Random Thoughts

If you are so caught up in your intellect and what is and has been defined, how will you ever discover more?

If you are so stuck on your judgements and beliefs about what is real and what is not, how will you ever discover what is unreal?

If you are only flesh and blood, consisting of mind, body, and emotions, how will you ever experience the richness and possiblity of an everlasting spiritual identity and the promise that might hold?

If the flesh and blood is your anchor, how will you ever access the mysterious possibilities available through Mother Nature and the quantum field of possibilities? Interacting your energy with Source?

What is, is not all - there is always more.

I know I make statements of belief, and I want you to know, I'm not held in their tentacle grip. I am always looking for more, and, and, and, and, what else.

You're Right

People are funny creatures; so alike in many ways and yet very different in others. Like DNA, our uniqueness is limitless and complex; made up of our behavior, attitude, beliefs, education, family, experience, and who knows what else can be added to the concoction. The worst part is, in all of our differences, you're right.





Even when you're wrong.

Aim High

Change is difficult for many people. Often times our whole identity is wrapped up in what we've learned as children will work for us when dealing with people, allowing us to survive, thrive and fit in. While some people have had to learn to thrive in the midst of change and learned to be adaptable by being open to new ideas and embracing change, many others have had to fight for survival and every table-scrap that came their way. Behavior is learned and it takes work to unlearn and dismantle these old beliefs.

The truth of the matter is that win-win is always possible. When you are able to see beyond the ego and recognize the abundance that is available, people, minds, and ideas come together and can create amazing changes that improve the current scenarios for many, many people. When you work with people who have this abundant and generous attitude, you are uplifted, the team soars, and amazing energy and creativity is unleashed. This is much harder to do, to sustain, and to elevate within others when you encounter individuals driven by the thought of scarcity and competition.

People like Steve Jobs are visionaries that have sought to bring about such shifts in society and in business. One thing I've learned along the way is that it is often better to take the high road. This isn't about judging others as wrong or seeing yourself as better than others. This is about recognizing your truth as to how you wish to BE in the world. Don't compromise your integrity. Don't get caught up in the competition. See the vision, see the outcome, feel the purpose and passion you're driven to offer the world, and give it freely. We all die. You can’t take anything from this life with you. So give what you have to offer the world. What is not given is lost forever.

If your goal is to truly bring about a positive change and serve others, how it is accomplished becomes less important and seeing it accomplished becomes more important. While it may be a blow to your ego when others criticize your inspiration, or someone takes the credit for something you've introduced, holding fast to the benefits for everyone will often soften the sting. You do need to pick and choose those places where you'll offer yourself, the key is to evaluate whether it is serving a common good. When you’re getting compensated for your contributions, gratitude would serve you spirit of peace. If you continually feel abused and stomped on, maybe it is time to move on to a more collaborative team, as well as a more receptive and appreciative audience.

Knowing that you are accomplishing your purpose and living your passion will be reward. In time, it will be recognized. Imposters will eventually be seen and heart & soul will always outlast the mind & ego. Along the way, through the journey that is your life and career, you will need to hold fast to the true inner qualities and nature of the brilliance that is you. Don’t allow these negative experiences to become something that undermines your value. You are not the negative experience. Often times, the negativity we experience from others, is more a reflection of them and less about who you are.

We all have different lenses, different gifts, different wiring, and different experiences. Difference is not something to be judged, it is a gift of diversity that brings the pieces of the puzzle of life together and creates a society, a solution, a technology, etc., together for the benefit of us all. Don’t doubt yourself when others cannot see the vision you see. Keep true, keep your intentions, and you will attract the right support, the right people, and the right opportunities. Lower the ego and aim high the vision.

Changing Your Mind will Change Your Luck

When I was a young man, even a teenager for that matter, I always had an optimism that was hard for others to overcome. Even in the midst of the all the negative influences from family and peers, this positive optimism was difficult to beat down. I was powerful, I was lucky, life was magic. I remember it like it was yesterday.

