Articles written by Jim Smoot

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About me - Jim Smoot

I am (among other things) a blogger, freelance writer, and internet marketer from Ohio. I started writing not only as a creative outlet, but also as a way to generate a little extra income.

I'm also working toward owning my own restaurant. With over 30 years

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Religion & Spirituality > Self-Healing The key ingredients for grasping a second chance in life: 13 of 282
"I been down so long, the bottom looked like up." That line from an old Blood, Sweat and Tears song describes the way many people feel. Through bad luck or bad decisions, life just doesn't seem to be working out the way they planned. Yet many of these people manage to turn things around, pick themselves up, and go on to live ... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Education (or lack thereof): America is getting dumber: 3 of 64
There has been a cultural shift in America in recent years. With political correctness guiding our decisions there have been a lot of changes in the way we do things, and not always change for the better. Education is one of those areas.In many areas there has been more focus on how our children feel than there is on how they... More..
Sports & Recreation > Basketball Coaching & Skills How to improve your basketball jump shots: 1 of 14
There's an old saying that says "practice makes perfect". The problem is, if you're practicing the wrong thing, you could end up perfectly wrong.If you watch enough basketball players take jump shots, you realize that every one of them have a different style. However, there are some things that many of them have in common. Th... More..
Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving How to save money on your next car: 1 of 13
Buying a car is a major decision. With the exception of buying a house, there are very few things that you will purchase that come with that high a price tag. Unfortunately, too many people make poor decisions when going through the process. If you're willing to take the time and effort, there are some big savings to be had.F... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration Should Bush's Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resign?: 1 of 12
Non-elected government officials of any administration serve at the pleasure of the president. That means the president can have anyone removed from the administration at any time, for what ever reason he chooses.The big brouhaha surrounding Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is over the firing of a group of U. S. attorneys. O... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Natural Disasters Will another flood wipe out New Orleans?: 2 of 23
Years ago the people of the delta region made some disastrous decisions that are now being felt by the people of Louisiana and Mississippi. In order to control flooding along the Mississippi River, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed levies along the bank of the river. Unfortunately, they didn't understand the importance ... More..
Education > College Study Tips Steps to improving your grades: 3 of 33
The first, and most important step in improving your grades, at any level of education, is to go at it with the right attitude. If you don't believe that it is important, you will not do what it takes to succeed. In my K-12 years, I always struggled with grades. I didn't like school, and my mind was never where it needed to b... More..
Education > Adult Education Returning to college during middle age: 3 of 29
I reached my decision to return to school when I was 30 years old. After years of bouncing around in low paying jobs, I decided it was time to do what it takes to move my career to the next level. It was a difficult decision. By the time I got my degree I would be 34 years old. Then it struck me; in four year I would be 34 ye... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development Ten things I want to teach my child: 2 of 18
There are many lessons we teach our children in life. A lot of them are smaller practical lesson like how to do laundry, or how to fry an egg. While these are useful, there are larger lessons that as a parent it's my responsibility to teach my children to help them become happy, successful adults.1.) Do what you love. Most of... More..
Jobs & Careers > Online Jobs (Other) Assessing the credibility of internet money-making websites: 1 of 9
Much has been written about the "money-making opportunities" on the internet. Despite the numerous claims that easy riches are just a mouse-click away, most of the sites show you the rainbow, but seem to keep the pot of gold hidden for themselves. That's not to say the opportunities don't exist. There are many opportunities t... More..