Creative Christian Mama

God bless all Mothers

Miriam Dunning

Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids

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The best way to bond with your kids when there’s a holiday is to get into craft projects together. Take some colourful pieces of paper, glue, glitter, scissors, and a box of craft embellishments, and you’re ready to create your own versions of these easy holiday crafts for kids.

New-Year Noisemakers

Want to make some noise but don’t want your kids to play with firecrackers? These noisemakers are a fun way to ring in the New Year!

Materials:

  • 2 Styrofoam cups
  • Glue
  • Glitter or metallic paper
  • Paint brush
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Scissors
  • Candies (optional)

Steps:

  1. Decorate your Styrofoam cups using some glue and glitter or metallic paper.
  2. Cut your pipe cleaners in halves, and then twirl each half using your finger. Once they’re all twirled, group them in two, and twist each group together on one end.
  3. Using your scissors, punch a hole on the bottom of each cup, and then stick the twisted end of the pipe cleaners into the hole. Bend the end so they don’t fall out.
  4. Put some candies on one cup and then carefully, without getting glue on the candies, use the paint brush to stick the two cups together.
  5. At midnight, break your noisemaker to welcome the New Year!

Easter Bunny Mask and Tail

Make Easter a little more special by creating Easter Bunny costumes for you and your kids. Here’s how.

Materials:

  • Cardboard
  • Cotton balls
  • Pink construction paper
  • Pink pompom
  • Black pipe cleaners
  • String
  • Pencil
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Safety pin

Steps:

  1. Using a pencil, trace the shape of a bunny’s head (minus the mouth part) and tail onto the cardboard. Cut them out using the scissors, making sure that you also cut holes for the eyes. Leave a small slit on each side of the mask for the string as well.
  2. On the pink construction paper, trace the shape of the bunny’s ears. Make sure that you make it half-an-inch thinner than the cardboard cut-out.
  3. Glue the pink bunny ears on the cardboard and then cover the mask and tail with cotton balls.
  4. Decorate the mask using the pompom as the bunny’s nose and the pipe cleaners as its whiskers.
  5. Using the string for the mask and the pin for the tail, you can now wear your Easter Bunny costume.

Christmas Wreath

What’s a fun and way to decorate your kids’ bedroom doors? Create this Christmas wreath with them!

Materials:

  • Paper plate
  • Tissue paper
  • String
  • Red pompoms
  • Red ribbon
  • Paint (green, red and gold)
  • Plastic container
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Steps:

  1. In a wide plastic container, mix your green paint with some water. Dip your tissue paper into the mixture for a few seconds and then let each sheet dry.
  2. While waiting for the tissue to dry, trace a lit candle on the centre of the paper plate. Cut around it by using your scissors, making sure to leave the candle and the ribbed edge as your frame.
  3. Paint the candle using your red and gold paint.
  4. Once the sheets are dry, crumple them into balls, and stick them to the frame.
  5. Decorate your wreath with the red pompoms and ribbon. Use the string to hang it on the wall.

So, here are a few Christmas crafts to try with your kids. Which one are you making?

What is Gmail Advertising?

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Most people have a Gmail account or have heard of Gmail. It is the free email service that Google has created and many people have started moving to Gmail accounts due to it being easy to use, coming with great features and being free to use. But how can companies and businesses take advantage of Gmail advertising? We will go through it below and briefly learn how it works.

What Are Gmail Ads?

Similar to most ads you see online, Gmail ads are target based ads that appear based on the user’s activity. You may have recognised it previously when it was called Gmail Sponsored Promotions.

Based on what the user is searching, purchasing, etc., Gmail can target certain users to see specific ads. You may see them pop up randomly in your promotions tab on Gmail or they may just come through and look like a standard email.

These types of ads have had a huge success for many companies compared to other forms of advertisement.

Who uses Gmail Ads?

Most businesses use ads to promote their services and/or goods. More and more of them have starting using Gmail ads due to the sheer number of people that use Gmail on a day to day basis. It has been said that there are more than 900 million active users worldwide.

