P.D. Yoko - Freelance Writer

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ARTICLES

This is a partial article list. Please contact me if would like to read the entire article.

▪ Successful Interview Strategies
Be prepared...not scared!
It is true that a well-written resume opens the door for you in getting an interview. However, looking good on paper is only part of the job search equation. Once you cross that threshold of opportunity and receive the invitation for an interview, your ability to get the job relies strongly on how well you present yourself and you capabilities to the hiring manager.

There are seven fundamental elements to the interview process. [Contact me for the complete article] or [Read online here at BevForce]

▪ Taking the LID Off of Challenging Developments
Profiling low impact development cooperative at The Meadows on the Hylebos, Puget Sound.
Since the first Earth Day in April 1970, public awareness regarding the impact of urban growth on natural environments has grown significantly. To further support the public’s concerns, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the country’s leading national environmental activist organization, recent studies indicate that urban stormwater and snowmelt run-off rivals and often exceeds sewage plants and large factories as sources of environmental damaging pollutants.

As a result of these data-supported concerns, the U.S. legislators incorporated unprecedented safeguards into the Clean Water Act in the early 1970s which protects against urban stormwater pollution. The regulation thus encourages developers to seek a viable alternative to conventional stormwater management approaches in preserving the natural environment. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Taking the LEED: Developing Green Neighborhoods
Moving sustainability beyond buildings.
Since its inception in 1998, the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™, which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has become the national standard for defining and measuring high performance buildings. This rating system’s framework has gained wide acceptance as a way of teaching the best practices in resource-efficient building design, as well as recognizing the builders and owners that implement them. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Homeschool Students Sought Out By Colleges
As a home educator, I was quite amused that Tosheena Robinson-Blair’s article on homeschooling failed to mention the documented success of home-schooled students in this country. Based upon the tone of the article, it is unclear whether Mrs. Robinson-Blair was simply discounting the success of homeschooling or merely questioning its popularity in the state of Tennessee.

Equally amusing, if not disconcerting, are statements in the article made by Kathleen Burris, a professor in the elementary and special education department at MTSU, who cited that one of the disadvantages of homeschooling is that “homeschool children do not have people who have teaching as their discipline.”

Ms. Burris further clarifies that parents “don’t have the training to present knowledge in meaningful ways,” and they “lack the strategies professional educators learn in a university program.”

With no disrespect toward Ms. Burris, her comments merely unite her with the plethora of pundits in academia who are clueless to the real world outside of campus life. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Don't Let Commercial Growth Drive Our City
Based upon the recent newspaper articles, letters to the editor, as well as talk-radio show interviews, the issues surrounding the proposed commercial rezoning on Memorial Boulevard have raised some serious concerns about Murfreesboro's future.

How long do we continue to cope with the city's rapid growth with knee-jerk responses? When do we take a more anticipatory approach, and develop a master plan for the city that has long been contemplated, but never implemented? [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ The Name Exchange: A Yoko Isn't Necessarily Another Ono

▪ Baskets for Babies: Part of the Solution
In an “Another View,” Mr. Roger Kingsland voiced his opinion of the “Baskets for Babies” program in Pittsburgh, and asked, “How can a clear thinking individual feel that any good can come from a program that encourages mothers to throw away their unwanted babies in a government trash basket?” Unfortunately, Mr. Kingsland’s comments reflect the general public’s basic ignorance of the facts surrounding this social issue, and how sadly misinformed they are about this compassionate program.

In his argument, Mr. Kingsland naively suggests that a greater effort “to counsel pregnant girls instead of initiating government sanctioned baby disposal stations that do absolutely nothing to solve the problem,” should be considered as the ultimate solution. As if that effort hasn’t been implemented in the past.
[Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Adoption Awareness
Media hype surrounding the McCaughey septuplets birth/ Guest on KDKA 1020 Radio.
Although it is not surprising that the McCaughey septuplets stirred an anticipated media frenzy, and incessant debates on the morals and ethics of medically assisted reproduction, the hysteria also ironically coincided with an equally important event, National Adoption Awareness Month.

