If you were a fan of the old Atari 2600, you’ll definitely love how Google is celebrating the greatness of Super Breakout!

Go to Google Image Search and search for “Atari Breakout” and hit enter.

Your image search will transform into the old arcade classic Super Breakout!

In 1983 I was amazed that you could hook up this black contraption up to the TV and suddenly have a complete arcade in your living room just by changing out little cartridges. I’m speaking of the Atari 2600, a video game system that still holds a place in my heart.

Fast forward to 2013 and I’m still being wowed by technology. We live in an age where our technology is on the go, and it’s synchronized seamlessly.  Not only is it mind blowing that we can take a photograph using a telephone out in the middle of nowhere, but the fact that the photo can be waiting for us on a computer when we get home adds to it.

You can start a document at your office, then finish it while laying in bed. Better yet, a co-worker can collaborate and help you finish it while they’re on the beach.

I love technology. It does great things. And it’s being made simpler each day. I’m excited to see what tomorrow holds.

There was a time,
Not so long ago.
When there were no remotes,
To change your television show.

So next time you’re relaxing,
And watching TV like a slouch,
Be thankful you can control it,
With a remote from the couch.

Photo By gothopotam

One winter day
I really did choose
To go out in the snow
Without any shoes!

My dad hollered out,
“Go get the mail!
Do it right now!
Don’t be a snail!”

For such a quick chore,
Why fasten my shoes?
My video game was paused
But there was no time to lose!

I put down my controller
And sprung from my seat,
I rushed out the door
So quick in bare feet!

The cold nipped my heels.
It gripped at my toes.
And then up my back,
All the way to my nose!

I shuffled, I kicked,
I pushed through the snow.
Snowflakes clung to me
As high as they’d go.

So sorry was I
As I got to the box.
I’d give anything now
For even some socks.

I scooped out the letters,
The flyers and bills.
And made my way back
As I shivered with chills.

The front door seemed so far.
My sight cold and so hazy.
Oh I’d be warm in some boots,
If I wasn’t so lazy.

Finally I made it
Through the below zero romp.
I dropped the stuck snow
With one mighty stomp!

I bought in the mail
And took it to Dad.
He saw right away
I was quivering bad.

“Son, let me guess,”
He said shaking his head.
“You went out barefoot.
Oh son, you’re brain dead.”

From this day now on
My thinking was never the same.
Now I put common sense
Before a video game.

Poem and Photo by Michael Beck

While I don’t begrudge Instagram for finding a way to monetize their free photo sharing service, I can sympathize with those users that fear their likeness will be used without any say on where, when, or how.

I realize that most Instagram members use the service to snap cat pictures and covertly capture shots of disheveled Wal-Mart shoppers. These users probably won’t mind the change to the terms of service, or even be aware of it.

But for many who make their living from the Internet, specifically social media, this is seen as a direct grabbing of their content and an assault on their livelihood.

The Twittersphere is abuzz over this terms of service change.

Reactions ranged from “I’m quitting Instagram”:

I WILL BE QUITTING INSTAGRAM TODAY. WHAT A BUMMER. YOU SHOULD ALL READ THEIR NEW RULES.

— P!nk (@Pink) December 18, 2012

To “It’s not really that big of a deal”:

Last year, we quit Facebook. 6 months ago, we quit Twitter. Today, we quit Instagram. Oh, by “quit” you mean stop using them? Then no.

— MG Siegler (@parislemon) December 18, 2012

To comical:

Hide yo’ kids, hide yo’ wife and hide yo’ husband because #instagram is stealin’ errrbody’s info…and then selling it.

— CourtneyPants (@callmecourt) December 18, 2012

As for this Instagram user, I’m taking a “wait and see” approach. I’m already taking pictures using product placement, and Biggby Coffee hasn’t come knocking on my door to hand me a check.

Perhaps if this change was taking money out of my hands I suppose I’d be a little more up-in-arms about it. But since I see Instagram as a fun extension of my self-promotional efforts, I don’t foresee me closing my account in protest.

