groundwork

WSJ: Merkel Pledges Tax Cuts Despite Rising Deficit

Reading with interest the comments of German Chancellor Angela Merkel on cutting taxes while encouraging economic growth.  The Wall Street Journal has an article containing comments from a recent speech.

Lower incomes taxes would "provide motivation" and encourage economic growth, Ms. Merkel told a conference of her party, the Christian Democratic Union, and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union.

"It would be wrong not to do what is right and necessary for growth, and so prevent ourselves emerging quickly from this crisis," Ms. Merkel said in her conference speech.

Posted via web from donhornsby's posterous

Fresh Start

This will be my official first posting on Posterous.  I have been introduced to this service by Vincent Hunt - and I thought I would give it try.  

So here it goes...

My family and I have just completed an unexpected move into a new home.  I have found myself in the unnerving task of setting up my home office.  I have decided that this would be a great time to make a fresh start with work flow, e-mail, work space, and scheduling.  

Cathy Stucker has a great post on her blog on Making a Fresh Start.

One of her most helpful points for me is concentrating on one area at a time.  

"Concentrate on one area at a time. Avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to get control of your work, your home, your online life and everything else at once. Decide that today (or this week) you are going to take control of one aspect (e.g., your to-do list) and start there. Then move on to the next area."

I have carved out a swath of time to begin this process.  It is my hope to increase my personal effectiveness for my family and in all of the roles given to me at this time.  

Posted via email from donhornsby's posterous

Thought for the Week - 06/21/09

A barn raising is a community effort. It’s something that’s done to aid a family - often more than one - with one of the most labor-intensive and expensive parts of getting settled domestically. It’s something that’s built collectively, because it’s an impossible task for just one person (or even a handful of people) to complete. It literally takes a village. And without barns and the group effort to build and tend to them, the community itself will suffer.

Communities - online and off - are ecosystems of their own, too. They’re not built. They grow, and they have to be collectively nurtured in order to survive. They don’t just exist without tending, and the people that make that happen are NOT the “community managers”. They are the community members themselves.

We can agree on that part, right? Okay good. Now here’s the rub.

If you are a member of a community, and if you are asking for and expecting the benefits of that acceptance, you have a responsibility to contribute to the community in a constructive manner.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you build instead of tear down. It is your responsibility to steward the health and future of that community as one of its inhabitants.

                                                             - Amber Naslund - Our Responsibility to Our Communities

Video Friday: Happy Father's Day

I noticed that this Sunday is Father's Day here in the United States.  The day is usually set aside by families to honor their Dad.  For some, Father's Day is an excuse to grill a steak (which is a worthy exercise).  There are others who go for a more elaborate celebration. 

I find myself alone for this Father's Day.  My wife and daughters have traveled to Allentown, PA for some grandparent time with Tina's parents.  I really don't mind because I believe that it is important to keep those strong family bonds between the generations.  Our schedule was tight as the result of school, work, a move to  new home, and plans for summer camps.  This week was the only time that the ladies could make the trip.  On the other hand, I will be feeling the loss of spending some time with my family - and 'Daddy' time with my girls.

I came across this simple but beautiful video from Steven Curtis Chapman.  The video, while not an elaborate production, contains a powerful message those of us who are Fathers.  All I can say is that as a Daddy to two daughters.....I can't wait for my princesses to return home.   I plan on  sharing a few more dances with them before the clock strikes midnight.

And to all of our Dads out there......Happy Father's Day!

Video Friday: God of Wonders

I thought I would attempt to get back to my 'master schedule' for this website.  I would hope to feature an interesting, enjoyable, or helpful video on Friday afternoons. 

I found this video a few weeks ago on another website.  I enjoyed it immensely - and thought that some of you might enjoy it as well.