Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 33
May 5, 2020
Free Mystery Book…What Do You Have to Lose?
Are you looking for a good free suspenseful murder mystery to read? Are you looking for a book with intriguing characters with humor and drama? Are you looking for a read with twists and turns throughout?
Don’t take my word for it, look at some of the reviews.
https://ginaraemitchell.com/review-solomons-dreams-by-eric-suddoth/
Then download my book for free at any online retailer.
If you are an Amazon junkie – it’s there with other great reviews.
If you are faithful to Barnes and Noble – it’s there too
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/solomons-dreams-eric-suddoth/1129608134?ean=2940155821137
Or if you prefer to read from iBooks – I got it there as well
I have it available at most book retailers, so wherever you shop, it should be there.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41976576-solomon-s-dreams
Currently, I have all my books available for free. But they will not always be free.
In the coming month, I will be releasing my latest mystery, Intertwined. So, check out my free book and if it kept you interested, look into some of my other books. And then…my latest book should be out.
Peace!
May 4, 2020
5 Steps to Help You Lose 10 Lbs
Everyone wants easy steps to achieve their goals, whatever the goal is. So, here are 5 steps to help you lose those pesky 10 lbs.
1. Love yourself
Yes, the first step to lose some weight is you have to figure out the reason you are doing it? If you are losing weight to make someone love you, what are you going to do when your looks fade in the future? Are you going to struggle your entire life to gain love by keeping up a horrendous exercise and diet routine?
No, you need to love yourself as you are right now! Not the reflection you want to see, but the reflection you have this moment in time. Your love handles, your flabby butt, your saggy arms – you are beautiful. If you don’t love yourself now, if results don’t happen quick enough you will relapse into a state of self hate.
Also, if you don’t love yourself now, will you love yourself 10 lbs from now?
If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect someone else to love you? So first step is to love yourself as you are and then you can improve yourself for yourself.
If you start to love yourself, your body will start to release good chemicals that will energize and encourage you. Endorphins are your body’s little helper that gives you a boost when you need it. If you stay locked in your cell of self hatred, nothing good can come out of that. Endorphins will not rush out in that state. They will be too scared. Don’t live in that fear.
Nothing good comes out of fear. Nothing.
2. Decide how you want to look in 20 years
Yes, it may sound crazy, but are you doing this so you can fit into your wedding dress from 10 years ago? Or are you trying to flatten your stomach to get back your college baseball playing physique and reminisce how the ladies would whistle as you strutted in your uniform?
Vain.
In 20 years will you care how tight your buns are?
Or will you care more about other things in your life?
What will be more important to you, superficial outward appearance or your inner character? Are you spending as much time on your emotional and spiritual well-being as you are on your firm backside? Outer beauty will eventually fade, but character will shine as bright on your deathbed as it shines now.
How are you shining?
If you figure out what will be important to you in 20 years, it will alleviate stress that slows down your metabolism. The faster your metabolism, the better for weight loss.
3. Love others
Are you the type that looks enviously at your friends and family and wishes you had what they have?
You need to stop!
Stop comparing yourself to your friend that has a six pack. Stop comparing yourself to your friend with flawless skin and long beautiful hair. Stop comparing yourself, because you will never, ever, be satisfied. Never.
If you start to show love and put love in the limelight, you won’t be able to see that green monster. Push envy aside like an annoying gnat. Swat it away when it starts buzzing in your ear. Swat it away when it starts telling you that you’re not as pretty. Swat it when you feel like you are slipping.
If you start to love others, you will put their needs above yourself. You will see these people as people and not objects to compete with. You will feel better which will give you more energy. More energy to exercise. More energy to show love to others. More energy to change the world for the better.
4. Breathe
Yes, you need to breathe. You need to chill. You need to relax. You need to realize that this weight is not a make or break moment in your life.
Look back at your life. It’s been said that worrying for over 10 seconds on something that isn’t going to have an affect on your life 10 years from now, is meaningless. How many hours or days have you wasted over meaningless worries?
Meaningless!
Is these 10 lbs worth the worry? Really? Is the world going to stop if you can’t lose these nagging pounds?
Give yourself a break.
Science has proven that your body needs 8 hours of sleep to renew itself. This rest rejuvenates your body and helps muscles to heal after a hard workout. This rest gives your body the added energy to continue on your goal the following day.