It didn't matter how many times I was chased home. It didn't matter how many times the girls bullied me. It didn't matter how many times my father beat me. It didn't matter how many times the teachers picked on me. I just knew; This is not it! There is more greatness to come!

When I was kicked out and made to join the military, I wasn't feeling particularly lucky at that time but I still had that positive attitude. Sure there was grief, and I knew, I just knew that there were still great things to come. I did my military service and got out and that pervasive optimism, while struggling for a while arose and pulled me into the most amazing journey within another set of circumstances that saw many wonderful things happen.

As I remember, my body begins to remember. There is an energy that lives inside the memory, it's not just the mind. I am lucky. Life is good. Great things will happen. This is exciting. What next? Bring it on.

(I want to read more!)

Who Are You Really?

You are a spiritual being. You recognize something in you that is greater than the experience you may be living. Trust that part of who you are.

Our difficulty in our society is due to all the conditioning we have had through education and culture that places so much emphasis on our mind and denying our emotions. You have not been properly taught about your true spiritual nature and that the mind, body, and emotions are tools to serve you.

These concepts can be quite challenging to accept, particularly if your family history and life experience is steeped in religion. Yet, all religions, in some way or another, do not contradict what is being said, nor are they contradictory to what science has discovered at the quantum level and beyond. All that is required is the ability to recognize the time period of religious origins, the knowledge and understanding of the day, and that the scriptures convey a message in the best possible way that could be understoodat that time.

Even in areas where no organized religion exists spirituality is an integral strand in the fabric of society. From bush people to native americans, australian aboriginals, prehistoric caveman at a certain time, have all had those within their ranks that had a deeper sensitivity to something beyond the common experience. Shamans, medicine men and women, and whatever other titles they were given, all had a relationship with the divine, were more sensitive to the mystical, and had a capacity to understand mankinds relationship to Creation in the best possible context given the knowledge available to them in that time.

You came into this world for a purpose. Your spiritual self is that part of you that inspires you to action. The soul cries out at the pain of living small, rather than your potential. The soul also carries the pain of the trespasses against the spirit on many other levels; transgressions of mankind against spirt. Remember? Spirit is love and you treat others the way you wish to be treated. These tales and expressions fit the model. Spirit to spirit you and I are the same, are one, and in loving you, I love myself. In violating you, I violate myself. The soul cries in anguish. Live to your spiritual potential, or experience the pain and anguish of the souls experience as it remembers the phsyical experience of being human.

The body, mind, and emotions experience the manifestation of the reality you create. Through socialization and conditioning, particularly between the ages of 10 to 13 years old, as we discover our own reasoning abilities, most will experience some traumatic events in school, family, or life at large. Without the adequate social supports, healthy family dynamics, etc., the child is left to fizzle in the confusing array of contradictory social and spiritual realities that are at odds with each other. Imagine the confusion, particularly in a society that is so bereft of proper spiritual, body, mind, emotion education.

There is a lot more to us than what we are taught. We are energy, we are spirit, and we are all those aspects we have been taught as well; physical, mental, sexual, and emotional. We are complex and yet, from the energetic spiritual elvel, everything can be made easier to understand and manage. You then begin to enjoy the experience of being human, of being alive, and learning the menaing and various facets of the physical body:

• the mind and its thoughts;
• the emtoions and the values they represent;
• the body and its requirements for safety and secruity.

We are complex and yet, so simple.

In order to understand the basis of this energetic spirit, it is important that one understand the origins of the universe. All matter is not really matter, it is energy. The science of today has made major discoveries beyond our previous understanding that clearly demonstrates that all matter is made from bands, or strings, of energy. In fact, for a time it was called String Theory. As the anomolies and discrepancies in the theory were resolved, it was renamed M-Theory and clearly shows that we live in a reality that includes 11 dimensions.