An example could be Insurance companies. They will pay for their ads to be pushed to the inboxes of people searching insurance online. This will likely increase the chance that their ad is seen and a possible sale.

But Why use Gmail Ads?

A lot of studies have been taken on Gmail ads, either by individuals who are intrigued or businesses who want to try it. From the studies, we have seen, Gmail ads work and are bringing a lot of business to companies using them.

The company can select a target audience, a keyword, a specific search, and that will trigger the ad to be displayed. Most of the time, the ad will be clicked, and in some cases, the user will read the ad and go ahead with what is being advertised.

Looking back on the 900 million active users worldwide, you can probably see why it has become a popular way to advertise.

Getting Your Ads Seen

If you are reading this and thinking Gmail ads could be a great addition to your company, then give it a go.

If you use other online ads, it is very similar. You start by naming you campaign and setting the budget. It will ask locations/languages you want to target and avoid as well as other targeting details. You will also be able to set up automatic bidding, meaning you are essentially outbidding a competitor. If you win, your ad gets shown; if not, move onto the next target.

Gmail ads slowly become a very popular way to advertise. Many smaller businesses are boosting their online sales income as well as the larger businesses. It just requires some strategy when setting it up.

4 Benefits of Upgrading the Tech in Your Home

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Smart appliances and apps that help turn your house into an efficient smart home seem to come out every day. With all the new technology available for your home, it can be challenging to know which upgrades will be a good investment. To make an informed decision, consider the benefits of upgrading the tech in your home.

Save Time

Ever wonder if you need eggs or milk while you’re in the grocery store? It would be a waste of time to find out after you get home and have to make a return trip to the supermarket. Smart refrigerators use apps to let you see items on the shelves right from your smartphone. Samsung’s Family HubTM series refrigerators also include touchscreens to display shopping lists and your family’s schedules. Plus, Smart Hub refrigerators can send alerts to your phone if the door is left open or the temperature changes.

Searching for lost keys is another time waster. What if you didn’t need keys at all to unlock the front door? Kwikset’s Kevo locks with the Touch-to-OpenTM feature make it possible to ditch your keys. Carry your smartphone, or a fob like you have for your car, and just touch the lock to get inside your home.

Conserve Water

Image via Flickr by code of the new

Dishwashers offer convenience, but can also use a lot of water. The latest smart dishwashers use less water than older models, and can even recycle water from the previous wash. Set your dishwaters on auto, known as the eco or smart wash cycle on some models. Intelligent cycles sense how dirty your dishes are and how long to wash the dishes. The dishwasher can use less water using a smart setting.

Washing machines can also be water hogs. The latest high-efficiency washers save water and include smart features. When your connected washing machine sends an alert to your smartphone, you’ll never leave wet clothes in the washer again. Don’t worry about running your machine while you’re out of the house, either. Monitor the entire cycle with your smartphone. Smart washing machines can also send messages to a phone when it’s time for maintenance.

Feel Safe and Secure

Video doorbells boost security whether you’re at home or away. Smart doorbells use video cameras that you can monitor with your phone. You’ll get an alert if someone rings the bell, or if a motion sensor picks up movement near your door. At home, you can see who is on your doorstep before you open the door. When you’re away, make it seem as if you’re home by talking through the smart doorbell’s two-way speaker through your phone. You’ll deter burglars trying to break into your house and stop porch pirates who steal packages.

All smart appliances connect to your home Wi-Fi and communicate with smartphone apps. Upgrade your mobile phone to make sure you can take advantage of the latest tech. T-Mobile has a selection of reliable smartphones to pair with these new gadgets, such as the iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Choose a phone with enough memory to run multiple apps. You’ll need to stay connected to the internet to use your smart home apps. T-Mobile phones include plans with nationwide 4G LTE coverage so you can easily run and monitor your smart appliances while you’re away.

Clean with Less Effort

Image via Flickr by TAKA@P.P.R.S

Cleaning floors can be less of a chore with smart appliances. Robotic vacuums have been around for years. Now, the latest Roomba iRobot® vacuums offer connectivity through smartphone apps. With the app, you can schedule a cleaning, get push notifications when your robot finishes cleaning, and get maps of where the Roomba vacuumed.

