Sample Articles: December 2004 - February 2005

Mouse Talk

By Amy C. Lowenstein

LEARNING ABOUT HYPERLINKS – WHY TYPE?

You are surfing the Internet and find a wonderful site. You just have to tell a friend about it! Carefully you write down the address. Sometime later you send your friend an e-mail. You include the address to the web site, making sure you typed it correctly. What a lot of work! If only you had known about hyperlinks!

WHAT IS A HYPERLINK?

A hyperlink is an address to a web site which you can insert directly into an e-mail while you are connected to the web site. No need to write it down to send later. Forget about typing errors. When the recipient receives the e-mail, the hyperlink appears in blue. Recipients can connect to that web site automatically by clicking on the hyperlink – they don’t have to type either!

INSERTING A HYPERLINK INTO AN E-MAIL WHILE YOU ARE CONNECTED TO A WEB SITE

Be at the web site that you want to insert as a hyperlink into an e-mail.
• Click on the red Favorite Places Button on the web page’s Title Bar. A dialog box appears listing your options.
• Click on Insert in Mail. The e-mail form appears. The hyperlink has been inserted in the Message box. The name of the hyperlink appears in the “Subject:” box.
• Type the name of the recipient in the “Send To:” box.
• Additional text can be inserted in the Message box.
• Click on Send Now. The message that the mail has been sent appears.
• Click on OK.

INSERTING A HYPERLINK INTO YOUR FAVORITE PLACES LIST

• Be at the web site that you want to insert as a hyperlink into an e-mail.
• Click on the red Favorite Places Button on the web page’s Title Bar. A dialog box appears listing your options.
• Click on Add to Favorites. The web site is now listed in your Favorite Places file.

INSERTING A HYPERLINK INTO AN E-MAIL FROM YOUR FAVORITE PLACES FILE

• Open your Favorite Places list.
• Right click on the favorite place for which you want to insert a hyperlink. A drop-down menu appears.
• Click on Insert in Mail. The e-mail form appears. The hyperlink has been inserted in the Message box. The name of the hyperlink appears in the “Subject:” box.
• Type the name of the recipient in the “Send To:” box.
• Additional text can be inserted in the Message box.
• Click on Send Now. The message that the mail has been sent appears.
• Click on OK.

Amy C. Lowenstein is the author of For Grandmas Who Do Windows, Dithridge Press, available at Barnes & Noble and online. Contact Amy at Grandmawindows@aol.com.

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How to Read Between The Lines

By Irene Levitt, MGA

Before you read this—grab a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Now, sign your name as you would on a check. Next, close your eyes (no peeking) and sign your name once more. Bet you’re surprised! My audiences never fail to collectively gasp when they see how close to their signature they come when they write with their eyes closed. This happens, because handwriting is really brain writing.

Every mark you make on paper comes from your subconscious. Your hand is merely the tool that holds the pen. Handwriting is the pen of the brain—a sort of x-ray that enables us to see what goes on in the body, mind, soul and emotions of human beings.

When you were in the third grade, you began to learn to write using one of the popular methods such as the Palmer writing technique. You and your classmates tried to emulate your teacher’s writing, but you rarely succeeded. The truth is that it was impossible for you to duplicate your teacher’s exact writing style. Why? Even at that tender age, your personality had begun to invade your writing style. Your subconscious mind and personality traits were already beginning to influence what flowed from your brain to the pen and on to the paper. Many of us also were inhibited, to some degree, from allowing our own intellect to flow with spontaneity and ease.

I remember my teacher, Miss Vincent, hitting my feet with her pointer as she walled up and down the aisles while we wrote. I often sat with my feet crossed at the ankles, and she would constantly point out this nasty habit by attacking my feet with her stick. My writing was always letter perfect. Now that I look back, it’s small wonder. I had to conform.

Handwriting analysis, or graphology (the generic term), defines a writer’s personality and character. Israel and the countries of Western Europe are highly advanced in their use of graphology. Here in the United States, only recently have we moved graphology books from the occult sections of the library to the psychology shelves.

There is no mystery about deciphering the written stroke. However, handwriting analysis is an empirical science. It can help you understand yourself and others with keener insight. I have to admit, though, that it has sometimes caused a few problems for me.

Being a professional graphologist was very hard on my love life. Usually, on the first or second meeting, my date would write for me. Darn it, there were no surprises after that! And, not too many dates either!

Sometimes, though, I learned something about the “inner date’ that I wouldn’t otherwise have guessed. I once met a guy I didn’t think I wanted to go out with. He seemed nice enough but I didn’t feel that we had much in common. He kept sending me clever little handwritten notes, however, and I gradually became aware of his true personality. He was not at all what I thought when I first met him. We dated for a long time, and we’re still great friends!