And yet, despite the heart wrenching stories that have pervaded the media in the past year about abandoned infants, this opportunity to celebrate and educate the public to the joys and realities of the adoption experience were all but ignored; ignored by the media and by our president.

In 1995, President Clinton proclaimed November to be National Adoption Awareness Month, but he certainly doesn’t promote it, unless of course, it serves an ulterior political agenda. And adoption is certainly one of the more responsible aspects of our society in promoting family values. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Ratzinger Fills Big Shoes With Promise
Election of Pope Benedict XVI
When I was a writer and moderator with Catholic Online, I first became aware of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger through my research and association with the priests on staff. I was initially impressed by his tenacity and integrity in supporting and promoting the teachings of Christ, and the Church; teachings that remain the same regardless of time or circumstance. Certainly not one to subscribe to cafeteria-Catholicism, Ratzinger exemplified Christ in his selfless ability to speak the truth without regard to criticism. And Ratzinger was certainly not immune to criticism as a Cardinal. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Respect: The Missing Ingredient
The inspiration of Milton S. Hershey; more than chocolate kisses.
Recently, a friend defined the meaning of success. “It isn’t the Merced or the affluent home,” he said. “It isn’t the prestige of your occupation or even the impressive title you hold. All of that pales in comparison to the true meaning. Respect!"

How can you achieve true success without respect?

It seems that respect is the main ingredient missing from many companies. These companies who deem themselves successful fail to see the importance of giving respect to their employees. In return, the employees don’t feel obligated to give respect to the employer. Meanwhile, the quality of work declines, profitability falls and the company must cutback to survive.

Shortly after my friend’s comment, I watched a profile on Milton S. Hershey. As defined by my friend, Mr. Hershey was truly a successful man. Comprised of far more than chocolate kisses, he persevered against insurmountable odds to achieve a dream. In pursuit of that dream, he believed in the people who worked for him. Despite the fact that they were being compensated for their efforts, Mr. Hershey respected them for the contributions to his company, and recognized that without them his dream would die.
[Contact me for the complete article.]

Syndicated Columns

Catholic For A Reason Series (Apologetics)

▪ The Real Presence.....of what?
Understanding the true meaning of the Eucharist
Studies conducted by Catholic research organizations such as the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) indicate that half of the 65 million Catholics in this country do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Sadly, there are Catholics who participate in the Mass, believing that the Eucharist is merely a symbol. They find transubstantiation just too difficult to comprehend, much less accept.

The term transubstantiation literally means ‘change of substance.’ During consecration, as the priest holds the offerings of the bread and wine, this is the time when transubstantiation occurs, changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. It is important to recognize that the priest does not change the substances, they are changed by Christ. Also, that the outward properties remain the same, although the substance changes. It is truly a mystery that must be believed… by faith. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Does It Really Matter?
Why Tradition and Sacred Scripture are both God's Word
Occasionally, I am asked that thought-provoking question… “Does it really matter?” My response is always the same... “Well, of course, it does!”

All that we hold sacred from Scripture and Tradition, we honor and respect for a reason. The sad truth is that many Catholics don’t know the reasons or even care to identify and understand them. They attend Mass out of “obligation” rather than a burning desire. They participate in interdenominational Bible Studies without the knowledge of their faith. And more disturbing is the fact that recent studies indicate that half of the Catholics in this country do not believe in the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
[Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Clarifying the Meaning of Lent
Dispelling the myths
The Lenten season offers us a truly miraculous time to consciously embrace our faith with a deeper conviction and purpose. It is “forty days” of reflection when we separate our “wants” from our “needs” in an honest moment to identify the obstacles that might be distancing us from a stronger relationship with Jesus. Toward that effort, there are many customs and traditions that we observe. Some are defined by Sacred Scripture and Catholic Tradition, while others are simply a personal choice.

