Happy at Work

What You Need to Know About Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

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Like most countries, the United States has given its people the freedom to be religious or irreligious. A section of the constitution states: “The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance….”

It is thus unacceptable to experience prejudice because of your religious beliefs in the workplace. You can file a workplace discrimination claim if you have been a victim. Employment lawyers are specialized professionals that can help you bring your claim forward.

Let’s find out first what constitutes religious discrimination in the workplace.

What Is Religious Discrimination In The Workplace?

The constitution of Australia states that it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against or treat any employee differently based on their religion. What does this mean for an employee? It means an applicant or employee cannot be retaliated against, refused promotion or wage increase, harassed, or denied reasonable accommodations because of their religious beliefs.

Some of these reasonable accommodations include:

  • Allowing you to take the day off to observe a religious holiday.
  • Allowing certain exceptions to your dress code and grooming.
  • Allowing and permitting specific shift substitutions.

Harassment can also come from fellow employees in the following forms. 

  • Offensive remarks about your beliefs or practices
  • Humiliation based on the choice of dressing

The law does not prohibit innocent teasing, jokes, or isolated offhand comments that aren’t very serious. Harassment will be illegal when it becomes too frequent or creates a hostile or offensive work environment.

Religious discrimination in the workplace can be psychologically draining on the receiving party. It can lead to constructive dismissal. Constructive dismissal is when an employee is coerced into resigning because of an employer’s conduct.

It is also crucial to note that an employer is not obligated to respect an employee’s religious convictions if:

  • It directly or indirectly presents a burden or will affect the business operations in a significant way.
  • The employer would suffer undue hardship as a result
  • It compromises the safety of the workplace
  • It weakens s the efficiency of the workforce
  • It infringes on the right of other employees
  • It requires other employees to do more than is required of them
  • It is too costly

When Can You File A Discrimination Claim?

If you have reasons to believe that your employer has harassed you, denied you a reasonable accommodation, or retaliated against you, then you can file for a workplace discrimination claim.

It is important to note that your employer must be aware of your religious beliefs beforehand to make the necessary adjustments in the workplace.

If an employee needs to dress in a certain way to work or takes a day off due to a religious holiday, it should also be communicated to the employer. Doing this would give the employer enough room to make the appropriate substitution to keep the business operations at an optimal level.

If after following these due steps and an employee is still facing harassment in the workplace, then it is time to call on professional employment lawyers who understand all of the applicable state and federal laws.

Positivity in the Workplace

4 Companies Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture

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The days of the angry boss yelling at employees to work harder and faster are gone! To get the best out of employees, companies have to cultivate a workplace culture that is inspiring, comfortable, and gets people fired up to come to work every day. Here are 4 companies that understand this concept and created incredible workplace cultures!

Cisco’s Caring Culture

Even though Cisco is a tech giant, it continues to emphasize that it is the people behind the tech that makes Cisco such a success. This isn’t just talking – if you look at the average employee tenure, it is almost 8 years, which is way higher than the industry average. Cisco is committed to ensuring that all employees feel accountable, empowered and take pride in belonging to Cisco.

To achieve its cultural goals, Cisco focuses on 3 key areas: environment, characteristics, and experience. As a part of its promotion of a harmonious environment, Cisco expects all employees to conduct themselves with dignity, respect, fairness, and equity. Cisco takes its diversity extremely seriously and has established the Full Spectrum Diversity foundation to ensure employees from minority, and historically marginalized backgrounds don’t face prejudice in the workplace. This foundation seeks to ensure that employees from minority backgrounds receive the support they need to develop and thrive at Cisco.

Cisco’s characteristic aspect of its workplace culture is focused on living up to the company’s principles. These principles include honesty, generosity, and hard work. In addition, Cisco always makes a big point of running community events and producing high-quality products that benefit consumers. The last aspect of Cisco’s workplace culture, experience, is all about how employees work together on a daily basis. Every employee is encouraged to grow, overcome challenges, and use their skills to make a positive contribution to the company.

