Friday, March 7, 2008

Exciting new group!!!!

I just joined another group but this time it's for artists.

What is an artist?

My artreview.com URL:
http://www.artreview.com/profile/GaryHillman

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Turned a New Leaf Today!

I grew up a little today. I don't do that everyday and
if I do I don't take the time to notice the change
usually. Today I did

I finally accept the fact that I prejudge people. I
do, I really do!

Yesterday a couple who looked to be in their early
thirties came by my store. They stopped and looked at
what I was selling (I sell a high end product in a
mall) and they started to look at me in a questioning
manner. I somewhat tried to avoid them because my
first impression was that they were somewhat low class
and very disheveled in appearance. Overhearing their
conversation I guessed that both of them never made it
through high school and that since my product is
educational in nature they just wouldn't be interested
in buying it at the set price. I knew the price was
over their heads.

But I try to be nice to everyone and though they
never answered my greeting of 'hello' I maintained eye
contact with them so that they would feel free to ask
any questions that they may have. Most people that I
judge to be to poor to buy my product reply with
varying comments like, "Oh my God, why so expensive",
or "For that price you should include a new computer
too". A lot of poor people (rich people too) just nod
and look around for a minute, put it back on the shelf
and say, "I'll be back on my way out of the mall". I
question why they say that when they really mean, "Not
today bub". But this couple just looked at me and
asked if I could describe it a bit and how much did it
cost. I gave them my short spiel and then told them
the price. They looked at me and then at each other.
They talked about how they really wanted this but
couldn't afford it right now. They went on to share
how they wanted to save up and come back some day. But
the interesting thing about them was that they weren't
trying to impress me or avoid me. They truly looked
like a married couple who talked out each decision
that they made over with each other and had learned
how to do so with love and respect for each other.
After meeting hundred's of people that try to hide
their feelings from me, and meeting couples who are
rude to each other, I found myself staring at them in
awe. They were a really nice couple who really liked
being with each other.

Although they never purchased anything that day they
left me with a feeling that no matter whom I meet in
the future, I need to look inside a person and see
their soul, before I pre-judge them based on their
outward appearance.

:)

Remember! No matter where you go, there you are!

Gary

Would you like to be a life coach?
Contact me or go directly to:
http://www.mentorcoach.com/cmd.php?af=716089

You know you were meant for something special!
Just take that first step and go to:
http://www.newleafcoachingonline.com

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Online communities

2/14/08 Online communities

I recently started using blogs and online networking communities, like Facebook and Linkedin. Up until now I haven’t used networking groups or blogs to reach out and communicate with others on a regular basis. Learning to use these online services was a bit tricky and one flub was to press the ‘send an invitation to’ button to hundreds instead of my intended few contacts. That’s a mistake I hope not to repeat in the near future!

That’s a lotsa of people.

On Yahoos e-mail you have to add people to your address book so that their e-mails won’t go into your Bulk folder so I had many kinds of contacts there – and they all got my invitation

Some people who I don’t think I even know personally, replied that yes, they would join my ‘friends’ group. Why???? I was kind of embarrassed that I didn’t remember them. Others replied, “Do I know you”? Eeek. After searching for our common interest, I found I had worked with some and others were acquaintances of acquaintances. A lot of people I just had to admit, I didn’t really remember. And then there was a reply from a person I knew only casually from another group that I belong. We’ve seen each other at conferences and gatherings but rarely shared conversation. He’s a lot older than I am and he’s kind of ornery and cantankerous--and if I remember correctly, he drank a lot when I last saw him (I brought the beer). I looked at his reply to my invitation to join my online group and at that moment knew that today was a good day to be alive. His reply struck me with a feeling of just plain goodness. He had written.


“Gary, thanks for considering me a friend”.

Online community