An Expensive Run

The clouds were heavy. Thunder had been intermittently testing its voice. But at "this" moment, there was no rain. So, a 4 mile run was in order.

There is nothing like the threat of impending rain to cause one to test one's speed, with the hopes of beating its downpour by making it home - first. 

Forget making it home dry. Rain like Bible-Famous-Noah's Tsunami hit about mile 3. Ignoring the option to turn off to many family members' alcoves along the way, I pressed on. The rain surpassed my speed and did not slow down. 

Like all 21st century runners, of course we have something tech close at hand for listening entertainment. My proverbial smart phone was in an armband case. How funny of me to assume it could survive. 

By the time I made it home, I was soaked wet. And everything on me as well. I can survive with a little rain but not the phone. With a bit of dismantling, drying with a towel, consulting YouTube for how to use the magical "dry rice" treatment, and some big hopes - I succumbed to the idea that it was in trouble. Hello, Verizon Service Guy - can you help me? 

Thus ensued my discovery that not only was the phone shot, but I'd have to wait for a new one to be shipped to me. In the meantime I was dealt a loner. That was a horrific experience in itself (so bad, I was almost ready for a rotary phone. You laugh. But it was awful). Over 12 days later and the "smart phone" still had not come home. The wait ensued. 

Here's my point: a fast run, to stay healthy and disciplined, with the goal of making it home before the rain was an initial great goal. But the demolishing of a phone, in the rain, and days of being without my right hand has given me pause. 

Guilty. I'm just like many of the 21st century phone touting adults. Used as a tool for work, time killer, entertainment, a way to keep in touch it is indeed second nature for me to consult it - constantly. It's my crutch for my introvert-ness self in a crowd who does not want to talk to people: I hide behind my phone. It's my anthem of coolness - carrying a smart phone, and using it for maps, directions, flight details, tracking world news, taking pictures, and more. And it's my resource to make sure every moment counts for productivity. The trivia a Verizon Rep shared with me did not come as a surprise: that for many people it is the first thing they touch in the morning, and the last thing they touch at night. I'm not sure why this is trivia to some of us - it's just fact. 

So my point of this piece is more of an examination in the mirror: I like my phone, use my phone, but have abused my phone. In the same way you're thrown off your stride when you can't use a hand, or you're without a car, this has been expensive by throwing me off my rhythm. 

Truth be told - the expense was probably worth it.  Being without it has shown me how much I don't need it. Don't worry I'm not going rogue and throwing it away but I hope to be more mindful that there is life beyond the screen. And becoming obsessed with a phone and everything on it is not healthy. This too is good to remember.

So, here's to runs. In the rain. And finding the 21st century magnificent technology is not yet perfect. With rain - and the quality moments of life as examples - it just can't beat or replace everything. And that's ok. It is still annoying to be without the grandiose smart phone but life will continue. 

- AJH

Quit Making Excuses for the Millennials

Quit making excuses for the young adult generation.

It feels like my generation has full time lobbyists who are busy clarifying to the world as to why we do not have jobs, have not reached the American pinnacle of success, are not financially prosperous, still live in our parents' basements and just overall have an air of irresponsibility. Whether via voices in the media, academia, marketplace or local neighborhood, these lines have become oh too familiar: "The economy is so bad to be looking for a job right now and jobless rates are so high! College graduates can't find jobs in their fields. This is a tough time to be starting a career and a family."  Please, stop making excuses for my generation.

Now, don't mis-understand me. In no way am I highlighting those of my peers who are working to find a job and the doors keep closing. I applaud them for their fortitude and perseverance! Instead, I'm highlighting a general cultural mindset of older adult role models to the Millennials.
 

A wise man once said "Children will rise to the level of expectation."  Have you considered what expectations you have of us?  

Even among our own peer group, an assumption is perpetuated that those with college degrees absolutely cannot work at the jobs obtainable without a degree. My question is: Why not? Since when did we become too proud to work a less than ideal job, so to have income? Where did we miss the lesson to love working in general, and recognize the reward of it? How did we meld into this mindset that working two jobs, getting our hands dirty and humbling ourselves to work outside our trained field – is impossible?

