tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13573816057528177422024-03-08T03:53:38.720-08:00Living in AquaWe all get told from a young age that the grass is always greener on the otherside. Well... time to start watering. Or painting. Maybe you don't want green grass, maybe you want red, or purple, or aqua.
No matter what you want, there is a way to get it. We must try and think positive (and no, "I'm positively going to fail" is not an option on this quiz). We struggle, we fall down, we re-plan, get back up and start moving again. After all it's not what life throws at us, it's what we throw back.Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-3961916944394466922010-07-18T14:10:00.000-07:002010-07-18T14:10:37.200-07:00The Soft, The Hard and The Unknown..<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Never judge a book by it's cover. </span></em></strong><br />
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When I was in fourth grade, we had this group of recruiters come into our class. They pulled some of us out and gave us relatively odd projects to do. Build a weight bearing structure out of straw, playdoh and a dixie cup; here's how to do an origami ball, now do it. Several activities that seem to have no purpose. This was Odyssey of the Mind, and I was accepted. Think Brain Olympics for kids.<br />
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Part of OM was building these structures out of balsa wood. A baby could break this stuff in half and we were to build a structure (no more then 7oz in weight if I recall correctly) that should hold weight, the team that had the sturdiest structure won. I am still amazed to this day that we could do this, as kids. KIDS! We took flimsy wood and glue and turned it into something pretty amazing.<br />
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I also recall as a kid these rocks near a creek at my Grandma's place. They looked like rocks, they smelled like rocks, they tasted like dirt, but other then that they seemed like perfectly good rocks... until you picked them up. I could crush them with my hands, and I did. Over and over again, I felt like David. It was very cool.<br />
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Laying in bed last night got me thinking about these two stories. Something soft, made into something strong: something seemingly hard made actually fragile. It's like people. Some of the sweetest, most sensitive people I know, you would probably cross the street if you saw them walking towards you. On the flip side, some of the meanest things I have ever heard or seen done has come out of innocent, sweet looking people. We really shouldn't judge. <br />
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Not that if you see a mean looking person coming your way you shouldn't be a little weary, but in a social situation try meeting with people you don't usually go up to. You may be surprised. I'm trying. Remember when you interact with people that they are going through life's pile of dung heap too. That waitress you yelled at because of poor service? How do you know that her mother didn't just pass. That guy who cut you off? Maybe his wife is in labor. There's a million ways to be mean and hateful. Let's all try a few ways to be nice, loving and more accommodating to our fellow humans... no matter how much we want to ram our car into theirs and flip them the bird. <br />
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Have a Blessed Day, <br />
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Brandy Deming <br />
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CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />
http://www.facebook.com/brandy.demingBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-86523477147978947312010-07-16T02:06:00.000-07:002010-07-16T02:06:35.422-07:00Rabbit Food<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>If I liked eating rabbit food, I would look like someone who ate rabbit food.</strong> ~Moi</span></em><br />
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It is no real secret that I don't like salad, or raw carrots for that matter. To me those things taste like cardboard. Not that I don't like my veggies and fruits, I just like them cooked... and covered in butter. The true reality is that I like, no LOVE food. All kinds. I can't even pick a favorite, because I'm afraid one of the others might get jealous and stop agreeing with my taste buds, or even worse, my digestive system.<br />
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You may be thinking, "What [TF] does this have to do with positive choices or success?", well... lots. You see, there's a lot of us out there who have to make daily and hourly decisions based on what we like and what we have to do. Just the facts of life.<br />
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There is a dreamland that I like to visit where eating red meat, smoking and drinking are not only acceptable behaviors, but healthy. As a matter of fact last night I had a dream about eating a HUGE plate of fluffy white cake with butter cream frosting while having the best chilled mocha and a tasty smoke. Sounds sad, but true. I also looked great. The reality is, if I eat what I want, when I want, do what I want when I want, the next 10 years of my life will definitely be the last and I'll spend them lounging around on the couch looking like the sexiest Jaba you've ever seen. <br />