Everyone Is Equal At NVIDIA

NVIDIA is committed to having a major impact on the world through addressing key technological issues in every industry imaginable, including cutting-edge science. NVIDIA’s workplace culture plays a tremendous role in making this a reality. This company understands that every employee has an important role in its success and provides them with extensive support to help them thrive in a very challenging environment. NVIDIA always goes out of its way to thank employees for their contributions.

NVIDIA is strongly against any form of office politics and is very anti-hierarchy. This company structures its team around projects and skills rather than the classic manager and employee mode. NVIDIA also promotes risk-taking and failure as it views these as critical steps in development and innovation, particularly in the tech sector. The tech giant also ensures all employees treat each other with respect and emphasize that everyone has an important part to play in the company’s success.

NVIDIA is passionate about creating a culture where employees can express their skills and complete projects that they are passionate about. This company is known for offering incredible pay and benefits. NVIDIA makes a point to create a relaxed and flexible workplace that is very family-friendly.

NVIDIA isn’t just satisfied with creating cutting-edge technology. It also wants to give back to the community. This company has its employee-run charitable foundation and runs regular annual charity events, such as helping children excel in math and science to local cleanup initiatives.

Adobe Is All About Diversity

Abode didn’t become a world-renowned digital marketing company through its products alone. Adobe’s incredible workplace culture, which focuses on education, diversity, and creativity, also played a leading role in its success. In 2018, Adobe was named the World’s Best Place to Work in large part because of its commitment to constant learning and valuing each employee as an individual.

Adobe boasts one of the most diverse workforces where minorities are given a leading voice, and everyone is encouraged to share their opinions, no matter how divergent they may be. Abode always encourages employees to practice self-improvement, and all employees have access to additional training and growth programs. It also has a range of online education courses and even mentorship programs.

Adobe wants all of its employees to take leadership roles and play an active part in keeping the company’s workplace culture strong. Another interesting aspect of Abode’s workplace culture is its commitment to creativity. If an employee wants to explore a new idea, the company will give them unlimited snacks and a debit card loaded with $1,000 with no pre-approval process required.

Hubspot Is Living Up To Its Culture Code!

In a quest to build a transparent workplace culture and truly live up to its ideals, Hubspot decided to not only produce a 128-page Culture Code deck but share it with the public! The marketing experts wanted to hold themselves accountable by letting the world know what they are trying to achieve. The marketing expert’s workplace code is based around a catchy acronym, HEART which stands for Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent.

Here are some key highlights from Hubspot’s culture code:

  • Culture and recruiting are essential to each other and intertwined
  • Culture is inevitable, so it is your duty to create one you are proud of
  • Meet customer needs not just to make them happy but to make them succeed
  • Power is attained through sharing information and transparency rather than being secretive
  • There are no doors at Hubspot; any employee can walk up to another employee at anytime
  • No group punishments
  • The goal is results and not where they were produced
  • Influence is not tied to role or seniority
  • “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
  • It is better to regularly fail than never try

Before revealing its culture code to the world, Hubspot asked its employees for extensive feedback. Hubspot wanted its employees to be the driving force behind its culture to create a sense of trust and greater buy-in. The marketing specialist’s plan to make the culture code public wasn’t just to keep them accountable. It was also a sharp marketing plan that resulted in the company receiving additional publicity. So far, the code has been viewed over 4 million times!

To understand why Hubspot has such a strong workplace culture, check out what Katie Burke, Chief People Officer of Hubspot, had to say: “Culture is an organic product with a pulse.” It is the responsibility of every employee of Hubspot to acknowledge the team’s culture and contribute. Hubspot’s unwavering commitment to workplace culture has played a key role in the company crossing the $500,000,000 revenue mark!

