I've been doing some research for The Small Business Guru Membership Site on blogging. Very interesting.

Blogs are thought collectors - even digital thought management. Of course one has to record ones thoughts but blogging allows one to keep track of those thoughts and ideas that seem to fly with the wind. One can go back and read ones own thoughts and ideas later.

Then there are the collections of others' thoughts and ideas. Stimulating ones own thinking by reading the valued collection of another's thoughts.

Prof Tom gave a short assignment just before the holidays. He talked about valuing ones thoughts, instead of placing a higher value on others' thoughts.

Ah but this does bring to mind the scripture that says 'God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways not our ways' (my paraphrase). We do have a standard for measuring our thoughts. Created in the image of God, we do have the capacity for great thinking. It's a pity that so many of us don't sift through the collection of thoughts given to us by our creator to find the gems of inspiration that might change our lives. We toss them aside as if our own thought were nothing. We could bring polish and excellence to our thinking by spending time with our Creator, opening the door to more of the ultimate inspiration.

Inspire me, Lord!

Melody

Just in case anyone is interested you can add a live feed, updated once a day, to my blog.

http://myrss.com/f/l/i/livejournal0s4u9n3.html

Ta Ta for Now!
Melody

Seem pretty funny to be writing about that here - but who knows, someone might do a search on Google and find their answer here.

Just before Christmas I got a question from one of my readers asking "What is a blog?" Though I know the short answer, I have it on my editorial content schedule to research for an article for the Membership Library of The Small Business Guru, so I moved it up on the calendar and have begun my research.

I saw an interesting fact that caught my eye since I've been moderating all the recent posts on Search Engine Submission and Google. Did you know that Google 'loves' blogs? Two reasons that are obvious -
1. Blogs have lots of content, Google loves to search content.
2. Blogs have lots of links, bloggers love to link to each other.

There is speculation that business blogs could replace e-newsletters as the most powerful, cost-effective tool for communicating with customers. (http://www.swepa.com/members/600.cfm)

Okay, for some of you, I better back up. The short answer for 'What is a blog?' Blog stands for 'Web log'. It is a Web-based journal powered by a self-publishing tool that enables the author(s) to regularly and easily update the content. The log consists of commentary along with links to other blogs or online resources. Blog posts are always presented in reverse chronological order. Each entry is time and date-stamped. (http://www.swepa.com/members/600.cfm)

Though I have heard that there over 2 million blogs online - sounds like a lot, huh? - less then 2% of the people know what they are.

Melody Campbell
The Small Business Guru

I've been reading about how good blogging is for business. I understand blogging but I don't understand the concept of how it is good for business. I think I am going to join the experiment. I had originally started this blog to write down my thoughts as a parent. Perhaps I'll keep it just personal enough to be friendly. After all, I am convinced that even as high tech as we all are these days we still want to do business with friends, with people that we like. Our *community* is just much larger. I believe that we want to *know, like and trust* the people we chose to do business with.

So...I might write about my kids or some other personal tidbit here, but I guess I"ve decided to change or at least broaden the scope to include another love of my life - *small business*.

I am just days from closing a deal to start a membership site for small business owners. The Small Business Guru will be converting to a membership site that will contain information for the small business owner to have easy access to all the information to increase their chances for success in their endeavor. It's scary because 'if I build it will they come?'

I should do an ask campaign to see if I have a market.

I wondered when the day would come - I knew it would. For the last nine years I've been doing everything for him. I held his tiny form in my arms as he struggled to breath. I nursed him for the first eight days with him under an oxygen mask - he'd nurse 'suck, suck, suck, then gasp for oxyegen that Daddy held close by his mouth. With much prayer he was released from the hospital, recovering from a punctured lung and pneumonia.

