Dishwashers

I like dishwashers and use it not just for dishes. Yesterday I noticed that all covers of the heaters were quite dusty after a long cold winter ... I had no desire to polish all the grooves, etc. neatly ... so I put them into the dishwasher, which did the good work for me. I am happy!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, March 07, 2009 @ 08:54

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Pray the Devil Back to Hell is the title of a cool documentary film, which tells the story of Christian and Muslim women from Liberia. They successfully protested and prayed, to quit the civil war in the country. I have seen the trailer and a section about the sex strike (the women said to their husbands: "You only get sex again, when the civil war comes to an end!" This has mobilized the men to pray with them and to become active, the war to end. I would like to watch the whole movie!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, February 21, 2009 @ 18:38

Life not death

Recently I read a nice book description about "Christianity Beyond Belief" which is specifically addressed to the American Christians, but the trend, to reduce the faith in a system of truths, only to be true, but not lived, are here also:

You've prayed the sinners prayer's. You know that if you died tonight, you'll go to heaven. But Todd hunter believes that Christianity is a life, not merely a secure death. Which means that eternal life ... begins on earth as soon as we become followers of Jesus.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, February 12, 2009 @ 14:38

1 inside, 2 out - even for files

Puh. My computer just forced me implement my practical tips to electronically stuff. In relation to acts, objects, utensils, clothes and other stuff, I have it quite accustomed to me now, to follow the rule: 1 inside, 2 out. Every time I drop one thing, I look in the same department to see if I can take out two things and dispose. That works very well.
My two areas of inconsistency:
- Journal staple: a lot just comes on it without taking something away.
- File: When I save a file, I almost never look to see if old, unnecessary files can be deleted.
For the garbage in the files my computer takes revenge right now. Some of the hard disk partitions are so crowded that not even defragement works, because there is not enough free memory to let the program run. Such a waste ...
Some partitions, I have now disposed, for others, I need professional help in order to decide which programs I can safely delete ...
And in future I will also make sure: 1 inside, 2 out, so that everything remains slim.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 @ 12:33

LesBar currently

In recent weeks we have updated the LesBar, the issues page on Down to Earth, where I list tips, articles etc.. You can also subscribe contributions (1-2 per week) via feedreader. And of course I welcome comments on design and content, ideas, impulses and links on your page there ... so that more people find the site and who can be inspired when they want.

Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 @ 12:30

Tip for emergencies - mobile phone ICE (In Case of Emergency)

The staff of rescue and ambulance have noticed that most wounded persons at road accidents have a mobile phone. During the missions they do not know who to contact in the long contact lists.
Ambulance drivers have therefore suggested that every person should put an "in case of emergency contact person" in the same Pseudo in his / her contact list. This is the internationally recognized Pseudo: ICE (In Case of Emergency).
If more than one person should be contacted, one can write down ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.. I is easy, costs nothing, but can be very effective. Much more information can be found on the webpage.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, February 09, 2009 @ 10:20

When men cook

A friend whose wife recently broke her ankle, had to keep the house and to take care of the small children- which has not been entirely his profession. He wrote that he googled how to boil water ... beautiful example of self-irony.
For those who are already one step further, there is the cookbook for men. Since men supposedly do not read recipes, all recipes are graphically depicted as a flowchart - looks in any case well. Some of them are online.

Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, February 03, 2009 @ 10:06

Postcard "encounter"

We - my designer and I - have once again created a free postcard. This time about "encounter", which is a part of the Year´s theme of Down to Earth. Up to 20 pieces you will get for free in the Down to Earth Store. From the 21st we sell them for the costs of 20 cents.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, January 17, 2009 @ 10:59

Books 2008 - My Top 10

Of the 33 books I have read 2008, I found the best:

Business Books + + Coaching Education (8) 13
R. Kiyosaki: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
V. Steiner: Energy Competence
M. Rosenberg: Nonviolent Communication
K-D. Gene, p. Paztor: I hear what you do not say CD

Inspirations and spiritual books
R. Bell: Velvet Elvis
E. Peterson: A long obedience ...
R. Bell: Sex.God


Stories / novels / biographies
Amos Oz: Love and Shadows
B. Obama: Dreams from My Father
W. P. Young: The Shack

I can - depending on what you are interested, highly recommend these books. If you want to order click on the Amazon link on the right page, I get a little commission ... not much, but I can finance a white coffee from time to time.