For a good basic understanding of the theories and how it all works, visit and watch PBS NOVA Series - The Elegant Universe viewable online. I also recommend watching the movie What the Bleep Do We Know!?™ which is now available in video stores for rent or purchase. And if you haven't seen it yet, check out The Official Dr. Wayne Dyer Website and discover the magic of The Power of Intention. This program is aired frequently on PBS stations all across North America. As you absorb all of this new information, watch for the common threads that link it all together, including the great teachings of the worlds religious texts. Science can help make better sense of religion.

One thing I have in addition to what I'm viewing and reading about these discoveries is something more. Where many scientists may now think they fully understand the beginning and end of the universe and its origins, I'm further challenged by the fact that all of thsi energy came from somewhere. God still exists in this model. Science has always had the means to help us make more sense of the world, the universe, of creation, of God and of God's instructions.

What do You Give?

This morning I found myself wondering what needs to happen to see significant and worthy changes in our society. As part of my blogging and research activities, I found numerous articles that discuss the politics, business practices, lobbying, patronage, profiteering, war, law changes, reduction in freedoms, changes to social security, the increasing divide, and so on. There are a lot of problems.

Not long ago, I came across a building about 100 years old - maybe more, maybe less - that had a unique quote carved right into a beam across the front. Take a look:

Now I realize it may be difficult to read but that's okay - the full-sized image does reveal that it says, and I quote, "UNLIMITED GROWTH INCREASES THE DIVIDE".

Of course when I saw this photo opportunity, I hadn't given as much thought to what it was saying so much as I saw the irony of the building with the statement in the foreground and the larger Hydro office tower gleaming brand new and huge behind it. Quite ironic.

With an expanding mind to the world around me as I grow older, I see things that are bothersome and having written articles that talk about the little things we can do to make a difference, I found that I had to challenge myself to walking the talk. Through my coaching I do make a difference in some lives. Through my writing I make a difference in many more. Through conversations I know for a fact that people stop and think about things they otherwise might not have given much thought. This knowledge comes from the feedback of many people.

Even so, on a larger scale, I'm concerned about the big changes that need to happen. They're beyond me and even though I firmly believe that sweeping changes can occur with a groundswell of support of the common person, each stepping forward to make those small changes they can implement. How long will it take? What can you do? The meek only inherit the earth if they exercise their love for one another and take these small steps that lead to bigger steps.

The time is now.

Chasing The Rainbow

As children, hearing the fable of the pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow, we were relentless in pursuing the rainbow. We were always sure that sooner or later we would find that pot-o-gold. We dream often, asleep and awake, about possibilities, hopes, passions, life, work, and family. Creating a life that involves dreams is, plain and simple, hard work. Whenever we chase a dream, getting an education, moving to a new city, a new country, taking a new job, stepping out as an entrepreneur, we are often times expecting to find our pot-o-gold. Unfortunately, life has a funny way of disappointing our dreams and disrupting our plans.

When things don't go our way we begin to feel vulnerable. At times, we might revert to one of our childhood tendencies to feel that the world owes us a better result. I'm often disappointed that this is not the way the world works. Many dream-chasers have demonstrated the most charming and wonderfully optimistic personalities. Over time, with unmet expectations causing so much disappointment, I've seen them (myself included) succumb to despair, negativity, and a belief that something is wrong with whom they are as a human being.

Disappointment is a common companion to the journey in search of the pot-o-gold. Getting discouraged and disappointed is normal. Feeling sad and angry is common. These unwelcome emotions are normal for anyone experiencing minor transitions in life, let alone major transitions. The emotional journey to establish a new life, a new dream, can really take its toll. If you let it control you and you begin to feel that you are the problem, you will surely undermine any chance you have for success.

So, simply put, I want you to know, don't OWN any of the negativity that will come up. It will come up. You will experience many negative emotions. It does not mean that you are the problem. It means that you are struggling with disappointment. It means that you are human. Remind yourself often of the goodness that is in you, the capabilities that you have, and that you are an intelligent, able individual. Often times, our patience wears out before the goals are achieved.

Nothing in life is easy and many people find themselves picking up the pieces of their life and starting over. Whenever you feel sorry for yourself, don't blame, just accept. It only is what it is. You are human and like others on this planet, you're feeling sad and hurt. The world isn't out to get you. It only feels that way.

