Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers

In many countries around the globe, people are born into their station in life and hence their professions. It is unnecessary for them to plan a career as they are expected to perform one specific job their entire lives. These cultures do not consider personal growth or the possibility of choosing one's profession.

America, on the other hand, was built on self-reinvention, and today's economy demands it. Those born before 1946 are less likely to have changed careers or even worked for more than one employer during their lifetimes.

Today, many employees outlive the lifespan of the companies they work for, and the average worker can now expect to have at least three or more careers, with up to six different positions within each of those careers.

Hardly a week goes by without hearing of corporate takeovers, mergers and corporate downsizing. As a result, thousands of seasoned employees are facing burnout from increased responsibilities or being laid-off and replaced with younger, lower-paid employees. Many are looking for a different means of earning a livelihood.

For the first time in history, employees must learn to manage themselves and take responsibility for their own employment. Even the word "career" is taking on new meaning, as a new generation of employees is moving in and out of multiple careers during their lifetimes.

Keep in mind that a career change is not the same as job advancement within a specific career. Most are either lateral or a step down in income until you gain experience and expertise in your new career. Be prepared to downsize your lifestyle.

Think of choosing a new career as an opportunity to bring a fresh outlook and revitalization to your life, as new experiences will stimulate your thought processes.

The most importance part of selecting a new career is also the most obvious, . . . deciding on what you want to do. Often this is a natural offshoot of a previous occupation(s). Reinventing yourself often involves a unique merging of your old talents with your new skill set.

Begin by making an honest assessment of your skills, interests and experiences and ask yourself:

- What would I do if money were no object?

- What did I love to do as a child?

- What activity do I do so intently that I don't notice time passing?

- What do I feel passionately about?

- What do I value the most?

- What are my strengths?

- What are my transferable skills?

- What kind and how much education will I need to make this change?

Most people find fulfillment by doing what they're good at. By evaluating your skills, interests, strengths and desires you will be able to see a connection between what it is that you value and what you excel at. These are the building blocks that you can turn into a new career.

While your new career is still in the planning stages, you can gain valuable information by:

- Attending professional meetings and informal gatherings.

- Networking.

- Joining an online career discussion group.

- Asking questions.

You are likely to need some additional education in order to begin a successful new career, start by improving the skills you already have. Sometimes, learning a few new software programs is simply all it will require. Should you choose to return to college, learning new skills is much easier when you are motivated to begin a new life.

Once you have chosen the kind of work you wish to pursue and acquired the necessary education, be sure to edit your resume to reflect your strengths and skills in this area.

Don't be surprised if your job search lasts a little longer than usual. Concentrate on companies that are seeking people with your reworked skill set and eventually you'll find an employer who will value the knowledge and experience you gained from your previous career(s).

It is vital today, more than ever, to remain versatile to stay employed. A successful career will evolve over a lifetime if you are continuously open to new possibilities. You must constantly seek opportunities for self-improvement and professional growth in order to be prepared for your next reinvention.

Mary Carroll at the beginning her fourth career. Hers career has progressed from photojournalist to catalog graphic designer to photo stylist. Mary is currently employed at Video Professor, the leader in self-paced software learning tutorials [http://www.videoprofessor.com/products/videoprofessorproducts.html] as a customer advocate.

Manage Yourself for the Career You Want

"Your past cannot be changed, but you can change tomorrow by your actions today."

- David McNally

The career you want doesn't drop in your lap prefabricated the way it used to be. To have the career you want, you have to design and initiate your own path. In the past, on-the-job training was a popular means of creating the perfect employee. Businesses had the time and resources to teach workers what they needed to know, in order to develop a career with their company. Today, as companies are downsizing and restructuring to remain competitive, career-minded individuals must be that much better than others vying for the same position; and, they must be prepared to hit the ground running. You have to go after the job you want.

Career Tips

While career guidance is beneficial, the ultimate decisions are up to you. A career is more than simply a job. It's not flipping burgers at the local fast food restaurant, until something better comes along. A career is a lifelong pursuit of professional success. It helps define who you are, and where your values lie. It gives your life purpose and meaning. It also happens to provide a paycheck.

