Online Ordering is a Big Game Changer

I have never been an avid shopper for items like clothing and household items, but I like getting new stuff as much as anyone else.  I have known about Amazon and other online shopping websites but I was never very active in the past.

Like most people, when I needed something, I went to the appropriate store.  You go to your favorite clothing store for those items, to the home store for tools and household items like light bulbs and garden hoses.

Now, with "free" returns, there is no need to worry about making the mistake of selecting the wrong item on Amazon or any other shopping site.  Now you can fulfill most of your needs online from shoes to shovels.

This could eventually be a problem for physical brick and mortar stores.  They are at a disadvantage in many ways like convenience and carrying enough inventory.   It is easier to shop many brands online and select the one you like and just order it.

With that being said, I really hope for the success of stores.  Shopping is more than just getting stuff.  It is a social experience and one we cannot afford to lose.

Read, Baby, Read

I don't know if that is a appropriate title or not.  It is not a reference to infants only but if I titled this Read, Man, Read or Read, Brother, Read, that would not be inclusive of females which is not my intention.  Read, Person, Read sounds awkward so I settled on the above.

I just wanted to emphasize the importance of reading for everyone.  With all of the electronic communications available to people today, reading books may seem a little unattractive or distant to many.  That could be a problem because reading enhances your education, knowledge, understanding, and so much more.

More specifically, I recommend that you read every day including material that pertains to your career.  Find books at the library, bookstore (if you can locate one), or Amazon which has just about every book.  Find stuff that will help you to grow your career and blend that with reading that you enjoy.  That is my recommendation for what it is worth.

I want to share some information about a book that I read in 2016 that was interesting, not perfect, but helpful.  The title is The Happiness Equation.

In this book, author Neil Pasricha, refers to a formula that helps your overall happiness and it is Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything.  Well, this is not going to be completely true from my perspective but he does offer some helpful hints about finding happiness in your work life.  I do recommend reading it.

Another book from my 2016 reading list that I liked, and I liked most of them, is He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Ciszek.  This is an amazing story and probably my favorite and most impactful book of 2016.

The subtitle of this book is An Extraordinary Testament of Faith and that says it all.  Father Ciszek endured 23 years in Soviet prison camps and through his utter reliance on God's will did he overcome and survive the hardships that were most extreme.

I also enjoyed reading Passion for Leadership by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates which gave an interesting insight on the management of an important department of the U.S government.  This title like about half of my reading list were taken in through audiobooks.

My point of all of this is simple.  Read, Baby, Read.