Trafficking & D-Wordslayer

Traffick Driving

I’ve never thought of myself as a ‘Traffick Driver” but it will be joining my job description very soon. I have LinkedIn to thank for this, and I'm not sure if free labor is really free! I can't complain, because where else will you find so many free  writing contractors as so many have advised on this forum. I'm wondering if I have masochistic tendencies hidden somewhere  - and please note the dictionary I use states "Someone who enjoys causing their own suffering." That's the Urban Dictionary for the softest meaning! I do enjoy my time here.

I even have the perfect picture (from a few years ago) which will show that I know what to do in a car. I will make the claim and accept the blame, for trying to navigate around the steep roads. I must do this, if my words must get through this ‘under construction zone.'

This is not me operating at even 25% of my capacity, so I’ll make the disclaimer upfront – I can do ‘badass all by myself’. I believe there was a movie with a title close to that, so I’m advising, I cannot remember the movie, the actors and the script. I have not paused to go to a google search because I’m on a roll, and if I stop I will come off this road, and run into a fire hydrant!

A couple weeks ago I decided to try directing ‘traffick’ to me. I wanted the traffick to see me and my beautiful words! I was tired of waiting on someone to pass by and view, read, like (or dislike), and share. I was so enthused about getting the traffic to come towards my direction; I did not read the signs;

LinkedIn Followers  Traffick Signs

1. I followed, connected with you to increase my number – sorry you are anonymous
2. I followed you because I like something you said – just please don’t contact me, I’m not interested in you
3. I wrote a nice note asking to be a contact with you - Didn’t you get the memo..duh?Don't contact me, until I contact you
4. Stop – I don’t know you. I can’t remember you. Who are you. Why are we connected anyway?
5. No Response Required – Like, comment, share – appreciate your communication said non verbally engagement via actions
6. Thank you – I will be sure to check this out!
7. Du dum, du dum(Silence) - Wow, thanks for contacting me – like , share, comment , view   and a nice note after action! 
8. Road Closed – No one at home/ Busy/ Unavailable/ Computer not working / No internet signal

How did my road test go – Amazing!  Hey I’m a newbie; don’t knock my fifteen to thirty comments, over one hundred views , or my fifty plus likes.  Yes, I’m deliberately, writing my words because the numbers at this level have more impact this way! Yayyy, I feel great.

Human behavior can be many things, and in marketing traffick, on a large scale or tiny scale, people will react in the same way. Some folks were thrilled to get my link, my 5, 6, 7’s.  These folks are my faithful ‘die-hards’ in the making. The 8's I feel confident will read at some time and may even engage, which works well for me, as its round two traffick on that road!

Numbers one through four, are going to miss some great experiences with some great wordslayers! 

Maybe we’ve developed our relationship to the point where five, six, seven - they love knowing what I’m up to and I’m busy, trying to get traffic in their direction – if they are driving a good word-machine! Seems everyone is at that point of specially good these days. Or maybe it’s the force-field Deb Helfrich & Gary Sharp , The Unfluencers and the way we are all reacting. According to merriam-webster.com/dictionary

 “a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges.”

The  others I will have to work on, and for those who do not wish to  get a message from me – I am not spam,  thankfully a good wordslayer put me on my guard! Please delete me and let me put you out of your misery.

The most challenging aspect of my ‘Trafficking’ was the group message. In this 'day and age' how is it possible that when you send a group message – they stick together for all communication? With all that technology has to offer, I could be forgiven for making some persons want to ‘write me a ticket’. When you’re navigating traffic ,if you get a ticket that’s bad. It means you did not understand the road-map, and did not follow the instructions. Make no assumptions, the first rule – gather data. I wrote me a ticket, so I’m fulfilling my sentence ( haha)  by writing! I just love that judge!

Points to note when trafficking in the valley of LinkedIn;

1. Do read your followers profile – know your audience their likes , causes, interests
2. Review their posts and activity briefly
3. Select a sample of those persons who normally interact on posts you engaged in previously
4. Write your very brief invitation to review and add  a link to your post. If you have the time, use the opportunity to follow up on events, occasions and get to know your fellow wordslayers!
5. Enjoy the feedback, and keep the conversation flowing if possible.
6. Repeat the cycle for four posts, and maybe you will cover 300 followers. Their participation will be noticed by others – a ripple effect.
7. Lets face it, we all would like someone to read our words. That's natural. Its why we write and publish! I wish the notification claiming ALL my followers were notified could be permanently confined to the 'word jail' for conspiracy! It is a lie without merit!