If you really want a career, and not just a job, here are some suggestions to help facilitate your success:

* Know your personal and professional goals

* Keep a portfolio of your best work

* Keep track of your successes

* Commit to lifelong learning

* Invest time and money in developing your career

* Establish an advisory board

* Find a mentor

* Network

You can't sit back and wait for your career to tack off. If you want to be a leader in your chosen occupation, you need to make your success happen.

Career Management

An expert in career guidance will provide suggestions based upon experience. He/she may even develop a personalized list of objectives you need, to put your career on the fast track. But, it's you that will do the hard work and provide the initiative necessary for a successful outcome.

For example, only you know your personal and professional goals. You must recognize your own potential, adapt to changes when necessary, and do what it takes to continually build your career. Today, a college degree is simply not enough. Everyone has to have an education, in order to get a meaningful job. You need to recognize the education necessary to get your foot in the proverbial door. Then, you need to go above and beyond the competition. You will always have to consider how best to invest your time and money, in order to advance your career.

You will also need to keep track of the advancements and changes in your career field. Networking can keep you in the "know" and make sure that others know about you. Developing an advisory board can boost your credibility and convey that you are dedicated to advancing in your career, even if it means accepting change or going back to school. You are your own best tool for success.

In short, career management is not a job you can outsource. You need to manage yourself for the career you want.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Cecile Peterkin is a Certified Career, Life Coach and Speaker. Feeling stuck in middle management or mid career? Claim your FR-EE Assessment and complimentary career guidance coaching session at: http://www.CosmicCoachingCentre.com/careercoach.html

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Make a Career Change

I have been fortunate to work for some of the largest companies in the U.S., and I have also had the pleasure of working for myself. There are pros and cons to working for the "big guy" just as there are being self-employed or working for a small firm. We tend to feel more secure knowing we'll have a paycheck coming on a regular basis. When you are self-employed, this type of security can be fleeting. On the other hand, when you work for someone else, you have to rely on their acknowledging your skills and contributions to the health and wealth of the company. Politics often gets in the way of your job security.

There is no shame in working for someone else if you are doing what you truly want to do. But as long as you work for someone else, you will work at their whim. It is for these reasons that I believe the only true security is in knowing you have skills and abilities which are marketable, and knowing how to market them is the key to success. Realistically, whom you work for is not as important as your level of satisfaction, both intrinsically and by way of a great paycheck. Making the decision to change careers, or to even go into business for yourself, is one you should not take lightly. It's not an easy road on your own - this article will help guide you through the thinking required to get a handle on your current career track, take steps to secure it, and even to step into a new career field if you choose to.

Many people don't like their jobs - it is part of being in the working world. Even people who claim to love their jobs still have days when they think going to work can be just too much to bear. However, the truth is that you just may be on the wrong career path if your level of job satisfaction drains on your energy, your relationships, and your success at work. The best way to really see that it might be time for a career change is to honestly look at how you feel about what you do. This is really a very easy process through a daily work journal.

First, record how you feel about going into the office or workplace every day. Be honest with yourself and write down your true feelings. Are you dreading walking through the doors? Does the thought of it give you that queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach? Maybe you feel alright once you get there, but then in a short while you find yourself becoming bored and unable to concentrate.

When a specific job situation comes up, write down your reactions to having to complete that task. Let's say your boss has given you the assignment to research past profit margins for one of the products your company produces. He wants a comprehensive report done and on his desk within two days. Are you angry about having to complete the task in such a short amount of time? Do you feel someone else should be doing the work, since you have so much on your plate already? Or does it make you happy to be trusted with an important job? Write down how that makes you feel.

In your work journal, jot down your feelings about your co-workers. Do you generally get along with everyone, or do you find yourself constantly at odds with people or a specific person? The key to a work journal is to write down exactly how you feel about various aspects of your job and then look for recurring themes. Are you unhappy because of the people you are around or because of what you are doing? Perhaps you just disagree with specific company policies or are no longer challenged with the work your specific department does. After you have identified the reason that you are unhappy with your job, you can start to take steps to look for ways to improve your current situation at work or to begin looking for something else.

Still not sure if you should make a career change? Think through the following questions - your answers will clarify your next step, whether to move into a new position in your current company, go to a new company, change careers or go into business for yourself.

1. Are their opportunities to grow within your own company?

If you want the opportunity to grow your career, it's important to be in a company which will allow you to do that through succession planning. Perhaps you want greater responsibilities or a position higher up on the corporate ladder - if you cannot achieve these things in your current position or with your current company, then big changes are coming your way.

