Tuesday, December 29, 2015

10 Years in Business - How Will You Leave A Mark on This World - What Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

10 Years in Business...
 
 
How Will You Leave 
A Mark On This World?
What Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

Dec. 15, 2015

by CathyHarrisSpeaks.com,  Syndicated Columnist

 
This year I was so busy that I did not even take time out to celebrate being in business for 10 years or my 10 year anniversary with my company -- so I will do it with this e-newsletter.  
There is nothing like having your own empowerment company and writing a series of 'easy-to-read' books for your waiting audience.

If I had to walk away from this world tomorrow, then I would have left my mark on it - my legacy - which was simply to empower others and I chose to do that through my writings.

I was a good student in school and excelled in English and this is why I am a writer today.   

When I was in the seventh grade, schools in the South were desegregated. 





In my senior class, there were 87 students and only 12 of us were African Americans so you can see the dynamics and makeup of my school coming up.
 
At one point in school, when I was in the 11th grade, I was the 1st runner up for homecoming queen.  I knew deep in my heart I actually won this honor, but I grew up in a time where they could not award this honor to me.

I always tried to be kind and treat others fair because like Maya Angelou said "people won't remember what you said to them but they will remember how you made them feel."

I knew from the time I left home at the ripe age of 17, after finishing high school, that I had a great love for people.  

Even after being labeled the family's black sheepand growing up in a big family with 8 siblings, I enjoyed being around people but now as a writer, I also love my solitude.   

I knew my journey would not be an easy one but at the same time, I knew it would be a rewarding one.  By the time I thought about retirement in 2005, I had already released my first book in 2001

I already knew I wanted to start my own publishing company, which eventually became an empowerment company.  

When I initially started the company, 10 years ago, I wanted to create a line of 'easy-to-read' books but back then technology made it harder.

As technology became much easier over the years, I was able to make this dream come true and now I have released 22 'easy-to-read' non-fiction books. 

What you need to remember is that dreams are not born out of laziness or procrastination but yet dreams are given to those who work hard and keep their eyes on the prize.  

In this e-newsletter, I present to you my real life's work - my own line of 'easy-to-read' empowerment books for the entire family.  Enjoy!!! 

The #1 Books You Should Read at AngelsPress.com
 
Read the 3-Part 
Empowerment Book Series
of the 
How To Take Control 
of Your Own Life 
Book Series
Series 1, Series 2, Series 3
  

All Cathy Harris books can be read by 

12 year olds and above.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Fighting Back 101: Learn Everything You Can About How the Criminal Justice System Works

Fighting Back 101

Power To The People
The Great Dictator Final Speech
Charlie Chaplin's
The Great Dictator
Final Speech - 1940

 
 

FIGHTING BACK 101: 
Learn Everything You Can About How the Criminal Justice System Works

Dec. 8, 2015

by CathyHarrisSpeaks.com, Syndicated Columnist

This article started out as a small post but the way that I have healed myself in the past over issues in my life was to write about it. Writing is very therapeutic and that's why I have written 22 books.

It is very disheartening to see what is happening to families in this country. Police abuse and killings in this country have reached an epidemic proportion.

Let's get real -- instead of "Fighting Back 101," the name of this article should have been "Saving Your Life 101" because when you encounter a Police Officer, your number one goal should be to come out of the situation ALIVE.

Police Officers don't have the right to search your vehicle without a "warrant" or "probable cause" -- but are you going to tell them that they cannot search your vehicle when you are out there on a dark road alone? NO... If they violated your rights, the only thing you can do is to fight back later on.

If they found any type of illegal contraband through an illegal search, you can have it thrown out later on but you need to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS when stopped by the police -- in your car, on the streets, and in your home.

The reason I am very familiar with police officers is that during my 27 years with the federal government, U.S. Customs Service (now called Customs and Border Protection), including 3 and half years working with the Military Police, as an Administrative Specialist, I witnessed first hand the aggression used by former police officers and Military police.


Over 30% of my co-workers, while working for the U.S. Customs Service, were former police officers and another large percentage were veterans, especially former Military Police.  

I use to sit back and watch or observe them, while listening to their stories of past acts of aggression, when they were police officers.  

Their daily conversations were all about bragging about their past experiences as police officers and how they illegally pulled their weapons on a daily basic to threaten or intimidate the public.

The reason a lot of police officers gravitated toward federal service law enforcement work with agencies like mine, U.S. Customs Service, is that these federal agencies paid very good salaries and of course the jobs weren't as dangerous as police work.  

Many police officers only make $30,000 to $40,000 a year (if that) and on my job, within two years, you could make that just in overtime pay.   