For sticky messes on your hardwood and tile floors, put a mopping robot to work. Mopping robots can be controlled through apps also. Many apps are compatible with voice controllers such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home.

Which smart appliances are right for your home? Weigh the benefits of upgrading the tech in your home to decide which ones will save you the most time and money.

Amazing Unisex Baby Gifts To Get Expecting Parents

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Knowing good gender-neutral baby gifts is a must these days. Some parents want the sex to be left as a surprise and others, despite knowing upfront, may not want the stereotypical gifts for genders.

Nowadays, you can get practical gifts and baby hampers that hit the gender-neutral mark nicely.  In fact, there is so much stuff out there that it can be confusing to know what to get the expecting parents or what suits a girl or a boy.

This is why going down the gender-neutral route is a win-win. You can choose from an array of neutral accessories, décor, clothing and other items for the little one’s arrival. Here are some ideas to get you started…

If you are buying gender neutral clothing, here are some awesome brands to look out for no matter what budget you have:

  • Tobias & The Bear– specialise in comfy, unisex printed leggings. Delicate on the skin and coming in a funky range of designs for kids up to 6 years old.
  • Turtledove London– is a unisex organic cotton company that caters for babies and toddlers. You’ll see simplistic, timeless designs coming with a good price tag.
  • My K in Mothercare– Affordable and everyday collections for new-born’s to kids 8 years old.
  • Tootsa– You’ll find bright, colour, practical clothes with this range of gender-neutral clothes. Perfect for parents who love something a little bit different. 

Other unisex baby gifts that will go down a treat:

> Personalised Brush and comb set – Give the baby the pleasure of being pampered with a fancy brush and comb set.

> Swaddling Cloths – These are fairly easy to pick up in unisex designs and come with super soft designs that feel smooth on the skin.

> Treasure set – Give the gift of a beautiful treasure chest which can be personalised to store priceless memories of the cherished one in.

> Luxury neutral nappy cake – Practical for absolutely anyone, this version adds a nice touch of luxuriousness to treat both parents and baby.

>A bath time wooden gift box – This is perfect as it will have baby-friendly toiletries to help cleanse and nourish the skin gently.

>Baby briefcase organiser – This is a great one for the parents as it can be super helpful. The briefcase allows mums and dads to store important papers or documents all in one cute, personalised compartment.

These are just a few ideas to get your brain ticking. Gender neutral baby gifts are so easy to find these days and are a brilliant option for any expecting parent. Gone are the days where little girls have to wear pink and everything boys get has to be blue. Shop gender neutral and you will have so many more options plus give the parents and baby a refreshing gift.

A Guide to Avoiding Safety Deposit Box Mishaps

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For the modern urban dweller, a safety deposit box is probably the safest place to keep valuable items, especially essential documents, such as land title deeds, insurance policies and, of course, birth certificates. The system works by two separate locks that need different keys, one which is held by the client and one that the security company holds, and the box can only be opened with both keys simultaneously, thus ensuring that the box can never be opened unless the customer is present.

A Unique Key

There is a strict protocol that must be followed, and the customer key that comes with the security box is indeed the only one is existence, and furthermore, the key cannot be copied, and should the customer lose their key, the only way to get to the contents is to have the lock drilled out, which, of course, must be paid by for the key holder. The key must be kept in a very safe place, and you need to remember where that is. If you are looking for safe storage, Australasian Vaulting Industries has a highly secured safe deposit box in Sydney, and with locations in the suburbs, you won’t have far to go.

The Right Contents

There are certain things that cannot be kept in a safety deposit box, and the security company would certainly give you a list of materials or items that cannot be stored. Ideally, you would store any insurance policies, land title deeds and other important documents, and maybe your passport, if you don’t travel often. Your Last Will & Testament belongs in your safe deposit box, and all of these documents can be photocopied, and then you can leave the originals in the safest place of all, your deposit box. Read several references for more details about what type of items are suitable for a safety deposit box, which might make things clearer.

