Monday, January 30, 2012

5 secrets to Family Time success!

1) Children, especially, benefit from having the chance to express their views without fear of ridicule. Have EVERYONE "open up" and share their points of view on current events, household affairs, friends, work, etc.

2) During any particular family time gathering, have a mix of age appropriate activities. This eliminates boredom and crankiness for the adults, teens and little ones alike.


3) Be fully present at a family time affair. Don't be on the phone with a work colleague or school buddy. No texting!

4) Serve wholesome food. Hot, hearty meals in the winter, light fare in the summer. It causes good feelings to flourish among the members!

5)  Family time is not an opportunity to include the classmate, next door neighbor or co-worker. It's a time for family, ONLY! Gather and comfort one another.


Schedule a designated family time (movie, vacation, craft day, singalong) at least once a month. It'll keep the members uplifted and strong, able to overcome their daily battles!


How you wait makes the difference!

Years ago, when I was in the city shelter, waiting to be found eligible for housing, I had two choices of how to do it. Either I could moan and complain, making everyone miserable, or I could look for positive ways to make the wait painless.
I chose to wait following the rules, attending classes and praying. There were several that chose to wait exhibiting illegal behavior. They sold drugs, fought one another, disrespected the staff and stole from co-clients. 

Same wait, one in the light...the other in the dark.
Waiting in the dark breeds discontent, sadness and criminal activity.Waiting in the light lifts you and those around you. Staying in the light enables you to see your path clear, for what is at the end (the goal), erasing doubt and building faith.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Two is better than one!

When you own a business and partner with another person whose business complements yours, it could be an extremely good circumstance for both parties. For example, you own a health and wellness company and you couple with someone that's a personal trainer. The personal trainer takes and advertises your products when he goes to service his clients and when you have a showcase featuring your health and wellness products, you could introduce the personal trainer as the factor rounding out the perfect fitness package.

Let's say you own a bath and body line. Partner with a person who owns a lingerie shop. Lingerie customers are exposed to your wares and your body and bath customers are exposed to the lingerie clientele. A win-win for you and the shop owner. The potential for growth increases dramatically when you couple with another. Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour." Not only does it add to the possibilities of multiple streams of income, it could broaden your personal development too.

In closing,partnering can also be the thing you need to add life and sparks to your business, if it has become boring, dull and no longer appealing to customers!

Free to give!

My last job was as a cashier in a drugstore. It was boring and tedious work. The only thing that made it bearable (besides the paycheck,LOL) was the occasional customer with a friendly, smiling,"Hi, How are you, today?!"

Don't underestimate a smile and/or happy greeting given to the service worker you encounter. I'm referring to the bank teller, meter reader, mail carrier, etc. The favorable support does wonders for the recipient and costs you, the giver, nothing!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Bright.

Getting OUT was all I wanted to do!
I forget the details now, whether it was  a distressing telephone call, an upsetting news broadcast, but I ran out of my apartment and down the stairs. Before I hit the last step on the last flight, I saw him, standing and lit! Father had just given Mike to me as a brother in Christ.
                                                                    "Happy New Year", he extended his hand....Later on that afternoon
                                                                     
"because i was able to re: read
the day
and remember Heavenly light
reflecting off your face-
Mercy and Grace....
i was saved.

Father will always send help..sometimes it's only steps away...

Only thing that's missing is a spoon.......

Nothing warms your insides, on a cold winter's night, more than a bowl of Ham and Bean Soup. Although, I haven't tried this particular recipe, it sounds absolutely delicious. Try it and leave your comments below...should I even bother? (LOL) Happy Eating! (via Allrecipes.com)

Ham and Bean Soup
Prep time= 20 mins.
Cook Time== 3 hours, 10 mins.
Ready In= 3hours, 30 mins.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 2 smoked ham hocks
  • 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped, with leaves
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 3 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves crushed garlic

Directions

  1. Boil sausage to remove excess fat, and cut into bite-size pieces.
  2. Skin ham hocks, and remove excess fat. In a large pot, brown sausage and ham hocks over medium heat. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Add potatoes, celery, parsley, beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes, salt, pepper, chili sauce, bay leaves, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat; add just enough water to cover. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Cover, and continue to cook for 2-3 hours.
  4. Remove ham hocks and cut meat into bite-size pieces. Return meat to pot. Serve!

Monday, January 23, 2012

TipTell #2

Show me a child that loves vegetables and I'll show you a rare specimen. Most frown and turn up their noses at the green stuff. Fool them! Puree vegetables in a blender or Cuisinart and bake them into other foods they do like. They won't even detect the spinach in the meatballs or the stained zucchini in the loaf "cake".

TipTell #1

No need to throw out those soap slivers that linger in the shower. Collect them in an old jelly jar, until it's full. Fill the jar with warm water. In a couple of days, you'll have a gooey mush. Put it in a stocking (a leg of an old pair of pantyhose will do) and you'll have yourself an exfoliating soap ball! LATHER UP!

Luxury, with a warm and toasty price tag!

After a long work day, you come running home to a wonderful soak in your bath tub. What would be more  luxurious than to have your towels and loungewear waiting for you in/on your towel warmer when you got out? You have several types of models. Choose towel bar, bucket-style, or a multi-railed warmer. The portable, bucket-style model can be rolled from the bedroom to the bathroom  making your bathroom an instant spa!

Warmers range in price from $50.00 to $150.00. Find a price that fits your budget. Using your clothes dryer as a towel warmer is very pricey as it uses a lot of energy. A towel warmer uses less power than a regular light bulb.

Splurge, gals AND guys; pick a model that fits your lifestyle and go for it! Keep the "brrrrrrr" away and get that EXTRA warm on a cold winter's night!



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Negative seeds vs. Positive Seeds

Talking to our teens can really try our patience sometimes. But let's check what we say and how we say it to them. Remember your own teen years; it was not an easy time. I'm not saying "baby" them...just add extra helpings of understanding and respect!Promote good feelings instead of negative ones. For example:

Instead of saying, "What are you going to do with your life?" SAY "Here's a website I came across that features some of the best opportunities of 2012. Take a look at it this evening."

Instead of saying, :Don't stay up watching TV all night...you won't be able to get up in the morning! SAY, "For a change, try turning in early...a good night's sleep makes the next day's vision so clear!"

Instead of saying, "Your diet's lousy..must you drink so much soda? SAY  "Brought a juicer today and a bunch of carrots. How does a carrot/banana shake sound?"

Instead of saying, "You leave the kitchen a mess after you make your sandwich, why can't you clean up after yourself?" SAY "So far, so good, no bugs! Clean up after yourself and I guarantee we'll never have to deal with pests. One less problem for us."

Instead of saying,"Does_______always have to hang around here? Doesn't he have a home?" SAY, "I would like to get to know_______ a little better. This weekend, let's plan an outing to the movies and dinner afterwards...my treat!

You get the idea. What other scenarios can you come up with? I look forward to seeing your positive comments. Put it into play...it will work.

Look to be satisfied in ALL things!

Many jobs seem lackluster and unfulfilling at first glance. Let's take for example the school lunch server. Do you think there's any satisfaction, peace, tranquility in that elementary school cafeteria come 12:00 noon? For sure. See that little third-grade boy over there, in the corner, wolfing down his food? This is the only balanced meal he'll have the whole day.

Just having an active role in that scenario, should make the server feel lifted and satisfied,-"I'm helping to make a difference."

Monday, January 16, 2012

How would you answer this call?

It's disheartening to hear people say that they have no hope- especially when that cry comes from the young. I saw a T.V. program the other night about street gangs and their "activities". A young man, about 18 years old, was talking to a mediator who had come to relieve a volatile situation.
"Man, I feel like leaving here and trying the other side. They say there's a Heaven...right?" He was expressing no hope for this life. His world is defined by the neighborhood blocks that trap his body and tries to cage his mind. He can see no further than out his window. We, as responsible adults, must spearhead ( and otherwise support)opportunities where inner city youth can travel, see other places and know that the world, indeed, moves and operates beyond their neighborhood confines.
Naysayers say, coming back into their impoverished communities after seeing another view of the world will lead to restlessness and an added discontentment. I disagree. Buds of hope sprout and take root, opening their minds to other possibilities, ie pursuing educational goals, positive extracurricular activities, mentoring, etc.
Yes, it's not as easy as it sounds. Hard work and money are big issues that come into play. But it all begins with a plan. What if money wasn't an issue...how would YOU answer this call?

Saturday, January 14, 2012

3 Ways to Build Optimism!

Add your own to these three of mine~
1) Set reasonable, "in touch" goals.
     Don't set goals that are impossible to reach. When you are unable to attain said goals, you feel like a failure, 
     making it hard to feel good about the future.
2)  Surround yourself with positive, like-minded, people who have your best interests at heart.
     Your circle of friends and business associates should be made up of people who are "going your way."
     Disassociate from people who are complainers, whiners and naysayers.
3)  Encourage your neighbor to do his best.
     When you help someone up, you get up with them. Be an example and lead the way!
                                            
Have a nice day and stay in the light!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

5 Simple, inexpensive twists that can change a sour day into a sweet one!

1) Add fragrance~ Burn a new incense, candle or try a different oil in your diffuser. The introduction of fragrance into your day, will refresh a tired and foggy mind!

2) Indulge in that peach soap or peppermint bath salts~ Yes, it costs more than the store brand you usually buy, but go ahead and splurge! Your body enveloped in that special bath water concoction, will take away all the day's woes and brighten your outlook instantly!

3) Yummy!~ So you like chocolate bars, do you? Well, instead of the same ole Hersheys at lunch, purchase a Lady Godiva Truffle Bar. Taste is personal, but changing "it" up will tickle your palate and put a giggle in your spirit!

4) Wow...blast me with your color gun!~ White napkins, white towels, white note paper, white____, well you get the idea! Add COLOR, for a shot of life and a quick burst of energy!

5) Let me hear from me!~ Instead of waiting for someone else to say it, record "I love you" on a soundbite( try SoundCloud.com) and play it back to yourself during the day. Uplifting and encouraging!

As you see, it doesn't cost much to let the sun shine in, on an otherwise cloudy, gloomy day! Stay in the light!
  









Monday, January 9, 2012

...tell your own truth!

Write your own story...don't let strangers tell your tale. They weren't there when you were going through it. Only you know how you felt, the joy and/or the pain.

Some would have your beginnings meager and poor but you experienced plenty and richness.
Some would have said your adolescent years were stunted and slowed, but you remember loving parents that encouraged growth and release.
Some would say your young adult life was dull and dark, but you had more love than MOST people experience in their whole lifetime....
Today, some would say you're living a wasted and blocked life. But you live in openess and vibrancy...daily overflow.
Tell your own story..you're the only one who knows it...

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Procrastination is straight from HELL!

Procrastination: Putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention. Yes, procrastination is straight from Hell. It is meant to destroy you and bring you to naught.
Let me give you a real example:

After a two year stay in New York City's shelter system, I found an apartment. I lived there, happily, for three years then procrastination reared it's ugly head ( and I opened the door for it). Even though I was paying my rent, the landlord had fallen back on his promises of repairing the damages in the apartment. "I" decided that I would make no more rent payments until the damages were repaired. Putting aside the fact, that this is NOT correct procedure, I was always going to the rent office "tomorrow" to speak about it. I even "heard" the enemy say, "You don't bother us about the repairs and we (the Landlord) won't bother you about the rent"-satan's lies!
So, of course, you know what happened! The city marshall knocked on my door, one morning, and gave me minutes to get my essentials out and leave the premises. EVICTED!!!!!

Beware.Sometimes I still struggle with this ugly habit, but I am much better. As soon as you can, deal with the task at hand, even though you see an unpleasant outcome. All in all, you'll be in a better place, mentally and financially, because you dealt with the situation and didn't have the situation deal with you.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

It is time to turn your hobby into a business and make that CASH!

So, you've been getting rave reviews from friends and family, about that luscious cinnamon soap you make and hand out for Christmas and birthday gifts. Crank it up a few notches and "do bizness"!
I plan to do just that and I'm finding that it's not as complicated as you would think. Research and find the county clerk's office in your town, so you can register as a legit business. Pick a name (do an online name search to see if it's available to use) and forge onward, step by step.

Marketing your business is easy AND low cost these days with available social networks, at your fingertips! Try Facebook and YOUTUBE, initially. Do flea markets, fairs and home parties. Although family and friends are the first to support you, word-of-mouth and good networking skills will explode your products into homes all over the world. Read up on business etiquette and ethics, stay prepared AND THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Offer opportunities to help others learn your skills and/or give a percentage of your sales to the charity of your choice. Doing this will keep you advancing and prospering! Get paid for what you love to do and always keep the "hobby" in your business.
Dreams do come true.....