For 2009 I made a resolution, that I will read one of my old (or borrowed from others) books, for every new book that I buy, because I have a whole series of good, unread books here.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, January 15 2009 @ 12:35

Genesis - Sermon Online

For all who are interested: The sermon by Tim Keller with the good thoughts about marriage, which I have heard and was very moved in New York, you can download as MP3 - unfortunately, not free (2.5 $).

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, January 15, 2009 @ 12:05

Coaching Tip: First Aid against panic

Everybody knows situations where everything collapses over you. Depending on the personality is then activated the rehearsed patterns of panic: fear, Lashing out, despair, depression, massive pressure, total chaos, absolute helplessness, etc. My supervisor has given me a chance today to "first aid" in crashes of emotional states.

The method originates from the trauma therapy and was developed for people who have had bad experiences and when a "Flashback" comes and they are threatened to panic because they saw the situation recalls. It helps also in the normal everyday neuroses that each of us has sometimes.
The background for the approach is the idea that if you crash emotionally to think either in the past. Then one remembers what terrible things one has experienced. Or one thinks of the future and fears it. To get the feelings, the hiking in the past / future triggers off, you must return to a narrow line of the present issue by dealing with all your senses focused on what is now.

First Aid program against panic and to arrvie back in the present day - Short Form:

Name 5 things that you see.
Name 5 things that you hear.
Name 5 things that you feel.

Then: name 4 things that you see, 4 things that you hear, 4 things that you feel.

Then 3
Then 2
Then 1

Then, the first acute panic looses a little bit.
And then you can maybe think about the root that caused the problem. But everything in his time.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, December 15, 2008 @ 17:58

Coaching - Tip: The beginning of freedom

Recently, I had a coaching training includes an interesting phrase, which I find very helpful:
Freedom begins there, where I have three options.

If I have only one, I will be rigid.
If I have two, I stand in a conflict.
If I have three, freedom begins.


I find the idea very helpful and the habit of situations in which I feel a crisis, to consider: What kind of (at least) three options do I have? I always see at least three.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, December 15, 2008 @ 17:55

Click Germany

A tip for those who do not want to give books as presents: Click Germany, the big department store of small producers. This is a portal on which there are only products that are manufactured in small factories with diligence, dedication and creativity. Each ingredient, any substance that each timber is still deliberately chosen, much is handmade manufactured. You buy via the portal directly from the manufacturer - that saves transport routes and costs.
Special: Friends of me / Down to Earth save for each order up to ? 5 shipping costs. Instructions: Just when ordering put ? Down to Earth? in the "comments about this order".

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, December 04, 2008 @ 13:18

Saving Time

The ABC of time savings has got some good tips on how to save time ... even if it takes time to exercise the tips ... but it's worth it [Thanks, Frank for the tip!]

Tip No. 11, I am exercising at the moment (a lot of fun!):


Search for specific tasks, that you do not consider to be very important or rewarding and simply delete them of your to-do list. It is the best if you have this process even ritualized for example at the beginning or end of your day or each week and look through your tasks with an unemotional critical look.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, November 28, 2008 @ 11:32

tip for tired eyes

Really nice text and exercises to relax stressed eyes you can find at Dialogus.