Power of Attorney

Whatever is in your safety deposit box, it will not be able to be accessed if you were to suddenly pass away, and for this reason, you should give a trusted family member power of attorney, just in case. Valuable company contracts and lease agreements might be stored, and if anything were to happen to you, it could cause many difficulties.

Suitable Location

When you do need to visit your valuables, you shouldn’t have to drive half the day, so try to find an established security company that have premises within a reasonable distance. If you live in a city suburb, the chances are there will be one nearby, and a Google search would be the best way to locate the right provider.

Under Insured

When making enquiries with the security company, ask how much the deposit box is insured for, as the value of your items might well exceed the limit. Typically, a safety deposit box would be automatically insured for $10,000, and there would be policies available for much higher amounts, and while their premises would have state of the art security, you really can’t afford to take any chances.

The security company would be well-versed in their industry, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have, and provided you are careful, your valuable possessions will be in very safe hands.

Factors to Consider When Thinking About Debt Consolidation

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If you are one of the many people who have managed to get into a position where you are unable to make multiple payments, all is not lost. In these times of rising prices and increased needs, it is oh so easy to borrow more than you can afford, and once this happens, there seems little one can do but struggle on. For some people, the answer is to simply ignore the final demand letters and not answer the phone calls, but in all honesty, the problem will not go away, and there one method that can address the issue, and that is debt consolidation.

Debt Consolidation

This has helped thousands of people deal with multiple debts, and it works by merging all a person’s debts into one single monthly payment. There is no “one size fits all” solution, and debt consolidation isn’t the magic answer for everyone, as you must have adequate income to meet the payment, but if you are employed and after calculating everything, can afford a consolidation loan, it could be the best solution. There are online providers who offer loans for debt consolidation, and a simple Google search will bring up a list of possible companies who specialise in helping people with multiple debts.

Suitability

Debt consolidation is not an automatic solution to a multiple debt problem, and if you contact a debt specialist, they would be able to assess your situation and help you to decide what is best. It really boils down to whether or not you are able to make a single monthly payment that might be higher than the total of the multiple payments you are currently making. If, for example, a person has 5 separate debts, and the total they have to repay per month is $600, with debt consolidation, there might be a single monthly payment of $700. Although your total outgoings are more, that one payment might enable you to manage things better, and with some expert advice, you will be in a position to make an informed decision. If you would like some further reading on how to manage debt, there is a useful article online that examines possible solutions. 

Credit History

If you have multiple debts and also have a bad credit history, that doesn’t mean you cannot qualify for a debt consolidation loan. Some online finance companies actually accept those with a less than perfect credit score, and the rate of interest charged would be based upon the applicant’s credit history. There is absolutely nothing to lose by enquiring, and it might be the answer to your problems, although debt consolidation is not suitable for everyone. 

Professional Advice and Guidance

When a person in debt tries to analyse their circumstances, they often find it difficult to see things clearly, yet by enlisting the help of a debt consolidation expert, you might be surprised to learn that there is a way to address the problem. A problem shared is a problem halved and many people have found the ideal solution after discussing their financial situation with an expert, who is able to analyse your situation clearly.

Whatever your financial circumstances, it might be possible to merge all your debts into one single loan, and providing you have a regular income, debt consolidation might just be what you need.

The Subtle Differences Between Blinds and Shades

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Many homeowners around the globe are confused when thinking of blinds and shades, and it is understandable that most people think the two terms mean the same thing, when in actual fact, there are subtle differences. For those who are not yet clear on this, here is a definitive explanation that will enlighten you as to the differences between blinds and shades.

Blinds

For a screening unit to be classified as a blind, it would have either vertical or horizontal slats, which allow for fine control over lighting. The range of materials that can be used in extensive, and includes the following:

  • Timber
  • Aluminium
  • Fabric
  • Composites

Styles are also varied, and the mechanism used to raise or lower the blinds have also changed over the years. Initially, they would operate using a series of pulleys and a rope, yet these can present a risk of strangulation for children and pets. Modern units can be cordless, and some larger units can also be motorised, for easy adjustment. If, for example, you are looking for excellent quality vertical blinds in the UK, there are online suppliers of made to measure units that are guaranteed to please. Blinds are much preferred over traditional screening, such as curtains, as one has a much finer control over light and seclusion by adjusting the angle of the slats. Many people prefer vertical blinds, as they do not gather as much dust and are generally easier to keep clean, and with composite materials, a wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes to keep the blinds looking like new.