Years ago when I was just starting out in sales, I recall aiming for a few good relationships to build a strong base – sure commissions! I always had that guarantee, and felt comfortable stretching my wings, and growing that base and my income simultaneously.

Maybe it’s just time to get back to basics while the politicians figure out the best material to use to fix a road which was designed perfectly but strayed from the approved designs!

What’s your strategy for traffic management? Let’s engage by reading, liking, commenting and sharing.

* Grammar note : I have taken the liberty to create a word or two along the way and change the spelling to suit my fanciful thoughts. My writers privilege, I hope does not offend. The meaning of  the word you will see me write a lot;

Wordslayer – a storyteller with a love for words. Supporting the cause for words to be used and its work attributed to its author. #Stopplagiarism

*Phil Friedman was the first to be knighted - Wordslayer!

To my fellow wordslayers  aka all writers, authors, bloggers - thank you from d-wordslayer!

NB.. checked after avoiding hydrant! :-)

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

United We Stand - The Child In Me: Vive la France 2

Last week Saturday 14th November,we were gripped with aftermath of horror fear and many emotions of grief and disbelief. Terrorists attacking the day before in Paris, France rocked me, and I felt the brevity of my mortality.

It is a week now, and while I watched the news, and followed the response from France and its allies, I wonder what it feels like to the child. The feeling of safety and awe of this great life they live. Their normal, can be many things based on where they reside.

For us, our kids or grand-kids and our neighbors young ones may be looking at the television and wondering about the shows on cable or local channels. The questions that may play in their little unpolluted minds and innocent hearts if aware, is why? Why is there hate? Why do they want to hurt the people? Who will stop them? Where is the love?

For the child life is simple and they can be impressionable at an early age. They are holding iPads and mobile phones before they can speak, and the nanny may be Miss Kindle Fire or Miss iPad. I was quite shocked one day when my nephew at 3 years asked, "auntie, your iPad, can I use please". I don't have an iPad but my Winbook looks like one, and that's the power of branding.

His little fingers could click and search easily. He can't even read or write very well but he sure knew what to do! Remembering this makes my reflection even more sad. As I recall the events in Paris, the casualties are now more, much more than those who died or were wounded. The families and friends, sons and daughters, who live  are left behind. They live and they will grieve. 

What are the answers to the children when their mother or father, auntie or uncle, grandma or granddad  does not return suddenly? 

When the world moves on to the next tragedy, what are the answers these children all over will hear?

While searching for a music video on YouTube, I came across this video. Its one of those songs to teach the children about unity and the philosophy of true freedom. I listened, and if you do the message is clear. Those who are fortunate to have electricity and a television will be listening to what should be. They will be learning this. For a while they will be in the ideal, even if its for a few minutes.

The reality though is like the road above. There will be twists and turns in their little lives. They will move from the lush green healthy glow of the unknown as they grow, to a different world. A world which is totally opposite to the impressions from their early existence. They will however have the dreams of peace, and maybe the drive to make a difference, based on what is communicated at home, school, and religious groups.

I paused at religious groups as its my belief they can be quite divisive. A paradox of those who claim to be building up moral and spiritual values, going beyond to becoming instigators of hate, evil and injustice. The list can be longer, but its my choice to manage these in my reflections! The 80/20 rule again, with the 20% overshadowing ( a real dark-side) the good of the 80%.

The beautiful songs of inspiring unity and belief of justice and peace will remain, and one day  fade away. Society and all the evils of the world will change the beautiful undeveloped roads they knew to something different. I hope they have the courage to resist.

I hope they will remember the cutesy ponies and good songs. The different colors all united as one. Race not a factor, not even a consideration. Everyone different, yet all the same.

This is what I wonder about Paris, France  and the world today. 

If you have a moment please enjoy this very short video below, you may even wish to learn the words! From "Quest for Camelot" - United we stand.

How can we help our children? I hope you enjoyed or found these reflections interesting. Engage with me;  comment, share and lets increase in value these words for ourselves and others.

