Vantage Point (on-line) Magazine: Recent Comments

Comment on Mr. Venegas Draws on Life Experience

Ken Rota — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:10:11 GMT

Once again Bill I was taken in by Mr. Venegas's life and struggles and triumph. Great story!

Comment on Mr. Venegas Draws on Life Experience

Angel L Rosario — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:25:41 GMT

Hi Bill,
What a way to start my day! This article is great. Thank you very much for sharing Serafin's story with all of us. Thank you!

Comment on A Career Change: Leaving Technology for Medicine

poker hands — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:42:31 GMT

Thanks for the update on your career journey. I was in search of such inspiring articles.Thanks again.

Comment on The “Night Rider” Convoy in Harm’s Way

Barry Tavlin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:23:36 GMT

An article like this gives us a glimpse into the human costs of this war.
When we hear about the casualties, or about the war's budget, or about the latest battles -- or, equally likely, when we don't hear about them -- it is often too immense to comprehend. So the story of one person, like Tatiana, says a lot.
Of course, there's much more to this story than the injuries she sustained. Her story also shows that it is possible to heal and to help others heal. It may be that Healing Heroes like Tatiana will help redeem us all from the wrongs of this war.
Keep it up, Tatiana. Keep telling the stories, Bill.

Comment on The “Night Rider” Convoy in Harm’s Way

Ken Rota — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:16:06 GMT

Great insight in what it must be like for all of our service people who come home with some type of disability. Thanks for enlightening me. I hope they realize they have our respect and gratitude for what they have sacrificed.

Comment on Inspiration and Transformation -- Using Technology to Make a Difference

Susana Rosende — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:57:11 GMT

My father, Alberto Carlos Rosende, Sr., has had a great impact on my life, both personally and professionally. He has instilled in me the values of family, hard work, and integrity, as well as the knowledge for the importance of having goals in life, and for never giving up, no matter the obstacles. He also inspired me to earn a university degree.

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1926 to a working class family, my father learned at a young age that earning an advanced education was essential to gaining financial security. After receiving a scholarship to the University of Havana, he endured hardships (such as lacking bus fare or lunch money and needing to share college text books with his twin brother) to earn his Civil Engineering degree.

His professional engineering career was curtailed in the early 1960s, when he chose to leave Cuba during Fidel Castro's revolution, and was then rejected for engineering positions in the USA during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Previously in management, he was forced to start over as a Land Surveyor to support his family.

However, he persevered, eventually landing a structural engineering position in NYC to support his wife and--eventually five--children. After 20 years with the company, he was transferred to Houston, Texas during the oil crisis. In Houston, the company folded. My father was laid off and lost all his retirement benefits.

Undaunted, he found an engineering job at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he has been laid off and re-hired numerous times, and worked until a few months before his 80th birthday (even after undergoing prostate and quadruple bypass surgeries).

After my divorce, my father encouraged me to return to college to earn my degree. My parents then welcomed me back into their home, and helped care for my then-two-year-old son, while I worked two jobs and commuted to school.

My father, who prides himself on not missing days from work, took the day off to attend my college graduation. Because of his example, I am inspired as a single mother to continue striving toward new education and career goals, and in turn, to pass my father's values and legacy to my sons.

Comment on Inspiration and Transformation -- Using Technology to Make a Difference

RL — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:42:59 GMT

Well, I think I know Barry fairly well and this article describes him to the tee. He's a giving person all right and from what I perceive, much of his life goals are towards the creation of an entity, a to-be recognized tool that helps people connect, a place where folks can open up and show their gratitude to others, a feel good tool that will leave a lasting impression on their lives.
Sometimes I wish I can be as altruistic in my views and as benevolent in my daily life. But of course, we all have distinctly different lifestyles and mine just happen to be encumbered with work and a young family. Thus, I'm only glad the Barrys of the world have decided they will take on the task. To that I say Thank You.

Comment on Inspiration and Transformation -- Using Technology to Make a Difference

Jeanni Tavlin — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:57:00 GMT

This was a well written article of how Barry Tavlin transferred his ideas into a positive, meaningful reality.
The Inspiration Project gives people the opportunity to let others know how she/he inspired inspired them. Too often, these feelings are not articulated and if they are, it is usually too late to make any difference.
This project gives individuals the vehicle to let their innermost feelings come alive. People get to share the inspiration they have received from others and thereby "pass it on".
When a person accepts another's invitation, it is a way of acknowledging the contribution of one on the other person's life. It becomes self-validating.
It also serves to let us know that we have 'made a difference' in someone's life.
The article describes the philosophy of life that Barry has and discusses how he has developed to the current plateau on which he is situated.

Comment on Inspiration and Transformation -- Using Technology to Make a Difference

DVilla99 — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:40:14 GMT

Interesting article about an interesting man. I happen to have the pleasure of working with Barry now and again. This article really nails his outlook on life. He is a real genuine person.

Comment on A Career Change: Leaving Technology for Medicine

Marco V — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:28:00 GMT

Awesome story! I have just had such a enlightenment moment. After 12 years at a large firm, I'm also moving on to a more of a people environment. I genuinely care and wish to help people, not computers nor the bottom line. The bottom line comes along when you take care of people.