Homosexuality, Religion and Politics:

Wahls' profound pro-gay parenting, pro-marriage equality speech went viral twice this year. The 19-year-old's moving testimony in front of the Iowa House of Representatives swept Twitter and Facebook in February and in December due to the continuing debates about same-sex marriage and gay parenting in the United States.

My online friend Joe McNeil posted on his wall about the video “Ron Paul Defeats Empire”. This fascinated me of course because I found the video amusing. Imagine Ron Paul goes Star Strek and invaded the outer space. If you may ask who Ron Paul is, he is one of the Presidential aspirants in US. Something came out from my mind so I asked Joe what is the difference between democrats and republican. He had explain to me in his layman’s understanding but I never pre-empted that simple question may lead to argument on homosexuality, religion and politics. Well, I have limited knowledge about politics in the US.

The Bible teaches us in the Old Testament (Genesis 19), that homosexuality is a great sin. Remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. These two towns were burned through fire!  Because of this teaching, discrimination arises against gays and lesbians because the Church considers this a mortal sin. The poor gays and lesbians have to conceal themselves in the closet or hide their genuine identity to protect themselves from bullies and prejudices from those people who are judgmental and from the scorn of their parents.

What is homosexuality?  The people classified as homosexuals are either gay guys who like each other or lesbian girls who like each other.  Is it really a sin to be homosexual? The answer may end up in one debacle of heated debate with the end in view that we don’t have similar opinions especially with the Church.  It is like debating whether to approve the passing of divorce in the Philippines which is still a status quo because the Church oppose to it.

I have numbers of gay friends in the workplace. Gays and lesbians are now accepted morals in the workplace. They should no longer hide themselves in the closet for fear of discrimination. Or there might be others, who are still hiding in the closet or still scared to open Pandora’s Box. There are gays I know that because of religion they are forced to marry their opposite sex without love. It is useless effort forcing couples to get married because of religion or culture that will end up in turmoil and psychological incapacity.

Homosexuality is a complicated issue. My friend Rick Harman has about 30 years of struggle to openly tell the world that he is a gay because of his religion.  Now he shed the old baggage of the past. When he shared to me the struggle and the scars of the past, he was totally absorbed with it that he almost shed tears. I was dumbfounded. All I could say, “as long as you are happy with your new found happiness then go for it.” I love this guy. He has sensitive heart to the world and feelings of other people. I admire his love for Dennis. I admire his compassion with is a true breeding of a Mormom religion.

Now comes politics. In our country, gay marriage is not allowed but in some other parts of the world, a law has been passed allowing gay and lesbian marriages. 
 

In USA, gay marriages are still a big debate. The legislators are still quibbling definitions, whether promulgating this or not. Yet there are states in the US that allows gay marriage, lately New York.


In all these paradigms of persuasions and debates about LGBT, they are still human beings that should be treated with equality under the laws of the land. Is just a question of accepting who they are and what they are.

Getting Your Team in the Zone

By Glenn Pasch

At one of the press conferences at the Masters Golf Tournament, Lee Westwood, the round two leader, was asked if he was worried because Phil Mickelson had caught up to him.  He answered that he could only worry about the shots he hit.  This got me thinking about two different types of call center agents: those that focus on what they can control and those that focus on what they cannot.  

 

Have you ever worked with someone who always had a reason why they did not hit their production levels?  When you speak to them, they usually give you excuses for their lack of success, usually something like this:

·         “It was the list of people you gave me to call.”

·         “I’m getting the people who just want information.”

·         “No one listens.”

·         “It’s just not my day.”

Just as any great golfer tells you that they get in the “zone” (meaning that they focus on what they are doing and block out everyone else), you can help your employees get into their own “zone” and stay there.

So how do you change the focus of your employees?  To improve the training and performance of any employee, whether it’s customer service training, sales training, or management training, you need to assist your employees to focus on what they can control instead of what they can’t so they will be more successful.  Here is what your agents can control on the phones:

Tone of voice: Agents need to make sure that their tone is pleasant and clear and their volume matches that of the caller.

Attitude: Are your agents focused on the call they are taking and how best to serve this customer?  Or are they still focused on the call they took ten minutes ago, when the caller frustrated them?  Carrying that attitude into the current call will kill any chance of delivering great service.

Focus: Where are your agents looking when speaking to a customer?  Are they focused on their screen, as if the person was sitting right across from them?  Or are they more concerned with what is happening next to them – or across the room?  They may not realize it, but if an agent is looking across the room, a distracted tone will come across in their voice, and the customer will feel that the agent is not listening or giving them his or her full attention.

Listening skills:  Nothing frustrates customers more than having to repeat themselves.  Make sure your team is taking the time to listen and ask the correct questions to make sure they get all of the information they need the first time.

Pace: It is easy to speak to someone over the phone at the same pace as you would face-to-face.  The problem is that people understand a good deal of what you are saying by your body language.  Over the phone, you do not have that benefit.  I recommend having your agents speak at half speed.  This will slow them down enough so those on the other end of the line can follow what’s being said.

Strive for understanding: Agents read their script repeatedly during the course of a day.  Many of them begin to go into an “autopilot” mode, where they are not focused on making sure the caller fully understands what is being asked.  Train your agents to take the time to repeat information back to the person or summarize it before ending the call. 

Here are some things your agents cannot control on the phones:

·         The agent is the fifth person to call them today.

·         The person’s child just spilled their milk.

·         They just sat down to dinner.

·         They are just walking out the door.

As your agent’s coach/supervisor, you must listen in on their calls and give them your feedback, pointing out when they are focusing correctly.  This will help to train them to monitor their own progress.

A Helpful Tip: To help my sales teams, I created and posted these five questions on the bottom of each agent’s terminal.  To this day, some of my friends who used to work for me still remember using these to help their agents, and they have used the same idea when managing their own employees.

1.  Did you open the call correctly?

2.  Did you present the body of the script correctly?

3. Did you present the offer correctly or get the correct information needed?

4. Did you listen to the customer and offer the correct response?

5.  Did you do everything you could on the call?

If my people said “yes” to these five questions, that call was as good as a sale.  They did everything they could control.  So many times we focus on results instead of the effort.  It may take a lot of encouragement to convince employees that excellent effort will turn into sales, but the result will create a more productive and motivated workforce.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

This is a time of year when everyone is busy buying gifts for their love ones. This is also the time of year when enemies or nemesis reconciled for the sake of the spirit of Christmas. This is also the time of year when war stricken countries are craving for peace.  This is also the time of year when people wallowing in abject poverty are asking the government to stop the nuclear wars and instead divert the funds to education and foods but the government is deaf to their anguish because corruption is rolling deep in their bones.

When I was a kid, I used to hang sock on the Christmas tree hoping that Santa Claus would give me expensive gifts but it often ended up with three apples. My father explained to me “Santa Claus is poor.” I wonder really if my father was telling the truth. In my young mind, I found it hard to fathom how Santa could give million gifts to the children all over the world.  My imagination may have travelled beyond space and I would often end up to the same question, “Is there really Santa Claus Virginia?”  I credence that this is the same thinking kids do have right now until the day, they have discovered that it is the unequivocal love of their parents who gave them those precious gifts  and this kind of tradition will go on many generations.

The world is getting tricky now with the enormous initiation of high technology stuff of communication. Human world has become superpower with the introduction of modernization thing.  The world is mostly composed of greedy bones.  The value of Christmas lost its essence and this is grievous part.  People doesn't care anymore that there is one above who is the author of everything. There is one above who sent His only son, Jesus for He loves the world so much.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Yesterday, Rick Harman gave me a 2012 calendar. In that calendar are the beautiful sceneries of Utah, USA.  I was so amazed of the splendid beauty of nature that I uttered, “God is the greatest artist.” Yes, that is true. You may failed to notice it but just look around you, how splendid God’s creation.  God has never stopped its divine providence though this world has become chaotic, greedy and selfish.   God is omnipotent, He giveth and He taketh. 

Every day in our lives let us take a moment to bow our heads and say thank you to God for His unending divine providence. 

“I thank you God for sending your only son, Jesus Christ to redeem this world from sin. I thank you although sometimes we may have forgotten you due to our busy lives, you continually provide us foods to eat, shelters for our dwelling and for putting those splendid creations to remind us of your greatness and your glory."

THE ENTICING PERSONALITY IN MAYBELLE

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

The definition of beauty is simply a broad topic and may end up in debate. For me beauty is in the eyes of the beholder… I am pretty sure you won’t have hairsplitting arguments with me or this world will be just one chaos finding the true essence of beauty. All women are created with unique beauty so men are but I stick with my own definition that beauty depends on how I see a person.

I don’t go for women who have to expose their skin to accentuate their hotness and to stimulate guys for attraction. I don’t go either to femme fatal women alluring men to seduction. I go for inner beauty which will last for a lifetime. Beauty is ephemeral; it will fade out when we grow old. The texture of our skin will shrink and our face may have hundreds of marching fine lines. Fine, that is part of growing old.  What is most significant is how you establish relationship with people and how you left a trace of footprints in their hearts. Among the arsenal of women in Qualfon, I find Maybelle with enticing personality, both outside and inside. The more I learn to know her better, the more I find her beautiful. I just love this girl.

I had the opportune time to have a date with Maybelle last week at McDonald IT Park. It was a muggy afternoon under the scourging heat of the sun, the effect of global warming and it has not been raining. I was sweating profusely. Maybelle was patiently waiting for me inside. She was in jeans, purple blouse, black overcoat and flat shoes. She looked magnificently glamorous without make-up. I noticed in her that she loves purple color. 

Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.

A HARD DAY AHEAD

 By Joey McNeill

It was 4 in the morning and a hard day ahead.
He milked the cows and worked on the shed.
The hens weren’t producing eggs like they should.
Something spooked them somewhere in the woods.
He got on his boots and went out in the stream.
He had done this many times.
He look out upon a distant field. Spring was comin’ into sublime.
He moved the stones and changed the course.
Out of a ditch the water went.
It slithered down it’s well worn path.
Nature has a soul it sings its own song.
But his family had needs and he had to try.
So he said as he watched as the water wend its way,
To a barren ground that would be filled with corn,
That would reach up as far as could into the sky.
“God speed little friend don’t waste your time.
Because we are to the point it’s do or die.”

The Author

Joey McNeill is a good friend of mine online. I find him smart, intelligent and has brilliant literary thinking. I am sharing one of his literary masterpiece.

THE LEGACY Chapter I :The Dawn of the Fallen Angels

IN AGES they say, that in order to get rich then you have to dig a pot of gold. My father did! He had not only dug a pot of gold but bullion of gold plus tons of gem stones composed of rubies, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds and mostly diamonds.

CHAPTER I

THERE was a great roaring of thunder and then blitzkrieg strike of lightning. Every time the lightning bolts it sent panicked down my spine. The surface of the earth shook and the darkness side of the night was overpowered by flashes of lightning. Then the avalanche of rain poured down, as if Mother Nature was vomiting her ravage to mankind. The surroundings were all covered with darkness. A tall man in his 40’s was holding and wrapping me with his leather jacket. He was soaked with rain however I couldn’t see his green eyes flinched with terror. I could only see so much love in his eyes and telling me I’ll be fine. The only thing I did not understand why he had to give me to another family. I was only three then. I knew he was my father. I later on understand the complexity when I reached the age of 18. My father was protecting me from the evil wrath of August.  When my father gave me to this family, he shed tears and kissed me on the forehead and told me, “You’ll be safe.” He placed a golden necklace with an angel pendant in my neck, a precious gift from Zar. Before he handed me down to this family which became my second home, he gave instructions to Khail for my protection. It was in angelic language that two of them could only understand. Then my father left like the speed of light. When I blinked my eyes he was gone. I don’t know when I will be seeing him again. It left a samurai sword in my heart in my young age. 

Khail became my surrogate father. I called him dad. Khail had three sons namely Mikhail, Darwin and Stephen. Khail’s wife died of car accident. She was driving home at 60kph from an errand when her car was overrun by a 10 wheeler truck. Her body was crushed inside the car. The Rescue and Medical Team tried to revive her through life sustaining support while she was transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was declared death on arrival.  The idiot driver was slapped with a case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua beyond reasonable doubt.  However one day after the driver served his verdict he was found dead in his prison cell. The driver’s death was a mystery.  The cause of the death was unknown. The driver was sleeping when Khail appeared in his dream. Khail took his spirit and imprisoned him inside the bottle. That was the eternal punishment imposed by Khail. Khail buried the bottle underground.  The death of Khail’s wife left a big blow to him and to his sons.  It took him over the years to mend the wound in his heart. Being married to human woman was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him since they were thrown down to earth by their creator. It was a fulfillment that could not be defined in simple terms. Begetting creatures of his own out of a mortal woman was more than a life in heaven albeit life could be eternal happiness there.  He had accepted the punishment for joining war against God. Like Zhar, he feared God but greed, deceit and superiority had lead to his downfall.

When John handed me down to Khail, he accepted me with an open arms and introduced me to his sons. For couple of days, I feel alienated and imprisoned myself inside the room. Part of my body was terribly missing him. The loneliness could not be surmounted by any material things. The room was painted with baby pink color suited for my age. I was surrounded with stuff toys from Barbie Dolls and Kermit the Frog, my favorite cartoon characters. There was beige sofa set. A TV was attached to the wall facing the bed.  There were two cabinets to store my dresses, shoes and underwear.  Next to my bed was a small bedside table with my picture on it.  No picture of John could be seen anywhere which made me more perplexed. I was like this for a month. I felt so strange and lethargic to the situation. From time or another, Khail’s sons would visit me in my room, performed funny tricks to entertain me but I was nonchalant. I would shout to them; “Leave me alone I want my dad.” Of I would throw pillows on them. They would go out with their square faces. No tricks could ever appease my mood. I missed the touch and the embrace of John. I could still remember his stories about the Ugly Duckling how it turned to be a beautiful swan, about the war in heaven and the fallen angels. 

One cold morning, while looking at the window I saw a white kitten on a tree. The fur was so thick. The whiskers were too long. His eyes were emblazoned with fear. He was afraid to go down from the tree. His paws were too small to hold-on to the thick bark of the tree. We were staring at each other. He was transmitting a message to me to help him get down from the tree. I shivered to the thought that he would fall down and die. My impulse  was to immediately went downstairs. I ran fast the stairs to the rescue of the cat.  The tree was tall for me to climb. I have never seen a ladder either. My heart beats so fast..going around in circle where to find Khail or his sons. I went upstairs again yelling, calling the name of Khail.  No one answered me. I was exhausted. Nobody seemed to be at home. I went to a verandah and I happened to see Khail talking to a figure but at instant he was gone. All I saw was a shadowy figure of a man.  I wiped my eyes and blinked but Khail was talking to no one. I looked at him quizzically then asked him he could get the kitten for me. We went downtairs. Khail climbed the tree flawlessly, as if he was flying, grabbed the kitten and gave it to me.

“Here’s the cat Abigail,” said Khail.

“Thank you, can I keep this?” I asked

“Yes you may,” answered Khail.

In the absence of my father, I poured my love to the kitten. Without my knowledge he was a soldier sent to guard me. The reason why he was on the tree was that he was watching me. He could transform to any forms.  I called him “Mojo”. He was charming cat.

Part of the scheme to hide my identity was to change my first name and last name. My first reaction was, “No way. I don’t like my name change at all.” I locked up again myself in my sanctuary.  I refused to have any communication with Khail. I felt that he betrayed me. Not anyone could just change my name. Not anyone. Only Mojo was my companion. He was a very uxorious cat. To vent my frustrations about what was happening with my life, I often spoke with the tom cat as if he was the only thing in life who could better understand me. 

“Mojo, that is unreasonable for them to change my name,” I said. I was amazed when the cat nodded his head in agreement. He seemed like to understand every word I said.

“Oh really you understand me,” I mused. Then he started to touch me with his feet and wag his tail. He licked my hands with his tongue. I was tickled and laughed so loud. We played hide and seek. We watched TV. I talked to him so many things that I remembered about my father until I was tired and sleep.   When I was sleeping, Mojo slipped out of the room and transform to his angelic form. He told Khail that it was okay to talk the matter to me. I don’t behave like a nutter anymore.   

 

Khail was always been a proverbial cool dealing with my childish tantrums. The next day, he saw me outside under the tree so upset.

“Abigail, what is bothering you?” Khail asked.

“Mojo climbed the tree again and doesn’t know how to get down," I uttered.

Don’t worry, I’ll get the cat for you,” said Khail

Up he climbed swiftly the tree. No he was not climbing. I could sense that he was flying up the tree. He grabbed the cat and gave it to me. Mojo licked my face. Childish as I am, I giggled..

Khail then took the opportunity to explain to me again why it was a necessity to conceal my identity. He instilled to my young mind that, that was my father’s plan that I need to comply. I was frenzied but I succumbed. Without being legally adopted, Khail registered me in the Local Registry as Therah Smith. Smith was the surname adopted by Khail when he married, Cassandra. My true name is Abigail Joseph, the only begotten child of John Joseph.

To be continued....