As children, often times when we chased the rainbow in search of the pot-o-gold, it wasn't the pot-o-gold that we found. Some days we walked home disappointed but most of the time we had many wonderful adventures and made other discoveries, while meeting great people along the way. So keep your eyes open and your heart light; it improves your vision.

Copyright 2004 - Lee Down

Are We Awakening?

I lay here wanting sleep, yet morbidly fascinated with the mood of my body and the thoughts of my mind reflecting on the state of my being and the state of my community. I see the paradox of existence, with a burning desire to follow a higher call into the battle for spirit; an awesome challenge during a time of such materialism. Our separation from spirit is so complete that our goals are all for personal gain. Our desire for fulfillment seeks to gratify itself by devouring others. He with the most toys wins; a statement that focuses on the survival of the fittest and winning at all costs.

My Being feels the pain of separation. As spirit, we’re here to create and to serve creation. We are happiest when we experience the fruits of such transactions in time. We are meant to soar, to experience the divine through the powerful relationship of love for our fellow man; community. We are not intended for a hedonistic experience. We are here for something far different; we are gifts of Creation for Creation.

Growing up with friends, family, school – the system – we copycat the instructions for a life that we are given. It is a dog-eat-dog world we’re told, look out for number one! But this only happens because we permit it and perpetuate it by accepting it as unchangeable. Did we forget? We came together to fight tyranny and oppression wielded by one single power wishing to dominate the world. Today, the closest single person with this face is George Bush at the helm of the world’s most powerful country. But the real enemy is faceless, hidden behind the seat of power and wealth that controls the world economies and politics. The real enemy is greed for money and power.

The energy amassing in society today is at a significant crossroads. We will either transcend the fear, reaching a new spiritual order in the world, offering peace and unity as a powerful force for positive change, or, we will succumb to our base fears and desires, witnessing greater numbers of trespasses against other persons, groups, and countries. As well, with the paranoia, we will revert to behaviors of lust, substances, and other hedonistic addictions to block out the pain of our separation from spirit.

Spirit is Love. Love for God. Love for Creation. Love for Self. Love for Others. Love and Spirit are inseparable, clumsy in this material world; clumsy in thought, word, and action, but powerful beyond measure. Love is authentic and truthful; it is not an emotion alone. It is far more: It is a connection to the everlasting source of life. It creates an energetic force that courses through our spiritual being causing a sensation of bursting us wide-open. This divine force, so unknown and untapped in our lifetime overwhelms us with love, blinding us to the intention of the gift. Rather than openly sharing, we wish to hoard the gift and sensation, sharing with no one. The gift of love is to be given, not taken, nor to be solely shared with one single individual. It is a life-giving energy that transcends all situations, elevating the life experience of our spiritual selves.

How do we as simple human-beings, so untrained and under-developed in the spiritual realms, learn to let this powerful force flow? It catches in my being, in my breath, in my heart. I wish to hang onto it, to someone else’s, hoping for it to never change. Other times, it brings such pain. The opening chasm aches for all the pain and hurt being experienced in the world all around me. And yet, I know, and have experienced, the truth of its undying source; it’s ever-flowing ability. If only I could sustain that peak. The paradox of being human and spirit; of wanting more and wanting less; of wanting it all and of wanting nothing; of needing companionship and needing to be alone; of wanting love and yet, to still taste hate.

We have become vicious with one another. There is something wrong. We would rather hold others back or knock them down instead of celebrating their fullest potential, pushing them to success. If only we could see how important each and every one of us is in the grand scheme of things. We could then find happiness in our part and we could fit comfortably into community instead of feeling like a lesser person than the next man.

Where has the balance gone in our existence? We’re all supposed to be children of God, of Creation. If we were not, then nothing on this planet would exist either. God can be whatever you want it to be. I cannot define God. I can call God the Creator, Life Force, Mother Earth (all small views of God), the Universe (may still be too small – what do we know), Energy, Spirit. This entity, unknown to us, defies all human understanding and experience; it just IS.

