The Business Card

I love these!

I love the business card.  I just ordered my first set for Babs Brew Media and I'm very happy with them.

Handing out business cards is a simple yet effective way to build your brand when you are getting started, and when you want to dig deeper into interactions you have with potential working relationships.  They work as a point of connection, but you can also customize them as well.

They give your business legitimacy, and are much smaller and less bulkier than a brochure or flyer, and are less likely to get bent up when you put them in your purse.

When I'm at an event or meeting, I will use my business card to give individualize information for the consumer.  I may right down the resource I was referring to in our conversation, or I may give them a web address for a really cool business.  When I'm given a business card, I jot down how I know the individual, what we talked about and how I said I would follow up.

Your Business card: Simple, clear and quick connections.

Sharing E-Patience 2.0

Yuri (name changed for privacy) was a coworker of mine when I was working in Philadelphia.  She did a great job at her work with immigrant and migrant families, but struggled to keep up with the technology that was being utilized to streamline casework paperwork and maintain electronic records.  She was diligent in her practice, and always had the notes.  One day as we were talking about technology, I realized that she did not know how to select, copy and paste files and folders on her computer.  So I spent the next hour teaching her just this skill.  I appreciated that I could do this in a way that was patient and kind, and she really appreciated that I took the time to do this for her. I did not get the chance to do much more with her, but hopefully it took away a small bit of fear of learning about computers. 

I get really excited when I am asked to help someone with their computer and technology.  It is an opportunity to support them in their lives, or in their work, or in reaching their potential.  I use the story above to illustrate the importance of patience in the work that I do.  

The process of introducing someone to helpful technology can be a time consuming and repetitive.  However, once they get the hang of it, its as if they were never without in the first place.  That feeling is so rewarding to me because new skills open new doors to this person.

I actually really like it because the person is likely to explore technology, social media and the internet on their own, and a whole new world is opened up to them.

Here are a few tips if you are working with someone who might be a tad or more fearful about learning a new skill on their phone, Facebook page or computer. 

• It starts with the person.  Always.  Technology is developed everyday to support the humans on earth.  What I love about my new business is that I'm going to get to listen to many stories and dreams of the people I meet.  They want to achieve something, and oftentimes technology is a way to do it.  It can cut out 20 middlemen, it can get you to the right person the first time and it can be used in personal advocacy!  All at a click's notice. 
• Not everything is common knowledge.  There's still a lot of people who are not digital natives, and they are older as well as younger.  Not everyone has equal access to technology and computers as they grow up.  I never want to be the one to embarrass someone.  If they are asking me a question about their phone, its because they want to learn.  
• Smile and be encouraging... a lot!  You can build their confidence.  Confidence is hard to come by.  The process of learning something new is a great big brain workout, and can literally open up life opportunities. 
• It might take repetition.  As the hour passed by with Yuri, it was important for me to just be present with her in the moment so that she could get as much out of it as possible.  Her excitement was contagious! 
• They will appreciate you so much.  Remember, not everyone they come across is going to be supportive and patient.  They might have been made fun of or assumed that they were not very smart.  It is no surprise they are weary about computers and technology.

What other tips would you add to this list?  How else would you support those who are not digital natives or who have not had the same access to technology growing up? 

Check out the Babs Brew Media Tab for more information about my services in social media.  You can like my facebook page Here for more helpful tips and to follow along with Babs Brew Media.  

What's next in my life?

I really have no idea! What to do? What to do?

You don't have to be perfect to be a foster or adoptive parent

A Centering exploration

"They want to run.  They want to be in nature.  They want to dance and express themselves.  They want to be taken care of and they want to be used."

I’ve been looking down this week in order to see God.  What I mean is that I’ve been focusing on my feet.  I’ve been foot gazing.  It has been about being more mindful and present with each foot.  Are they comfortable?  Are they moisturized?  Where did they take me today?  Where have they been in the past?  How do I keep them healthy for the future?

In my journal I have a “My feet want to list…”  They want to run.  They want to be in nature.  They want to dance and express themselves.  They want to be taken care of and they want to be used.

Feet are really interesting and really powerful.  In fact take a moment and really appreciate your feet.  You can take your shoes off if you want to.  Wiggle your toes, bend your ankle, and look at the bottom of your feet.

God created your feet.  He built them to carry you and for movement.  They have strength, obedience and they typically last as long as we do. 

When’s the last time you really cared for your feet?  Do you massage your feet?  Do you exfoliate them? Do you honor the daily tasks they perform?  What’s your relationship with your feet?  How has God used your feet to show his grace?  Feet are pretty amazing and they reflect the love and care God put into making them.

God has been using my feet this week to think about how he has created me.  My feet have carried me through obstacles; have helped me love his creation.  They crave grace, adventure, expression, creativity, connection and community.  So use your feet to worship today and this week.

Dear God, you created people that honor you.  As we enter worship, teach all the parts of our bodies what it means to be redeemed and wiped clean by your holy spirit.  Our time is in your hands.  We worship you because you are great.  We worship you because you are the most high.  Help us leave our burdens at the door and into your hands.  Thank you for all the ways our feet are designed to bring us back to you.  Amen.

I think I'm back!

I think I have things to say again.  If not words... there's at least humor:

I forget!

I really do struggle with seeing the impact of my work.  I still feel like a little kid or teenager, that maybe I'm still just being "humored."  

I forget that it doesn't matter how small you are, or where you have come from that your voice is your voice.  That its one of the most effective ways to communicate.  Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

Octavia is a youth ambassador at my office, and she is a pretty amazing young lady.  She always comes in with a smile on her face, and she is ready to work. One of the things she does for me, and I'm not sure she realizes it, but I often hear her repeating the advice I have given to her.  She shares it!  It means a lot to me, because it shows that there is validity in what I have to say.  The support is a two-way street!.

Now I'm going to share her story.  She was so brave to share her story at the 2013 IL youth retreat.  Thank you Travis Lloyd for video taping this for us!  You caught a treasure!