Shades

Shades are termed as “soft window coverings” and are typically made of fabric. The shades can be raised or lowered, as with a blind, yet there are no slats, rather the fabric (or other material) is a single piece. There are many styles of shades, some that pleat and fold as they are raised, while the majority are roller operated, for easy adjustment. Shades offer the homeowner an effective way to block out all sunlight, and the range of materials used allow for matching with the existing décor. Although there are no slats, the shade can be adjusted by raising or lowering and with modern versions, you can stop the shade at any point, which gives you a certain degree of adjustment, but if you really want the perfect system for light control, blinds are the way to go.

If fine control over lighting is not essential, shades offer the ideal screening solution, and with either a single colour or pattern, one can select something that matches the décor of the room. Blinds, on the other hand, do give you more choices with respect to how much light you block out, and with a choice of either horizontal or vertical slats, blinds are considered very effective for domestic screening. There are online suppliers of both shades and blinds, and the perfect way to order is made to measure units, which are certain to fit perfectly.

Most online suppliers have a guide to precise measuring, and if you follow the instructions to the letter, you are sure to have the perfect size. For customized blinds that are sure to fit and can be installed for you, contact The Blinds Source, a window treatment installer.

First-Time Gold Investor? Consider These 5 Factors

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When world economies fail, gold continues to prosper. Gold bullion coins sell in the millions every week, alluring investors to purchase gold. If you’re a first-time gold buyer, we’ve put together a couple of handy tips to consider before you make that investment.


  1. North American Coins Are a Good Choice

The American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leafe gold coins are very easy to both buy and also to sell. But, the American Eagle’s gold content along with its purity has been guaranteed by the U.S. Mint and these coins may even be put into retirement accounts.

What’s more, the more widely used gold coins are far easier sell than, for example, the Austrian Vienna Philharmonic coins or the South African Krugerrand.

In comparison, gold bars are costly, typically trading in 10-ounce amounts, but they can be difficult to sell and expensive to ship around.

If you choose to invest in gold coins, firstly, make sure that you purchase from reputable gold buyers in Adelaide, and secondly, store them in a home safe or safety deposit box. Physical possession is usually best if you want to avoid dealer scams.


  1. Compare Prices

Typically, a Mint will not sell coins directly, but reputable dealers will. If it’s your first time buying gold, be sure to compare prices among dealers. This is pretty easy to do since coins sell at a premium above gold’s sport price. Turn to the internet to find the spot price. The best thing to do is aim for the lowest possible price and try to avoid buying gold on sites like eBay where you risk getting pulled into an unnecessary and costly bidding war.


  1. Invest in 1-Ounce Coins

Typically, gold coins are issued in four main denominations, mainly, 1-ounce, half an ounce, a quarter of an ounce, and a tenth of an ounce. Keep in mind that the fractional coins usually carry higher premiums above the spot prices compared to the one-ounce varieties, which is why it’s better to invest in 1-ounce gold coins.


  1. Stay Away from Rare Coins

Rarer coins usually require a lot more expertise and diligence when investing in them. Consider this: two coins may look identical, but have totally different grades. It’s differences like these that can add up in the region of thousands of dollars. It’s a good hire to use a professional grading certificate and get certificates of authenticity when you do buy rare coins. This is usually somewhat of a hassle for investors, though. The professional grading services, however, will judge the physical condition of the coin and assign it a grade – it’s like investing in a piece of art.


  1. Buyback Policies

If you want to invest in gold coins, make sure you find out what a dealer usually charges to sell them. All dealers are different, and not all of them will charge a premium. Simply call out and find out their policy.

It’s worth remembering that there are plenty of scam artists out there, and if you come across a dealer offering delayed delivery or free storage, this should send up big red flags. Also, avoid buying from telemarketers as they usually charge a lot higher commissions.