Conclusion

Without a strong workplace culture, a company is made up of individuals who will never be capable of coming together to achieve big goals. Strong and successful workplace culture must make employees feel inspired, valued, and challenged. Companies such as Cisco, Adobe, and Hubspot have done an incredible job building cultures that have helped take their businesses to the next level. If you want to create an enviable workplace culture, remember to focus on building an environment that you would be excited to work in no matter your role!

Positive Workplace Culture

5 Benefits of Office Chairs You Shouldn’t Miss Today

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Designed to suit your comfort level, ergonomic office chairs are a blessing. They are an amazing seating arrangement that uplifts the mood of every employee by allowing them to sit comfortably. A well-padded swivelled office chair is extremely necessary, especially if you have to work for long office hours. Of course, buying the best office chair comes at a good price, but the investment is completely worth it. We have enlisted 5 benefits which completely justify buying the best office chairs at your workplace.

Provides maximum comfort

The best part about these ergonomically designed office chairs is that they can be customised according to peoples’ choices. Everything, including the height, the back support, armrest, and depth can be adjusted according to one’s convenience. Not only that, but the soft fabric material and the thick padding also provide the utmost support to the person sitting. These chairs allow people to sit comfortably in a relaxed manner. 

Enhanced productivity and quality of work

Because these ergonomically designed office chairs allow employees to sit comfortably, without straining their spine or neck or arms, they can concentrate on their work for long hours. As a result, it increases their productivity. Not only that, but they can also work comfortably which improves the quality of work they deliver. Go ahead and rent office chairs in Pune and let your enterprise experience the optimum performance of your employees. 

Cost-saving

Investing in an ergonomically designed office chair is costly, but they are equally efficient and durable. Hence, you don’t have to replace your office chairs after every few months. These well-designed office chairs are rewarding in the long run. Also, these chairs provide you with your much needed back support so you don’t develop health issues like musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, buying ergonomic office chairs saves your losses in various ways and helps you maximize your company’s work efficiency. 

Enhanced employee engagement

Your employees would be left with very little to complain about when they have a comfortable working space. That’s the best part of these office chairs. They provide your employees with maximum comfort, leaving them satisfied. This also helps you to maintain a good boss-worker relationship. Not only that, but satisfied workers would also give their best to take the company forward. As a result, you would notice your employees attending office daily and giving attention to every detail and objective. 

Health benefits 

Well designed ergonomic office chairs ensure a healthy working environment in your office. Since they are adjustable in a lot of ways, they prevent employees from suffering from back problems. They give proper support to your spinal curve, thus preventing the chances of suffering from lower back pain. They also alleviate your neck and shoulder strains and allows your arms to relax. These chairs are known to enhance blood circulation, thus keeping physical and mental fatigue away.

In short, ergonomic office chairs are effective, efficient, and productive. You can buy your office chair along with a well-designed study table. Consider to rent study table in Pune from a reputed store. The product is available at affordable prices. So what are you waiting for? Grab the best office chairs and study tables at discounted prices and improve the work experience of your employees!

Positive Words Research – 5 Benefits of Office Chairs You Shouldn’t Miss

Office Chairs

How To Be Happy In An Unhappy World In 7 Easy Steps

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Can we be happy in this crazy world? Speaking of the world today as a place of happiness appears to just be “Pollyanna” positive thinking, not dealing with reality.

When we consider the present world, there’s much poverty and persecution on one side. In America, poverty is minimal and the ‘persecution’ is verbal. We would think, then, that America would be happier. But, generally, no.

1. Gratitude for the Blessings

What we find is those in poverty are grateful for every gift, every blessing, every morsel of food, every day of life. They are happy! They have joy! However, in America few are satisfied. There’s envy, grudges, the struggle for more money, power, and status. People are most stressed and worried.

How can someone who has, basically, nothing be happier than one with everything (or the potential for it)? They find happiness within themselves, yet they’re not concerned with only themselves. They are selfless and generous. These people find happiness in life every day, appreciating each meal, each moment.