In an effort to clarify the significance of Lent, the following commonly asked questions are presented here to help us understand the roots of our faith, while enriching our own Lenten observance.
[Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ The Sign of the Cross; "What are you doing...swatting at flies?"
A history worth respecting
One Sunday morning in a parish in Erie, Pennsylvania, the pastor began Mass just as it has begun in the Catholic Church for centuries. Facing the congregation of parishioners, he announced, “Let us begin…in the name of the Father… and of the Son …and of the Holy Spirit.”

Suddenly, he paused, staring out at the assembly before him in amazement. With a half-smile, he shook his head and asked boldly, “What are you people doing?”

He paused for a moment as if waiting for a response. Then while mimicking what he had seen, he asked in a chiding tone, “Do we have an infestation in here? You look like you are swatting at flies.”

A subtle ripple of laughter passed through the assembly. Then the pastor said, “Seriously, why do you hurry in displaying a sign of faith that has meant so much to so many? It is so much more than a simple gesture.” Then he began again. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Why do Catholics Observe The Stations of the Cross?
A journey worth taking
One of the most spiritually enriching devotions of our Catholic heritage is The Stations of the Cross. For Roman Catholics throughout the world, the Stations of the Cross are synonymous with Lent, Holy Week and, especially, Good Friday. Also known as the “Way of the Cross,” “Via Crucis” and “Via Dolorosa,” Stations are a powerful way to contemplate, and enter into, the mystery of Jesus’ gift of himself to us. But before we can appreciate why we hold this practice sacred, we must first understand how this practice became so revered.

After Christ’s Passion, Christians proclaimed the story of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. Soon pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem where they were anxious to see the actual sites where Jesus had walked. These sites quickly become important tangible holy connections with Jesus. Eventually, following in the footsteps of our Lord, along the way of the cross, became an essential part of the pilgrimage visit.   In fact, some historians trace the history of this devotion and pilgrimage to the Blessed Virgin Mary whom it was believed had visited the location of the Passion in Jerusalem many times after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   [Contact me for the complete article.]

Women of Faith Series (Motivational)

▪ Esther
The courage to resist fear
Imagine being a young woman presented with circumstances that regardless of your decision and subsequent action, you faced death. Standing at the crossroads of her life, the reluctant Queen Esther found herself on the pinnacle of her faith, when her husband, King Ahasuerus, issued a decree ordering Jews to be put death. Instead of allowing fear to paralyze her, and risk seeing her entire family killed, even herself, she trusted in God’s will and took a stand that defined her character.

Certainly the young queen who was orphaned as a child and raised by her cousin, Mordecai, had to question God’s motive in this situation. Had God elevated her to the position of queen for this one moment so that she could save the Jewish people? Or would she simply lose her life in vain?
[Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Hannah, Abigail and Esther
Blessed are Peacemakers
A reality of life is that eventually all relationships will experience some level of conflict----even in Catholic Christian communities. As Catholic Christian women, do we honor ourselves as daughters of Christ in serving as peacemakers, or do we choose to respond with selfish intent and persecution?

Ken Sande, author of the best-selling book “The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict,” has observed that many Christian woman talk a good talk, but tend to walk-the-walk with a limp. Instead of faithfully “blessing and never cursing” (Rom. 12) or “doing good even when treated unjustly” (1 Pet. 2), Christian women often attack through vicious words, such as gossip cloaked as “prayer requests” or “sharing” and spiteful actions. [Contact me for the complete article.]

▪ Mary and Martha
Prioritizing our faith
Between last year’s laments and this year’s resolutions, we pledge to be better Christian women in all aspects of our life. In our well-intentioned quest, we renew our desire to spend more quality time with Christ. However, we aren’t surprised when life gets in the way, prohibiting us for accomplishing our goal of spiritual intimacy.

Do we expect too much of ourselves? Or does God expect too much from us?

The brief story of Mary and Martha consists of only five verses and yet it serves as one of the most indelible reminders of how Christ views priorities in our daily lives. [Contact me for the complete article.]