Thursday, August 12, 2010

Soul Sisterhood

I feel compelled to write about sisterhood...mainly out of sheer gratitude. I have never had a biological sister but throughout my life have been blessed with many soul sisters.

As far as my early experience with female relationships, my mother was never really there for me emotionally. If anything it was vice versa. I felt like I had to be a mother to her since I was five. So a void was created, not having that strong mom to turn to. I still feel that void especially when I am having troubles, sometimes I want that "mom" but she is not there. Furthermore, I was a tomboy growing up and bonded with boys much easier. It's not until I was about nineteen that I started to embrace the beauty of having female friends that I loved as sisters. These beautiful women have inspired me. There are too many amazing memories to count. The best part is knowing that you can have healthy friendships that don't cave into drama and jealousy, which often happens with women.

We are stuck with our biological families but we can choose our friends and choose them wisely. Eventually friends can become family, even closer than blood. When romantic relationships fail miserably, friends are still there to pick up the pieces and dry the tears. When I need something, I know I can pick up the phone and have someone really listen to me and tell me what I need to hear even if it's tough love. That is the most amazing blessing to know that someone cares for you and supports your dreams. Please don't take that for granted.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Your Relationship With Money...

It's amazing how much of our life revolves around money. What is your relationship with money? Is it healthy? Money is energy. It flows. It can allow us great freedom and lack of it, strips us of our dreams. Some things to look at: Are you careless with your budget? Were you raised with the idea of constant lack and scarcity?



Some Helpful Tips

I wrote a list of some ideas that might help you save for the things that really mean a lot to you. I don't like seeing people struggle. If you can't make your bills or are in financial strain, maybe consider some of these tips:

1. Open up a savings account & stash money in there every paycheck, even if it's just $25, it adds up after awhile.

2. Sell what you don't need anymore or things you've outgrown.

3. Trade/barter with a friend.

4. Create a vision board with things you'd like to work towards (if you need help with this, let me know).

5. Make use of whatever free resources you have like the library. Consider doing some things outdoors that are free when the weather cools down.

6. Don't eat out as much. It's pretty common to waste a ton of money on dining. You can cook at home and even make a date of it. This also includes skipping a few nights at the bar, you can drink at home. It is much cheaper & it's not going to kill you to make a small sacrifice.

7. Skip the mall once in awhile and consider second hand stores like Buffalo Exchange. I can understand the desire to have brand new things, but sometimes consigned items can be great.

8. Prioritize your time and see if there is a way to make extra cash with a skill that you have. (as long as it's legal) ;)

9. Visualize prosperity. Any time you panic that you don't have enough, re-wire your thoughts. Like attracts like. Maybe use a positive affirmation. "I am surrrounded with wealth." "All my needs are always provided for."

10. Take a chance and look into making an investment, like stocks.

11. Skip the $4 lattes and make coffee at home. Think about it, if you buy 15 lattes a month, that's $720 a year! Good lord, that's alot of money!

12. Negotiate to have your bills lowered. Sometimes if you call your insurance companies, you can lower your rates. Maybe look at your cell phone plan and see if you are paying for more than what you actual use. This goes for cable too. If you are never home, then why would you pay $60 for something you don't even use.

13. Really re-consider big financial decisions before taking the leap. Always look at what the chances are that you will have a high return on investment. The worst thing you can do is make a hasty decision like buying a home or racking up a college tuition bill that you'll be paying until your 80. A little patience & reconsideration may save you some serious grief.

14. Don't buy into the idea that the economy is terrible and that we are all doomed to be poor. Stay positive. There are alot of people out there who are doing amazingly well financially. You are just as capable as they are, so believe in yourself!

Hopefully some of these tips are helpful to you. If nothing else, I hope that maybe you can reconsider your attitude around money. Furthermore, if you do end up with more than you need, remember to share with those who genuinely need it & keep the good energy flowing. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Letting Go & Allowing Abundance

First of all, Happy August! Today was Lammas which was "the early harvest". It's a time when the grain begins to ripen and we can start to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Before we can harvest anything though, we have to create space. If we do not let certain things go in our lives that are unhealthy, then the same lessons will rear their ugly heads over and over again until we realize that we are in the stranglehold of self-defeating patterns.

Life is meant to be bountiful. If you feel like something is lacking from your cup, then it's time to "clean house". I love using affirmations to help me with situations like this. How about trying, "Today I lovingly let go of things that no longer serve me and allow the new to enter. I trust that the universe has a greater plan for me." You might to need to let go of a negative thought pattern, fear, the need for control, or a relationship/friendship that is unfulfilling. The irony is that you may look back and realize that something you put your energy towards was a complete waste of time and now you are freeing up energy for greater, better opportunities.

Trust me, I know it's not easy. If you have something you are struggling to let go of, journal it and burn it. Have a small ceremony to say "goodbye" to that habit, that person, that negative thought that is holding you back. Ask for the support of your friends or family in helping you let go. Tears could fall, let them out for they are cleansing. There is so much love to be had & there are enough resources to go around. You might even see that you are the only thing standing in the way. Get out of your own way & begin to fill your basket.