They know the truth, they know the reality of eternity. Moreover, they’re patient and trustful. Can a wealthy country learn from a “third-world” country? Not in technology, true. Not in politics, no. Probably not in infrastructure, maintenance, or most other areas. But can we learn from the people, the strong souls? YES!

The old adage, ‘There are no atheists in foxholes’ is accurate. Those in ‘third-world’ countries are in ‘fox holes’ and continue to hope. They believe in eternity and what it offers. Also, they know their current situation is temporary. Hope makes them strong.

2. People of Hope

We in America are spoiled. Many have no idea of the struggle we once endured that made us the amazing country we are. We once were also a people of hope… and belief… and love. But, today, most Americans have lost all sense of Faith. It hardly exists. Many of those who do ‘believe,’ don’t live their faith. Thus, the lack of hope—and, as a result, the lack of love. Charity is rarely observed.

Comments on social media are appalling. Hate and name-calling are prominent. People are quick to criticize and judge. Worse, they’re quick to attack. There is little attempt to understand. What good can come of it? Does the hate satisfy? Does criticism bring internal joy? Absolutely not! It hurts us—in many ways.

3. Step Over Criticism

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” So, even if we are criticized or called names, we don’t have to respond similarly. We don’t need to feel offended by those who insult us, showing their ignorance. We can rise above, pause, breath, smile—knowing the insult is untrue, that the name doesn’t apply.  “Let it go” and ignore the ignorant.

We can be faith-filled, hopeful, caring people again. We can build up our faith in an eternal Deity. People can learn to trust. It’ll make a change in attitude, a realization that hate and unrest are upsetting in themselves and within us, hindering, hurting. A change requires yearning for peace, especially internal peace. Isn’t that what we all truly desire?

4. Calm Down In Order To Be Happy

In the recent movie, “Rampage,” the gorilla, “George,” would get upset and his trainer motioned for him to calm down. In the former condition, George was dangerous. When the trainer insisted George calm down, George would respond, calm down, and be able to listen and be reasoned with. Then, he was also the means for doing good!

We’re the same. If we’re upset, we cannot think clearly. So, doing good is the last thing we consider or even want at the time. But we must act like humans and make ourselves calm down to be able to consider all sides of an issue or situation—and then act and react reasonably, fairly. We can all seek and find that peace of mind and heart if we truly desire it. How can we not desire it?

5. We all have faults

No matter what we think, we’re no better than the other person. They may be faulty in an obvious way—but we are faulty in another way.
Continual fretting, constant upset– about political issues and every item on social media which the media and some famous people encourage– affects attitudes, relationships, and also health! It damages bodies internally, causes pain, worsens conditions, and eventually can even kill. Worse, it can erupt in battles with others and someone getting seriously hurt. No good can come of it.

But, also, something few consider today is how it damages the soul. The soul lasts past death into eternity. If we all considered that what we do today in this life determines how we spend ‘forever,’ there would be less pain and less hate in this world.

6. Striving for happiness

So, let’s work on getting along, not jump to conclusions, consider the pros and cons of each issue and the motivations of each side. We should ask ourselves:  Why am I so upset about this? What is the source of the underlying grief I feel? Even if we don’t believe in eternity, we will be happier in this world if we realize we are not “all that!” We’re just another person striving for happiness—may be in the wrong way.

What can happen when we ignore the ignorant, let go of pride, strive for peace, seek hope, and practice love? We will be more productive, more successful—at our job, in our family, with friends, in life. We will be happier in this world. Then, if there’s an eternity, we’ll certainly find ourselves in an even happier place!

7. Is there an eternity?

Blaise Pascal said, “I would rather live as if there was a God and die to find out there isn’t than to live as if there isn’t and find out there is.” It’s called Blaise’s Wager. Blaise was a mathematician, a philosopher, a theologian, a physicist! So, he wasn’t ignorant! He was a wise man providing advice we would do good to follow.