You can also find me on www.carii.com  LinkedIn Writers  - which is much like the road above in its authenticity. A  new creative community with a lot of engagement. 

DisneyFanatic2364 is the creator of this video on YouTube

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Vive la France!

Parlez- vous francais?

Paris has been for me a dream to come true. I have been close by in London always on business, but have not gone to that wonderful city in France. Instead, I have my dreams which I see in my bedroom, reminding me I will go one day. My best friend gave me this picture and the painter we did not know, but it looked Parisian, the chic ladies in conversation.

For my secondary education subject selection French was an obvious choice. The romance novels made it seem my prince would be french, so ‘je ne sais quoi?’  The desire to feel risqué with adventure, a mental vision of ‘joie de vie’!

As I grew older, Martinique and Quebec seemed more possible, but how French would they be? Alas, now I find some joy in experimenting in my verb conjugations, as I write whenever I can with the help of memory and Google. There is a lot to laugh at when what you mean to say gets lost in translation, or sounds foolish, yet I will not stop or give up – my apologies to any French readers!

French cuisine is also something I tried, and will not forget the French restaurant in Peterborough some years ago, when I asked for real French food, and was not delighted by that chef. He was probably trying to have a French experience like myself! I loved the dessert, a beautiful gateau of chocolate so moist and ‘delicieuse’.  I have discovered that few can make a mistake with croissants and it is my choice of safety when my French taste buds are missing the nostalgia. Still, I wish to try ‘coq au vin’, maybe I will try this soon but from my own hands.

Not Paris, No Please

'Un, deux, trois,quatre',  I hoped the news last night was not correct. I kept changing stations searching to find someone to say it was not real. There, I saw my dreams, in flames, and the people in tears, fear, hurt and pain. I read everything and saw every video available. Then logged into LinkedIn and saw the outpouring of solidarity. We are one people when we are online. We are one community from many countries. We hurt for each other, share joy for each other and we LOVE each other.

I wished to go to the theater, dance to french music, sing french songs, revel in brotherhood, not live a nightmare with the wonderful , joyous people of France. It all smashes - the romantic dreams - by the blinking lights of the police with sirens and anguish cries on my screen. This computer is a way to see what I pray will not hurt so many.

I listened to the French Anthem as the people left the stadium, two thousand plus singing in unison.  My glistening eyes could not imagine what hell they must be feeling, or what hope.  Alive, and they will sing because they are united. 

This morning I awoke to the reality, September 11, happens in a different way, a different place, same results.  Aly B. Moreno writes a post totally the French Anthem, and as I listen, I am trying to sing the words I do not all know yet the feeling of my French people and their sentiments rise. Vive la France!

Special thanks to Aly B. Moreno H and his inspirational post A & RG Mania International today. It is my hope that we can still smile with our french comrades, though it is difficult, we must have courage. The Charlie Hebdo attack, was not so long ago. I still remain Charlie.

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Sun Still Shines When It Rains - My Brother's Keeper 2

Am I not my brother's keeper? 

I’ve been following the Refugee Crisis in the Middle East, and though it seems like nothing is happening, I have to believe the sun still shines when it rains.

In 2014, approximately two hundred girls were kidnapped, ripped apart from their school and families by the Boko Haram. We watched in horror, clutching our own, yet feeling the fears and screams of their daughters. Their pain could be heard, the wailing mothers, fathers, and families, it would not cease soon. Time passed, and nothing seemed to dry the tears of all of the bleeding hearts around the globe. 

A young girl, a physiotherapy intern was gang raped on the bus on her way home – do you remember Jyoti Singh Pandey? What makes our men, love their mothers less, to hurt the ones they are born to protect? Where was the sun? It shines in the rain now for others, and her death is a reminder that rape is a violent crime which should not be tolerated by any society.

Malala Yousafzai lives. They tried to kill her for writing a blog. Her pen of youth,  powerful, effective -the truth too much for the Taliban. For Malala 15 years old, at the time, the sun kept shining, revealing even in rain there can be light.

There is no feel good way to write how humanity has gone mad. The innocent are suffering and in pain. How can I write that it will get better - that there is a silver lining  at the end of the rainbow, when we can feel the pot of blood running over yet not seeing the rainbow’s end? Who slaughter’s its own swearing we are not the same by religion, gender, status and every mocking excuse? My blood is red what is the color of yours? 