That is, until I see this show up in a Cialis or Viagra ad:

Then I think I might decide to pull the plug on Instagram.

Update: Instagram posted a response to the feedback on their blog, “The language we proposed also raised question about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. We do not have plans for anything like this and because of that we’re going to remove the language that raised the question.” [Source]

Though tragedy strikes
We will stand here together
As Americans

Photo by WolfS♡ul

While his son started laughing, his wife gave him a disgusted look and cried, “that touched the floor! We can’t eat that!” To which the man replied, “well, the middle of the cake is still good.”

Terrible things happen, both in personal life as well as business. When they happen you have two ways you can respond. On the one hand you can stand there and do nothing while allowing yourself to be consumed by the tragedy. Or, you can make the best you can of the situation and salvage what you can from it.

When the cake falls on the floor, eat the middle.

Everyone in business has heard the quote. But what does it mean? It means if you put your mind to it and imagine yourself successful, you can be.

When you imagine yourself successful I’m not talking about in a “what if I won the lottery” sort of imagination. I mean see yourself jumping through the hoops and standing victorious in the end. 

Success is rarely the sort of thing you can just blindly bumble your way into. Certainly it can come about that way, but I think we all would rather strive towards it with our chins up and eyes on the prize. 

So today when you’re looking at leads and prospects and getting ready to make that proposal tell yourself: I can win.

I myself have been caught up from time to time in something that has happened in my past and re-experiencing all of those emotions attached to it. Regret, despair, anger, anxiety…

I run through the event as it haunts me, and I wonder to myself why it keeps popping in my mind. Why didn’t I do this, or that? Why did (or didn’t) I say that? Why did that happen to me?

When we allow those memories to hold on to us that way and create those emotional (and sometimes physical) responses, it can cripple us. Cause inaction, or worse yet, wrong action.

It’s time to take control of those memories and see them for what they are. Learning experiences. You can’t go back and alter the events, so dwelling on them for any other purpose is fruitless. Simply learn from them.

If that memory is bothersome to you because of your own fault, ask the person or persons you’ve injured for forgiveness. If they refuse, at least the ball is in their court. You’ve done all you can. Let it go.

If you’ve only hurt yourself, then by all means, it’s time to forgive yourself and move on. Let it go. If others have hurt you, forgive them and let it go.

Once you let go of the emotions attached to that memory, all you are left with is the learning experience it provides. Next time you’ll say the appropriate thing. Or take the appropriate action. At the very least, you’ll avoid doing whatever it was that you did wrong in the first place.

Simply tell yourself, “the past is the past… I can only learn from it.” And mean it. 

Photo By Mr. Littlehand

We hear these phrases many times. Especially if we’re subscribed to self-improvement blogs, or listen to self-help tapes. These are the common themes we get over and over. They’re true statements for sure, but what if we take this concept and just stretch it out a little bit. 

Improve yourself… for the sake of others. 

When you strive to be a better person but do it solely for yourself, you miss out on so much potential.  We all want harmony, peace, and of course… success, in our lives. Self-improvement puts those who lack in those departments on the path to achieving those things. For those of us who feel as though we are already there, continuing to improve ourselves keeps us there and helps us to achieve more of these things.

But if you enter into the idea that your goal is to make yourself a better person for the sake of others, you will find the rewards to be much richer and more satisfying.

Think of what you are trying to improve and think of the ways it will benefit others.

I will improve my listening skills…
…to be a better husband.
…to be a better source of support in my family.
…to better understand the needs of my clients.

I will improve my efficiency…
…so I will have more time to give to my family.
…so I can deliver services to my clients faster.
…so I can help more people by being able to take on new clients.

I will have more compassion in my life…
…so I can care even more for my family and friends.
…so I can respect my clients more.
…so I can help more businesses with those needs I can fulfill.

The wonderful thing about life is in most cases, when you give, you get. And when you least expect it, you get back more than you give.

Try it.