2. Are you bored in your current career?

If you decide to change careers, you may want to make sure it's your occupation in general that is boring you and not just your current job. If it is your occupation, you should consider a career change. However, if it's your job or assignment, consider discussing your work with your supervisor. You don't get what you don't ask for. Of course, if you don't have a collaborative relationship with your supervisor, having this conversation is probably not a wise idea. Time to move on.

3. Are there new jobs available within your field?

When there are few jobs available in your field, a career change truly might be in order. Since opportunities are limited you may want to start exploring other occupations that have a better outlook - be sure these occupations relate to your interests. Otherwise you'll be trading one headache for another.

4. Do you want to earn more money?

Who doesn't? Keep in mind happiness does not come with higher earnings. The bigger the paycheck, the great the responsibility.

5. Have you kept up your skills to current standards?

Upgrading your skills in order to remain and continue to grow in your current occupation will take some effort. If you aren't satisfied with your career anyway, you may want to start exploring other options rather than stress about what you need to do but don't have the desire or motivation to do.

6. Do you want to do something more with your life?

In general, if you find your career unfulfilling, it's time to find a new career. Being happy with your job can contribute significantly to personal fulfillment which is something we all need. So, definitely make a career change if you say "True" to this question.

7. Do you want to pursue a lifelong passion?

Go for it or at least consider it as an option. Make sure you do your homework first to determine that this career is the right choice for you. Pretend you're a student and ask to shadow someone in the field you're interested in. Keep your eyes open and ask lots of questions.

8. Have you discovered a new career which matches our skills?

As long as you've researched a possible new career choice, there's really no reason you shouldn't pursue it. There are times in life when we should follow our gut instinct once you've ruled out practical objections. Though in some cases, I might even overlook logical objections and make the choice to change anyway. There comes a time when the choice is so compelling, and our instincts are leading us in that direction, that we have to make that choice.

9. Do your original career choice and your current situation no longer match?

There's a reason why you got an education in the first place. Was it because you wanted to, needed to, or felt forced to? Your present state may no longer match those past wants, needs or requirements. Decide if additional training is all you need, or if it's a complete change. Then move forward and don't look back.

10. Does your current career stress you out?

If your life has changed significantly since you first began your career and your work is causing your personal life to be at odds with your business life, you'll have to make a choice. Unless you want to do nothing but work, you really should choose personal happiness. There's enough stress in life without your work contributing to it. Before you decide to change careers, you should figure out whether it's your occupation that's stressful or just your particular place of employment or the people you work with. If it is your occupation, then change careers.

Of course, making a job change is never easy. Having a regular paycheck and job security is important - there's no doubt about that. But if you're unhappy in your job and feeling unfulfilled, are you doing yourself a favor by staying there? We spend a lot of our time working, so it really is important that we do something meaningful and which will enhance our lives.

Making a career change is a scary step. At least it can be! But when you are unhappy with what you are doing, why shouldn't you go after your dreams and take a stab at something that you are pretty sure you will love while getting paid for it? The key is to be confident about what you want to do and then just go for it! If you need to take some classes to work where you want to work, then do it. It doesn't matter how old you are - or how young you are. You can make a career change anytime and under any circumstances. It just takes commitment and a little hard work, but it can be done.

Shelly Lisoskie is a dynamic leader, collaborator and strategic thinker experienced in entrepreneurial business, K-12 and college administration, training and speaking. She has authored books on technology and customer relations management. In 2007 Shelly started her first blog as a way to support her college faculty. This blog developed into a resource link for K-12 and college leaders. She continues to support leaders from all areas of community and business life through her blog, Today's Leader Online ([http://todaysleaderonline.com]), where she writes about career growth, leadership strategies, and also provides audio archives of interviews with such respected leaders as Jill Geisler of The Poynter Institute, Dr. Robert Thomas of The Accenture Institute of Boston, and Leo Babauta, of at Zen Habits and author of The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential, in Business and in Life.

Hired Now! You're Talking Yourself Out of Getting a Job by Giving Wrong Answers in the Interview

Everyone knows that the first step to securing a job is a compelling and convincing resume. But most people don't know that the next step, the job interview, is so important that if you make a handful of common mistakes, you'll blow your chances and walk away empty-handed.

