1. It all started with the Ugly Duckling! The passion for words that was born when I learned to read at age five has led me to almost every educational & career choice. But serendipity has reinforced my passion again and again…

2. My inherent love of the printed word can never be replaced by the digital format. Even though my laptop is almost a part of me and I can type in my sleep, I still get a very special feeling when I smell and touch the pages of a book. I am transported….

3. I believe… In following your passion. If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. We should take a conscious decision to leave the world better for our having been here in every way possible. At the very least, as Hippocrates said: ‘first, do no harm.’

4. There are a lot of people and companies out there who share my personal sense of ethics. We should join with others of like-mind to make a better world. Those who are so-inclined should all foster a sense of responsibility for the earth and the people in it. The strong should protect the weak—not exploit them for their own gains.

5. Knowledge brings with it… A clear responsibility to disseminate and apply A thirst for more and better knowledge A realization that no matter how much we know, it can only ever be a tiny droplet of what’s actually out there—even if we spend our whole lives learning!

6. OK, nice warm, fuzzy sentiments, but what can I actually do to make myself useful?

7. Examples of my writing Syria & Jordan for the Times Media series Countries of the World Senior copywriter for Infosearch Media Contributing writer for the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine & the Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology (Biographies only)

8. Books I have Edited I also wrote, edited and self-published my own Book, Islam the Facts, via Lulu.com after Windstorm International Backed out of our contract: I was on the volunteer editorial team for this best seller of Guy’s.

9. I have also created a number of websites using WordPress (my favorite cont -ent management software).I write for many websites and contribute to several high-profile search and marketing sites such as Search Engine Journal and Marketing Pilgrim.

10. I bring with me to all my projects… …my sense of serendipity, knowledge (I never pass up a learning opportunity), my experience, loyalty and above all my firm set of values.