This holiday season, Xerox is doing something that will change the holidays for the troops over in Iraq. When you visit this Web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com, you can choose a thank you card, then select the message you want the card to include, or you can create your own personal message, and Xerox will print out the card and send it to a soldier in Iraq. This is a totally free service and it only takes a few seconds to do.

Whether you are for or against the war, the reality is our soldiers are in Iraq, away from their families and loved ones for one of the most memory making holidays of the year. They need to know we support them as they continue to dedicate themselves unselfishly to make this world a better place. 2 minutes of your day today is all it will take to help create a warm holiday memory for a soldier this year. Click here to send your warm wishes.

While on the borders Web site recently, I stumbled on a video clip that features an interview with Former President Bill Clinton that talks about his latest book, “Giving”.   The book takes an inside look at individuals and organizations that are making a difference every day through charity work. “Giving” highlights these efforts and talks about what each of us—regardless of circumstance can do to solve problems and help others every day.

The book begins its story with a picture of a Cambodian infant that was orphaned by his mother who died of AIDS. The infant was born with AIDS and TB. Clinton stepped up and agreed to provide children’s AIDS medicine to Cambodia. Beginning with this child, Clinton was able to help 320 children. And for only $60 a year per child, these children are healthier than ever and have a shot at life.

Take a brief listen to what Clinton has to say about making a difference.

Remember that "well-established" advertising agency that I used to work for? Well, they have once again inspired me to write about them.

I have a close friend named Emily that currently works for the agency as an administrative assistant. She recently told me that the accounting department she supports recently eliminated the only other admin besides herself. Not only was the admin let go, the agency completely did away with her position.

Why? It is all about the "budget" over there. Oh — did I mention that this happened the week of Christmas and her firing was along with hundreds of other people that week? Well, it's sad but true and the saddest part is that this firing frenzy happens every year over there. Everyone knows its coming and just hopes it's not their job on the line. 

The worst part...are you ready for this...at the agency holiday party this year, they awarded each employee a handsome bonus, just as they do every year following the inevitable mass firing.

So what does this mean for my friend?

The other day, I came across a great Nickelback video for their song "If Everyone Cared," and felt inspired to pass it along. Never have I seen a video where a rock band interprets their song with such impact and I found it to be truly inspiring. The video displays historical movements that were the direct cause of one person's passion for a cause. These are life changing events that would have never happened had that one person not stepped up and fought.

At the end of the day, Nickelback is a perfect example of a great rock band that understands what "the DIFF" is all about. Bottom line—they get it. Do yourself a favor and watch this video. Like me, you just might learn a thing or two about the DIFFerence one person can really make.

This year, our company hosted a holiday party at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. I knew this would be a big to-do, so I prepared well in advance. Planning to stay the evening at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel, I checked into my room, relaxed for a few, and at about 5:30 p.m., the fate of my evening took a monstrous twist. I laid out my dress and discovered that the department store I bought the dress from had not removed the ink-filled security tag. I was furious and immediately went into panic mode.

Here’s something different—XM Satellite Radio just launched a Hanukkah-themed radio station to run during the Festival of Lights.

It’s the first station of its kind and we think XM Radio has raised the bar for doing something creative and different!

The busiest shopping season of the year is here and getting through the stores is officially a nightmare. But even still, my brave soul decided to kick off the holiday season on Thanksgiving when I had to go to the store to pick up a gift for a newborn baby in the family. So where in the world can I shop on Thanksgiving for baby clothes?

Have you ever been called out for making a mistake at your job? God knows I have! Most of the companies I’ve been “lucky enough” to work for only noticed my work when I made a mistake. Does this sound familiar? One of the worst experiences I’ve had was at the end of a particular company’s fiscal year. I made a minor data entry mistake and the finance manager ripped my head off and served it to me for lunch in front of all my co-workers. I was only four weeks into the job and felt so humiliated. It didn’t matter that I was new and had busted my butt to get the job finished on time; the focus was on my one little mistake. The point I’m trying to make is that negativity thrives in the workplace and hard work usually goes unnoticed all the time and soon enough, we start dreading the work day to come.

This was my situation before I took a risk and accepted a job at Quicken Loans. I left a secure, full-time position at a well established advertising firm to accept an internship in marketing. I had full benefits, paid time off and a little over a year invested into the company. I was scared, nervous and anxious to leave; not sure if I was making the right move. I soon discovered leaving that position would be the best decision I’d ever make.

It started with a lunch date at a local Italian restaurant chain. My friend and I were enjoying their famous soup and salad combo. About three bites into my soup, I noticed a serious foreign object on my spoon. It was a maggot. In fact, upon further discovery, I found several in my bowl. The manager was notified and made a weak attempt to rectify the situation by offering a new bowl from a fresh pot, but I declined. Too mortified to stay, I prepared to leave after receiving my bill. At this point I discovered the manager had charged us for the salad portion of our meal. We're talking a grand total of $2.95 per salad. My initial thought was this had to be a joke. Was I on Candid Camera?  Did this guy not realize what I had potentially put in my mouth?  I reluctantly paid the bill and left; never to return.