questions within yourself, then take it one step further and ask, "What am I doing that is working or not working?" Debate it all. Work with your mind to figure out the best possible direction for you - your self-direction. And then ambitiously pursue your own self-direction. Let the power of your own ambition take you where you want to go, to do what you want to do, to create the life you want to live!

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Credit Statement to be included in Reprints:

This article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go to www.jimrohn.com Copyright © Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune." ~Jim Rohn

Did you Know?

Kentucky  (KY, Ken., US-KY)  Approximately $6 billion worth gold is kept at the Fort Knox Gold Depository in Kentucky. The building is made of granite, steel, and concrete. The vault door weighs 20 tons. No visitors are permitted in the building.

The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

Kentucky was a popular hunting ground for the Shawnee and Cherokee Indian nations prior to being settled by white settlers.

Cheeseburgers were first served in 1934 at Kaolin's restaurant in Louisville.

Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Green.

Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave and was first promoted in 1816, making it the second oldest tourist attraction in the United States. Niagara Falls, New York is first.

The first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant owned and operated by Colonel Sanders is located in Corbin.

Fleming County is recognized as the Covered Bridge Capital of Kentucky.

Thunder Over Louisville is the opening ceremony for the Kentucky Derby Festival and is the world's largest fireworks display.

The song "Happy Birthday to You" was the creation of two Louisville sisters in 1893.

Teacher Mary S. Wilson held the first observance of Mother's Day in Henderson in 1887. It was made a national holiday in 1916.

Post-It Notes are manufactured exclusively in Cynthiana. The exact number made annually of these popular notes is a trade secret.

The public saw an electric light for the first time in Louisville. Thomas Edison introduced his incandescent light bulb to crowds at the Southern Exposition in 1883.

The world's largest free-swinging bell known as the World Peace Bell is on permanent display in Newport.

Kentucky Origin of Name:  Kentucky is from the Iroquois Indian word “Ken-tah-ten,” which means “land of tomorrow.”

Kentucky Motto:  “United we stand, divided we fall”

Kentucky Nickname:   Bluegrass State

Capital City:   Frankfort

State Area:   40,411 square miles

State Population:   4,269,245 (est. 2008)

Admission to Statehood:  June 1, 1792, 15^th state

Major Industries:  Agriculture (tobacco, corn, peanuts, wheat), mining (anthracite coal), horse-raising, whiskey manufacturing, automobile and truck manufacturing, chemical manufacturing

State Environments:  Mountains

State Bird:   Cardinal

State Tree:   Tulip Tree

State Flower:   Goldenrod

State Gemstone:  Freshwater Pearl

State Horse:  Thoroughbred

State Song:   My Old Kentucky Home, by Stephen Foster

Elevation: Highest Point – Black Mountain 4,145 feet above sea level
Lowest Point – Mississippi River 257 feet above sea level 

Time Zone:  Easter half: Eastern UTC -5/DST-4
The Western half of Kentucky: Central UTC-6/DST-5

Average Annual Rainfall:   43.56 inches

This Week's Jumpstart

An early Happy 4th of July wish to all of my U.S. readers! And for those around the world, I wish you freedom. When you look up the word freedom in the dictionary, you'll find many definitions, but the one I like best says: The capacity to exercise choice; free will.

What's your definition of freedom? Time freedom, financial freedom? Isn't it interesting, though, that in order for you to experience or gain freedom you must sacrifice something? Perhaps I should frame it another way, with other words -- discipline or choice. Jim Rohn says discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. So let me ask you... What results have you accomplished and are you satisfied with your results?

If so, congratulations! If not, what simple disciplines or "choices" can you make that will make a world of difference in your accomplishments?

That's something to think about this week. But don't just stop at thinking! Act! You have the ability and the skills to create more freedom for whatever it is you want in your life!

-- Denis Waitley

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd." ~ James Crook

Great Commentary:
I love quotes that are counter-intuitive because many times "counter-intuitive" is what works best in this world. This is especially true in leadership. If you think about it, there are only two options in life: Go with the crowd or against it. Those who will lead in this life must often start against the crowd and lead forcefully until the crowd sees the results and changes their direction. If you just go with the crowd, you are just part of the crowd. Even if you are going with the crowd but out in front of the crowd, that doesn't mean you are leading. It just means you are faster than the rest of the crowd! That means you're just better at being average - and that isn't what you want your life to be!

