Give yourself a backup!

Late last week, I was working on the computer and then paused to read an email which at the time I thought was safe. I then get a message from the virus scanning program that indicated a potentially unauthorized change to the registry was detected and I was presented with a prompt asking whether or not I wished to allow or block the change. I indicated that I wanted to block the change and right away I got the same message. Again I indicated no and again I received the same message asking me whether to allow or block the change.

At that point I must have inadvertently pressed "yes" and then that is when everything in my computer's world started going downhill. Messages start popping up saying that the computer was infected and that I needed to run virus scan. The results from both the scan and windows defender indicated everything was fine but still I new something was wrong. I then find out that the root of my problem was a worm named "netsky." Research obtained from the Internet listed both manual and automatic options for the removal of the virus. By this point I was receiving prompts saying that the task manager, registry editor and command prompts were all infected and I could not use them. I tried booting the computer on safe mode and running an edit on the registry but still only limited success. One of my main concerns at the time was seeing information that this virus has an SMTP protocol and I was concerned about the compromise of sensitive and personal information. I turned off the computer and decided to take a break and reevaluate my efforts.

The next day I thought I had the problem solved when a friend told me about a program that would remove the pesky virus. Once I downloaded the program and tried to run it, up pops a message saying that it is infected as well! Also, things got to the point with the computer that once I tried to log on in all modes, I would be promptly logged off! Access was not available to any programs! I decided to take the machine to a local computer store where they said I would have to wait a week. Another available resource said I could take it to her house where she would look at it but no time was available for repair.

Being the person that I am and not being able to just sit and wait, I continued to pursue a solution. I eventually resigned myself to thinking that I would not be able to recover any information outside of what was already on the flash drive and decided to reinstall the operating system (Windows XP). During prior reinstallations of the operating system I had actual recovery disks but with my current machine there were none provided. I noticed when I was rebooting that there was a "recovery" option listed so I pressed the F11 key and was given two options. The first was described as a complete recovery but all data and files would be erased. The second was described as a recovery which included a backup of files. Never having seen that before, I chose the recovery with backup option. At first the program seemed to work fine and then it seemed to hang up midway into the procedure. I repeated the backup and the same thing happened. It was clear to me at that point that everything was essentially gone so I decided to restart the computer. After making a few updates and adjustments, the computer was up and running again but basically looked naked with only a few icons on the desktop.

My main concerns were getting a virus scan reinstalled and restoring my email access. Also, I changed passwords on some of my financial accounts and a check of the balances showed no suspicious activity. This virus I had fought off was the nastiest thing I had ever seen! At first I thought it was a bogus infestation that would prompt me to by some spyware program. It turned out to be quite the malicious creature that seemed to feed on executable files. A day after restoring the computer, for some reason I thought about checking the C drive to see if any folders existed that were listed as backup folders. I found some and sure enough it had all my previous files!!! The backup worked! I was so relieved. What a learning experience that was courtesy of the school of hard knocks.

Since then I have placed more files on my flash drive (as well as scanning just about everything!) but I am also considering getting an external hard drive as an additional backup device. Seems like it is time for me to learn more about backups and restorations. Fortunately for me the recovery with backup feature for Windows XP (SP3) worked as needed. One suspicion in the back of my mind had me wondering if I had the updates for virus scan turned off. I am not sure but I will make sure they remain in effect with this new system load. Update! Update! Update! If you are a Windows XP user, I recommend reading up on the system recovery with backup option. Some of the programs I had to reinstall are requiring the reentering of passwords and access keys but for the most part everything is back to normal. This will make starting the new work week a whole lot easier!

Another side event in my life that occurred during this whole episode was that I started examining the need for simplifying my life in general. I almost get a rush whenever I decide to leave the cel phone at home or decide to cook something in the oven instead of the microwave!
My efforts to keep things in perspective and just have faith that this would all work out gave me a sense of relief and joy. No need to get flustered, things will work out fine I told myself. I even offered a prayer of thanks to God for fixing my machine and this was before it was fixed!
Let's hear it for Good Vibrations!

