Articles written by Jim Smoot

What is Helium

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

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

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..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Should one's faith influence a citizen's vote?: 21 of 307
Whenever discussions of religious influence on politics in the United States arise, the discussion quickly moves to the issue of Separation of Church and State, and usually as a discussion about how religious beliefs should have no influence on political decisions. The concept of the separation of church and state first came ... 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..
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..
Business > General Management Restaurant Management: Tips for improving wait staff productivity: 1 of 9
One of the best things you can do to improve your wait staffs productivity is to provide them with adequate training. I've worked in many restaurants over the years, and it's surprising the number of places that the training consists of having the new server follow a veteran around for a couple of days. While on the job train... More..