And now because of their raises received over the past year or two, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, within 2 years, could bring home over $100,000 annually. 

It's the starting pay for Customs (or ICE) Criminal Investigators and Special Agents.  For supervisors and managers, it's $140,000 - $200,000 (or more).  Some make more than Congressmen. 

When I lived in Atlanta before becoming a business owner, I sat on the Criminal Justice Committee with a local progressive advocacy group.  

While sitting on that committee, we had members of the community come in and tell us their stories of mistreatment by local police.

The stories were not only horrific but these acts of aggression by the police cannot go unchecked.  

Social media has leveled the playing field for everyone in this country to have a fighting chance of surviving their ordeals and receiving justice.  

It has changed the game on police abuse and police killings in this country.  We know that these killings have been happening forever but social media has been able to educate everyone on just how bad it is. 

In November and December 2015, I was kicked out of the facebook.com groups TWICE-- probably for posting police killings.  

You know that the CIA, FBI and other governmental agencies monitor facebook.com and other social media websites and have even falsely arrested many, many people.

So as a former U.S. Customs Service Whistleblower, "The Cathy Harris Story," I am sure they have me down somewhere as an "agitator" - a person who stirs up others in order to upset the status quo and further a political, social, or other cause.  

We all should be agitators!!!  Until Racial Profiling laws are put on the books in this country and police officers start going to jail for their crimes, African Americans and other families will continue to be abused and die at the hands of police officers.  

I see all the police killings because I am on all the below independent news media outlets, which everyone should join ASAP.  

I don't watch TV and I certainly don't watch news on TV.  As an Empowerment Speaker, I spend most of my time in a research mode, researching info to pass on to my clients and customers in my empowerment company, AngelsPress.com.  

Did you know that most people think CNN is the main media outlet in this country and if a story does not appear on CNN -- then it is really not happening?  

I can't tell you how many people have told me that they keep their TV on CNN all day.  They really must lead a sheltered life.

My advice to everyone is to keep recording these stories and send them to the independent media groups listed below.

Also join some of these groups on facebook that is posting these police killings -- so that you can receive the real news about what is happening in this country.  

I have 3 facebook.com timelines and on my main timeline, the members are in denial about what is happening in this country because they no longer open up these stories of police abuse or killings.  

So why am I taking time out of my busy schedule as a business owner, when people don't really want to know the truth?  So I need to rethink my actions in regards to posting police abuse and killings, especially on facebook.com.

I know the stories are heartbreaking and gut-wrenching but if you don't really know what is happening in this country, how are you going to protect your family and others that you truly care about?

What if it happens to your family members? Will you know how to fight back and receive justice?  Do you know how many black mothers have stood over caskets of their teens and young adult sons because they were shot in the back by police officers?  

Do you know that many parents don't even bother to tell their kids to be respectful to the police?  Next to teaching your kids how to read, write and drive, you need to teach them to be respectful to the police.  

How many more Youtube.com videos do we need to witness the victims being disrespectful to the police because parents have not told their kids that when they encounter the police, they have the right to remain silent and should do so?  

I realized a long time ago that you can take the horse to the water, but you can't make him drink it.  Fighting back on any issue is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life.  

But still it's best to have the right knowledge to take the right type of action -- when you or the ones you love come FACE TO FACE with the police. 

I also realize some people no matter how much information you put in front of them, will never take action in their lives because they are simply just drifting through life!  

The goal is not to allow your voice to be silent and form your own news network because all of us -- whether we are columnists, freelancers or bloggers -- WE ARE THE NEWS!!!  

I have formed my own "News Updates Blog" at "Cathy Harris News Updates" http://www.cathyharris-newsupdates.blogspot.com/  (subscribe today) -- where I will be posting timely and relevant news.  

For those of you who have not chosen to bury your head in the sand -- KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!  Life Happens!!!
 
My book  
"Police Interactions: How To Interact With the Police in Your Car, On The Streets, In Your Home"
 (available as an e-bookpaperback and 
  audiobook(which can be read by 12 year olds and above) has laid out a COMPLETE ACTION PLAN for everyone seeking to learn what  SAFE STEPS you should take when you encounter a police officer -- in your car, on the streets and in your home and how to gain justice in the criminal justice system.  

