I'll always remember Mother's Day 2012  and the fun I had with Traci today..No mother has ever been as blessed as I have been. She's a most special daughter.  

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

This may be true. But before you get carried away and start mass e-mailing the public, be sure to think through you advertising strategy, especially on the internet.

Buyers today are incredibly sophisticated. They don't put up with in-your-face marketing like they may have in the past. 

Just as they use the advertising breaks on their favorite TV shows to get up and leave the room for snacks, they are equally adept at avoiding internet marketing.

As easy as it is for you to e-mail blast your precious advertisement, it's equally easy for recipients to delete that message. And, by the time they've deleted your message 2-3 times, they will generally already have targeted it for their black list. Once that happens, you've lost them permanently

I've talked with many who tell me that if they start getting a string of advertisements in their e-mail, they black list it and consciously decide that they will never, ever buy from that sender.

Websites that plaster advertisements all over their pages are equally ineffective. Buyers know very well how to read around advertisements.

Constant advertising does nothing more than kill the golden goose.

At very least such tactics simply insult potential buyers. They know what they're looking for. They know what they want. Today, more than ever, they do their own research. And they are very selective about where they spend their money. . 

If you want to reach your target market, be sure the buyer is interested in and really wants what you have to offer..Failing that, you will do nothing more than antagonize the discriminating buyer. 

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=geriatric1927&view=videos

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

There have been a lot of people thrown into a quandary and, admittedly many have been pretty angry in the last years. There will be more as baby boomers continue to age. The issues gained momentum as many in their 50s came to the stark realization that they are finding it more and more difficult to get work because of (hush – don't say this too loud) age discrimination aka being "over qualified".

It is a shocking realization that at some point no matter how good you are or how much effort you put into effort to secure appropriate work, after years of climbing the corporate ladder, you're being downsized to baggers, WalMart greeters and the like.

But wait. Is it really all that bad?

OK, so we still have bills to pay and earning less money does put a crimp in efforts to stay up with the Jones family with all the new electronic, high-tech toys on the market. But there's definitely a silver lining when you take the time to find it.

I've been chatting with a number of 30-somethings who are absolutely burned out and terribly unhappy with their jobs. They have lots of reasons from working for incompetent managers to excessive hours and demands on them. And the more I talk with them, the more I realize that we old fogies are the lucky ones.

Think about it:

• Seniors don't need to invest in appropriate work wardrobes – fancy suits, the latest fashions, stockings, manicures and fancy hairdos any more. No more need to impress co-workers or potential employers. We can dress as we choose.
   
• Seniors don't need to invest in all those travel expenses to and from a place of business, we can finally spend lots less on gas, car upkeep and parking.
   
• Seniors can pick and choose our work schedules (Oh, yes, there is still viable – meaningful – work we can do. We can do that work when and how we choose:early morning, afternoons, middle of night, in short bursts of time, or 24-hours at a crack. We can take off to visit a sick relative or walk the dog when we choose. And vacations are a snap. No need to get approval.
   
• Seniors can do work that we LIKE to do, the way we LIKE to do it.. And this is the best of all benefits. Artists,photographers, writers, inventors, technicians who are working in offices today would die for the opportunity to work full time doing what they enjoy most. Many who worked for "the Man" all their lives, dreamed of the time and freedom seniors enjoy. Better yet, many achieved their greatest success when others figured they were too old to be productive.Think Grandma Moses (101), Frances Bennett (92).

Once you get past the idea that your value is all wrapped up in your job, you can free yourself to live the most enjoyable productive days of your life. Sure, it takes some imagination; but for the first time, once you reach that certain age when corporate America wants nothing more to do with you, you can be free to be all you can be. There's nothing stopping you from becoming everything you ever dreamed of being.

Do you want to be an artist…a photographer….an author…an inventor…a world traveler. Just do it!

Now, I'm begging you, don't tell anyone because once the word gets out we're sure to see others trying to jump on the bandwagon.

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

"I sit in front of the computer with a blank screen staring back at me, and I freeze," she complained when I asked her how she is progressing.

Now I know many writers and wanna be writers struggle with this. They get in front of a blank screen or sheet of paper and they freeze. Some say their brain goes numb, others complain about an oppressive tightness in their throat or chest, others say their palms get all sweaty and their fingers turn to ice. Whatever the symptoms, they all report sitting in front of that unforgiving blankness until they can no longer stand it – and they get up with the promise to begin writing another time.

If you're fighting with that demon – call it writer's block, if you will – relax. That's right, I mean just that. Take a couple deep breaths and relax.

Then, visualize your reader.Is it your son or daughter? A dear friend? Picture them across the table from you. You may even want to put a picture of that person in front of you. The key here is to make sure it's a real person that you can imagine yourself having a heart-to-heart conversation with.

Then, simply imagine yourself having that conversation with them. Don't try to be fancy, or worry about sounding "stupid" just tell them your story. Let the words flow just as they would if you were talking to that person. Imagine that person asking you questions. What do they want you to tell them?

