Surviving this economy takes focus, determination and a plan. With the uncertainty of jobs and employee adjustments, many Americans are finding it hard to stay optimistic in the eye of recession. The media predicts more of the same for some time to come and this news is contributing to increased anxiety and panick. But their is a silver lining in the sky and it has your name on it. You can take charge of your situation and your surroundings in the midst of this recession but you must first change your mind about the current plight of the economy.
If you have a job, be thankful. Be thankful and wise at the same time by taking control of your future and seeking to find other streams of income. Instead of spending your days worrying from day to day about the security of your job or the stability of the company, spend that valuable time adding value to your life. Do you have a hobby, a talent or an inside advantage to a second job? If so, go for it and build a second income source to sustain you and your family. Make the downturn work for you by taking advantage of an abundance of employable talent at a “discounted rate/fee” or use this time to barter for services if you’re an entrepreneur. Either way, making this time in America work for you is going to be the difference between standing still and striving forward.
Blessings (www.shaybills.com/blog/)
What is your strength? What makes you feel strong inside? Every individual has a strength that equips them with an ability to inspire, educate, entertain or fulfill others. What is your area of expertise? Whatever it is or they are, you must take care by honing your craft. Take your ability and craft it in such a way that it or they WORK for you. I can think of hundreds of successful entrepreneurs, business men and women who have “crafted” impressively. Examples include the recent crafter, Rachael Ray. Who knew honing your cooking skills could manifest into your own hit TV Show entitled, “Thirty Minute Meals,” a food/cooking magazine and now a talk show? The same is true for the enfamous Martha Stewart with crafts from the kitchen to just about every room in your house today. And last but not least, Oprah. Yes, one name says it all. Whatever you do, strive to be the best at it and teach others. Your craft (gift) will make room for you!!! Stop trying to fix your shortcomings, and focus on honing your craft. In the end, your passion will be your dream realized.
Blessings (comment at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
“sometimes it hurts to love so bad, when you know you’ve given all you can. sometimes it hurts to even laugh. you do your best but still it’s much too sad. sometimes, the pain is just to much. and it hurts like hell. that’s the way it feels.”——–aretha franklin
In my book, “Is Your Ghost Holy,” I write about the principle of Love. I expound on how often our definition of love is far removed from God’s love, for He is love. Not that I want to spend this post summarizing that chapter in my book, but I do want to share how the lyrics above by the wonderful Aretha Franklin sum up how both beautiful and not so beautiful love can be, just as Christ demonstrated at Calvary. How beautiful love is when things are right, the person is right and the season is ripe for bearing fruit. The picture of love is vivid with endless possibilities of always and forever. We’ve all been there when all was well with the world as long as love was near. But unfortunately, as well as fortunately, love can be ugly and love can hurt like hell. Jesus said, “Father if it be thy will, let this cup pass by me.” But just as a loving Father, His will had to be done and love had to hurt so that all could gain the opportunity to freely love again. Which makes the lyrics above worth singing because even though you don’t know when the day will come, you do know it will come, when you will love again.
Blessings….(comment at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
Back in the day Janet Jackson was my favorite female R&B singer. I knew every song and the moves to every video, seriously. Janet had a song entitled, “Pleasure Principle,” and even though it wasn’t my favorite song, for some reason before writing this post, Pleasure Principle came to mind when I was thinking about putting business into play. What do I mean by that? Many of us work to earn a living. Whether that means to pay for the house, the car, kids tuition or save for retirement, many of us work to earn a dollar. Now, not that anythings wrong with that at all, but for a minute think about how much or how little pleasure your work brings you. If you’re blessed, where you work is also– where you play. Meaning, you’re doing what you feel you were created to do and so it does not feel like work at all. What a feeling that is. But for others, not that you’re not blessed, the principle of pleasure is missing from 9 to 5. So how do you deal with this dilema?
Having been there myself for years, and still working towards full-pleasure in work, I’ve found that taking baby steps towards pleasure at work help. For example, if I desire to work in an environment that is exciting and uplifting, I ignite the excitment and I encourage others because in return I’m uplifted. The pleasure principle can be altered to fit any area of your life as long as you recognize the POWER behind the principle is within you. Work is work nomatter how you look at it, so the pleasure comes through your vision of the work you are doing. Change your minds-eye about it being simply a 9 to 5, a way to earn a living and a way to make a dollar. And begin to see the pleasure in that time to be the light on the job, bring life to the lives of others and be the recipient of financial blessings that ultimately belong to Him.
Blessings….(respond at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
I made it to the Choctaw County Library a little concerned about guests and very bothered by the fact that I forgot my camera at home. Once inside and immediately after set up, guests started arriving and I felt better. It doesn’t matter how well I plan or how prepared I am, I still get anxious before any event or engagement—I’ve learned that’s how God lets me know He’s in control. The seminar was a success. I am thankful for all of the men and women in attendance and was well-pleased with the openness and interaction of the group. I prayed that God only allow those with an open-mind and positive attitude attend—and He did just that and it made for an AWESOME seminar.