Yes, in order to lose weight you may need to rest more. Get some good rest. Quit the hours of tossing and turning as you mentally go over your agenda, trying to figure out how you are going to squeeze in an hour spin class in your already full schedule.
Just breathe.
It will all be okay. In the long run, it will all be okay.
You got this.
5. Repeat
Yes, this is a daily battle. You need to wake up with the confidence that you are created in God’s image. If your image is good enough for Him, it’s good enough for you. Feel His love and hopefully you will start to love yourself, bad breath and all.
Start your morning with optimism that you can and will make a difference. Find your priorities that will affect the world and not your self centered ideals. Keep striving to improve the whole you, inside and out.
Greet people with a smile. A real smile. Not a fake one with fangs, ready to attack, but one of compassion. Everyone is going through pains. Show love and love will come back around. Smiles are contagious and so are attitudes. Attitudes can travel faster than the speed of sound. Kind words or hateful words…it’s your choice.
When you wake, hopefully will will feel renewed, refreshed, and reborn. Ready and willing to attack the day. Nothing is to hard for you. Nothing! With a good night sleep, you won’t snap as easily to your loved ones. You won’t stress out and take out your fears on the people who love you the most.
And they do love you!
Then once again, repeat it again.
And again.
Again.
If you follow these steps, watch the weight fall away. Feel your attitude brighten, find your perspective has changed, see that the world is yours for the taken. So take it!
You got it.
And if you struggle, don’t fret. If you fall into an ice cream binge, don’t hate yourself. If you see an ugly reflection, forgive yourself.
And then start at step 1.
You can do this. You can.
Peace
May 3, 2020
Cutting Down the Bushes
I’ve had bushes in front of my house since I purchased it about 10 years. I’ve never liked them. I would trim them back and try my best to make them look decent, but I’ve always wanted to get rid of them.
I finally did it yesterday afternoon.
I took my chainsaw and went to town. In a matter of minutes the hedges that grew in front of my dining room window for years were now a thing of the past. All that remained were the roots.
There are many things in life that are like these hedges. We stay in a bad relationship for fear of the loneliness that will follow. The nagging thought that no one else will ever love you, even though you don’t feel love right now. So people stay.
We stay in a glass ceiling job because we are afraid to take a risk that will either bring a nice payday or financial ruin. We stay because we wonder if we can hack the future that is uncertain, while staying in a lifeless job has no unforeseen future. So no fears either.
We stay where we are because it’s comfortable. Comfort is good, but sometimes we confuse comfort for safe. It’s like a 20 year mattress that has lost all its support, but it dips and curves to every part of your body. The mattress isn’t good in the long run, but it works, so why change?
I had a friend who would compare life’s changes like a haircut. She would wrestle with making a change of style. She would get the nerve and allow the beautician to start cutting away the locks that needed to go. She was putty in their hands. Once the hair is cut, it’s no going back. But she would always say, that when she leaves she feels so much better. The change was needed. It was like a fresh breath. She would say, why didn’t I do this sooner?
So, what are you thinking of now? What is something that you wished you had done sooner?
I wish I had cut back the bushes years ago. I wouldn’t have wasted all that time trimming something I didn’t like. But lesson learned.
Life has two views – the future or the past. Philosophically is there ever really a present because the decision you decided a split second ago is already in the past. A missed shot, a swerve of a car, a call of a coin toss…is in the past the moment you decide it.
You can dwell on your past or your future. What are you dwelling on?
It’s good to recollect your past, but when your reminiscing take priority over planning for your future or living your life, then you need to re-evaluate your time.
When you drive you need to watch ahead of you and behind you, but you need to watch what is ahead of you more than looking in your rear view mirror. if you needed to look behind you more, your rear view mirror would bigger than your windshield, but it’s not.
So keep pressing forward!
Do you have any hedges that need removing? Today is a perfect day to bite the bullet.
Peace
May 2, 2020
Freedoms…
I feel incredibly blessed. Truly.
I live in a country where I have the freedom to post my thoughts for anyone willing to read. Sometimes I believe people take this privilege to extremes for various self seeking reasons without regards to other people’s feelings. It is nothing to rant and slander someone for their beliefs or opinions and hide behind the veil of Freedom of Speech.
Just because we have this freedom, doesn’t mean we should act on it with words of prejudice and division.