It's OK if the first page or two you write is junk – you can delete it later, the point is you need to begin and once you're on your way, the words will start to flow.

Once you learn this simple technique, you can start working on adding sparkle to your writing with very little effort, use the most colorful words that come to you but don't try to impress them. For example, if you're talking about a house, you don't just say house. It's a bungalow, or a Cape Cod, or a Southwestern stucco. Are you talking about your dog? No it's not just a dog, it's a Collie, or a German Shepherd or a black and tan mutt.

Keep your words natural: nouns and verbs are powerful, lots of adjectives and adverbs weaken your message and risk distracting the reader. So, you didn't just walk into the kitchen, you sauntered, or you schlepped or you ambled.

These techniques have helped several people I work with, including my friend who is trying to write her biography, a technical writer and a marketing specialist. They may help you too. 

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

We've generally had a most remarkable winter and spring here in the Midwest. And with the early Spring you'd think that nature would have expended its glory. But no. Today I'm finding evidence of rebirth everywhere. Of course all the magnificent Easter Lilies adorn churches and homes today, but there are others equally as remarkable.

One of the many signs of rebirth and awakening I'm enjoying today is my lowly violet. I've had it for several years now but this is only the second time it's shown sings of prolific blooms.

And because it's blooming at this particular time of year – after an extended period of dormancy, it gives me pause and a great deal to think about.

Regardless of whether we are Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Christian or not.we share in a remarkable saga of life.The processing of birth, growth, death and re-birth is something we all have in common.

We each have our own beliefs and our own specific customary day of celebration and our own commemorative prayers and rituals designed to remind of the significance of our journey through life. Often though we go through the traditional celebrations without really thinking about the message that speaks to our hearts.  

If we did listen, would there be room for greed and wars and starvation and the intense drive to control the lives of others?

This little violet is.not a match – or a threat – to the stately Easter Lily. But it speaks the same language. And they can co-habit very nicely, thank you, without stepping on each other's toes.

Is this not true of men and women, young and old, American, European, Indian, Oriental and others? None is more magnificent than the other. None should threaten or feel threatened by others, Non have any more right to life and freedom of choice than the other.

May this be a particularly happy day – no matter what you call it. .

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

But come Spring, it's a whole 'nother world with opportunities to enjoy all that sunshine and warm weather has to offer.

Some activities move through the seasons easily. Reading and writing are among those kinds of activities. Take a book or a pad of paper and a pen (or your laptop) and settle in under a tree and you can count on a most pleasant and productive day.

Painting and sketching also work. An easel, canvas and paints or a pad of paper and charcoals or pencil  are all that's needed for a talented artist to capture the best of the season. There's no end to the subject matter, whether you like to do landscapes, portraits or even abstracts. . 

But with warm weather we can actually recapture a bit of our youth.

Walking in the wide open spaces, whether in a park or along a lakefront is always good. But if you're really ambitious you might be drawn to such as jumping rope, riding a bike, playing ball and more. It's invigorating activities such as these that remind us that we're only as old as we allow ourselves to be.

I'm reminded though that you want to start slow. It's not difficult, your body really never forgets these kinds of skills. But you do want to remember that it may take some time to rebuild your stamina. And, of course, when it comes to something like biking you will want to be particularly careful. Even though cities like Chicago are encouraging biking by arranging rental programs and setting aside designated bike trails, you do need to remember that streets are highly congested and drivers tend to be less than courteous at times. And, of course, it's up to bikers and pedestrians to pay attention to their own safety. 

You really don't need to spend a lot of money to engage in stamina building at your local health spa. Just get out there and do it. Start slow, and build gradually.

Spring re-introduces us to a more leisurely life style and helps us to re-capture a zest for life that many of us forget throughout the winter months. If you tend to suffer from depression or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder, the bane of those who are affected negatively by cold dreary days) you're in for a pleasant surprise as your spirits start to soar. While you're at it, expect an added benefit beyond just re-awakening your appreciation of the finer things this world has to offer. You may well meet new friends who share some of your interests. It's amazing what you can discover once you get out of your house and your car, and start enjoying a slower pace.

Whatever outdoor activity you choose to engage in, enjoy.

.

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.

It's doesn't take any energy or effort on your part but you can make a huge impact. Just turn off your lights and electrical appliances and help us bathe the earth in darkness for one short hour.

This conservation effort began in 2007 in Sydney Australia. Last year it's said that more than 135 countries and territories participated. For more specific details you might want to check out  www.earthhour.org.

In your own small corner of the world you might want to do as many who will resort to candles (beeswax is most ecologically-friendly.). Or just use that time to meditate or to go out for a walk. With lights dimmed even those of you in big cities like Chicago may be able to enjoy a rare treat and might catch sight of a multitude of stars overhead.

It's a great feeling to know that in a minute way you've done something toward furthering the well-being of our environment. In fact, you may decide you like it. If you do, consider continuing the practice of dimming lights regularly and cutting back on the amount of electricity you use.

©2012 creativeoptions.com. All Rights Reserved.