Kerstin Hack on Thursday, November 20, 2008 @ 21:00

Singles in the approach

The online magazine "Familienecke" (Family corner) has published my article "Singles in the approach" yesterday. 10 practical tips for childless visitors to the family planet and 5 wishes for the families. It was originally in the print edition of the magazine "Family". I am delighted that it will further spread.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 @ 10:32

Credit Card

Tip for all who (have to) pay much with credit cards. I use the Lufthansa Miles and More, because as per euro spent I get one mile credited. Those who will get one from now until December 31, will get 10,000 miles as a startup bonus. That's not bad. And if you state, that you bought this card on the recommendation of me, I also get 10,000 miles credited. Just let me know, if this is of interest for you.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 @ 13:54

Cleanup for climate

Of all the items that we have, we use about one third (!). For example clothing, books, CDs, kitchen utensils, clothes, etc. All these items need storage space and furniture. And of course it has used up raw materials and needed energy.
That is why one of the best, although not very creative, tips on climate change is simply mucking out. Whatever is not required should be sold or given away and so it creates space for living, and reduces new production, need less furniture and housing and so it´s good for the environment and the climate. Therefore, this could be a good idea to do on one of the dull autumn days.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 10:38

Old DM - new hope

I just presented my new project which I initiated "Old DM - new hope" in the newsletter of my publishing house. And I want that you know the idea aswell.

Taking fills the hands - Giving fills the heart.

Dear Friends,

8 billion DM lie somewhere around. At the bottom of lakes and rivers, in sewers, but also in drawers, envelopes, etc. Sometimes coins emerge unexpectedly again - as I found recently DM 5 in a handbag which I rarely use and a friend discovered a fifty Mark note in a drawer.

Mostly it isn´t worthwhile to go to the few regional banks that still exchange the money for a few pfennigs or mark. Throwing away the money is not the way either - in other words: What to do?

I thought: If many people merge their old pfennigs, fifty Marks, Mark coins and notes, you can exchange together and it can forward many projects.

For example, in Afghanistan.
A friendly relief organisation - Shelter Now - has been working for more than 25 years in the region and has found effective ways, to help the people in reconstruction.
-- The water supply for an entire village only costs about 200 DM (100 euros) - and provides clean drinking water from mountain springs for decades.
-- It only costs two to five marks (1 - 3 euros) to plant a fruit tree in Afghanistan, which supply a family with food for decades.

Few can make an important difference. Reconstruction and ensuring the basic livelihood is also a solid protection that people become victims of extremists.

I would like to invite you to cooperate with your old DM with the people of Afghanistan to give new hope.

How you can participate:
a) You alone
Put your old DM in an envelope and send it to:

Shelter Now Germany e.V.
z.Hd. Udo Stolte
Am Waldrand 19
38173 Hötzum

b) Together with others
Motiviere friends, colleagues, communities, children's and youth groups, schools, associations, customers, bosses, etc. and join their old DM to donate. You can collect and return.

If you like more information material about Shelter Now
a) the current shelter - Report with information on "Old DM - new hope" and current water projects.
It is also available on the Internet at
http://www.shelter.de/newsletter/pdf/1220279494_1/Report_Sommer-Herbst_08.pdf
b) a flyer about the project which comes soon.
The things you can order at info@shelter.de by mail.

I think - very immodest (sorry) - it´s a brilliant idea: If you help someone with something you do not need.

Please take out your old DM and join!
Please pass this mail to other people who you think that they would like to join. And also to people with press contacts, who could publish this idea.

I wish you much joy in participating and motivate others - on my blog I will regularly inform you on the progress of the project.
http://www.kerstin.down-to-earth.de

With all my heart

yours Kerstin Hack
and the team from Down to Earth

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, September 09 @ 12:57

Mentoring

I have registered as a mentor in the Mentoring Net now. I am curious what kind of new contacts I will get. Tip for all who seek mentors: There are mentors in all corners of Germany.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, 14th August, 2008 @ 17:59

How smart are you?

You can find out. In collaborative learning, there is a test, which does not only test cognitive intelligence, but also all other forms of intelligence. You'll find the test at the end of the description of the various expressions of intelligence:
-- Linguistic intelligence
-- Musical intelligence
-- Logical-mathematical intelligence
-- Spatial intelligence
-- Physically-kinesthetic intelligence
-- Inter-human intelligence
-- Intra-human intelligence
-- Naturalistic intelligence
-- Existential intelligence

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, 12th August 2008
@ 09:37