Author’s Bio

Monica Walker

Monica Walker is a wife of 50 yrs, mother of 5, grandmother of 23. Region Manager at Augustine Institute. Manager & Mortgage Underwriter at Bank of America. Published freelance author — various local publications including weekly and monthly entries in church publications. Author — three books almost ready to publish. Poet and Songwriter–ninety songs ready to submit. “Outstanding Young Woman of America”. Guest on televised Business Awakenings show. Multiple, various awards at Bank of America and Augustine Institute. Volunteer for church and small-town activities. Monica lives in the United States.

Best Tips On How to Encourage Positivity in the Workplace

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Positivity in the workplace – If the way we spend our days equates to the way we spend our lives, then what we do at work makes up a great chunk of our lives. People can spend over half of their lives at their jobs. Some because they are passionate about their work and others because it pays the bills. In either circumstance, your work life can greatly affect your overall levels of stress and happiness.

Positive Words Research has found that if you try to avoid negativity, you can improve your work day. How you go about your workday can affect different hormones in your body. Stress at work will produce cortisol while feeling successful will produce endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.

Though it’s not always possible to control the factors that will influence what hormones you produce, you can make decisions for yourself and direct your thoughts towards positivity. This is important for all team members to keep in mind, from upper management to entry-level workers.

Company Culture for Success – Positivity in the Workplace

Company culture is important for success. It affects drive, motivation, and productivity. According to Pepperdine University, maintaining a positive company culture is important in all stages of the company, including when hiring, when growing, and when working.

The university reports the following habits to be damaging to company culture:

  • Inefficient management
  • Too many meetings and emails
  • Emotional pressure to perform well
  • Negative employee behaviors such as gossip and ego
  • Bonuses and performances rewards that don’t ensure quality

Instead, Pepperdine recommends that companies incorporate play, purpose, and potential into their structure. They can do this by implementing the following:

  • Encouraging respect among employers and employees
  • Expressing confidence that goals will be accomplished
  • Support to do more than is asked
  • Investing in both company and individual success

It’s important to shut down negative behavior, such as gossiping or bad attitudes. For managers, this means talking to an employee to let them know that hard work does not excuse a negative influence and offering support. For fellow employees, this means shutting down any conversations that include gossip or inconsiderate comments to others and shifting the conversation to a more positive subject.

Management Matters – Positivity in the Workplace

In general, there is a lot that management can do to ensure that they and their employees have a positive experience at work. It’s important for companies to choose their leaders carefully. That’s because they set the tone that everyone else will follow. Managers should embody the same positivity and tone that the company does.

Research has found that great bosses generally share five common characteristics. Sufficient educational support, a positive outlook, a desire for feedback, an eye for opportunity, and forward thinking. It’s important to keep all these things in mind when hiring managers, and not hire based solely on experience or education.

Leaders ultimately have a great influence on the rest of the company. The way they handle last-minute problems or setbacks will influence the way employees handle them as well. If they are patient, understanding, and maintain a positive mindset during unexpected issues, it can reassure employees and they can have the same attitude.

How to Create a Positive Work Culture: Practical Tips

Let’s shift from the general rules to the practical tips. Tech companies have proven to be successful when it comes to creating an attractive work environment for their employees. And it is not just about competitive salaries and career opportunities they offer. It is also about building a positive atmosphere. Here are a few useful tips on how to create a positive work culture:

  • Recognition of the work and achievements of each employee as well as rewarding them for the work well done will significantly increase motivation and create a great basis for a positive workplace culture.
  • Team building. Every executive has to keep in mind that team building is more than just daily meetings of all team members. To bring positivity in the workplace it is necessary to make employees feel involved and appreciated. Things like corporate parties, board games evenings and bowling outings can help with team bonding big time.
  • Equality and inclusion also influence the level of positivity in the workplace. Not only do all employees have to be treated equally, but they also need to be provided with the right to express their opinions, ideas, critiques, and initiatives. After all, it’s important for everyone to feel valued and have opportunities for growth both professional and personal.
  • A positive work culture highly relies on flexibility, caring, and kindness. Thus, it is important to create an environment where people can listen and be heard. When employees are free to try new methods and ideas, they can offer interesting solutions that will be rewarding to the company as well.