Yes, I’m angry, and there are no words to say how to be nice, and to be gracious and kind. It could be any one of us, without a place to rest or the peace of knowing our children are safe in and out of school. I refuse to whine, and shout at no one who can hear the pain of those in pain.

I see that darn sun still shines when it rains with the hurricane washing away homes, and streets and life in South Carolina - USA and Guatemala. That sun will peak out and profess it’s a new day, telling me it’s time to act while the rain falls.

The sun is still shining though the cold winter’s breeze on those refugees locked out - as a wall goes up – keeping them out, from the safety of the cold within the hearts. Who are they, and who are them - these people who suffer, but who have the courage to hope? Where on this earth will 4000 plus people rest their heads, and so many more that reach that border point? As I write I'm sure its much more!

How dare I profess to be my brother’s keeper, in my warm bed in the safety of my home? Can you feel the chill in the air? Is the Middle East that far away? Is Africa that far away? Is India that far away? Is everywhere that far away?Maybe I need to live on the moon, maybe I need to be far away from
a 
world people that need to care.Or maybe I need to stop pointing fingers, and do my part now.

Let us never forget Haiti, when the world stopped, sang and helped. The healing and restoration is ongoing and moving forward. My son Andrew shared from his trip with ITNAC a few days after the earthquake in Haiti 2010, “there is no devastation, like the scent of living death, yet they come with hope in their eyes. We cooked corn soup all night, and they came and came -the flow of people not stopping, till all the soup was gone. I told someone if you came you would find a way to take all the children home with you."

On November 3rd I am declaring today, one for the refugees, and one for all survivors of disaster. It starts with one – I’m in, are you?

Find a credible, legitimate group that works with causes and be one – support!

I’ve found Habitat for Humanity a worthy cause, which works tirelessly to rebuild communities, and homes. The teams in Trinidad & Tobago and the rest of the world are dedicated and amazing. At home I also support ITNAC – Is There Not A Cause, a missionary group which goes out locally and to the poorest nations of the world, clothing, feeding, and building wells for water and much more.

This is the second part to my first post My Brother’s Keeper. If it touches you in any way kindly like, comment and share. This message is written to be shared, and maybe make a positive difference!

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

 I read a post by one of my friends on LinkedIn, Ibukun Adebayo, quite inspiring... and the words poured out. My fingers move on their own when I feel intensely. It would not accept the comment and being quite new on this platform, thought maybe it should be on my own.

There is a crisis worldwide which cannot and should not be avoided. The surge of refugees in the war torn middle east has magnified  to epic proportions , making the word 'epic' insignificant. Where are they all to go? There are not many countries offering the opportunity to help relocate, simply because it is almost impossible to conceive. These nations, once thriving and prosperous are now broken mortar, with blood mixed in. Lost societies, not for archaeologists to seek out in the future, but here in the present. The following is my expression, simply unable to contain;

" We wake each morning preparing for work or school, our life a distant regard for what lays outside our embryo.We plug in technology like a right of daily passage, devoid of the electricity some can't know of. We use the ATM, and plastic pieces of silver, clicking sometimes for the purchases of goods thrown away tomorrow. Our children know the word refugee as someone else’s problems brought about by luck and chance of birth - not of our world, yet in this world. Who gives the clothes for their backs to another? Who places food not eaten, yet rotting, before decay to another? Whose accounts are so filled with trading currency that can be lost, all gaming and betting- making the rich, rich? A made up fallacy, or a broken ideology, of a caring society - this world.

Finally, I live on the dreams of hope that we can be free in our hearts to be our brother’s keeper. I live on the dreams that my small part no matter how insignificant I can make someone smile - if only for a second, to be filled with something other than pain. I live on the dreams that my children will know that the causes I live for are simply more than I can ever hope to be worthy of. I live with the dreams that though the wealth I do not know yet will find me, so that I can multiply what I can give. I live with my dreams that my legacy to this world will be that I was here, I gave, I made you smile, and maybe you had a peaceful night. Maybe you experienced the hunger pains deep in the heart of your belly less. In the embryo of my world let me not forget you also need a place to rest."

My first post, I hoped to be something different, but today I will honor the refugees, because I believe the world is able to do more. We are the world.

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.