Now he's in baseball. Nearly every game this season a pitch has been thrown that hits him and last time knocked the wind out of him. Fear immobalizes my otherwise confidant little boy. He tries to 'be sick' the morning of the game so he'll have an excuse to get out of it. He's been offered the option to quit but he really wants to play. the struggle goes on with the fear and the desire to be great.

the time has come for me as Mom - to not fix this for him. don't get me wrong - I have him at batting practice - I'm looking for a coach that will take him under his wing. But I cannot fight this battle for him - I cannot change his perception. I try to orchestrate the events so he can experience success but I am powerless to make it happen.

Lord, I life my son to you. What will you show us? what will you teach us in this? Be glorified and me my son's need. Teach him to see you in this.

Sometimes life seems to fast to enjoy it all.

Yesterday war on Iraq broke out. What a fearful thought. All those people that will suffer and die is too ugly to dwell on. And the alternative is not much better. In a quote, "Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. (Benedict (Baruch) Spinoza (1632-1677) son of a Jewish merchant from Amsterdam)

There is the pain and suffering of war for freedom by a few brave ones; or there is pain and suffering of living in a dictatorship for all. Those that boast in this country that war is a crime against mankind and that it should be avoided at all cost - are free to do so because brave men died to give them this freedom. In Iraq - to express an opinion different from the dictator would result in death.

I am so grateful for the brave men that have and are protecting our homeland and abroad the freedoms that God allows His children. You have my deepest gratitude for paying the price so my children and I can sleep safely at night.

I am thankful to be an American!

I never seem to make time to do this, but it's so important. I can't believe what just happened today. My mom has been naturally treating a lump on her breast for the last 5 years. She looks better than I ever remember her looking, she feels good, lots of energy - but today she tells me she's pretty sure that the lump is definitely cancer and that it's in it's last stages. So that means she might be dying. She says she's hopeful and has read lots on 'healing' happening even at this stage but not often. She's read other things she's read about others prolonging their lives another 15 years beyond this stage...with quality of life. I am just stunned. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't cry - because it really didn't sink in. She looks and acts totally healthy! She's been on a very strict diet for this entire 5 years. It has helped her in so many ways already - but the cancer continues to grow. I just don't know. Well, I do know this - She is a strong, devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Together we will be reunited in heaven where we will never be sick again.

I took Aidan with me today to see my mom. We prayed for her before we left. I shared with her how I told her story of her stand in faithfulness as I was growing up. How the very people who had mocked her now served Jesus and how their lives had been transformed. She is truly a pioneer in so many ways. Even in this her stand against cancer and trusting God to show her what she should do.

If only I will be so strong. God Help me!

"I decided not to run away, but instead to quit the Internet rat race and simplify my life. I'm redefining success from titles, money, and status to friends, family, and happiness. I'm going to pursue tango dancing and yoga. I'm going to turn off the TV and light more candles. I'm going to take more seven hour walks -- well, perhaps two-hour walks will suffice -- and, in short, enjoy and appreciate life. And my accomplishments." Diary of a Failure by TokyoJad http://www.liesdamnedlies.com/success4.htm

I am so sad for this young man. He struggles with depression and understandable so if you read his works. But he did remind me of proper perspective on the pursuit of happiness. Sometime I find myself getting caught up on the destination of 'making it' and forget to enjoy the journey. I don't want to miss watching my family develop and take shape. I don't want to miss being a part of the molding process. I want to remember to always walk through life slow enough to enjoy the people I love. I'm always telling my children people are priceless things are replaceable.

I love you family.

Good night!

Just discovered blogs - didn't even know what one was. I think I'll just record some of my mothering thoughts - you know those moments when you catch your kids doing something extraordinary - when you stand and watch them with their hair brush up to their mouth like a microphone singing with Amy Grant 'I can only imagine...' What a thrill to see your child worship God!

I'll write more later - discovered this too late. It's midnight. BTW I found this site through http://caitlinburke.livejournal.com - actually started at Ryze.org then to http://janece.com/workings/ - Caitlin was on her page - I liked her site. Thanks Caitlin.