May your journey through cyberspace always be smooth and filled with PEACE!!

Don't give up!

Sometimes we get faced with situations where it seems like the odds are stacked against us and there is no point in continuing to try and get something done. After all, it would be easier to just quit and move on to something else. But what can pay off for you in the long run at times is to just stick with it and try to get the problem solved. If you can't get it figured out by yourself, look for avenues of help that will result in you being on top of things.

Such was the case with me last night when I tried to activate a new theme on my Wordpress blog and I ended up with an error message I had never seen before. It said to the effect that my webhost had to have a certain type of file installed in order to make the theme work. During the later hours of the evening I spent much time trying to manipulate things on the site by the addition and deletion of various files and downloads which proved fruitless. After a brief discussion with Yahoo! technical support, I learned that in addition to not having the required file installed, they had no intentions of installing it due to security issues. At that point I thought my blog would not be able to be recovered.

I resumed my efforts this morning and thought I was making progress with the awesome assistance of Yahoo! technical support but was told that it looked like my user password was not valid. What else could possibly go wrong? I was saddened at the thought of having to start over with a new blog after putting much effort into it. Luckily, I was able to get the password problem fixed and then got back in touch with Yahoo! technical support (awesome group!). The gentleman who I was fortunate to have assist me at the moment was then able to access the blog files and then get things fixed. A sigh of relief for me!

Persistence and patience had definitely paid off. What I was really happy about during the whole time this was going on was my ability to stay calm and collective throughout the whole time. Thanks to some awareness training that I have been participating in, the lessons learned about knowing that we are in charge of our emotions and that we choose how to react to various circumstances really proved beneficial! If you are ever bewildered about how to condition yourself to better deal with difficult circumstance or situations, by all means check out the following website: www.lifepathunlimited.com and check out the information on the "Discovery Series" program.

Hey Mom and Dad, water your kids!!

Last night, my wife was attending a school board meeting (one of her many duties as a school principal) so it was just my son and I in attendance at the house. Being as how I have been getting home by 6 o'clock each evening, I wanted to get started on my daily exercises with a personal development program I am enrolled in and brainstorm about how to attract traffic to my websites. My 18 year old son was in his room doing who knows what and came out for a brief moment to chat and with me as I was working and then went back to his room. I then thought about how much I enjoyed just having a good quality conversation with him however brief. It then dawned upon me that as a senior in high school, he may not be at home too much longer.

I then decided to stop what I was doing and go to his room. After knocking, I went in and we quickly struck up a conversation about stuff in general and it was actually quite sociable. He told me what was on his mind, I listened and then offered my inputs. What really struck me was how stimulating it was for me just to hear what he had to say and I could tell that he appreciated me giving him some of my time. Even when I get the chance to talk with my daughter on the phone (she lives in Washington D.C.) I can tell that she likes having me around to lend an occasional ear and support now and then. With my son, I ended up staying awhile longer, even played some of his video games on the PS3. The time I spent with him made me reflect on how important it is to do things together as a family, in part if not in whole.

Kids who do not get the time of day from their parents often feel resentment and will go elsewhere for attention. Those children who do get the blessings of a wholesome family life will often grow up to be healthier, happier and more optimistic and confident individuals. So just like plants that are tended to, watered frequently, get lots of sunshine and in general good soil to grow in, the fruits to be harvested or the flowers that will bloom so that they may display their beauty are the children that will prosper from the love of their parents as they progress from infancy to adulthood.

Focus on the steps!

I want to tell you about something really cool that I was reading about. For all those who have wondered how to achieve something of desire but were totally zoned in on the result, you should consider this. Instead of being obsessed with the result, devote your energy to listing the steps needed to achieve the goal you wish to accomplish and take it one step at a time. I was reading about this during the weekend, listing things I needed to get done in order to accomplish my desire and already I see results! Truly exciting. Right now I am working on steps to get revenue established with my new business ( please see www.seizetheprize.com) and I am feeling so confident and enthused about how things will turn out.

