Connection

An invisible line,
between you and I.
Energy transferred,
like water between glasses.

A raw emotion,
sparking a response.
Nails across skin,
echoed in a chill.

A fear transferred,
or shared in part.
Light emitted,
candles in the dark.

A familiar voice,
soothing and calm.
Words of home,
calling from afar.

An open door,
Fire, ripe and wanting.
Scents and scenes,
solidify from nothing.

A single line flashing,
waiting obediently.
Set within the screen,
the connection is made.

Giving Thanks

It is sad to think about all of the little things that we take for granted every day. All of the people who do their jobs well or do the right thing and allow us to enjoy the freedoms, comforts and wonders that make our everyday lives better.

While it may seem strange to thank people for doing the jobs, in this era of shortcuts, rudeness and selfishness, it is important to pay tribute to people who unselfishly do the right thing simply because it is right or do their job with pride and professionalism.

While I certainly am thankful for the health and well being of my family and friends, this year I would also like to give thanks to those who give of themselves. Near and far, day and night… making all of our lives easier and better.

But let’s not forget all of the people who sacrifice their holiday to make ours possible. Police officers, firemen, first aid and rescue workers, medical professionals, utility workers and others... These are people who are too often blasted for political reasons, and rarely get the respect and credit they deserve.

Last, but not least, I give thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, our military men and women around the world. These brave people protect our freedom, while also improving the lives of others around the world, every day. While war is part of their job, it the peaceful things that they do such as building schools, bridges, irrigation and such that are often overlooked.

For all of these wonderful people I give thanks and best wishes for a peaceful holiday.

Forgiveness

The angel looked upon the woman and saw her wounds. He asked her, "What is it that you are digging for?"

"I am hurting and I am I trying to find the root of my pain so I can kill it," she answered.

"My sweet child, the root of your pain lies elsewhere, and God will deal with him in his own way," answered the angel.

“But it still hurts? How can I go on when my body tortures me this way?” She asked, looking angry and hurt.

“Your father loves you, child. And love is the one thing that pain cannot over come.” answered the child-like creature.

“He never loved me. He left. He abandoned us.”

The angel smiled and said, “He was always there my dear. You may not have seen it, but his heart has always been with you. The pain you carry is not your own. It is the pain of others who were not strong enough to carry their own burdens.”

“But why? Why is it that I carry this? Why do I have to hurt and bleed and cry?” she asked as the tears began come.

“That is the question my dear. Why do you carry it?”

“What? I never asked for this,” she screamed. “I never asked to cut and bleed and …”

“Sometimes, the things that are the worst for you are the things that you hold onto the strongest. Not because you want them, but because they are all that you know. The only way to release your pain is to forgive. Yourself, him, her, all of them. That is the root of your pain.”

With that the angle opened his arms and embraced the woman. He kissed her wounds and the scars began to melt away. “Forgiveness begins with you,” he whispered. “You have never forgiven yourself for the things that you could not control. You are the key to the chains that bind you.”

“But why do I cut?” she asked.

“You dig to find the pain that you hide from yourself. The pain that you don’t really want to see. Sometimes you cut to distract yourself from your pain, by creating a new pain. Sometimes you cut just to feel something else.”

“I don’t understand,’ she cried meekly.

“My dear, sweet, girl. There was never anything that you did or could have done that would have prevented those things that happened to you. They were not your fault. The only way to release your pain is to forgive yourself. Lay down your burden and cut the chords that bind you to them forever.”

With that, he kissed her forehead and a feeling of warmth filler her. There was a bright light and …

When she woke up, she felt an energy within her. She felt…full. A single tear fell from her eye. She was going to be ok.

Blue

Blue,
a note extended,
resonating
within my heart.

Pain,
a hollow feeling,
emptiness,
pulsating out.

Anger,
a raw emotion,
bubbling,
to the surface.

Release,
the chain is broken,
renewal,
and recovery.

Faith or Ego

What do you believe in?
Is your faith strong?
Does yours, hate mine?
Is my sin worse in yours?

God comes knows all,
And everyone knows God.

If you are right,
Then I am to burn,
Or come again,
Or be lost in darkness.

So why are we here?
To hate and kill?
To suffer and learn?
To simply be?

Where are we going?
Hell? Paradise?
Food for worms?
Back again?

Is it more important
to ask the questions,
or to argue that our answer
is the right one?


(c) 2005 Steve Johnston

RFID: The Potential to Transform Business

Radio Frequency Identification, better known as RFID, is a technology that has been used by the military since World War II. Previously limited in use and capabilities, this technology is finally beginning to impact global trade and business.

RFID is essentially the use of a tag or chip with an antenna and a reader or transmitter and reciever of radio waves. Used within supply chains, this simple technology has the ability to provide end-to-end visibility of goods from their manufacturer to their end user or users.

What does that really mean?

It means that a bottle of Viagra, manufactured in the US can be tracked from the pharmacutical company that manufactures it (Pfizer) to each of the distributors and intermediaries who touch it on its way to a pharmacy, such as a CVS, and eventually the consumer or patient who has been prescribed to take it.

In tracking this, it means that the manufacturer and the FDA can be assured that the product has arrived un-tampered with, and without being traded for a knock-off or fraudulent product. In addition, it means that if there were to be a recall, that product, the lot, and the batch could be tracked down, more easily to ensure patient safety.

But wait, there's more!

In addition, this technology allows the manufacturer and distributors to track the amount of time the product had in transit, meaning that transit routes and tranportation providers can be monitored and evaluated more effectively. So that the delivery time that used to be 10 days can be cut down to 5 days at the same price, allowing for quicker fulfillment of orders, lower inventory levels to be maintained by retailers and distributors and more accurate planning to be done across the supply chain.

In short, consumers will be able to get more products, less expensively and in a more timely fashion then ever before. Companies will be able to be more responsive, while also being more efficient and profitable. A win-win situation.

So why hasn't this been done before?

Well, in short, it hwas only recently that the technology was given the time, attention and effor that it deserved. The Massachussetts Institue of Technology (MIT), funded by leading manufacturers and retailers conducted a great deal of research and created what is known as the Electronic Product Code™ (EPC). The EPC is similar to the bar code or U.P.C., in that it allows for identification of items, but the difference is that the EPC allows for a great deal more information and more specific information to be encoded and communicated. This information could allow for tracking of such things as the temperature within a freezer car to ensure that a shipment of beef is stored at the right temperature to ensure freshness.

It was only during the last few years that an organization called EPCglobal was formed to develop standards for the use of this technology to help ensure commercialization and adoption. EPCglobal currently has more than 600 of the world's leading manufacturers, retailers, technology providers and others within its membership. Pretty impressive for an organization that is less than 3 years old. In addition, EPCglobal is the first and only cross-industry, global standards organization that is solely focused on RFID technology.

But what is the value of standards?

Standards are an accepted method for doing something. By developing standards for the manufacturing and implementation of a technology, it enables faster, cheaper and more effective implementation of that technology for the companies using it. It also means that one technology can be used by the same company that services many different customers in many different industries and countries.

In short, the same company that manufactures widgets and sells them to Retailer A, also sells them to Retailer B and Retailer C. This company also sells them to the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In order to meet the needs of each of its clients, this company needs to make sure that it packages, ships and can provide tracking information in such a way that it meets the specs of each customer. Standards, provide a way for this company to enact a single process that is acceptable to all of these parties, as well as others. Making it more efficient for the manufacture, who can then pass along that savings and improved service to each customer. Thus, standards allow for greater efficiency for all parties involved.

In the coming weeks, we will explore this technolgy and its potential benefits more closely.