The Problem: You've got the right education, experience, and references, all presented on a well-put together resume. It's getting you job interviews, but no job offers.

The harsh truth: A good resume gets your foot in the door, but the right qualifications (background and experience) are only the first step toward getting the job. A potential employer wants to know what it would be like to have you around the office every day-your personality and attitude. That comes through in your job interview.

The Solution: Being prepared to properly answer the questions you'll be asked greatly increases your chances for success. Knowing what recruiters and potential employers are looking for and how they think gives you a distinct advantage.

The Job Interview Secrets No One Tells You

As the founder of a successful global headhunting firm serving Fortune 500 companies for over twelve years, and author of the books: A Second Life, God is giving you a second chance, and Secrets of the Executive Search Experts, well as self help books on "how to get the job," I have coached thousands of people who have gotten the jobs they wanted. Some of the secrets I shared with them:

Don't talk yourself out of the job!

When a prospective employer invites you to a job interview, it means your skills meet their requirements and your chances of getting the job are great. The rest is really up to you. Nine out of ten people can shift the outcome of an interview toward acceptance, rather than rejection, if they know what to do-and not do.

- Learn the questions and answers before the interview.

Before an interview, practice giving the right answers to the questions you may be asked-which are usually very universal. The potential employer wants to get to know you better; have you elaborate on your skill set; and figure out if you are a high flyer, go-getter, just a "warm body" who will make no additional contribution outside of minimal expectations-or worse than that, a flat-liner who will actually drag down their company.

- Stay on point.

If a conversation appears casual, don't be tricked into thinking you don't need to stay on point and cover key information. Many job seekers are thrown off-balance when a potential employer asks about a hobby, non-work related activity or common interest in the middle of an interview. Answer briefly, but then get back to the real topic at hand: the work done by the company and how you can make a valuable contribution. The reality is: this interview is your only chance to get this job. So don't close your one window of opportunity by screwing up the conversation.

- How to tell them about yourself.

Every company considers it a great test to see how effectively a job candidate communicates. Practice the format and structure of possible job interview situations-meaning how to get to the point and sell yourself convincingly and engagingly.

Don't make the mistake of taking only five minutes to tell a prospective employer about yourself. The interviewer will wonder what kind of life you have if you can describe it in such a short amount of time. Don't focus completely on your skill set and say nothing about yourself as a person, or you'll lose your potential new employer before you're halfway through.

Questions most commonly asked during a job interview.

Here are the eight universal questions usually asked during a job interview, followed by how to effectively answer them:

1. Please tell me/us about yourself.

Answering Question #1: Focus on hard facts that the employer needs to know. First of all, convince them that you can do the job you're interviewing for. Talk about specific relevant job experiences in your background. Companies prefer, for the most part, to hire people who have successfully done the same job, or something similar, elsewhere. If our work experience matches up with what the potential employer needs to have done, then the risk factor that you'll screw up is very limited.

But before hitting the hard facts, share information about yourself as a person. Everyone likes people who start out by saying where they are originally from and a little about their personal situation. Then go on to where you went to school and run through your work history. Big time gaps in work history are not good; neither is jumping from job to job if you don't have a good explanation for why.

2. What do you do outside of work, or what non-work related interests do you have?

Answering Question #2: Companies ask a job candidate this question because most really do want to hire stable people with good, balanced lives.

Incorrect answers are: "I like to hang out at the bars," or "I have no interests except for watching television." Nobody wants to hire a bar hopper or someone who spends all of their spare time glued to the television. On the other hand, having too many outside interests can give the impression that they are likely to affect the quality of your work in a very negative way.

I have seen numerous occasions where people say that maintaining their social life with friends is important to them-meaning their weekly outings with friends will always be more important than deadlines at work. A negative impression can also be given when people say they engage in a lot of sports activities, either as a participant or a fan, because it can mean that adjusting their schedule to attend or view a sporting event can interfere with or be more important than any activity at the company.

For the correct answers, the key is to show there is balance in your life. Safe activities to talk about are: going to the gym, spending quality time with family, and going to church, the movies, or the theater, etc. Having a unique interest, such as astronomy or something else mainstream (meaning not bizarre), will always be a positive. And because most companies want employees who have stable lives, being married or having a boyfriend/girlfriend is a great plus.