My studies with the Discovery Series program that is produced by Lifepath Unlimited have really been teaching me some great things and I want to share them with you. More to follow as the days progress! Have a great week everyone and don't forget your daily dose of .................PEACE!

Good vibes for Haiti!

I was about to start this post by mentioning the refreshing walk I took today during my lunch hour but then my mind was drawn to the thoughts of the recovery efforts going on in Haiti right now. The country is devastated, not one soul there is unaffected by what has happened. Suffering is widespread and the population is desperate for even the most basic of necessities. Relief is starting to reach the earthquake but much is still needed to be done. Thank goodness for the humanity and compassion of man that is causing the relief efforts to initiate. I cannot fathom the scope of the suffering that is currently going on as I write this.

Thinking about this makes me all the more grateful for the blessings and abundance in my life. There is so much that we have that we do not acknowledge. For each person in this country who is not satisfied with his or her lot in life, there is a chance of someone in the world who would want to take their place. Even the most simple things that we have are worthy of giving thanks for. So I urge everyone to do what they can, no matter how small the effort, assist in whatever means are possible to send much needed relief to this stricken island nation. Contact your church, the Red Cross, friends or any charitable organization and see if you can do something to help. Donate items of clothing that you may have but no longer want. If you feel there is nothing that you can do, kneel and send your prayers and thoughts to the Haitian people that the help that is en route will put an end to the suffering and misery that they are experiencing. These people have had there lives torn away from them and they need a loving and caring hand to reach out to them. As a verse from a famous song goes, "Put a little love in your heart".

You can take charge of what you think!

Take a few minutes to enjoy the following video and get some insight on how we really can decide how we will look upon the events that happen to us from time to time.



YouTube - Dr. Alex Pattakos: The Meaning of Positive Thinking

Stop right now and give yourself a boost!

I have been trying to make it a daily habit on the way to work and also while I am at home on the weekends to give thanks for all the good things that I have in my life. Also, I like to repeat affirmations now and then to give myself an "upper" as I go through my day. One of my favorites goes as follows:

"Life is so easy, life is so good, all good things come to me!" When I use this affirmation I repeat it over and over. I believe it was in Charles Haamel's book "The Master Key System" where it makes reference to the mind being literal in nature and accepting what it is told. So why not tell yourself some good things? The main point not to forget though is that you have to believe what you are saying and say your words with feeling and emotion!

If you are not sure how to get started doing this, try by going to a mirror, looking at yourself and say "Now that is one awesome individual I am looking at and that person is me!" Put together another phrase that more closely matches your personality or style. We all deserve something good but if you think that things seem to be a little bit lacking, give yourself a boost! You are your best fan. Shazaam!

By the way, always add PEACE to your list!

Happy New Year!

2010 has arrived! I must say that 2009 posed more than its fair of challenges to the people of this country. The recession seemed to be on everyone's minds as well as news of the continuing conflict in Afghanistan. But now that a new year is upon us, I urge everyone to reflect on the events of the previous year and to see how they could make this year a better one. Find out what it is you would like to accomplish this year and take a look and see what changes you would like to make. With good thoughts in motion and action upon a plan that presents itself, the results you seek could be very well within reach!


On a different note, I got to go see my aunt earlier this afternoon. She lives in southern California and was up close to where I live visiting relatives. I took my two kids to go meet her and it was nice that they had the opportunity to visit with a relative they had not seen in quite a few years. We chatted about what things are like now that her husband and my father (who were brothers) have passed away and how to deal with the changes that have since ensued. But we were in agreement that we were relieved that there poor health was no longer an issue and that they are now in a better place. As the saying goes, "Life goes on".

Well for those who were faced with great challenge in 2009, I hope that the new year brings about a sense of renewed hope and possibility.

May you get all that you wish for, especially some extra PEACE!