Lately I have been reading various people’s freedom of speech citing their religious freedoms have been fringed upon due to the COVID-19.
And my question is, how?
How has your freedom been taken away?
There has been an increasing debate between the separation of church and state. I have heard people shouting and protesting on both sides saying that prayer should be allowed in school or others saying that someone’s prayer at a graduation discriminated against their unbelief.
Has our freedoms caused us to be intolerant of anyone who doesn’t agree with us?
Many politicians stand on the platform of bringing God back into schools. But God never left. If He did, I wasn’t aware of His absence when I walked through the bullying halls of high school. I never felt His void because a principal wouldn’t pray over the intercom. I didn’t know there was an invisible wall that was so impenetrable that God Himself couldn’t pass over.
I may not have been led by teachers to pray while in school, but I prayed in school. No one can stop that.
We don’t have to make a show out of our prayers.
Jesus said,
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
I’m not sure Jesus would agree with you if you say your religious rights have been take away. Dare to say, what he would say.
Until we face death for our faith, I’m not sure we should say we are having our rights removed. There are many places in the world where people would die for the rights that we have. Some have been martyred today because of their faith. And sadly, more will be tomorrow.
As I will lay in my bed and have church in the safe confines without fear of anyone barging through my door to sentence me to 10 years of hard labor for reading my Bible.
We may have altered our assembly of worship, but worship is still happening. We may have changed our service of praise, but praise is still happening. We may have a different format of honor, but honoring our God is still happening.
If you feel like your Liberty has been revoked. Whose Liberty are you focusing on? When we focus our worship on ourself, you just made an alter to an idol. An idol of yourself.
During this time may we find what true worship is. Remove the flashy music, take away the beautiful clothes, erase the churchy words of greetings, absolve yourself of going through the motions of Sunday.
Jesus said,
“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'””
Matthew 15:7-9 ESV
Let’s get our hearts right…then everything else will fall into place.
God bless America!
Peace
May 1, 2020
Bloom
I went for a jog this evening after I got home from work and as I was running by my house, I noticed these bright pink flowers in my front yard. It seems like these petals blossomed overnight. It’s like one day it was just an ordinary bush and the next day it was showing the fruit of its purpose.
So, are you like an ordinary bush or is your existence full of colors and life? Which would you rather be? A shrub that is often purposeful yet overlooked or a Pollyanna bloom that invites and entices?
Or are you dead?
There are so many people who have never thought about blooming. Blooming in a relationship, a career, a dream, an ambition, a vacation, or a purpose.
It’s as if they are on the brink of something, yet unsure of themselves. Unsure that they will succeed in their blind leap of faith. Unsure that they will be ridiculed in the chance taken. Unsure of their bravery to embark on the unfamiliar journey.
Doubts can lock even the strongest of men in cages of their own devices.
But there is always a key. Always.
I used to be content being a wallflower. I hated attention, still do in most instances, but I have learned that there comes a time when taking the backseat isn’t what God planned for my life.
What if you miss out on a blessing because you didn’t take a step?
Think of Peter and the pinnacle walking on water scene. Would his life had been different if he didn’t take that step? One decision can radically affect the future.
The same can be said for us. You may ask what difference can one action do?
One action can bring an unimaginable difference.
Think of any memory you have. A memory you treasure as if a priceless heirloom. What caused you to hold that memory so dear to your heart? It ultimately can be traced back to one decision. What if that one decision was answered the other way…you would have no memory of that important event.
One life, one dream, one vision, one purpose, one decision, one person can change everything.
Maybe it’s time for a change?
Bloom or not to bloom. The choice is yours. Once again, one decision can greatly impact your future and world.
Peace
April 29, 2020
Divided…As Always
Everyone has an opinion. It’s human nature to form an opinion and to stick with it. There has never been a moment in history when everyone in the world agreed in one thing. So why do we think now should be any different?
With the COVID pandemic people are divided between masks or no masks. Everyone has an opinion and in the mind of the opinion holder, they think they are right. It’s human nature to believe you are right.
In a matter of minutes I read two different articles and each one had sound reasons for wearing a mask or not wearing a mask. Both authors were intelligent in their findings. Both had scientific findings for their conclusions. Both believed wholeheartedly that they were right.
But can they both be right?