Encourage Work-Life Balance 

Another way to encourage positivity in the workplace is to encourage a work-life balance. Working too much can be draining. It leaves employees without enough energy to enjoy spending time with their loved ones after they clock out.

To avoid this, companies should make an effort to not overwork employees and to encourage them. This can be done by giving them a reasonable amount of work to do and hiring more workers if that is not enough. A work-life balance gives employees the chance to feel refreshed during their time off. That way, they can come to work ready to complete their tasks with a productive attitude.

An encouraging company culture and a constructive management team can be the key to a successful company. Not only do these characteristics drive optimism in the workplace, but they can affect the overall job satisfaction of employees. In turn, this will lead to a happier life where employees look forward to coming into work.

About the Author: Avery T. Phillips is a freelance human being with too much to say. She loves nature and examining human interactions with the world. Comment or tweet her @a_taylorian with any questions or suggestions.

Positivity in the Workplace

Top 3 Imperatives to Become Happy at Work Today

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Who would not want to become cheerful at work? If you only get to choose, of course, you would prefer happiness in every situation – may it be at home, at school or at work.

However, when it comes to employment, there’s this bad news. As revealed by a current review by Bellevue University, “nearly a fourth of working Americans are unhappy with their employment.”

Nonetheless, the positive side of the study should also be noted. According to the overview, those unhappy employees only “need to discover employments they really like.”

Instead of simply abandoning the possibility of a positive employment and surrendering to the conclusion that to work is to be troubled, those individuals should consider that “there is a better occupation out there for them.”

And it’s something that can be worked out, right?

If you’re of those who want to achieve happiness at work, then here are some things to think about to get you headed in the right direction:

 Recognize Yourself

It’s simple like this: if you don’t understand what you want, then you’ll never have the chance to do it. In order for you to become happy at work, think and have some papers written.
These should be your most valued things from your current employment or from your previous ones. Make a rundown of your least favorites that you think is stressing you always at work.

What assignments do you most appreciate, and what abilities do those undertakings require? How would you get a kick out of the chance to work?

Do you work best as a member of a group, or do you do better when you are allowed to sit unbothered? Is it your activity that makes miserable, or is it your profession itself?

When you realize what will make you happy at work, you’ll be better situated to go get it.

 Contemplate on the Culture

The term company culture is stirred around so much that it is becoming a trendy expression especially nowadays. But culture isn’t only an empty thought mentioned by Human Resource agents and career coaches. It is a much genuine and larger component that can greatly influence how positive and effective a specific person can function for a particular company.

“Experience and skills are both very significant, but if employees do not fit with the culture of the company, usually, they will either leave or be terminated in a matter of months”, states former HR professional Tom Armour. He considers cultural fit as the most important element when it comes to hiring individuals.

Said culture generally consists of the values, customs, and rules of engagement for a certain company. While it can appear to be impalpable, organization culture shows itself in various ways. Starting from how individuals dress while at work to the way choices are made and how representatives are compensated.

If your goal is to be happy at work and successful, then the good cultural fit is crucial. Get a handle on a particular company’s culture by doing some online research.

 Find purpose

You’re more likely to be happy and engaged at work if you believe you are working toward a worthy goal.

Discovering purpose in your work doesn’t really mean seeking after your calling. It should enable you to accomplish your bigger life and career goals. Even if you’re not passionate about your job, it’s still more important to feel valued, interested and challenged when it comes to working.

No matter what field you work in or who your employer is, try to find purpose in what you do. That can range from saving the world to making people happy with good customer service. No purpose is too small.

Author Bio

David Webster is an Australian essayist and writer currently residing in Illinois, Chicago. He has massive experience in both freelance writing and blogging, enabling him to be the writer of choice for most of his clients. He also currently serves as webmaster and contributor for essay corner.