Instead of focusing on the “poverty” of what we face as a generation, we should be looking at this hour in our culture as opportunity!! Check out these young people in history who did not sit back and let circumstances dictate their success:

Forbes: 7 Ways to Serve & Keep Millennial Customers

If you plan on having a successful business, organization or ministry that somehow caters to or reaches those born 1980 til now, you will have to change your approach. Inconvenient? Yes. Uncomfortable because it is different to everything you have been taught as a Baby Boomer, Generation Y or Greatest Generation member? Yes. But are these approaches vital for you to consider and adapt?

Forbes.com has a guest author that penned "7 Ways to Serve & Keep Millennial Customers."  It is definitely worth your read. He says:

"This new generation thinks differently about customer service, about how they want to be treated in business interactions.  It is a generation of consumers defined by the digital world that they’ve known since infancy...[They] have little understanding of the more earthbound systems and expectations that dominated the consumer landscape only a few years ago.

"...But the particulars of how customer service has been delivered for the last several decades are extremely baby boom specific. it’s time for businesses to change, and change fast."

The author highlights these 7 things to focus on:
1. Offload the transactional
2. Focus on the experiential.
3. Understand customer self-determination.
4. Become a speed-freak
5. Leave your customers time and space to breathe.
6. Consider values.
7. Speak their language.

If you want them to be in your customer population and you want your entity to succeed, you better take note. And make changes - fast. Millennials aren't going anywhere. And their children's generation will differ even more.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2013/07/25/7-ways-to-serve-and-keep-millennial-customers/

The Planned Lies: The Killer of My Generation

Back in 1916 was born a woman who would go on to embrace the ideology of the likes of Adolf Hitler: euthanize people who are less than desirable. Breed those who contribute towards a perfect human race.

She formed an organization. It grew into an industry. The woman and her cohorts placed these "helpful" centers in strategic places to best reach those they wanted to eliminate. They lied. They wore a mask as to who they really were and created a false and appealing identity.

The woman has long since passed. But not only did her actions have damaging effects then, they went on to have rippling effects that still perpetuate across our nation now. She has played a role in over thirty million murders.

No, I'm not making up this story. The horrifying part? It still exists. In fact, this multi-billion dollar industry has a center in your own town, targeting your own community. It is called Planned Parenthood.

George Grant, a Christian author, wrote a very short expose, Killer Angel, on Mrs. Sanger. A quote from him is as follows:

"...Stalin, Mussolini, or Hitler. Their barbarism, treachery, and debauchery will make their names forever live in infamy. Amazingly, though, Sanger has somehow escaped this wretched fate. In spite of the fact that her crimes against humanity were no less heinous than theirs, her place in history has effectively been sanitized and sanctified. In spite of the fact that she openly identified herself in one way or another with the intentions of the other three – Stalin's Sobornostic Collectivism, Hitler's Eugenic Racism, and Mussolini's Agathistic Fascism – Sanger's faithful minions have managed to manufacture an independent reputation for the perpetuation of her memory." (Quote from this article)

This evil business continues, and thrives, because the truth hasn't been told. Some believe that this industry provides necessary services. To many it seems the only option to get them out of a difficult predicament.

Planned Parenthood has become so deeply embedded in our culture that as a people we no longer identify it as a danger. Use these links to educate yourself. It is not pretty. And I'm tired of its history and purpose not being known.

Abort73.com: A brief review of Margaret Sanger.

Continue here: RTL's review of Planned Parenthood

Then go here: Planned Parenthood Agenda

Next: A Brief Bio on Margaret Sanger. (wikipedia)

Next: 10 Eye Opening Quotes from Margaret Sanger (via LifeNews)

Final: Planned Parenthoods in Michigan

Also Planned Parenthood in USA

Description of America – of Yesterday & for Tomorrow

We have to get more people engaged in local government. Russell Kirk, one of the Foundational Thinkers who helped Americans understand the roots of conservatism (and who lived in Michigan!), has described America in a succinct way for me. I have included three paragraphs below. Don’t be dissuaded from reading by their size. 

He has presented the basics that should be common sense to every American. But even to me, a passionate and engaged citizen, has received great revelation and clarification in his prose. I have taken the liberty to embolden certain words that hit home for me…

These powerful passages are from his book, The American Cause:

“…the United States is not a centralized democracy. It does not have government from the top downward; on the contrary, it has government from the bottom upward. Strictly speaking, our government is federal, a union of states for certain explicit purposes of general benefit. Federation is very different from centralization. The theory of federation is this, that fifty sovereign states have conferred, of their own free will, certain powers upon the federal administration, to promote the interests of the several states and of the people within those several states. The United States are united voluntarily, and are united only for the purposes, and under the conditions, described in the federal Constitution. In the matters which most immediately affect private life, power remains in the possession of the several states; while within those fifty states, the people reserve to themselves control over most walks of life. The state governments, like the federal government, have been hedged and checked by constitutions and public custom.

“…Everywhere in America, individuals and private voluntary associations jealously reserve to themselves the rights of choice and action in those spheres of activity which most nearly affect the private person. The state touches these private concerns only upon sufferance, or not at all. Religious belief and affiliation are matters wholly of private choice; economic activity, by and large, is left to the will of individuals; social relationships are voluntary and private relationships; where one lives, and how, is not determined by political authority. Quite as much as in England, an American’s home is his castle. A great many Americans live their lives through without ever conversing with a civil servant, or even saying more than good morning to a policeman. Americans have no official identity card, or internal passports, or system of national registration. Until 1941, America never experienced peacetime conscription into the armed forces. Nowhere in the world is the operation of government less conspicuous than in the United States. If an American citizen desires to abstain altogether from political activity, even to the extent of never voting, no one interferes with him; and for millions of Americans, their only direct contact with government is their annual submission of income-tax reports. Private life looms much larger than public life in the American commonwealth.

“Even in those concerns which have been opened to local or state or federal political activity, the theory persists that political authority operates only as a convenience to private citizens. The public schools, for instance, are intended simply to facilitate the education of young people, not to enforce the educational doctrines of central authority; although the states require that children should be schooled in some fashion, parents with the means are free to educate their children privately, or in denominational schools, if they prefer such methods to enrollment in public schools. The American assumption is that education is primarily the concern of the family and the individual, not of the political state; and this frame of mind extends to many more activities in which the state acts as servant, rather than as master.

“…So in America the things in which people are most interested generally remain strictly within the jurisdiction of private life. And in matters of public concern, it is the American habit to keep authority as close to home as possible. The lesser courts, the police, the maintenance of roads and sanitation, the raising of property-taxes, the control of public schools, and many other essential functions still are carried on, for the most part, by the agencies of local community: the township, the village, the city, the county. American political parties, in essence, are loose local associations: the state and national party organizations are the reflections of local opinion in caucus and town meeting. “

-          The American Cause by Russell Kirk, page 69-71.

Part of the reason this text is so poignant to me is that Russell Kirk tells me what America used to look like, what it should look like and what my generation should work towards making it again.

The older generations are alarmed at the absence of young adults’ participation in the cry to oppose the growing government. Russell Kirk’s book was initially published in 1957 (it has had updates since then). Since that first printing, much has happened to the culture where those born in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s need to read a book like this not only to understand, many for the first time, what government’s role is supposed to look like but who and what America truly is – a haven for a free, independent and responsible people.

For your convenience, here is a direct link to Amazon. When you’re purchasing it – say a prayer that these powerful descriptions of the beauty of America become obvious again to the generation who is stepping up to lead it.

- ajh

Conservative Leaders Pay Attention to Messaging

The liberals are doing a fantastic job on messaging. There, I did it. I complimented the liberals.

Let's say little Jane gets a new puppy. The puppy is all over the place with its abundance of energy! Distracted, rambunctious, playful would be a few of the applicable descriptives to a dog this age. Well, Mom is calling from the doorway and it is time for Jane and puppy to go inside. It's easy for her to walk herself inside, but how does she convince the free-willed puppy to comply?

1. Stand and look at the puppy, talk about the puppy, complain about the puppy and bemoan the puppy because he's not following Mom's directions or

2. Should she talk to the puppy in a tone of voice he will respond to, present a reward that solicits a dog's attention, using dog format (whatever that looks like) then convince that puppy to follow?

In other words, will she be more successful complaining about why the puppy doesn't follow; or should she try communicating with a puppy in language he might understand?

I'm thinking her projection of frustration toward the puppy will have zilch impact on the puppy and the ability to accomplish the task Mom has asked her to do. But I'm thinking Jane using means of communication for puppy language might help her convey her point and accomplish her goal.

Hello Conservatives!! Republican Party! Ideology purists! I'm talking to you.

In this analogy, the GOP leaders are Jane and her mom. The Millennials, of which I consider myself a member, are the puppy. To the established, and non established GOP, I pose this question: why get frustrated at someone for something they are not doing when they do not understand what you are asking them to do?