In a world where white is white and black is black, is there a playground of grey somewhere in the middle?
We live in a world divided over important and not so important issues. Right to lifers shout at pro choicers like they are animals. Evolutionist scoff at creationist as if they are dim witted fable chasers. Environmentalist picket industrialist with signs made with recycled poster boards in hope of a tree hugging conversion. I’ve even seen social posts debating on the proper way to hang your toilet paper, over or under.
We are a civilization divided. We always have and sadly, we always will.
Even the greatest historical figures of our past were not revered by everyone. What do the following people have in common – Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, Jesus Christ? They are all revered and respected by many today, but they were all assassinated or executed by people who didn’t like them.
We choose sides as if life is a game of middle school dodgeball and we throw slurs at anyone who doesn’t agree with our opinion.
Even if you don’t say it, you definitely think the other side is wrong. Usually with a shaking of your head at the other sides idiotic position and muttering, “Bless your heart.”
We all do it.
We find groups who believe as we do, we all do. We go to church with people who have the same faith, we go to the bars to cheer on the same team, we join PETA or vegan cooking groups to surround ourselves with like minded souls, or what we may call, the right ones.
But why?
You may think you are open minded in your social circles by befriending an atheist, a gun slinger, a naturalist, or God forbid a democrat. But if you search the innermost regions of your heart you will find the same core thought as everyone else, “I’m right and those who don’t agree with me are wrong.”
I wish I could conclude this post with something that would wrap all these thoughts into a nice package with a bow on top, but I can’t. At the end of the day there are once again people who will read this post and some will like it and others won’t. Some will agree and some will think I’m stupid.
Once again, even this meaningless blog post will cause a divide subconsciously.
The only hope I can give is there has always been a divide and there always will. We are no different than the world 2000 years ago. The only change is that we post our thoughts for billions of people to see without a second thought.
In a matter of seconds you can be honored or humiliated by a thousand twitterers.
God help us all, no matter what side of the fence you are on.
Peace.
April 28, 2020
Jump, Jump…or Not
Are you feeling the unrelenting claustrophobic pressure of COVID cabin fever? You are not alone.
I am an introvert. I enjoy being at home and basking in the silence…that is until I’m not enjoying it.
A few years ago I tore my ACL and had to have surgery. I thought the two weeks would be great after I got over the grueling and painful hours of rehab. I thought I could recline on the couch with my leg propped up for hours on end and watch all the shows I had been missing. Or so I thought.
After a few days I found out that I missed the world. I missed the feeling of going outside on my own. I have a great family. My parents came over and visited often, spending the night, making sure I was doing my exercises, but when they would leave, I would feel so alone.
I had never felt this sense of uncertainty. Was it the medicine? Could have been. But seeing people’s post these days, I think I was feeling a bad case of cabin fever.
A good way to get over the doom and gloom of this pandemic is to get your blood pumping. As Kris Kross would tell you from the 90s, “Jump, Jump.”
If you can’t jump, find something to get your blood moving. When you exercise, your body releases a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger, endorphins, that help relieve pain and stress. You may not think you are stressed sitting at home all day, but your body could be giving you signs you are stressed.
I went to the doctor a few years ago because I was having breathing issues a year after my lung collapsed and I thought maybe I had asthma. My lungs were fine, but my body was telling me to slow down. “Are you stressed?” the doctor asked.
“No,” I calmly answered, thinking, life is good and I know how to handle stress.
“Sometimes you don’t know you are stressed and your breathing problem is a sign your body is telling you that you are stressed,” the doctor said. He told me a story of when he thought he was okay, handling life, but he started having problems. “I was denying my stress and my body was trying to wake me up to it.”
If you are experiencing strange symptoms that are not normal for you…it could be stress. It could be a sign telling you to wake up.
Don’t consider yourself weak or fragile (I thought it made me less of a person to admit I was stressed) but it doesn’t. It just proves that you are human and you have limits.
Don’t hurdle over those boundaries.
So, if exercising doesn’t help to alleviate your stress. Try doing the opposite and meditate to a relaxing zen state. Listen to some calming music, close your eyes, let your mind drift to a place of utopia and just breathe. Imagine the pressures on your back chipping away. Visualize the weight that you are struggling to lift fading away like sand. Watch the sand trickle away like an hour glass. Just watch the sand fall.