Have you ever made mistakes in hiring people or matching speakers to groups? Here are some tips on what to look for:

Pressure:

Notice how heavy or light the writing seems. Look at the back of the page and run your fingers over it, if you’re not sure.
Heavy writing indicates great natural staying power, a love of strong, rich colors and difficulty forgiving or forgetting easily. These people harbor feelings, hurts and joys for a long, long time. Heavy writing also indicates intensity, determination and assertiveness. A strong-willed writer sometimes seeks to impose their will upon others. These assessments are accurate even if the writing is in a language other than English.

For example, Saddam Hussein has heavy, erratic writing. It shows strong signs of an explosive, unreasonable individual. He will keep only his own counsel, and his bombastic writing style portrays a person who can easily fly out of control.

Light writing indicates that a writer may seem to ignore hurts or pleasure. Actually, that person initially feels joy and sorrow just as intensely as the heavy writer, but only for the moment. A light line writer can be just as hurt or pleased as a heavy writer, but the emotion does not usually leave as lasting an impression on the subconscious. I find persons with light writing may be more relaxed and possibly more passive. They are usually more spiritual than assertive, and will forgive or forget past experiences. The light writer feels just as intensely as the heavy writer at the time, but doesn’t retain impressions of experiences as long.

Large writing:

A large signature, such as that of actress Whoopi Goldberg, is the sign of a “people person”. The size of the signature, combined with the heavy pressure, indicates an expansive nature. She likes and needs to be with a variety of people. Whoopi also shows her preoccupation with a need to accumulate money. Whoopi also shows great imagination.

Signature:

When viewing handwriting, you often have only one sample to observe—the signature. The word signature comes from a combination of two words; sign and nature. Actually the word is a bit of a misnomer. Your signature is not always a true symbol of your nature, but rather the way you want the world to see you. It may not be the way you really are. When the signature and the main body of the writing look the same in size, spacing and slant, you can assume that the writer’s outward expressions reflect the inner attitudes.

That person is saying: THIS IS WHAT I AM. When the signature differs from the rest of the writing, the writer likes to keep personal life and business affairs separate. If possible, refer to some old correspondence. Very often, you will find that their signature has changed. It seems that when an outlook on life changes, the signature does as well.

Irene Levitt is a well-known author and handwriting expert. Her company, Handwriting Consultants, does vocational analysis, document examination and jury analysis, as well as criminal investigation. If you have any questions regarding this article or would like more information on this subject, please contact Irene Levitt at 480-661-9199 or visit www.irenelevitt.com.

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Publisher’s Notes

By Dick Osgood, Publisher

What’s Your Perspective?

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip”?

“It was great, Dad”. “Did you see how poor people live” the father asked. “Oh, yeah”, said the son. “So tell me, what did you learn from the trip”, asked the father.

The son answered:

“ I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them”.

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are”.

Too many times, we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don’t have. What is one person’s worthless object is another’s prize possession. It is based on one’s perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have instead of worrying about wanting more. Take joy and appreciate every single thing you have.

I could not have said it better! Thanks to James and Rita Huang for sharing this story. I wish to express my many thanks to all the readers, writers, and especially the advertisers, who make Quality Lifestyle Magazine possible. May you have a wonderful holiday season and find joy in the love of family and friends.

Best Regards, Dick Osgood, Publisher.

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A Movement Lifestyle

Irene Stillwell,
Director, Arizona Senior Olympics

A lot has been said lately about the fitness crisis we are facing in America. Obesity has become an enemy to be conquered in all ages of our population. We read with concern about young people who can’t perform the most basic fitness tests, and agencies all over the country are trying to find ways to motivate Americans to MOVE. We have become a nation of watchers instead of doers. Many of us are almost constant spectators. We watch television, we watch the Internet, we go out and watch a movie, or watch a football or basketball game.

So, how do we turn watchers into doers? If you have grandchildren, stop buying them video games. Buy them bikes, skateboards, stilts, or something else that gives them a reason to be active. Don’t give friends or loved ones tickets to watch things-give them tickets to go somewhere and do something.

Think movement!

And, how about you? When was the last time you took a walk to the park? How about planning a vacation around walking, swimming, sailing or hiking?

There are so many ways that we can put movement into our every day lives. Park a little further away from the store when shopping and enjoy the longer walk to the door. How about walking to church? You can even discuss the sermon on the way home!

In Senior Olympics, we advise people to “use it or lose it”. Many of the problems that we think are a natural part of aging are not natural at all! They are the direct product of disuse. You will feel better physically and mentally when you develop a lifestyle that moves.

Do you want to see a great movie that illustrates what I’m talking about? Go see “Shall We Dance?” with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. It’s about a man who, in a difficult time of his life, discovers the fun, satisfaction and joy of movement. Then, go dancing! Or come to the Senior Olympic Games from February 19 through March 6.

Become one of thousands of seniors who have learned to move, as a part of a satisfying life.

For information on movement as a lifestyle,
call Arizona Senior Olympics: 602-534-3500.