Practicing is defined as; "The active repetition of a skill to improve proficiency or the habitual engagement in a profession or religion." Let's set aside the religion part, because that and politics need not be discussed here. This is a place for peaceful dialogue. Now, back to practicing. The definition does mention engagement in a profession as well. Let's look at that, shall we? The one that really gets to me is the "Practicing Medicine" one. If I have an electrical issue at my home, I call an Electrician. One semester in electricity class in high school taught me one very imprtant lesson. "Call an Electrition!" He shows up, he determines the problem and he fixes it. No practicing, just doing. Same with my car repairs or the plumber. They fix. They don't practice. But if I am not feeling well, I go to a Doctor. Well, that is, if you can get an appointment. When you do and you get there, the Doctor will tell you what he/she "thinks" is wrong and what he/she will "try" do help you get better. If that works, that is a wonderful thing. If it does not, then..."Let's try this other medication". And maybe another medication until they either cure or kill you. Either way, they get paid for "practicing" on you. I don't mind so much paying the exorbitant amounts to the Plumber or Electrician, because they are DOING and not PRACTICING. Just my opinion. Have a great day!!!

Benjamin Disraeli is credited with saying; "The greatest good you can do for others is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." Certainly we are not here on this earth just for our own enrichment. Yes, success, wealth and notoriety are all wonderful things to attain. And you can then be benevolent and give to this and that. But if it's all about you, your wealth and your giving, is it really living at it's highest level? I believe Mr. Disraeli is telling us to not just focus on the greatness within ourselves, but to help others discover their greatness. And by doing so, we may help them in ways far more than just a donation. Help others see the riches within themselves and the entire world could be richer for it.

For as long as I can remember, retail establishments have priced items with .99 at the end ----$5.99, $10.99, $299.99, etc. Seems to me that it would make things easier to price things at $6.00, $11.00, or $300.00. Who would mind rounding up a penny? It would certainly make things easier for our younger folks who seem to be mathematically challenged. Another reason, in my opinion, is that it costs over four cents to make a one cent coin. BTW, as of February of this year, we no longer will be making pennys. I'm not even sure President Lincoln would have approved of wasting all that money on the penny. A penny for your thoughts on the subject.

A wonderful quote from George Washington Carver: "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant with the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." Wherever you are within that list, I assure you that the rest are comming. If you are at the beginning, you are very fortunate to be able to take these words from Mr. Carver and use the wisdom to to go far and live well. If you find yourself in the middle, and are not sure you have done so well, well, you have time to correct your course and do better and go far. I happen to be, chronologically, toward the end of the spectrum, and have recently had a chance to look back at where I stand here. I am thankful that I have at least tried to follow Mr. Carver's advice. I haven't been perfect at it, But I am still striving to be that kind of person. For my own sake and for those around me. May we each try each day to just be a better person to our fellow man.

"Success is nothing more than a few simple diciplines, practiced every day, while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our diciplines and our judgments that lead us to either fortune or failure." ~ Jim Rohn Something to ponder.