Breathe in for 5 seconds.
Breathe out for five seconds.
It may sound strange, but groan as you breathe out. Feel the vibrations in your chest as it starts to tickle your lips. Then do it again.
And then again.
If getting your blood pumping doesn’t help, calming the boiling blood may be better for you. Deep breathing releases the feel good endorphins as well.
So take a moment and find your place on the spectrum, high octane energy or a peaceful state of bliss. Wherever you lie on the grid, find your spot and settle in.
You are not alone.
Hope you find some comfort in that truth.
Peace
April 27, 2020
Travel Plans…Staycations
Everyone who knows me, knows I love to travel. 7 years ago this week I was traveling through Italy for 2 weeks alone. Embracing, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Naples and Rome. Catching the sights, tasting the gelato, smelling the garlic, and immersing myself in everything I could.
6 years ago I was planning a trip with my cousins and sister to California. I love my family…call me strange.
5 years ago I was planning a trip to Eastern Canada with my parents, because my mom wanted to go.
4 years ago during this week, I took my parents to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC since my mom wanted to go. And if my mom wants to go anywhere, I will take her. Anywhere.
3 years ago I was planning a trip with my sister and my niece to Ireland, Paris and London for my nieces graduation present.
2 years ago I was planning my trip back to Ireland, because my mom was envious of the pictures since she didn’t go with us the year before. Did I mention if my mom wants to go anywhere, I would take her? It’s true. Just the two of us driving around the whole country.
A year ago I was planning my trip to Switzerland…
Yes, I work to travel. This year wasn’t going to be any different. I was going to start planning my trip to Iceland and out west with my other niece as a graduation present. That is, until COVID-19 happened.
Now it looks like the only place I will be traveling is by watching reruns of The Amazing Race.
Am I upset? No.
I am blessed to be healthy and have the means to travel when the travel restrictions are lifted. I may not always agree with everything the President of the United States does or says, but I will respect him. The same for my governor, Andy Beshear. I may not agree with all of his ideologies, but as an elected official, I am called to pray and respect all elected officials. No matter their political affiliations.
[image error]Beach in Southern Ireland
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. – 1 Peter 2:17
I could grumble and gripe about this ruining my travel plans, but can I be so petty?
I have heard stories of people who have watched people die of this illness, that were perfectly healthy two weeks ago. I have heard stories of people waiting in a nearby room to be told their spouse has passed, because they were not allowed in the same room as they went to meet God. I have heard stories of parents losing their child. That statement is just tragic. People can say people die all the time, which is true, but these people only died because they crossed paths with someone who unknowingly had the virus.
So how can I start to complain?
Where do you stand on the spectrum? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Are you ranting and complaining as you live in safe and healthy confines because your life has been altered? Or are you considering yourself blessed to be able to spend time with your loved ones a little while longer?
Shouldn’t we count this time as a blessing? What are your thought? A blessing or a curse?
I have a gift to turn any negative into a positive, not because everything bad is good, but I choose to not allow the bad to direct my course. I choose to see the possibility in the ruins.
I will chart my path in optimism. I will set my flag with hopes of a brighter tomorrow. I will plan my future travels with my loved ones and maybe I will cherish these trips we will take a little more to heart. Not because of the destination, but because who is beside on the journey.
[image error]After running to catch our final flight at Detroit from Ireland…funny now, but at the time…not so much. Perspective is everything
May you find peace during these times. May you dream a little more. May you open your eyes to hope. May you see through the lens of God. At the end of the day, He is still in control.
What harm could it due? Mask and all.
Peace
April 26, 2020
Focus…On What?
What are you focusing on right now?
Are you watching the news feeds and reports each day, biting your nails in fear at the new COVID-19 cases reported as they continue to climb? Are you looking at your friends and family with trepidation, hoping they don’t have to battle this outbreak?
Are you watching grocery store shelves, running in to stockpile on items you may need in the coming weeks? It seems like there are Facebook groups telling people where to get your essentials now. Not in ten minutes because it will be gone, but now.
Are you watching your checkbook balance dwindle as you wait for your unemployment check to finally arrive? Watching the bills start to pile like LEGO blocks and your checking account turn into a dismal game of pick up sticks?
Are you watching your stock portfolio that has been cut in half after years of hard work and calculated risks? Watching your dream vacations drift away in the sunset as you come to realization that staycations are the way of the future.