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TODAY!!!
Cathy Harris, Speaker, Author, Coach
Angels Press, CEO, President, Publisher
National Non-GMO Health Movement
P.O. Box 19282
Austin, TX 78760
(512) 909-7365
www.CathyHarrisSpeaks.com (Seminars, Workshops, Webinars, Coaching)
www.AngelsPress.com (Empowerment & Publishing Company)
www.DearCathy.com (Advice Columnist)
www.TheCathyHarrisStory.com (The Cathy Harris Story)
Email: cathyharrisspeaks@gmail.com



Wednesday, December 16, 2015

New Book Release - How To Raise Smart, Talented and Responsible Children: Dream Big Dreams

NEW BOOK RELEASE 
FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
How To Raise Smart, Talented and Responsible Children: Dream Big Dreams
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
as 
E-book and Paperback

Whether you have an infant, toddler, pre-teen, teenager, or young adult...
This book is highly recommended for all Mothers and Fathers

BOOK #22
Book can be read by 
12 year olds and above
Now Available  as 
E-book & Paperback
Coming Soon As Audiobook
   
How To Raise Smart, Talented and Responsible Children: Dream Big Dreams

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Family Is Not Always About Blood
Chapter 2: Stop Making Excuses As a Single Mom
Chapter 3: Give Your Children Love and Teach Them Discipline at Home
Chapter 4: Teach Your Children to Read and Write
Chapter 5:  By Age 10 Your Children's Talents Will Come Shining Through
Chapter 6: What is the Purpose of Schools?
Chapter 7: Set Up Legal Defense Funds To Help Your Children With the Police
Chapter 8:  Prepare Your Children for College Early On
Chapter 9: What Parents Need to Know About Workplaces Today
Chapter 10: Let's Redefine the Game of Business Ownership
Chapter 11: Top Business Myths and Mistakes
Chapter 12: Top 12 Questions To Ask Before Joining Any Business Groups

Dedication
 
I will call this book my little big book. It is filled with tons of information to help any average aspiring Mother, Father or youth take a hold of their own lives.
 
It is dedicated to my two lovely daughters who were the true teachers in my own life. Both of you have made me very, very proud. Keep up the good work - ladies.

Preface - A Note to the Reader

Even though my childhood could be described as underprivileged, I always felt rich because of the upbringing and values instilled in me as a child.

I have had many obstacles in my life but being a mother has never been one of them. I knew from a very early age that I did want to have kids one day so from a very early age, I mentally prepared myself to be in a position to raise smart, talented and responsible children.

I did this simply by just paying attention to what was happening around me. After high school and after joining the U.S. Military, I meet and fell in love with another soldier and we were married. 

But our union only lasted 7 years, however, out of our union, we had 2 lovely, adorable and incredible daughters. By the time I met my husband, I knew what I had to do.

First of all I had to put my health first because I realized early on, that a mother's health, whether it's good or bad, can be passed on to her newborn so I have always engaged in a good regular health routine -- in order to give my children the best chance they had of being born healthy.

You should always put your kids first because they are the movie stars in your lives and it's your job to nurture them so that they can grow up into responsible human beings. 

As heads of the household and primary caregivers, it's up to many parents today, especially single mothers, to guide and mold their children into successful members of society.

I think I did a brilliant job of that. Both my daughters received Master's Degrees and they also became business owners in their early 20s. 

I had to work through many difficulties and issues in my life but I count my blessings every day to see my family, my two daughters, bloom into the type of ethical and strong women that I could be proud of. 

I taught my daughters to show gratitude and count their blessings - while they celebrate even the small victories in their lives.

EXCERPT:
Chapter 5: By Age 10 Your Children's Talents Will Come Shining Through
By the time a child reaches 10 years of age, their talents will be shining through. I saw at least 8 different skills and talents in my daughters as they grew up.

However, the things that they were most interested in, is the direction I pushed them into. So from a very early age, I helped my daughters design a life that they could truly love.

My oldest never made below a 95 in science so I knew from the very beginning, that she would end up in the medical field so today she is an occupational therapist.

She was an extrovert and very outgoing, which meant she needed friends around her so she became a cheerleader for 10 years.

My youngest was an introvert and did better by herself. Like me, she had a handful of friends and became a bookworm, which meant studies were very important to her.

Once I bought her a computer at 10 years of age, she would disappear in her room writing for hours and eventually won several writing awards for her poems and short stories. So today she is a Creative Writer and English Instructor/Professor.

Whatever area your children are excelling in, you need to push them into that direction so they can grow up in those careers and be happy.

Both of my daughters, unlike the 80% of undergraduates and graduates today, are still working in their fields.

Because I worked with my daughters early on to really figure out which direction they needed to go in, they both ended up picking the right careers.

Today half of all college students are still relying on their parents for support 2 years after graduating college.

By the time children turn 17 or 18 years old, and is preparing to leave home, if you have not instilled a certain value system and principle in them, then it's already too late.