Action Point:
Think about your life. Are you going with the crowd or against it? Are you willing to lead by turning your back on the crowd? Take a step today to differentiate yourself from the crowd - and begin your journey toward success and leadership!

All mankind is divided into three classes:

• those that are immoveable
• those that are moveable
• and those that move

~Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Which one are you?

Here it is, another Fourth of July. Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start. But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of "fireworks." Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year…I'd like to ask you a favor. At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4^th of July -- our Independence Day. Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4^th, 1776 but it's so much more than that. On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk.

Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4^th, I came across some interesting facts about these men. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us; join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans.

Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim.
 
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.
 
As we enjoy our liberty on this 4^th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
 
Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you? But let's not be solemn in that reflection. I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids. The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own:  To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember that just like in 1776.
 
It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down.
 
Happy Independence Day, and God bless America.

Glenn Beck

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."  ~Winston Churchill

Quality of life, in America today, is often measured by the amount of money you make. Success is defined by the kind of car you drive. By the neighborhood you live in. By the toys you own. After all, he who dies with the most toys wins. True or false?

Life was difficult before remote controls and automatic door locks. Skiing was so boring before the new shape skis hit the market. Fishing without a carbon-fiber rod was next to impossible. And the best part of life today is that big-screen plasma HDTV, the one with the universal remote that controls everything. It's the best escape devised yet from an otherwise dull evening.

In contrast, the people of the remote Himalayan country of Bhutan were recently rated as having the poorest quality of life of all but one other country in the world --- after all, their average annual per capita income is only $500. Ironically, however, when you visit the country, there are no beggars, only beautiful, snow-capped peaks, virgin forests, and clean air. The crime rate is extremely low, no one is in a hurry, and there is a strong sense of community. You might almost think that instead of depending on their belongings to entertain them, they've learned to enhance their lives by building relationships with each other.

Be careful to avoid the trap of, "the more you buy, the more you need". Because oftentimes then the more we think we need, the more unhappy we are with what we have. So this year, before buying those new golf clubs, stop and think. Will that $1,000 bring you more happiness through a bag of irons, compared to a few days off with your family, or as a donation to an organization, or a person who is trying to make a difference. It's your choice. It's how you measure it.

So this week count your blessings instead of your possessions. Spend more time with those you love, instead of spending more money on things you lack.

-- Denis Waitley

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~Robert Brault

"Very few of us are authorities on the truth. About the closest that any of us can get is what we hope is the truth or what we think is the truth. That's why the best approach to truth is probably to say, "It seems to me...." ~Jim Rohn

by Jim Rohn

People often ask me how I became successful in that six-year period of time while many of the people I knew did not. The answer is simple: The things I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do. I found it easy to set the goals that could change my life. They found it easy not to. I found it easy to read the books that could affect my thinking and my ideas. They found that easy not to. I found it easy to attend the classes and the seminars, and to get around other successful people. They said it probably really wouldn't matter. If I had to sum it up, I would say what I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do. Six years later, I'm a millionaire and they are all still blaming the economy, the government, and company policies, yet they neglected to do the basic, easy things.

In fact, the primary reason most people are not doing as well as they could and should, can be summed up in a single word: neglect.

It is not the lack of money - banks are full of money. It is not the lack of opportunity - America, and much of the free World, continues to offer the most unprecedented and abundant opportunities in the last six thousand years of recorded history. It is not the lack of books – libraries are full of books – and they are free! It is not the schools – the classrooms are full of good teachers. We have plenty of ministers, leaders, counselors and advisors.

Everything we would ever need to become rich and powerful and sophisticated is within our reach. The major reason that so few take advantage of all that we have is simply neglect.

Neglect is like an infection. Left unchecked it will spread throughout our entire system of disciplines and eventually lead to a complete breakdown of a potentially joy-filled and prosperous human life.

Not doing the things we know we should do causes us to feel guilty and guilt leads to an erosion of self-confidence. As our self-confidence diminishes, so does the level of our activity. And as our activity diminishes, our results inevitably decline. And as our results suffer, our attitude begins to weaken. And as our attitude begins the slow shift from positive to negative, our self-confidence diminishes even more... and on and on it goes.

So my suggestion is that when giving the choice of "easy to" and "easy not to" that you do not neglect to do the simple, basic, "easy"; but potentially life-changing activities and disciplines.

Simple ways to learn and grow

·     When distractions blur the vision...Refocus

·     When doubts cloud the vision...Enlighten

·     When fear of failure threatens...Encourage

·     When guidance is needed...Lead

·     When teamwork is needed...Trust

·     When the goal is within reach...Refine, Innovate and Reach Further...

This is the time of year when it's not a bad idea to reflect and refocus as you prepare for the end of the year. By focusing your attention to the action words at the end of each ingredient and see how they might apply to your growth and innovation strategies for a prosperous year end.

Stay focused; your thoughts create your Life!

source: Achievement Solutions

Did you Know?

Louisiana Facts: (LA, US-LA)  Louisiana is the only state with a large population of Cajuns, descendants of French-speaking Canadians who were sent into exile in the 1700’s. The Spanish, who ruled Louisiana at the time, welcomed the Cajuns as frontier settlers.

The world famous "Mardi Gras" is celebrated in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is an ancient custom that originated in southern Europe. It celebrates food and fun just before the 40 days of Lent: a Catholic time of prayer and sacrifice.

The Battle of New Orleans, which made Andrew Jackson a national hero, was fought two weeks after the War of 1812 had ended and more than a month before the news of the war's end had reached Louisiana.

Louisiana has the tallest state capitol building in the United States; the building is 450 feet tall with 34 floors.

Louisiana is the only state in the union that does not have counties. Its political subdivisions are called parishes.

The Superdome in New Orleans is the worlds largest steel-constructed room unobstructed by posts.
Height: 273 feet (82.3 meters), Diameter of Dome: 680 feet (210 meters), Area of Roof: 9.7 acres, Interior Space: 125,000,000 cubic feet, Total floor footage: 269,000 sq. ft. (82,342 sq. meters), Electrical Wiring: 400 miles (640 kilometers)

Breaux Bridge is known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World".

Rayne is known as the "The Frog Capital of the World".

Gueydan is known as the "Duck Capital of America" in recognition of its abundance of waterfowl.

Church Point boasts the designation "The Buggy Capital of the World". A festival celebrates this designation annually on the first weekend in June.

The first American army to have African American officers was the confederate Louisiana Native Guards. The Corps d'Afrique at Port Hudson was sworn into service on September 27, 1862.

In Louisiana, biting someone with your natural teeth is considered a simple assault, but biting someone with your false teeth is considered an aggravated assault.

Jennings is called the "Garden Spot of Louisiana" for it's rich and productive farmland. Jennings sobriquet {nickname} became a "Northern Town on Southern Soil".

Money Magazine has rated Terrebonne Parish, in the heart of Cajun Country the best place to live in Louisiana for 3 years in a row.

Winnsboro, the "Stars and Stripes Capital of Louisiana", is one of the most patriotic cities in America. On Memorial Day, July 4th, Veteran's Day, Labor Day, and other special occasions, approximately 350 American flags fly proudly along highway 15.

Louisiana Origin of Name:  Louisiana was named by the French explorer Sieur de La Salle in 1682 to honor King Louis XIV of France.

Louisiana Motto:  “Union, Justice, and Confidence”

Louisiana Nickname:   Sportsman’s Paradise, Pelican State

Capital City:   Baton Rouge 

State Area:   51,843 square miles

State Population:   4,410,796 (est. 2008)

Admission to Statehood:  April 30, 1812, 18^th state

Major Industries:  Agriculture (rice, cotton, soybeans), salt production, oil and natural gas, fishing (especially shellfish)

State Environments:  Coast, Plains, Rivers

State Bird:   Eastern Brown Pelican

State Tree:   Bald Cypress

State Flower:   Magnolia Blossom

State Wildflower:  Louisanna Iris

State Gemstone:  Agate

State Song:   “Give Me Louisanna” and “You Are My Sunshine”

Elevation: Highest Point – Driskill Mountain, 535 feet above sea level
Lowest Point – New Orleans, 8 feet below sea level 

Time Zone:  GMT-5

Average Annual Rainfall:   59.74 inches