But children, we have to grow up. We have to stop fighting. We should play nice. What greater miracles can we achieve if only we could do these few simple things?

Shades of Grey: Government, Religion, People

Some think that everything is black and white. I'm beginning to see everything as different shades of grey.

Having worked with people in an increasing variety of ways the past 10 years, in a variety of occupational and volunteer scenarios, I've been exposed to many, many different ways of being, seeing, believing, working, and living. Is one way worse than the other? Is one person's beliefs worse than another? Is one person's ethics worse than another?

For many of us, we will make judgements about others over these little things. We will close our eyes, our minds, and our hearts very easily over such trivial matters. We are raised in a family with a set of values and beliefs. We are schooled in a culture with a particular perspective on history, business, values, and beliefs. We are indoctrinated in our upbringing, or culture, or peers, and our heart, influenced to lean to certain truths that works for us. It can be steeped in peer pressure, family pressure, or simply having known no other truth we find it acceptable. When confronted with something vastly different or in opposition, we will tend towards defensiveness and even close-mindedness.

I've been guilty of the same but I've really challenged myself time and again over the years to keep my mind open and to explore the other side of the tracks. I seek to understand and to experience for deeper understanding why other splinter groups live the way they do live; or work, play, worship, etc. While some things do work or resonate for me, others haven't. While some things expanded my horizons, others have caused other collapses in health or well-being. All have been worthy experiences, although possibly, at times, poor choices for my life.

The worth that comes from this expansion of my mind and horizons has allowed me to witness one fundamental truth. As much as we are all different, with continued exposure to these varying influences of life and lifestyles, I have seen beyond the labels, beyond the stereotypes, beyond the religious beliefs, beyond the social status. I can look into the eyes and heart of my fellow-man and see another who is the same as me. The rest of it, is mere shades of grey.

Each human being engages in a life-path, within a given set of life circumstances dictated by family, social status, and the rest of these external influences. As they progress down their path in life, they're doing the best that they can. They're looking for the things that will find them a sense of validation, satisfaction, being known, and being loved. They make decisions with these same influences dictating some of their choices; both right and wrong. We've all been there. And yet, instead of seeing our brothers and sisters in life, we still tend to see the differences.

Yes, crimes are committed, hate is expressed, terror persists, and politics corrupt or engage in questionalbe practices. We perpetuate the classes, the differences, the hate, and the war. Judgement: why engage when you can disengage? Why argue when you can build bridges of understanding? Why declare war over differences when we can celebrate diversity? Why insist our way is the only way? I particularly declare this last questioning statement.

We can celebrate freedom, responsible freedom. We can honor differences, diversity, by setting our own best example of tolerance, honor, respect, and in doing so, create peace.

Love is

Spirit is Love. Love for God. Love for Creation. Love for Self. Love for Others. Love and Spirit are inseparable, clumsy in this material world; clumsy in thought, word, and action, but powerful beyond measure. Love is authentic and truthful; it is not an emotion alone. It is far more: It is a connection to the everlasting source of life. It creates an energetic force that courses through our spiritual being causing a sensation of bursting us wide-open. This divine force, so unknown and untapped in our lifetime overwhelms us with love, blinding us to the intention of the gift. Rather than openly sharing, we wish to hoard the gift and sensation, sharing with no one. The gift of love is to be given, not taken, nor to be solely shared with one single individual. It is a life-giving energy that transcends all situations, elevating the life experience of our spiritual selves.

How do we as simple human-beings, so untrained and under-developed in the spiritual realms, learn to let this powerful force flow? It catches in my being, in my breath, in my heart. I wish to hang onto it, to someone else’s, hoping for it to never change. Other times, it brings such pain. The opening chasm aches for all the pain and hurt being experienced in the world all around me. And yet, I know, and have experienced, the truth of its undying source; it’s ever-flowing ability. If only I could sustain that peak. The paradox of being human and spirit; of wanting more and wanting less; of wanting it all and of wanting nothing; of needing companionship and needing to be alone; of wanting love and yet, to still taste hate.

One Man Can Human Capital Development

Challenging thoughts about Spirituality

My experience of spirituality goes beyond what the church suggests. You might want to check out the author Caroline Myss, Invisible Acts of Power as a good read. Years ago, around 1995, I really opened up spiritually with the reading of The Celestine Prophecies. After that, I began exploring other spiritual and new age stuff like the Medicine Wheel and Spirit Animals/Guides until one day after a huge personal crisis I really began to worry about choosing the "right" religion. I had picked up the bible for the first time in 1997 and began reading the new testament.

I loved Jesus as a teacher. I don't think He and I are all that different on the heart level and in many respects, the belief level. His advantage being that His level of "connection" is far deeper than my own. With all the crap the world throws at us and the lack of real teaching of our spiritual nature in our society today, we're at a HUGE disadvantage. But I do believe that will all change and you may be struggling with a lot of the same issues I have been dealing with for years. This past year or so has been a huge shift for me personally and I've really begun to tap into the source (for lack of a better term).

About four years ago I wandered away from the christian church to regain my balance and perspective. I had become so disillusioned with the church and their double-standards, one-upmanship, and lack of compassion and forgiveness. As I continue on my own road now, I truly believe that I have really begun to see a dynamic that still fits with what Jesus taught but goes beyond how the church portrays His teachings. Again, we have to take into context the time he lived and the fact that the bible and christian religion really took shape a couple of hundred years after he died. And again, the religion became a means of controlling a population in collaboration with politicians.

There are a number of things in the bible that contradict the stance that many religious leaders try to hold us hostage with... for example: Jesus talked to the Samarian woman at the well when she came to fetch water. He knew she wasn't married but was living with a man. He didn't condemn her, didn't tell her that it was wrong, didn't tell her to sin no more, instead, he told her to spread the news. The news she was to spread had to do with the son of god and their ability to worship God wherever they were; they didn't have to be in a place of worship to worship God. If you're a parent, you know more about God's relationship to us is as similar to the relationship you have with your children. Full of love, forgiveness, opportunity, chances, and so on.

In truth, you are spirit already. Our soul is not the spirit, it is another dimension that embodies the "feelings" of our memories, body, mind, and emotions. The spirit is that part of us that is much stronger, full of goodness, love, and inspiration for our own future and what we came here to manifest. Our goal is to get in touch with that and manifest what we came here to create. If you are a parent, you may have already fulfilled some of those goals through having children. You are not your body and emotions; they are tools through which you can experience and facilitate your time here on this physical plane. Does it make sense to you when I say we are multi-dimensional beings? Body, Mind, Soul, and Spirit.

Body - the body is the feeling machine and action machine. Emotions are felt and expressed through the body. It also has a memory of emotion. It functions in cooperation with the power of the mind or spirit - whichever we give more control.

Mind - is a tool by which we can learn, interpret, analyze, and retain data. It also connects us to spirit as we exercise that muscle. If we don't, the soul memory takes place, combining the mind's memories and the body's memories (emotions) to dictate our life experience.

Soul - as above... mind, body, experiences combined and this retains the melancholy of life and other physical world memories. It has a function and purpose as well and I daresay, it likely is the storage of information that the spirit world can access after leaving the physical world.

Spirit - this is the universal part of ourselves that chose to be born, where to be born, to whom to be born, and with a mission to live out. We forget it and are programmed throughout life by the systems of this world and are challenged to break out of the molds put around us to fully explore who we are spiritually.

I have studied myself, others and spiritual texts for a long time around this subject and the deciding force is the fact that so many people suffering depression, anxiety, etc. are people who are stressed beyond belief trying to live lives that are not their own. They need to access those Spirit values that are unique to them and to live them out fully in order to be optimally healthy. It is even shown that when this doesn't happen that the emotional pain will in turn become physical pain; dis-ease.

As you can see, these are theoretical concepts that I have developed as I've gone through my struggles. This seems to be a part of my life path anyway and I've always been an investigator of Truth. Are they absolute? No, I wouldn't say so but I would say that I am on the right track and that there is a great deal of opportunity to be explored for individuals should they choose to consider the possibilities. Learning about the spirit within, we begin to gain access to an inner knowing self that can help us to navigate through this troubled life with a little more faith and detachment to outcomes.

I'm still learning and working on these theories and I do expect to write about it at some point. I hope that you find it helpful. "Learned patterns of behavior" are also very difficult to overcome.

Please do let me know what you think of these outrageous thoughts. I hope you have an open mind to what I've suggested.

Your life is to be a life of joy! It's in your power to create that.

Being with you in Love.

Lee Down
One Man Can (make a difference)
One Man Can Human Capital Development

copyright 2005

Affordable Web Solutions Causing a Ruckus

Below is what I ended up dealing with this morning where I belong to a couple of online coaching communities. I simply posted an amazing alternative before - lightly said, trying to save some people from making a real bad choice with a cheesy alternative that would've looked like a 6th-grader website (actually, I don't doubt 6th graders are doing more amazing things than that themselves now too) - and I got stomped by so many people for the weirdest reasons. Finally, I think something good came up that supported what I was saying and I posted the following to those groups.

Note: Any designers and such out there, don't take any offense please, this is in relation to specific target groups and price-range clients that you wouldn't necessarily waste your time on unless you were giving away services to build up a portfolio for the big fish you're after.

==========================================

Many people are looking for websites. Having been involved on an employment services level in the tech community these past 7 years, and having worked in the tech industry directly for 10 years before that when back east, I have a good head on my shoulders about the trends and what is available, smart, affordable, and so on.

You ask any web-designer, they'll quote you and court you on their services and they'll have all the reasons to justify their fees. But as with everything in technology, technology advances and more affordable solutions become available. Just look at the fact that you now have a computer on your desktop so much more powerful than was available 10 years ago at a fraction of the cost.

So this brings me to the point of this post. I've seen some shady practices and poor products made available and being marketed to coaches. It irks me to see this. I'm not finger-pointing at anyone here - I'm simply responding to my desire to bring forward what I've learned and to do so without being jumped for what is available.

I looked into a solution earlier in the year after being approached by a few coaches in my community and after much thought and deliberation was ready to facilitate establishing websites for new coaches for about $500-$700 and teaching them how to then manage, maintain, and update their content. It would barely pay for my time as I would be paying the majority of that fee to the web-designer I'd work with. Nonetheless, I had received fantastic support from the tech community when I got started and felt it worth giving some back.

Of course, dealing with many in the industry, trying to secure some tech-assistance to make it happen, more of the same salesmanship mired the process. That being said, I was very fortunate to stumble upon a friend I'd made in the business a few years back who was now involved with a new company called WebAlive Canada. WebAlive is also part of an international organization offering the same service in a number of international cities - this is not a fly-by-night operation, nor a cheaply made product - just affordable and catching on quickly.

I've been trying to promote their service to coaches and have even received some serious flak from other coach/web designers in the process. Yes, I have an opportunity to make a few dollars (about $70) as a one time fee - but I might as well add I've volunteered enormous time to date doing these things out of the goodness of my heart, not just the vacancy in my wallet. ;)

Listening to arguments there have been some lengthy responses about why templates and cookiecutters are not the way to go. I assure you, this is flak. Shop and choose for yourself. This is a fantastic tool. I was wonderfully surprised this morning as well when I came upon an article in a recent ezine that supports the trend - the product type I've been recommending. Here it is, from DevWebProCanada for Canadian Developers.

Best wishes, Lee

--------------

6 Reasons Why Web Templates Are Today's Trend

By John Teh
Contributing Writer
Article Date: 2005-07-01

As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as the number of websites out there. Appearance, layout, presentation and loading times are just a few of the main essential characteristics of a successful website.