By the time my daughters turned 18, they were handling many situations on their own. Over the years, when my daughters needed to figure things out, I would tell them to do a PROS and CONS list -- and if they had more pros than cons, then maybe they should do what they were thinking about doing.

So I taught my daughters from very early on how to think logically and figure things out on their own.

Now Available As E-book:

Now Available As Paperback:

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Cathy Harris, A Voice for the People, Suspended from Facebook.com on Nov. 4, 2015

Nov. 10, 2015

Cathy Harris and Her Selfie Stick
As a business owner you have to separate the activism from your 'business campaigns' because most activists and advocates do things for FREE, while business ownership is about setting up venues to become 'self-sufficient' or to be paid.

As much as I try to remain a business woman, a lot of my activism days keep coming out of me, especially when I visit some of the social media sites like facebook.com, and view some of the horrific stories in this country, where justice need to be served.  

After all I ran my own newswire service for 15 years, NationalBlackAgendaOnline.com, before I started my empowerment company, AngelsPress.com, where I forwarded messages around the globe that affected my fellow man.

My ultimate goal as both an activist/advocate and business owner, is to spread powerful and positive messages to those that really need it and I think I do a pretty good job of that with my empowerment company.

We've all heard the stories about how facebook.com is suspending accounts, especially for voices of consciousness.

On Nov. 4, 2015, I was contacted by facebook.com and told that I was suspended.  One day earlier I had formed another group on facebook.com, "Natural Hair and Health," to spread business news and highlight causes in this country -- along with my other facebook.com groups "EEOC SecretsNational Non-GMO Health MovementOprah Life Class Empowerment Discussion and I Support Youth Entrepreneurs." 

Facebook.com said the suspension was until Nov. 16, 2015, (13 days).  Last time I was kicked off facebook.com, about a year ago, was for almost 4 weeks but who is counting...right?

I am not going to sit around and beg facebook to let me get back on their site.  This has been a great opportunity for me to work on my other social media sites and projects so -- THANKS FACEBOOK.COM for kicking me off!!!  

Why was I kicked off facebook.com on Nov. 4, 2015 in the first place?  I believe it was for one of the below reasons:
  • One month earlier I launched a "Campaign To Take Back America," along with "Virtual Training Centers for Women," which consisted of everyone taking back their own lives.  The goal for many leaders today is to keep "dumbing down" this country so eventually they will probably go after anyone that is speaking the truth - while educating, informing and empowering a whole nation of new leaders.
  • I am a major voice in the Non-GMO Health Movement and have been for 7 years, where I have been spreading the word on why everyone should contact their Senators before they vote to label foods as GMOs.
  • I was posting the latest news on police brutality/killings in this country and you know they are trying to silence anyone exposing the police.  Thirty-percent of my co-workers in Customs and Border Protection (the old U.S. Customs Service), where I worked for over 20 years before retiring 10 years ago, were former police officers, so I know FIRST-HAND what they do to people.
  • I was a major voice for the people and we know that many voices are being silenced all over the country -- today.  This is why it is important to have your own network.  Not just a mailing list but every business owner should have a list of ETHICAL business owners that they can refer to others.
Or maybe I was just posting too many messages. As a business owner you have to market yourself at least 75% of your time so if I was posting too many messages on facebook.com, maybe I just had a lot to say.  After all I am the author of 22 non-fiction books. 

Many people have chosen not to be on facebook.com and I don't blame them.  Even though I had 3 facebook timelines and the 5 groups, I don't need facebook.  I have a large network and have been collecting emails for my mailing list since 1998.  

These social media groups have the power to shut you down at a moment's notice so when you see someone on the same page as you, obtain their contact information because they might be -- here today and gone tomorrow.  So never ever depend on these social media groups to spread your messages.

And e ven though I blew the whistle 15 years ago,"The Cathy Harris Story ," I know I am still be monitored by the government and other law enforcement, especially on facebook.com, so this is why I continue to be visible in the media's eye.

Never forget for a whistleblower, "the media is the best outlet for a whistleblower."  I was represented back then by the Government Accountability Project (GAP), the same attorneys that are representing CIA Whistleblower Eric Snowden at this time.  

And I am still a part of the American Whistleblower Tour, which makes me still one of the most loudest voices in America.  In 2014, I spoke at Princeton University along with a Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblower, who was an attorney, who exposed NSA.gov warrantless wiretapping during the Bush administration.

Former Whistleblowers can never just sit in a corner and be quiet -- because that is definitely when they will come after you...so we have to stay visible.

All I ask is that you help me stay visible in the media's eye by joining my mailing list and forwarding my posts to all your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Join my mailing lists at one of the websites: