stress relief!

go for a drive....hobbies.....take a walk....read....crafts.....go to a park....picnic,.....deep breathing....play cards.....hot shower or bath, plan a trip....listen to music....gardening, make a schedule or a to do list./...play cards...zoo....jigsaw puzzle, punch a pillow, movies, start a journal, paint pictures and walls, flea market, thrift store, spend time with a pet, treat yourself, wash the car, bake.... spend time alone....write a letter. ,

Iyanla Is In De House!

The greatest service i can offer is ....freeing myself
to live freely.

Have you ever watched small children playing alone in a room? They will talk to themselves, and they will answer. They will dress themselves up. They sing and dance. A small child in a room all alone can have a marvelous time entertaining himself. Children can do this not only because they have an innocence that helps them to rise above the cares of the world; they don't mind being alone with their thoughts and their dreams. They don't mind acting out their fantasies. They can live their lives beyond the expectations of others. In a room all alone, children have no inhibitions. They have nothing to prove and no one to satisfy but themselves. They feel free! They are unencumbered by opinions and directives. It happens because nobody is watching them.

Live your life like nobody is watching you. Live beyond expectations. Live beyond what you have been told is right, wrong, good or bad. Just for one day, live like you are totally free to be anything and do anything you choose for yourself. Live from your innocence. Live from a sense of total satisfaction with who you are and what you have available to you. Let yourself dream like nobody can stop you. Let yourself sing like noboody is listening. Let yourself dance like nobody is watching. Play dress up! Talk to yourself! Tell yourself something that you would never repeat aloud. Let yourself be exactly who you are and live like it is okay-because it really is.

until today, you may have been living your life under the impression that your every move is being watched. you may have felt like there are certain things you could not and should not do. Just for today, allow yourself the childlike freedom of talking to yourself, dancing with yourself and living your life like nobody else in the world cares or is watching what you are doing.


Today I am going to live my life like nobody is watching me.

iyanla vanzant
until today

Vanzant Is Back! (Excerpts from "Until Today")

I AM NOW WILING TO FORGIVE MYSELF....FOR TAKING ON MORE THAN IS NECESSARY OR REQUIRED FOR ME TO TAKE ON.


It is quite possible that you may be working so hard not to do worse, that you are actually missing out on the opportunity to do better. Or maybe, just maybe you are so caught up in what someone else may be thinking about that you are not thinking for yourself. Whenever this is the case, you are going to stay exactly where you are, doing exactly what you are doing-no worse! No better! If this is your case, you may need to call on "grace."

Grace can catch you before you fall and pick you up if you do. Grace is so powerful and sufficient that even when you don't know what to do, grace is your insurance that whatever you do will be better then what you did! Grace will close your eyes to what you don't need to see and open your eyes to things that only you can see. Grace will close your ears to what everyone is saying while she opens your heart to what God has to say that only you need to hear. You see, Grace knows that there are some things just for you. Grace wants you to have those things. Grace, however, can only give you what you are willing to have. In other words, she will only come when you call on her. And by he way, Grace always brings her sisters, Hope and Mercy.

Grace, Hope and Mercy will do for you what you cannot do, have not been able to do, do not know how to do. Grace, Hope and Mercy will go where you are afraid to go. They will show you what you are afraid to see. The good thing about calling on Grace, Hope and Mercy is that eventually when you come to realize that you don't have to do do everything alone.

UNTIL TODAY........you may not have realized the presence of Grace in your life. JUST FOR TODAY..call on Grace to work through you. And please, try not to tell her what to do. Women really don't like that.


today i am devoted to acknoknowledging and accepting the power of God's grace in every aspect of my life.


more to come this evening...
1. the need to be right, forgive yourself
2. making it through the rough times and tight places

stayed tuned......

THE GLASS IS HALF FULL

Do you see the glass as half full-or half empty? A contented person knows that the glass is half full, of course. Contentment is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances-wishes granted, goals achieved, gifts given, and things going our way. Contentment takes the more common path, focusing on what you already have instead of trying to get what you want.

Contentment is a matter of attitude. Contented atittudes come from appreciating the small, commonplace things of life-things that you may often take for granted. Even the most sorrowful life has moments of contentment. You may or may not have happy circumstances, but you have the choice to be constantly contented or constantly dissatisfied with your life.

A child already knows the art of being contented. Walking along the trail beside Daddy and Mommy, she stops to pick up an acorn. She loves the smooth feel of the nut in her hand, fingering its rough top. She learns from Daddy that squirrels love nuts and sees the flash of gray fur as two squirrels chase each other up a tree. An ice-cream cone presents a total sensous experience to be tasted with eyes, fingers nose and tongue. A soft velvet dress is stroked like a kitten's fur. Yet, on a rainy day, a mud puddle is irresistible for splashing and stomping. The squishy feel of mud between the fingers is as fascinating as the most complex and elegant gift to a child. How many times have you seen a child unwrap dozens of Christmas presents only to find her playing later with the box it came in? For a child, everything is a source of wonder and delight.

Cultivate contentment by living in the present. Enjoy the everyday gifts with a child's sense of wonder. Savor the scents, smells, sounds and textures of your life. When you make scrambled eggs in the morning, really taste their eggy richness. Stop and smell the coffee. Breathe in the scent of a rose. Listen to the sigh of the wind, the chatter of morning birdsong.

Find contentment in the small rituals of every day. Drinking a cup of tea. Having a quiet time every morning with prayer and Bible reading. Enjoy the sensation of the car moving smoothly down the highway as you commute to work or run errands. Be thankful for the kiss at night when you greet your husband at the door. (if applicable, lol) smile

Make time for leisured contentment. Enjoy the feel of earth in your hands as you plant and cultivate a garden. Read a good book by a winter hearthside. Go for a long walk or drive a bicycle down a country road, and admire haystacks, cows and trees along with wildflowers that grow in abundance in the ditch by the side of the road. Stop for a few minutes to admire a gorgeous sunset.

Cultivate your relationships. There is contentment aplenty in a cozy conversation over a cup of steaming tea. Hold hands with your husband and enjoy kissing his cheek after he's just shaved.(if applies, lol) Cuddle with your kids and teach them the games you loved to play in childhood. Make time for family fun. Schedule meetings with friends who share your interests and encourage one another on life's journey. Give time to causes you believe in and create community by doing good together.

Celebrate beauty and goodness wherever you find it. An awareness of life's beauty enriches the spirit, reminding you that life is not all about bills, traffic, drudgery, and lists of things to do. Buy a single rose or a cheery bouquet to brighten your day. Buy an extra one to share with someone else. Don't let clothes sit in the closet, waiting for that special occasion that never comes. Wear a favorite dress or outfit and make today a special occasion, just because. Make your home as lovely as possible, tastefully arranging the things you treasure. Enjoy a simple collection of stones or seashells or fall leaves that remind you of nature's bounty.

Cultivating a contented attitude of gratitude and appreciation can help you cope with difficult stitutions and develop the ability to see silver linings in dark clouds and rainbows in the rain. Choose contentment and reap its gentle rewards.

I WILL:

1.PRAISE GOD FOR THE GIFTS HE GIVES EACH DAY

2.CULTIVATE A CONTENTED ATTITUDE

3. FIND DELIGHT IN THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE

4. LIVE IN THE MOMENT INSTEAD OF WORRYING

ABOUT TOMORROW

5. LOOK FOR WAYS TO SHARE GOOD THINGS WITH OTHERS

6. COMMIT TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THOSE I LOVE

7. CULTIVATE GOODNESS

things to do

1. list fifty blessings you enjoyed today (try anyway)lol

2. write in your journal your thoughts about why your glass is half full instead of half empty.

3. make a pot of soup and share it.

4. learn how to do a simple home craft such as quilting or knitting that can be soothing for you.

5. get together with friends for tea and talk.

6. pick a favorite novel and re-read it.

7. spend an afternoon in front of a cozy fire.

Better is a little with the fear of God, than great treasure with trouble. Proverbs 15:16

I have kept my soul calm and quiet. My soul is content. Psalm 131:2

I've found the recipe for bring happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Phillipians 4:12-13 (Paul was content; so we can be also....whether we have cavier, lobster and prime rib or oodles of noodles and captain crunch!

2 Quotes

He who is not contented with little will never be satisfied with much. thomas benton brooks

Life is a great bundle of little things. oliver wendell holmes

see ya next week:

(a georgia peach) notice that i shortened my title, i always wanted to and today i figured out how. A GEORGIA PEACH is the title.

information is taken from the Checklist for Life for Women...Making the Most of Life's Challenges and Opportunities...Thomas Nelson Publishers.

OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. Proverbs 31:18 NKJV


Is your work challenging, stimulating, and a reflection of who you are? Or do you feel like you are in a dead-end job, always watching for the clock and living for the weekends? If you want to create a work life that expresses who you are and reflects your highest values, consider owning your own business.

Over a million businesses start in the U.S. ever year. Women are starting new businesses fast as much as men. More and more women are choosing to start businesses twice as fast as men. More and more women are choosing to start businesses-from one person home businesses to multimillion-dollar corporations. Women are more likely to start a business because they have to hit the glass ceiling in their climb up the corporate ladder, want to spend more time with their children, need more flexibility in their schedules, or have a passion they want to pursue.

Women-run businesses come in all sizes and shapes. One women might open a local floral shop, another might create a dried-flower crafts business, and another build a national flower-delivery empire. (somethin about flowers, huh? is there a hint?) From consultants to creative artists, from stockbrockers to secretarial services, women are creating businesses that suit their lifestyles and offer them the opportunity to pursue a passionate interest and make a profit at the same time.

What does it take to make a success of your own business?

1. Persistence-You need to be able to push ahead, having what it takes to plug away a little at a time, day after day until a job is done.

2. Ability to face the facts-You need to be able to constantly reevalutate changing situations, learning, adjusting, and changing your behavior when your way of doing things no longer works.

3. Ability to minimize risks-While being open to new ideas, you also need to make fall-back plans and sek alternative solutions, constantly and methodically looking for ways to reduce risk and to get the most out of resources.

4. Ability to be a hands on learner-Participating in the total process, you learn by doing. Every business is a learning laboratory, and every business owner needs to understand all aspects of the business.

5. Market-focused perspevtive-You need to be able to find and focus on your appropriate market niche. Know what you want to sell, whom you want to sell to, what need your product or service fills, and how you can reach those who want to buy.

6. Cooperative attitude-There is more power in cooperation than in cutthroat competition. Even with a one-person business working out of your home , you'll have to work with clients, customers, suppliers, and people who provide services to your business such as accountants and consultants. You live in a community, and your business functions in the matrix of that community.

7. Confidence- You need to be wise enough to ask questions and confident enough to make your own decisions and stick with them.

8. Faith- You have to have faith in yourself in yourself and believe that it's possible to succeed. There will be many challenges and obstacles to overcome as you plan and build your business. Your faith in God and reliance on His help and guidance to give you strength to pursue your dreams and reach your goals. (see photos above; for they show how you will have to step out on faith and pray about the matter)

I WILL

Trust in God as my business partner and career counselor.
Be willing to learn by doing.
Work smart and work hard.
Be honest about my strengths and weaknesses.
Have faith in my ability to succeed.
Focus on an appropriate market niche.

Things to Do

Write in your journal about where you would like to be a year from now and what you would like to be doing.

Take a business class from your local community college or resource center.

Learn about basic bookkeeping and recordkeeping..

Go to a job fair and/or a business convention and learn more about the business.career you are interested in.

Apprentice yourself to someone who has experience in the field you want to enter into. ex: publishing or writing field bookstore business

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genuis, magic and power in it." Goethe


If you are seeking to one day be a full-time writer, publisher, publicist, agent or editor, you can make it happen. There are plenty of websites and experienced writers that can assist you along those lines. Keep plugging at it. Do your research! If you want to go into business for youself for another kind of field, make it happen!

All of the above suggestions will work if you are seeking to be in business for yourself as a writer. It takes FAITH that you can do it, STRENGTHENED DETERMINATION, WILLPOWER and ENDURANCE to know that you can do it along with a WILLINGNESS to overcome any and all obstacles. The money will eventually visualize itself especially if you already have the PASSION and you do it without price. You may have to remain in your present day or night job until it happens in order to reach some of the goals that you need to make. Then again, you may not have a full-time gig and have to find another way to gain funds to pursue your dreams. In any event, do not give up! Something is coming your way.

****special note: just to show you that your full-time job is not always stable****" here in new jersey, the governor ordered an immediate SHUTDOWN of all state services. this includes the lottery, horse races, motor vehicles, labor, health department, all state offices with the exception of the STATE POLICE and a few other necessary personnel WITHOUT PAY. Today these folx are home WITHOUT pay. They will not even get pay for the holiday tomorrow. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances who work for the state of nj. oh they have benefits, holidays, pension, vacation, etc and yet their governor could not sign the contract by 12:00am July 1. He was the one they recently elected in. "Oh, Governor Corzine, that's our man." Now they are mad at "OUR MAN." the folx are not even sure when they will be going back to work. this will be causing problems with "our jobs." this is why i don't put my trust in man fully; my confidence is placed in my heavenly Father and what He can provide for me first. then i will see what provisions He allows man to have for me. i don't get all bent out of shape when i see various events happen like this because i know that God is in control and He will work things out. sure, (i will not like it, i need to pay my bills) however, i will have food and shelter everyday and that is a promise. i will rely on God the complete day (today) as i work on my book, meditating and being prayerful as i go along and that includes praying for those without their jobs at this moment.

diamond

TALK IS CHEAP ( KEEPING LOYALTY)

Loyalty grows out of a generous heart. Belief, and the willingness to commit to that belief, is one of the greatest gifts you can give one another. Talk is cheap, but follow-through is priceless. When a woman is loyal to the core, you'll observe that she's rich in friends and enjoys intimate and lasting relationships. In the same way, you can spot the signs of disloyalty when you see transient relationships, disillusioned friends, and disenchanted lovers. When you see a pattern of broken relationships and discarded friends, you can be pretty sure that even though the person sounds sincere, loyalty is low on the list of her priorities.

Loyalty begins with saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Easy assurances and good intentions are not enough. Are you a woman of your word? Are you willing to make a sacrifice if necessary to follow through on your promises? It's better to make no commitment than to make a false commitment. Be someone people can count on.

If you are loyal, you will try to believe the best of people. When somene slanders a friend or gossips about someone you know, the loyal choice is to BELIEVE the best before you THINK the worst. This is not about naive wishing, wanting to believe when you know you should be cautious. This is about assuming that your friend is innocent till proven guilty. If guilt is hiding under a smooth surface, a pattern of negative behavior will reveal itself in time. Until then, assume that you don't have all the facts and choose to believe that the person being gossiped about may be more sinned against than sinning.

Be kind and encouraging with your words and in your deeds. Bite your tongue when you are tempted to put someone down. People need encouragement more than they need critiques. You want your friends and loved ones to be able to depend on you, not only for honesty, but for steady encouragement and belief in them.

Christ said, " I will never leave you nor forsake you." Remember that He is your most loyal friend. You can depend upn God's word and trust His promises. You can take a bold stand for Him, too. Because He first loved you, you know that through His power you can be faithful to Him.

Loyalty is a sign of godly character. Treasure a loyal friend and be the kind of woman who is treasured by others for her loyal nature.


i will

believe the best before i think the worst of people.

encourage instead of criticize

keep my word

be kind to all i meet

treasure loyalty and trust

be honest with my friends

rest in God's unfailing loyalty to me, even when i fail.


things to do

call or write a friend to offer encouragement and to tell them how special they are to you. be specific.

in your journal, evaluate your ability to be a loyal friend, and list several areas where you would like to change.

apologize to someone in person, by phone, or in a letter to whom you have talked too harshly or judged unfairly.

read the book of Ruth, meditating on her loyalty to Naomi and to the God of Israel.

the next time you hear gossip about someone you know, stand up for him or her.

Faithfulness in little things IS A BIG THING. Saint John Chrysostom

Loyalty means not that I am you, or that I agree with everything you say or that I believe you are always right. Loyalty means that I share a common ideal with you and that regardless of minor differences we fight for it, shoulder to shoulder, confident in one another's good faith, trust, constancy and affection. Karl Menninger

thanks for reading.....

CHARLES BIBBS-PART 3 PICS AND ART

Moment to Myself...yes in need this always, give it to me.


OF THE ARTWORK DISPLAYED HERE: MY FAVORITE: MOMENT TO MYSELF and WITH HONORS. YES, I ALWAYS NEED THAT MOMENT TO MYSELF SO THAT I CAN FOCUS, MEDITATE, CONCENTRATE AND CONTEMPLATE ON MY FUTURE GOALS.

Sistahood-closeness, a tight bond, true friendship, togetherness, no back-biting, no jealousy, no drama.

Soul Ful Flight--sistah escape, flight with all of your determination, with all of your gusto!

CHARLES BIBBS-PART 2 PICS AND ART

Here is a photo of Charles Bibbs. Some of his works include here: Step Out on Faith, Banjar, Mammabibbs, Deep In Thought, Grace, My Cup Runneth Over(that is how I feel about now, see the sistah praying), Deep In Thought, Love Letters and Beat Street.

Photos, I will return with: With Honors, Moment To Myself, Caress, Sistahood, and SoulFul Flight.



Boy do love this art!

Green Eyes

A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rotten to the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Envy has jealous green eyes. You know how it feels to be envious. The lonely teenage girl with acne envies the popular cheerleader with creamy clear skin. A young mother envies her single friend's freedom, while the single woman envies the married woman's love and security. Passed over for a promotion, an office worker envies another's climb to the top. Most people envy the accomplishments, looks, successes, and loves of others. Envy flashed its JADE eyes when it sees someone who has what you want.

Envy and jealousy can offer clues to who you'd like to be and what you'd like to change about yourself. Here is a simple exercise to help you transform envy into a self-help tool. Make a list of everyone you envy. Write down who they are, what qualities you envy, and an action step you can take to develop that quality into your own life. Be as specific and accurate as you can. If you envy someone her svelte figure, list exercising more and eating better for your action antidote. If someone's beautiful voice make you wish you could sing, perhaps you should invest in voice lessons. If you envy how much love another woman has in her life, cultivate love in your own life. The biggest changes begin with small actions. A positive action is a powerful antidote to a negative emotion.

Envy can keep you stuck, or it can be a catalyst for personal growth. You can choose to become more compassionate and empathetic. Though you may feel insecure next to someone else, you need to understand that envy colors the way you see the other person. Remember that you only see the outside, not the inside. She may seem secure and confident to you, but if you could look past the surface, you might discover that she's as envious of you as you are of her. You don't know someone's struggles. You don't know their hidden pain. Feelings of envy and jealousy are reminders to look for what lies beneath surface appearances. Perhaps the woman you envy is more like you than you realize, deep down inside.

When the snakebite of envy's poison clouds your vision, take an action antidote. Cultivate the qualities you desire in your own life. Learn to look past surface appearances. Become more generous and compassionate to others. Then the cold JADE green of envy will turn into the new leaf green of personal growth, enabling you to see the world with clearer vision.

(I WILL!)

LOOK BEYOND SURFACE APPEARANCES.

CHOOSE TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTIONS INSTEAD OF
DWELLING ON NEGATIVE FEELINGS.

PUT MYSELF IN OTHERS' SHOES.

THINK THE BEST OF OTHERS.

BE WILLING TO MAKE SMALL CHANGES TO BECOME
WHAT I DESIRE TO BECOME.

BE MORE COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING TOWARDS OTHERS.


(THINGS TO DO!)

PRAY AND ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU CAN LEARN
FROM YOUR FEEINGS OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY.

DO ONE SMALL THING TO CULTIVATE A GOOD QUALITY IN
YOUR LIFE THAT YOU ENVY IN ANOTHER.

WRITE A LETTER TO GOD THANKING HIM FOR YOUR
BLESSINGS, NAMING THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

DO A KINDNESS FOR SOMEONE YOU ENVY.

WRITE THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IN YOUR JOURNAL:
HOW DID I GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ENVY GAME?


(THINGS TO REMEMBER!)

LOVE IS PATIENT; LOVE IS KIND; LOVE IS NOT ENVIOUS OR
BOASTFUL OR ARROGANT. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4

WE'RE BLASTED BY ANGER AND SWAMPED BY RAGE, BUT
WHO CAN SURVIVE JEALOUSY? PROVERBS 27:4

WHENEVER YOU'RE TRYING TO LOOK BETTER THAN OTHERS,
OR GET THE BETTER OF OTHERS, THINGS FALL
APART AND EVERYONE ENDS UP AT THE OTHERS' THROATS.
JAMES 3:16

DON'T JUST PRETEND TO BE GOOD! BE DONE WITH HYPOCRISY
AND JEALOUSY AND BACKSTABBING. 1 PETER 2:1

jealousy and envious will eat at a person. we have no reason to envy another person for what we are really saying is that God made a mistake. God does not make mistakes. All of us have excellent qualities. If I (Diamond) even find myself being envious of another's good fortune or seeming or actual success, I need to change my thinking. God has my present and future worked out for me so there is no need for me to go in that direction.

reason for the post: in my family, i see the envy among the immediate members. i see the enviousness in my neighborhood-like an actual hate that i don't deserve for i experience inner turmoil daily just getting out of the door. i don't even have the material possessions that my sisters have- but i have a heart and mind. and on my way to publishing my first two poetry books. they cannot stop that. what can prevent that is DEATH. that's it!

if you are reading this blog, you may not even have this situation, however you may know someone who is envious of you and your dealings and you realize that there is nothing you can do about it. however, if you do begin to feel a twinge of envy of someone for a moment, you can quickly dismiss it seeing the harm that it does to you. you are too valuable so don't even contemplate it. God did not make a mistake when He made you so............appreciate you and what you can do and don't dwell on another person and what they are doing!


have a great day!

checklist for life for women....create the life you really want...making the most of life's challenges and opportunities. a motivational book..inspirational. a small purple book, but powerful....

And I Was Homeless

S. Dianne Williamson
Creative Essay #1
February 9, 2003
Dr. Dori Seider
History of Modern Women



EVEN THOUGH I WROTE THIS ESSAY FOR AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS CLASS, IT HAD TO BE WRITTEN FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A CREATIVE ESSAY AND SINCE I WAS HOMELESS I USED MY EXPERIENCE IN IT. READ ON. NAME IS CHANGED. (WRITTEN IN 2003)

It was on a friday morning that I awoke and discovered that there was so much snow outside. Everything was closed including the college; however I had to get my medicine from the pharmacy downtown. I am living at the homeless shelter because my husband and I are separated and I had nowhere to go. At the homeless shelter, I have to be there the afternoon before to get a bed because the amount of women that can get into the shelter is forty-nine. We have to get out by eight am the next morning. So here I am with all of this baggage on my back. I walk into Dunkin Donuts to get a cup of decaf. I had no money so I had to ask someone for fifty cents for a cup of coffee. I know the people get tired of seeing me coming because they know that I am going to have my hand out. That's the life of a homeless person, whether male or female. This is how I spend my day. I stay in Dunkin Donuts and just observe persons coming in and out; usually the State of NJ workers who work upstairs in this seven story building on East State Street here in Trenton. Mind you, these workers come in all sizes, and colors dressing like they are so fabulously rich. Here I am in an old worn out coat, thrift shop item; boots that are a disgrace and slippery. Just a few months ago, I lived in Willingboro(high class) in a three bedroom, two and a half bath, and with a fireplace that was out of this world. Duraflame logs here we come! Acme Market, do not run out! The logs were needed to warm that colonial mansion. And to believe that I am now out here in this cold with a non-supporting family right here in this town, (yep that's what I said) with nowhere to go. That pisses me off! To continue my day I head to the Trenton Public Library at 9am to get on the computer or to read a book. At noon, I head over to the Soup Kitchen where there are others like myself who are hungry and want a free meal that is a hot cooked one. I am person number sixty. Hell! I offer to help others in the computer room because there are a lot of drug addicts around me and I am uncomfortable and have no use for them, none. After leaving the Soup Kitchen, I walk around looking for financial help from a local agency until I can get up on my feet. After all, I was used to being a suburban housewife who went shopping, fixed meals and hiding alcohol from the Mr. The Mr. was a man that I was married to for fifteen of my most precious thirty eight years. I remained homeless and slept in motels night after night alone until I found a room at the YWCA. There I slept with roaches who crawled under, on and over me. The place was utterly disquisting. After two years at the YWCA, I found my own four room apartment, small but it was better than the Y. This is where I am. I move in, there is peace, very quaint and quiet. My place was is of peace. I light yankee candles daily, listen to music and have a very beautiful doll collection and you know what? I live alone. I am happy being a divorced woman or how one looks at it, a single woman. I choose to stay this way because for the first time, S. Dianne Williamson knows who she is. My inner confidence has grown and I give back to the community what was given to me when I was down and out. I have the ability to bounce back from trials and situations, past and present. Perseverance is necessary as we saw with the woman writers discussed in the book. I look forward to reading about more about them this week. THIS IS A TRUE STORY.

Twenty Ways to Get Out of Debt-FAST!

See the caption to the left: the quotation reminds us that if we ever find ourselves on a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere. Look at that path, there is nothing in the way, you and i can walk down that path with no problem because there is no obstacle...SUCH IS LIFE....WE ARE GUARANTEED OBSTACLES. Debt can be an obstacle; yet it can be overcome...read on for there is help!



I was in the dollar tree store on Sunday afternoon picking up the usual dollar items to live on when I spotted these small Smart Style books, small pamphlets, to be exact. There are five according to the inside cover: 101 Ways to Fall Asleep Fast, 101 Ways to Get out of Debt Fast, 101 Ways to Lose Weight Fast, 101 Ways to De-Stress and 101 Ways to Communicate With Your Kids. The two that I saw I picked up. They were about getting about of debt and de-stressing. Those two things I am seriously trying to work on. They are very important to me. They may be of importance to you; maybe not. I do know that when I hit Dollar Tree on Sunday after my usual day of worship services, I will pick up the other three. Speaking of losing weight, I have not had any water today; let me just get up one minute from here; I know my foot aches but the refrigerator is less than a second away, I am in the kitchen. My kitchen serves as an office/ study area/eating area and watching dvd movies, what more can I say right now?

I would like in this blog to list 20 ways to get out of debt-fast! And in the red rose blog, list the suggestions for de-stressing, 20 ways as well. If it does not apply to you; perhaps you can share it with someone else that you know of that is in either situation, in debt or stressing. I can use some help in both areas. And away we go!

Debt. one of the few words of the English language that can instill fear into a fully grown adult. All over the world men and women of every age group, are battling with their own personal finance problems. If you take a look at your finances, you may find that you are struggling with these issues too.

There are many forms of debt-credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, and payday loans, to name but a few. Perhaps the most financially crippling of these is credit card debt. Credit card debt is among the most expensive debt a consumer can have.

No matter what form of debt you are tackling, there is always a way to pay the money back without getting yourself further down into the borrowing hole. If you truly want to dig your way out of debt and toward financial freedom, then you should follow this guide. The best thing about this minibook is that none of its suggestions involve borrowing more money. Instead, it offers practical solutions to boost your income and decrease your spending.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
1. Ask your boss for overtime. By asking for overtime at your current job you achieve two things: first, you show your boss that you are a committed and dedicated employee and second, you give yourself the opportunity to earn additional cash.

2. Apply for a second job. Another good option is to apply for a second job. Even a simple job, with minimal responsibility and few hours, could provide a regular source of income. Check your local newspaper for opportunities in your area, or visit web sities such as www.gotajob.com or www.monster.com for more information.

3. Start a home business. If you are serious about making enough money to fully pay off your debts, then you could consider running your own part-time, home-based business. Pick an area of work that you are skilled in and start your own business. Focus on a niche area where you have particular skills. Visit www.home-business-network.com to get started.

4. Take on freelance work. If owning your own home business sounds like too much hard work, then you might want to think about taking on freelance work. Many companies are more than willing to outsource certain tasks. It could be writing, maintenance work, graphics and design work, or even something as simple as filing or picking up the mail each day from the post office. Check with local companies in your areas to see what they have to offer, or visit www.freelance-work-exchange.com for more details.

5. Apply for a higher paying job. One of the most obvious courses of action to take when you find yourself in debt is to apply for a higher paying job. Earning more money is the perfect way to help clear up your loans and credit cards. See the web sites under #2 for more information on job opportunities.

6. Take out a home equity loan. A good idea is to pay off your credit card debt with a home equity loan. It won't reduce the amount of debt initially, but it will significantly reduce your interest rate and make more money available for principal repayments. Visit www.esmartloan.com/home-equity-loan.htm for more information.

7. Don't overpay your taxes. Are you getting a refund on your taxes? You could be loaning the government money interest free, as a result of too much witholding on your salary. And you are probably paying sky-high rates on your credit card debts too. Get together with your personnel department and recompute your witholding to avoid a big tax refund and increase your take home pay. Contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at www.nfcc.org for nore details.

8. Do household chores for your neighbors. Another prime way of making extra money is by hiring out your services as a cleaner, cook, or handyman (or woman) to your neighbors. People will be only too happy to pay you to do the jobs that they would rather avoid or don't have the time to do. Not meaning to be negative, but they want to help me with the trash bag they see me carrying to the dumpster for crackerjacks or want to borrow 40 cents or 5,00, so they need me, they cannot hire me, i would have to hire them, so this does not work for me, that's just my one cents i had to throw in, lol)

9. Organize a "swear" box. A swear box builds up cash quicker than you can say "put the money in the box." If you're not comfortable with a swear box, you can always alter it for a "no snacks box" or a "close the refrigerator door box." Whatever your vice, use it to your advantage.

10. Consolidate your loans. Free up your earnings by consolidating all your loans and reducing both your interest and repayments. There are many companies that offer this sort of loan solution, and you can find various ones advertised in the newspaper classifieds or on the web. Try www.unitedpersonaloans .com or www.gsfonline.com/debt-consolidation-loans-ya.htm in order to get started.

11. Hold a garage sale. Rummage around your garage, attic, and house and collect all the bric-a-brac you can find. Price it, put a "garage sale" sign in the front yard and make as healthy profit as passersby purchase all the things you no longer have a need for.

12. Make money online. There are literally thousands of moneymaking opportunities online. Many companies offer paid surveys, focus groups, and questionnaires. Try looking at www.paidsurveys.com and www.focusline.com to put you on the right path.

13. Start a loose change jar. Put all of your loose coins in a jar, and promise not to touch then until the jar is full to the top. You'll be surprised at how much you can accumulate, and all of this can be added to your debt fund.

14. Ask for a pay raise. The old maxim holds true. "If you don't ask, you don't get." Write out a list of reasons why you deserve a pay raise. Discuss it with your personnel dpartment before going to your supervisor or boss. Be professional and honest abut your self-appraisal, and you could be in for a little extra income.

15. Become a paid taxi for your friends on nights out. Instead of wasting your money on taxi fares, why not be the designated driver for a night out with your friends? You can charge them a cheaper fee then the taxi and still make enough to cover your gas and put something in your pocket towards your bills.

16. Sell items on Ebay. If you are internet savvy, then you may want to consider selling some of the items you own on Ebay. Look for anything that you no longer need, use, like, and then offer it up for grabs in this popular online market. Visit them at www.ebay.com

17. Put unneeded clothes on consignment. This is an especially good way to get rid of evening dresses (think old prom gowns and cocktail dresses you'll never wear again) and suits, but anything in good condition can be put on consignment. You share the money from the sale with the consignment shop, but it's an easy way to squeeze some money out of clothes that would otherwise just take up closet space.

18. Get a paper route. This may not be as silly as it sounds. Nowadays, paper routes aren't just for school kids. In fact, many people from all walks of life use this as a hassle-free way to make some additional cash when they need it most. Call your local newspaper and see what they have to offer.

19. Rent out a room in your house. If you have a spare room in your house you should consider renting it out to a lodger. Students at local universities are always looking for affordable housing. In most metropolitan areas, rooms average about $400.00 a month. This is a great way to generate income because the money will come on a regular basis. Make sure to get references on any lodger who applies and get a deposit to cover any damages and cleanup.

20. Sell your old videos/dvds/cd's. If you are looking to earn some money without too much effort, consider selling some dvds/cds/videos. Make sure they are in good working order.

other suggestions in the book:101 ways: grants and scholarships, TUTORING, YEAH! dog-walking,-pet-sitting, baby-sitting, scrapbook service, homemade greeting cards, tupperware, stuff envelopes, selling old books, laundry service, create a budget, create and sell your own candles, clip coupons, carpool, brown bag it, generic prescriptions, microwave instead of oven, THRIFT STORES, AHA!, avoid using your atm card at machines that charge a fee, and so on.

I noticed in the back of the book that there are other books in this series like "Get Fit Now," "Healing Foods," "Prayers To Your Guardian Angel," "Clean and Organize Your Home," I NEED, I NEED! (lol) and "Kids' Party Planner."

Additional link to check out for grabs...
www.coolfreebielinks.com

see ya next time!

POSITIVITY-PHOTOS FROM LOUISE HAY AND WAYNE DYER

Hello my friends and welcome back! This week I will be doing something a little different. I will be posting photos from Louise Hay and Dr. Wayne Dyer. The two of them are very positive persons. Take a look not only at the photo but the message contained on them. There are thirty unique expressions full of color to treasure and appreciate. See you all next week.

Visit the sisterblog www.beautifulredrose.blogspot.com in a few days for a post about mothers. I will also be writing about my weekend at Walee's booksigning on www.diamondspeaks.blog.com as well.

Queenwriter