It would seem that it is generally manageable if you own a wide level of knowledge on web / graphics design. But the main question of today's online trend, is how you can eliminate the need of going through the traditional web designing processes and timeframe.

Have you ever own the burning desire to have not only one but a number of websites out there to send your messages out, but only to know in the end that you don't have the knowledge or tools of getting them done?

Fear Not! As today's technology improves, so as the simplicity of getting certain things done, without even sacrificing the overall quality and your personal time.

Getting a website done has never been easier nowadays, and it is extremely and highly affordable. Here's why ...

Reason #1 : Variety

Nothing beats the selection power you have out of huge variety of web templates, covering various industries you are in, and not to mention, level of variety which is expanding daily even as you are reading this article. Having options right in front of your eyes to help you to make your decisions are always better than having multiple consultation sessions with a hired web designer for customized solutions.

Reason #2 : High Quality

People tend to say that the quality is frequently mediocre when it comes to the emphasization of quantity. In the world of web design, quality has never been more emphasized on. The long term survival of a website depends solely on the first time impression it gives out, thus why quality is extremely essential. With such attention given to such area, the only problem anybody will face is choosing one, as everything you see within a web template database just simply looks too good.

Web templates are mostly designed by seasoned and experienced web designers themselves, catering various industries, from baby products to golf website templates. The concept and theme of these templates are well designed to give the impression it should have.

The range of templates do not only cater for static page-to- page websites, but also templates with multimedia elements such as the usage of flash. Internet users have generally mix opinions on animation & audio on websites, but given the point that it is implemented correctly within the right theme, the level of interactivity could contribute to a more enjoyable online experience.

Reason #3 : Customization

Web templates are also designed specially for easy and straight to the point customization to take place. Customize your links, pictures, logo, content, etc. anyway, anywhere you prefer. In addition to that, in most cases, free images, logo templates & cliparts are also provided with your purchase.

With the availability of free web editor softwares nowadays, customizing web templates should be a walk in the park. For graphical related customizations, getting a free trial of Macromedia Fireworks (http://www.macromedia.com/) or Adobe Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/) would help greatly for your overall graphical customization needs. A rough estimate of 95% of the web templates are provided within a Photoshop sourcefile template, and the remaining 5% usually drops in the Fireworks category. You still be able to open Adobe Photoshop source file from Macromedia Fireworks, but the editing capabilities will be rather limited.

You might need certain additional software like Macromedia Flash if you intend to customize any flash files. As complex as it may sounds to certain group of people, customization services are usually offered on top of the purchase of any web templates, if you don't have the editing knowledge. Customization is usually highly affordable as the work is relatively minimal and usually can be done within a 24 hour period.

The only drawback for an overall customization perspective is that you need a programmer to have programming elements installed within your web templates should you need one. Programming issues usually can be considered as the next step of implementation.

Reason #4 : Speed

Large variety and availability of quality templates. There's no reason to doubt and totally safe to say that in most cases, considering that your list of requirements are not too long, you can have a high quality and presentable website as fast as within a 48 to 72 hour period.

Reason #5 : Affordable

Whether it's on the long run or short run, the price range for web templates are generally affordable. With the availability of large varitey ot templates, anyone can spend their money more effectively, selecting the ones which suites their idea the best.

Reason #6 : Additional Resources

Web templates are not complete if there are no additional resourcess that come together with them. It is common for Web templates enthusiasts to acquire additional resources such as images, fonts, logo templates, buttons, cliparts, etc for their customization efforts. Not to mention extra resources on how you can market your newly acquired website to the World Wide Web. Most of the time, web templates provider will provide such materials free of charge.

As automated as the world has become today, areas such as web design can't afford to be left out altogether. Automation such as this, if taken advantage of, will surely yield great results both on the level of productivity as well as being time efficient.

All the best in your online endeavors.

=====================

Visit WebAlive Canada and check out the product. Their website is also built with their own tool. Give them a call - ask for a live demo - they offer free training too. Ask for Rob Gradley or Jarod and if you feel generous, please do mention my name, Lee Down or One Man Can.

Best wishes, Lee