3. What are your strong points and your weak points?

Answering Question #3: Many job candidates are very comfortable talking about their strong sides, but have difficulty stating weak points. Being unable to do so gives the impression that you are not good at assessing yourself-when you may hesitate because you're afraid you might not get the job. The truth is, everyone has flaws. As a recruiter I don't mind flaws as long as they don't affect the person's ability to do a good job.

If little is revealed, the trick used by many companies is to then ask, "What would your current boss say about your weak points?" And, in most situations, a company that's considering hiring you will do an extensive reference check and may ask your former bosses this question. Bottom line, by being open you will come across as a person who has nothing to hide-but don't be so honest it's ridiculous.

A highly educated young man I considered recruiting a few years ago, nonchalantly answered this question by saying, "I'm lazy. I don't like to get up early in the morning." Needless to say, I didn't refer him for an interview. During over 3,000 recruitments I have conducted as a headhunter, not once has a client said, "Find me a lazy, arrogant job candidate with no drive and initiative."

Some examples of the best way to answer this question is by saying things such as, "I speak only English and wish I had taken time to learn another language," or "I can seem too eager because I get so involved in my work," or "I wish I were better at speaking in front of large groups." These types of answers convey weaknesses that can be overcome. It's very important that your weaknesses wouldn't affect your job performance.

4. Tell me about the previous managers/supervisors that you reported to.

Answering Question #4: N ever talk badly about your superiors or previous superiors (or your coworkers or former coworkers, for that matter). First of all, there's nothing for you to gain by doing so. Even if you feel your previous superior was totally incompetent, saying so will only backfire by reflecting badly on you. Secondly, it's a matter of showing respect. And by giving respect to others, you gain respect yourself.

Also, as a warning, I have seen companies and recruiters get so "buddy-buddy" with a job candidate during an interview that he/she drops his/her guard and speaks the total truth about a previous boss, which later in another setting boomerangs at the candidate in a negative way. To be safe, no matter what, just don't do it.

5. Where do you see yourself in the years to come?

Answering Question #5: This is also a trick question. When you have nothing to say, you come across as having no aspirations whatsoever and if you say too much about big plans, it looks like you're going to leave the job when a better position or opportunity comes along.

The correct answer is: "My main interest is this job. I want to excel at it and do my very best. That's my objective and main focus. As far as the future, I would like to believe that I will become better and better at what I do. If this means I will naturally grow into another position with this company, time will tell. But again, my goal is this job and being the best that I can be in this capacity."

6. What do you know about us?

Answering Question #6: The way you answer this questions indicates whether you are prepared. It's very important to know as much as possible about the company where you are applying for a job. By being able to tell them what you know, they see that you are serious enough to have done some homework before arriving for your interview. Also, by learning as much as possible about the company, you will be able to ask the right questions and engage in an intelligent conversation about the company during your interview.

The key information to learn is the size of the company, the structure, products, services, history, the market, locations, etc., as well as details of the job you're applying for. Also know about any important events relating to the company and market it operates in that have been covered in the media. This shows that you follow the news and stay up-to-date on what is going on in the world. Plus, you'll come across as being very smart and truly interested in the company if you can figure ut what competitors the company has and how the company's products/services are different (better!) than the rest of market.

7. Why do you think you are a good match for this position?

Answering Question #7: This is your window of opportunity to put all the hard facts on the table, convey the ways in which you are a very good match and why you are so unique. Remember, just saying that you are a hard worker and a very pleasant person is a given. You need to come up with facts about what you can bring to the table that others cannot.

By thoughtfully assessing yourself, your skills, and experience while approaching your job search, you will have a specific answer to this question. The things you say that stand out could determine whether you get the job or someone else gets it. So, think of facts related to your skill set, your experience, a network you may have developed, or strong job-related interests that will bear fruit in the near future.

8. What is your current salary?

Answering Question #8: Talking about salary can be challenging. If the new job is for a more prestigious company than your previous employer, and the new job tasks are more challenging, you may believe at the start of the process that the job is more important than the pay. But when a job offer comes through, most people change their minds, often saying something like, "But that's less than I have been making." Most companies know this will happen, so they pay close attention to the salary question to make sure they are not wasting time on the wrong candidate.