Are you watching outside your window, hoping and praying that in the coming days you can get back to a somewhat normality of going to work, interacting with friends and hugging those that need a hug?
You may be watching for good intentions, but good intentions are not always the right thing.
Hell is paved with good intentions.
― Samuel Johnson
Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions.
― T.S. Eliot
[image error]
Good intentions can bring out the worst in someone.
News can be beneficial, but it can also be a detriment. Watching the news to learn – good. Letting its bleak hope birth doubt, fear, resentment, and anger in yourself – bad.
Running to the grocery store to picking up what you need and buying supplies for people who can’t get out or afford it – good. Fighting over the last package of ground beef – bad.
Watching your wealth to plan for the betterment of your family and to help those in need – good. Playing the stock market to fatten your wallet and your lavish lifestyle of self-centered and greedy ambition – bad.
Every intention has at least two sides (usually many more.) But it depends what side you are looking at it by.
So, during this time. What are you focusing your attention on? When life is crumbling, what thought goes to the forefront of your mind. When everything seems a world away, what thought do you ponder to give you peace or in some the negative attributes that we all wrestle with at times.
[image error]
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 ESV
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 ESV
A song that many people are clinging to at this time, is as pertinent today as it was written many years ago.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Wednesday night as I was meeting some students online, I basically quoted this song. There have been many moments in my life when life was hard, worry was creeping in, doubt was growing rampant, darkness was overpowering the light. I felt tired and weak. In those moments it would be so easy to turn into a surrendering defeat. To turn over and let the negativity win. To let the enemy claim a victory.
But in those moments when I am at my weakest, that is when the light can be seen the brightest if you search for it. It’s as if a spotlight is shining, shining toward heavenly thoughts. It’s a fight, but you got to fight!
When I fix my eyes of Christ, it doesn’t eliminate the storms around me, but it eliminates my need to focus on the storms.
I love the line “And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim…” When I focus my thoughts on Christ it doesn’t wipe out the COVID-19 virus, but it shows that Christ is bigger than that virus. When I focus on the sacrifice Christ endured, it gives me strength that I too can endure this. When I focus on Christ’s triumph through His resurrection, it gives me hope that I too can overcome anything. When I fix my eyes on my Lord, I know He’s fixing His eyes on me.
Knowing Christ is looking upon me…well, there is no better feeling. Knowing the Maker of the world knows my name, knows my fears, knows my insecurities, knows me and loves me despite my failures – there is no better feeling.
I pray that you know this feeling.
If you don’t, focus on something heavenly now. Give it time…He deserves our time. But when it happens, prepare to be amazed and awed.
So, I pose my question again. What are you focusing on?
April 25, 2020
Free Money
Many people in the United States are getting a nice treat in their bank accounts or mailboxes…the stimulus checks.
The government is trying to help out with the COVID-19 pandemic by giving citizens money if their Adjusted Gross Income is below a certain amount depending on their filing status and the number of applicable dependents.
The government is trying to help, but don’t be foolish with this money. If you are one of the people deeply affected by this crisis, this money is to help with essential needs.
Wants are not essential. If you were doing without it last week, you can do without it next week too.
A nice pair of shoes to walk in outside since you are being quarantined…not essential.
Bread and milk…essential.
Buying the latest video game since you are getting cabin fever…not essential.
Paying for electricity to keep your refrigerator running…essential.
Buying a new purse to house your stimulus money…not essential.
Depositing the money into a savings account for possible COVID-19 fallout that still may come…essential.
Statistics show many people are living paycheck to paycheck. This may be a good time to reassess your spending and look closely at your monthly budget. Many financial advisors recommend having 6 months of expenses in a saving account for moments like this.
Hopefully after we get back into a somewhat normal lifestyle we each can look more closely at our finances and start saving a little more.
A good idea is start saving a small amount of money each week. Then each following week increase your savings a dollar. You will notice you are not missing that money. And you will eventually have a nice savings account to use for emergency purposes.
Buying a new shirt…not an emergency.
Repairing your roof after a storm…emergency.
See the difference?
Hopefully we can all see these differences and improve ourselves. And by improving ourselves we can impact others and help teach them.
So make smart decisions with this money. Once you spend it, it’s gone.
Peace