The highlights of the seminar included: Change Your Attitude About Money and Finances, The Power of Generosity and Being Good Stewards Over Our Blessings. The audience participated in personal goal setting, vocalizing areas of improvement and techniques that have worked for them and their family, as well as gaining insight about wills, trusts and life insurance. All of these areas, including tithes and offering, seed sowing, and much more rooted in biblical principles for Kingdom living right here on earth.
While on the drive home I received a call from a good Christian friend and fellow realtor that attended the seminar informing me of how good God is, because just as she got in her car a family member informed her that she needed spiritual guidance with money left to her by the passing of a loved one. Personally, I felt that was God’s way of letting me know the works of my hands are not in vain. My prayer before and after the seminar remains the same: “Lord teach us to make changes toward living according to your Word, instruct us of the giving-power attached to every dollar we release and annoint us with you presense so that it all works together for our good even when it doesn’t make “cents.”
Blessings…..(respond at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
I know you’ve probably heard it time and time again, that now is the time to invest. But honestly, the time is right and deals are HOT!!! If you haven’t searched the housing market of your local newspaper or friendly real estate listings online, you my dear friend are in for a BIG surprise. Not only are interest rates at an all time low (over the last ten years) but we are currently experiences a buyers market like never before and that means HUGE savings for you. I’m not talking about buying a home. I’m talking about investing and building your individual or family portfolio—even if you don’t currently own a home.
Let me guess, you’re not interested in investing, right? Well, as a licensed professional realtor, I suggest you get interested and quick. Now is the perfect time to buy a “fixer-upper” and give you and your family something financially productive to do this summer that will pay off for generations to come, instead of just adding another lazy summer to your to-do list. Make sure you weigh all of your options including: location, taxes, insurance and property management if you’re not comfortable dealing with tenants. In addition, make a few calls to a local realtor, you can call me of course at 903-785-8484, and ask about the “going rental rate” for property in the area of interest. Since the price of real estate varies from town to town and state to state, I advise you do your own research first before making calls.
And last but not least, investing doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be quite fun when looked at from a progressive perspective for all involved. So go ahead, feed your curiosity and take a look at the prices of some of the investment properties on the market. I promise, the prices in some areas will surprise you.
Blessings….(comment at www.shaybills.com/blog/ )
Don’t forget www.shaybills.com is having a contest in the month of June 2009. All individuals that comment on any blog posted in June are automatically entered to win a BAG-of-BOOKS from ShayBills.com in an effort to promote Christian Literature and Spread the Good News of the Gospel, the bag will include books by various authors centered around our faith in Christ Jesus. So visit often and comment as often as you like….winner will be announced July 3, 2009 right before the 4th of July Celebrations!!!! Inform your friends and if you have any ideas, suggestions for future events/contests, just let me know. Hear from you soon.
Blessings…..(read more/comment at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
The song says, “Let’s get back to Eden, Live on top of the world.” But how do we think and live The Eden Way? The answer to that is simple—think and live God’s way! Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Even in these economic times, our blessings are found in thinking and living as God instructs not as we wonder, feel or assume. Proverbs exclaims that their is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof is destruction. Let’s get back to Eden and live on top of the world simply translates to Kingdom living right here on earth. Thinking and living above worldly influences, the condition of our circumstances and the words spoken by man. Our Spirit is solely receptive to spiritual food (the Word of God) and during such a time as this, only manna from heaven can supply sufficient nourishment for our soul.
Blessings….(read more/comment at www.shaybills.com/blog/)
It may be one of the hardest realities in life, but necessary. Making amends is critical in discovering your destiny. Too often unforgiveness robs the individual of their life purpose, dreams and mission. It may be an all-consuming sense of guilt over incidents in your past, it could be the history of your family or maybe just feelings of unworthyness. Whatever it is, it is time to face it and get over it.
How do you do that? FIrst, look that devil (situation) in the eye and declare victory. You have to first realize your own mistakes, acknowledge your own short comings and then seeks ways to improve. Secondly, you must start being more responsible. Making amends is not about what others are doing, it’s about making peace with yourself and making better choices. Thirdly, confession is good for the soul. But be careful with whom you confide, everyone is not a confidant. Confession will hold you accountable for your words and actions. This is important when making amends and it keeps the boundaries clearly defined by you and someone you trust. And last but not least, seek ways to assist others in making amends. This act of unselfishness goes a long way in ensuring your position but also fosters a sense of responsiblity for others. So take a long hard look at yourself and believe that He which has began a good work in you shall continue until the coming of Jesus Christ. He has great plans for you, once you make amends with life issues and circumstances, you’ll be most appreciative of the life of freedom that awaits you.
blessings
I woke up this morning and for some reason I had to log on and catch up on the latest blog entries, twitter updates and of course see what my friends on facebook have been up to over the past couple of weeks. Though my addiction to FB is getting better, I just had to check in early this morning. After logging off, it hit me that all of these network marketing attempts offer a form of education in the business of real life. So I thought long and hard and came up with life lessons network marketing teach:
1. an attitude for success
2. leadership skills
3. communication skills
4. people skills
5. overcoming fears of rejection
6. accountability skills
7. time management skills
8. goal setting
All of these are reasons many entrepreneurs and big business companies network. Even social networking has a way of marketing a more personal side of individuals while serving a dual role of keeping “what you do” on the minds of contacts. In 2009 network marketing is a powerful tool, use it to your advantage.
blessings….