The reality is that everyone, including the job candidate, knows that when they have made a lot more money in the past and accept a big drop in pay for a new job, they are likely to grab the next position that comes along with higher pay and jump ship. This is understandable when someone has a number of years of experience and a certain lifestyle, expenses, and status quo to maintain.

When asked about salary, the trick is to first get the company to reveal a number. Your best approach is to just say, "If you feel I am a good fit for this company and this position, I am sure we will come to terms," or "The main thing is whether I fit the requirements of what you are looking for, and if that's so, I would be very happy to receive an offer from you first, because I am very interested in this opportunity." (Say this even if you are not.)

By saying this you keep the focus on getting the job, while not disqualifying yourself because of salary demands. You can negotiate a salary once you know that you truly have their interest-by getting an offer, not before. If they know that in your current job you earn much more than the new position would pay, that's a different story. Then you have to decide whether taking a pay cut is worth it to you, because they're probably not going to meet or exceed your current salary.

When you learn at the start of the job search process that the salary range of a potential new job is below what you currently earn, you need to do some soul searching to decide if you still want the job. Simply ask yourself: Will this job take me further down the road to where I want to be in my career? If so, be prepared to answer their salary question truthfully by saying, "My pay today is 'X' amount of dollars and I know what my expenses are. I am not sure what your pay range is for this position, but I want to emphasize that at this point in my life, I seek to learn more and expand my skill set. This is more important to me than anything else, even if it means taking a pay cut."

On the other hand, if you have no other choice but to accept a salary cut-whether it's due to a bad economy, the chance that your current job may be eliminated, or because you feel unhappy and unfulfilled in your current job-ask yourself if this may be a chance to go in a better direction in life, where you will be experiencing new values and beliefs that can help you grow and evolve. If you believe this is correct, sincerely say to the hiring company that you are venturing into new territory where you genuinely want to try something new and different, and that the position in question is therefore of great interest to you.

Being honest-with yourself and your potential new employer-is the key here. Turn around and imagine that you are a company that is hiring. You don't want to go through the entire hiring process and then shortly afterward see your new employee jump ship. Being honest will never backfire on you.

People need to look at the long term and understand that their own best interests should be driven by seeking knowledge and job growth more than immediate gratification, because the payoff down the road will be tremendously higher than just working for the paycheck and the ego. A hunger for more and more money is such a strong driving force that many people even go into fields/jobs/careers that don't provide them with much fulfillment besides making money.

Money is important, in that you should always try to ensure that you are paid market rate. But you should never turn down great opportunities because of greed for a short-term paycheck when the long-term payoff is usually greater when you are driven by a quest for knowledge in areas where your passions can thrive.

A proven system for making your job search more successful is detailed in the life manual, A Second Life, God is giving you a second chance. It contains an extensive chapter with detailed guidance on how to find a job, interview tips, winning the job and creating a job insurance policy once you've got the job. It also tells you how to fully develop all five key areas of life, so that if you are struggling in the job market, you won't feel like the world is going to end.

Christian Schoyen is a Life Architect and the founder of the belief system, A Second Life. For the last 12 years he has been the CEO of a successful international headhunting company that he founded, serving global Fortune 500 companies such as Coca Cola, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson. Christian has committed his life to helping others grow and evolve to achieve their fullest potential.

With his expertise in human behavior, he has been coaching thousands of people on how to improve their lives and careers-essentially to build better lives from the ground up. For more than two decades he has worked across the United States and Europe and has studied the patterns of people who have been successful in maximizing their opportunities as well as finding a balance between materiality and spirituality. With his vast knowledge in human development he travels as a speaker throughout the U.S. to build the belief system, A Second Life.

Before launching his headhunting company in 1997, Christian worked for two world - leading headhunting organizations: A.T. Kearney and Ward Howell International in Los Angeles and Chicago. Prior to entering the field of recruitment he founded a newspaper covering the job market for people seeking employment. He is the author of "Secrets of the Executive Search Experts"-the U.S. bestselling book for companies on how to recruit-as well as on "how to get the job" and most recently the self help book "A Second Life; God Is Giving You A Second Chance". Christian also makes films about how belief systems affect peoples' lives.

Visit Christian Schoyen at http://www.asecondlife.com/ and his "Saving America, One Person at A Time" blog at [http://savingamericatour.com/]