Here at Positive Words Research, we are looking to share with our readers original content that hasn’t been published on other sites so if you are comfortable with Positive Words Research being your sole publisher, we are more than happy to share with our readers your inspiring and empowering story.

become happy

Happy Endings Slash Big Reveal: Teffanie Thompson White

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Once upon a time, I heard infamous word master, Maya Angelou, speak on how words were things. Hearing this fact from Maya resonated with my entire body and being. I knew at that moment words were my truth. If you have ever attended one of my workshops you know we explore the thingyness of words.

I began to use positive words in my classroom of one hundred percent at risk students. Playing with words didn’t radically or immediately change their current life circumstances. Or did it? I knew that wordplay was changing mine.

Everyone needed to know and be exposed to the power of words. I created my first positive word alphabet book manuscript, A is for Angel, with a ridiculously massive book proposal. To create this proposal, I spent countless hours researching word power — collecting word quotes and sampling word theory. In an age prior to social media or blogs, I stacked and filled shelves and floor space throughout my tiny purple house with word stuffings. Ah, my purple house became a positive words fortress.

With a completed book proposal, I spent the last of my growing (as my belly brimmed with a baby girl) family’s cash to pay to attend and pitch at a writer’s conference three hours away from the purple house. No extra money for a hotel, I stayed the night at my baby cousin’s apartment. Thank you, John- John.

That next day at WRC, I pitched to some of the publishing industry’s illustrious: A. – Donald Maass, B. – Dianne Hess and C. – James Hornfischer to name a few. I presented positive words with passion along side of some bleak statistics from the then current situation of Columbine. Each writer had X amount of minutes to sell their book idea. I’ve pitched many projects since then, and I LOL chuckle at that very first elevator read of 2000. They didn’t immediately dismiss me, but each face stared back at me like I possessed two heads and possibly antennae instead of dreadlocks.
Panelist A pulled me into the circle. He brainstormed about what exactly to do with this information that I had shared. The power of words became tangible to me. I knew that there was no box big enough to contain this wordy magic.
Panelist B asked me, “Where do positive words come from?”

Panelist C questioned if I could teach his child.

Alas, no one offered me a gagillion dollar book deal.

I continued to research words and share them with my children and in my diverse educational communities. Words delighted me. I proceeded with my publishing pursuits, and ultimately completed two writerly programs, Institute of Children’s Literature, and the phenomenal Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program.

It was in the latter of these programs that I completed a picture book manuscript, Bug Talk, which was adapted into a fantastical ballet, by the late Renee Gillenwater for the Newcomb School of Ballet. In the mythical world of Teffanie, positive words originated from the noises of bugs. Panelist B – your question answered.
Months prior to the onstage performance of Bug Talk the writing world changed for me, I discovered blogging. I could share words without the help of an organized institution for free! I wanted to share word love to the masses. Could we create an energy shift with words? On that first blog spot people responded lovingly from around the world. Their joy amazed me.
During my graduation week from Seton, I pitched again. How much I had learned about publishing in eight years. How much I realized that I knew nothing when I pitched those many years ago. Imagine serendipitously I would be pitching my novel, Dirt, forthcoming Spring 2016, to one of the same people on the previous panel, panelist A. Le monde est petit.

This second meeting brought me full circle to my purpose – what would I do with this new found publishing knowledge?
Of course, I would start my own publishing company. After a vision while driving (VWD), and a late night rambling conversation with gorgeous Adrea L. Peters, pictureless books began. Could a single word change your day?
pictureless played with the theory a single word, any word — good or bad could, in fact, change your day. Why not make it a good one?

To date we at pictureless have published several alphabet ebooks all featuring best words. Pages can be screenshot and used as screensavers or sent to lovers.

Tens of thousands of worldwide wordies have viewed the pictureless blog. It shares simple word focus tips that have been found effective in scientific research or from my own life. Something as simple as using a word that you want to manifest in your life experience as your passwords for your online accounts is a wonderful game changer. The blog also chronicles my fabulous fun life.