Now that you have these tips, we hope you enjoy investing in gold!

Botox Injections in San Jose and Other Ways to Look Younger, Faster

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Father Time is relentless and it can have a huge effect on the way in which we look, especially when our comes to our skin. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, wrinkles will appear and we begin to look older, often older than we actually are. Despite the advancement of science and technology and the desire by many to find the fountain of youth serum, we are still unable to reverse the effects of the raging process. With this being said, there are still many things which we can do to help ourselves look younger, and whilst they may not all be permanent, they can really help to give you the confidence and the young look that you may be after. Let’s have a look at some of the ways.

Botox

I went for some Botox injections in San Jose last year ahead of a wedding and I was incredible happy with the results. Botox is a serum which is injected into the skin, it fills out areas where there are wrinkles and it also encourages the skin to produce more collagen the chemical which our skin needs for repair and cell growth. The only downside with Botox is that you need to have it re-done once every six months or so, and I didn’t really want to make that kind of commitment. Instead, I like to use Botox every now and again, to give me a much-needed boost.

Stop Ageing

Naturally you cannot actually stop ageing but you can take some steps on your own to slow down how fast your face and your skin ages. If you smoke, drink excessively, fail to stay sufficiently hydrated or don’t eat a healthy diet, you will not be doing much to help the health of your skin. Make sure that you always place attention on what you are putting in to your body, that could negatively affect your skin and how you look.

Microdermabrasion

This is a treatment which I’d really recommend for anyone who is looking to give the health of their skin a much needed boost. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical procedure which deeply exfoliates your skin using small crystals, and helps to remove the top layer of dead and damaged skin. The crystals or diamond-tip of the tool which is used for this treatment, will also buff and polish the skin to give a great finish. The result of this treatment is fresh, clean and young looking skin and not only does it look great, but the cleaner and fresher skin is actually far more healthy for you. Make sure that you have a chat with your dermatologist before you decide to go for a microdermabrasion treatment as it is not always for everyone. I would recommend getting this treatment done twice a year to ensure that your skin is always looking its very best.

Innovation Labs and Other Great Ideas To Help Your Company Innovate

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Innovation is one of themes important aspects to businesses and the general rule within a great many industries is ‘innovate or die’. This ethos is not just exclusive to small businesses but it may prove to be more important that small businesses continue to innovate, compared with the bigger companies. In the last few years alone we have seen some heavyweight companies go under thanks to their failure to innovate, companies like Blockbusters, Woolworths and more recently, Toys R US. If these occupancies are not immune to the dangers which a lack of innovation brings, neither is your small business. With this in mind then, let’s take a look at some of the ways that your business can push for more innovation.

Innovation Lab

An innovation lab is a great way for you to cut down theme which idea development takes, and encourage your team to be more innovative in their approach. It could be easy for you to get your team together in a room and try to encourage them to be innovative but if you use the same space for this as you use for meetings and collaborative work, you could actually be inhibiting creativity. In light of this then, an innovate lab is the perfect solution, a neutral space where you an your team can meet to find new and exciting ways in which you can do business.

Innovation Management Software

Another great option which you could look at in order to push for more innovation amongst your team, is to use innovation management software. This type of software allows your team to all work individually on their ideas and share it with the entire company in a  split second. As a manager or owner, this means that you can have access to see these ideas grow and watch as more people throw in additional and supporting information. The software allows ideas to be taken from a  concept right the way through to fruition without the need for endless meetings, emails and conversions. Ideas can be quickly decided upon as to whether they are good enough and you can also attach a great amount of supporting information to the ideas process.

Risk

The thing that most drives innovation within a business is the company’s willingness to take a risk when necessary. In simple terms this means that if your company is prepared to give an idea a go, it means that even if it fails, you will be creating an environment where the staff and the leaders within the business, will be thinking in a more innovative way, safe in the knowledge that the business is prepared to give it a go if the idea is good enough. Creating this kind of environment is perfect in terms of getting your team in the right frame of mind, and ensuring that you are doing all that you can to take the innovation which you have in the business, and using it to find success.