You want the Millennials to understand why the 2012 Election was so important, why 2014 victories are imperative, why public policy decisions are detrimental or why a moral decision can have implications. But the questions should address: Are you using the wrong language, in an old paradigm, promising rewards or consequences that do not matter to your audience and attempting to move them towards a goal they do not understand?

You can keep trying to reach us by making the GOP outreach more "diversified", attempting more "cool" meetups and networking opportunities, or promise to give us internships, jobs after college or create the newest "app" for our smart phones.

But deep down inside we are looking for you  to speak to what is in the core of our being. We are like any other constituent base in America: we care about people, causes and money. The longer you deflect your frustration on that which you want to activate, and continue to use ill-placed messages with unclear goals, you simply prove to the young adults that the left, liberals, Democrats, progressives really do have the upper hand.

Hurry Republican party and conservatives of all breeds! Think outside the box. You have the right principles. Just hurry and frame things in a way Millennials can understand!

Jane can hear the thunder in the distance; if she does not get creative quick, she and puppy will get stuck in the storm. And the responsibility of how they will experience the storm does not rest on the unknowing puppy. The full weight of reaction and action rests on Jane. The puppy's safety is dependent on Jane. And we as Millennials are dependent on you.

I was Viewer #2: Report on Millennial Meetup in DC

I just "randomly" came across this story on youtube (see below) and shockingly only one other person had viewed it upon my discovery.

Bloomberg had a report today of Millennials who are coming to the table in Washington DC to talk about the economy. Congressman Aaron Schock helped lead the discussion. It wasn't a lively discussion but a discussion is better than nothing.

Props to the Republican Party for attempting to reach out to young adults! This is also a very good thing!

And hats off to the younger people for attempting to build a movement. And thank God for young leaders like the Congressman who are an easy advocate.

Look into the eyes of your 2 year old child, your 13 year old cousin or ponder the unborn niece and consider: as Millennials, our inactivity only creates an even bigger monster to pass on to the next generations to follow.

Op Ed: Millennials & the Conservative Narrative

Consider this an open letter to Republican and Conservative leaders alike.

Why are you surprised the Millennial Generation is not responding to you?

Why are you surprised that they are not concerned about our nation and its eroding brand of freedom? Have you ever wondered what our perception is of the conservative movement? Or have you wondered whether we truly understand the narrative? Have you considered that we are foreign students in a nation you know so well and love? You are frustrated that we will not come to your rallies, your monthly meetings, your pizza parties, or your door walking days. But my question to you is what are you asking us to come to?

With that question, I do not mean what room, what building, or what town. But I mean ideology. What is your narrative? What is a Republican? What is conservative? What is your cause, your goal, the reason for your engagement?

The Millennial Generation (early 20’s to early 30’s) and now younger, need you and need your message. But until you define that for which you want us to engage, in lingo we understand, make it appealing to our senses and emotions and use things we care about to make the case that your path is better than the one we follow – do not expect us to come.

If you were in our shoes, would you want to follow? I didn’t think so. So, don’t expect the same of us. Ask yourself “What is the thing that I’m calling them to? How does my cause stand for more worthy purposes than the opposition? How do I explain the principles and their impact on things the Millennials care about?”

If you do not figure out how to do it quick, who knows what will happen in our nation’s future. Please stop looking to us to get engaged or blaming tomorrow’s potential demise on our dismissal of what’s important. Instead, please start by telling us your story, listening to us at times without saying a word, and
sharing the vision for what we can become as individuals, a generation and a nation.

Until you start doing the necessary things, we’re not coming. Quit looking to us. We’re looking to you.

- ajh

Writer's Note: If you are interested in using this piece in your newspaper, blog, website etc, please feel free to do so. Would you email me and let me know how you have used it? I hope it helps. Thank you! amyjaynehawkins@gmail.com)

Drawing on Videos: Attention Grabbing? Yes.

And yet, here is one more amazing tool for communicating a message.

Do an experiment: ask your young person to spend 4 min and 5 seconds watching this short video. After it's done ask them two questions: 1 - do you like that form of communication? and 2 - Did you learn anything?

Don't fret about what lesson they learned from it, at the moment. If you can find reassurance that this holds their attention, and it teaches them something that's a start. The next step is to find videos such as these that convey messages you want conveyed to your young people. But for now - well, you tell me what you think of this genius educational tool.

By the way: this resource works for me. So if you ever want to teach me something - you can use this format. Just sayin'.