I CAN Alphabets is one of two books that can be purchased for your at home library, the other a beautiful gift version of the flagship, A is for Angel, designed by Adrea is also available.

What has this girl learned from a few words over the last twenty years?

We should post positive words on as many places as there are flat surfaces. We posted them in my mother’s hospital room minutes before her mastectomy. I’ve seen through my own at home research that just staring at the word love, one’s blood pressure can be lowered. If you repeat an affirmation or word enough times when sweeping floors or any other mundane chore you can become that particular word.  We should always use word magic for good and not evil. The inverse is true as well. The not so positive words have the power to manifest and probably at a quicker rate than their good brothers.

Some of word adages are true, except the sticks and stones one. Chickens come home to roost is my current favorite, or my other fav — if you don’t have anything nice to say, shut the hell up. Yes, I use the hell, word and often curse like a sailor, because I looooove words all of them. I believe we get to attach energy to their existence.

A word list with definitive attributes and characteristics of a potential desired soul mate might just make him or her appear. It did for me, my Farmer Guy.

But wait, what about the big reveal? I’ve saved the biggest, fastest, never shared before this point in time way to capture a positive word into your world just for the team at Positive Words Research #pwr, and global word friend, Elena Calin. Drum roll, please!

If words are things — and things have color — and things have texture and things evoke senses… then it is so delicious to assign particular characteristics to particular words and don them.

Okay, I will slow down. On most days, the color of ‘love’ is usually purple for me. ‘Love’ is shiny.  ‘Love’ is circular because it envelops. I can give any word any characteristics on any day. Then I can wear something reminiscent of my touchable creation of the word.

Right now, my designer ‘love’ wear appeared in the most perfect shade of purple lipstick. Putting it on, is always a production. When I put on the lipstick, I think love, when I see myself in the mirror, I see love. It’s just a regular farmacy tube of lipstick, but when I wear it, my Farmer Guy, swears I’m dressing up for him. In fact, I am. I’m feeling and wearing love. Next month it may be a violet bracelet?? Oh, the possibilities!

It always works. I’ve also attached a smell to the word ‘love’. Earthy and sweet – it turns out that my ‘love’ smells like patchouli. I know a local vendor, blessed indulgence, who keeps my love scent in stock just for me. Every time I inhale I am reminded throughout my days to breathe in love, to exhale love, to give love and to receive love. It is a phenomenal life!

People in passing now recognize patchouli as my love scent. I even sent a jar with my manchild when he first moved away from home.

Recently when I returned to work from travels, one of my students said, “I knew you were back, I could smell you.” That’s love in a bottle.

This thingyness of words works with any word at anytime. Find your words make them wearable and become them. Like Maya said to me so many years ago… Words are things. With words, I am living happily ever after.

Happy Endings Slash Big Reveal is written by Teffanie Thompson

https://www.amazon.com/Teffanie-T.-White/e/B009H8BS48

teffanie [at] gmail.com

https://picturelessbooks.blogspot.com/

@teffanie

Positive words blossomed into tangible gifts in the Houston classroom Teffanie Thompson shared with her students. She is equipped with a master’s in fiction writing from Seton Hill University and decades of playing word games with children as a teacher and a parent. Teffanie paints the world with fabulous words through her writings and pictureless books, one letter at a time.

“Article participating in the first writing contest organized at Positive Words Research. The article with most facebook likes wins. Support Teffanie to win the contest. Share on Facebook!”

Positive Words Research – Happy Endings Slash Big Reveal ~ Teffanie Thompson White

White Teffanie Thompson

Poster: You Become What You Think – Think Happy Thoughts

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This inspiring artwork “You become what you think. Think happy thoughts.” was created by Karen Salmansohn. The poster is also available in actual paper form as a framed artwork.

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You become what you think
Created by Karen Salmansohn