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We all have to make choices, some are easy, some are hard. I'm trying to be here for you to help you make them match the goals that you have set for yourself. I bounce around a bit, because everyone has different goals, but the desire to build will power and instincts are all the same. <br />
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So, sit back, pretend that the rice cakes are the best smoked ribs EVER and hopefully you learn something... or at least get a good laugh out of it. <br />
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Have a Blessed Day, <br />
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Brandy Deming <br />
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<a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br />
http://www.facebook.com/brandy.demingBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-69117030686588142102010-07-04T13:16:00.001-07:002010-07-04T13:17:21.902-07:00Happy 4th of July!Today is such a wonderful day, July 4th, the birthday of our country. I hear lots of whining and complaints about how this country is run, but that is one of the beauties of this fine country. We CAN complain about how this country is managed, we CAN say that our politicians are morons, and, if we are so inclined, we CAN run for office.<br /><br />We must stop and think about what the founding of the U.S. did for the world. As peasants and mid-classmen, we rose up to show that we can run a country. We did not need to be born to a certain family or be ordained by God. We opened up a lifetime of opportunity for generations of Americans and led the way so other countries could do the same. Lots of lives were lost, lots of blood was shed and more tears then we can ever imagine. But we did it. We founded a country based on essential freedoms.<br /><br />Right now things may not be going as well as we may want, but there is hope. Where there is freedom, there is always hope. Let's try to not disparage today, let celebrate the hope and opportunity that others have passed down to us. Remember that they fought for our rights, let’s celebrate them today and use them tomorrow.<br /><br />Happy 4th of July!<br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-56795865026560879402010-05-05T09:30:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:08:41.085-07:00Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.<em><span style="color:#000099;">"It's a heck of a start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"> -Lucille Ball<br /></span></em><br /><br />Over the last year my son has be increasingly obsessed with stuff. He always wants to get stuff, anything: toys, mail, candy, etc. He will explain to you in great detail how happy it makes him to be on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">receiving</span> end of gifts. He likes to get stuff to give stuff away. And it worries me.<br /><br />It worries me because he is not happy without it. It worries me that when he is not happy, he doesn't know why. It worries me because I was the same way when I was his age, though mine was not the getting stuff, it was just a general <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unhappiness</span>.<br /><br />I've spent years and years trying to fill that void where happiness should be. I went through my teen years feeling hopeless and terrible unhappy, I had The Void. I've tried filling it with food, drinks, relationships, you name it, I tried it. None of it every worked, I'd get a temporary <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relieve</span> from The Void, but over time The Void always came back. All I was doing was avoiding the what and why of happiness.<br /><br />There is no certainty that you or I will ever find what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> makes us happy, but a little inner searching can help you distinguish why we do what we do.<br /><br />Does money make me happy? No. Some people really love money, I don't. It pisses me off. I have to dedicate so much of my time to earning it, managing it and spending it, that it takes away from all the stuff I really want to be doing. I want it, lots of it, just so that I can go about my daily life without the money questions lingering in the back of my mind.<br /><br />Does food make me happy? Kinda. Food is an odd sort of fellow. I love the fact that you can take all these seemingly unrelated items and create a fabulous experience of the senses. I like the fact that several times a day I can pull off a creation. The question is does food itself make me happy or is it the joy I get from the experience of working with it? I'll have to think about that question for a few more years.<br /><br />I can go on and on with habits that are both good and bad and the 'Does it make me happy?' question. What I do know is I have a list of things that I know I get a kick out of: I like experiencing new things, I like creating things and I love learning something new. If I am doing any of those things, I fell happy and fulfilled, at least for a little while.<br /><br />We all are different and our ability to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquire</span> happiness is as varying as our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">personalities</span>. You just have to ask yourself if what you are doing is making you happy. Long term success is based on how happy and content you are with your daily actions. If you continue to do things that go against your happiness, you will stop doing them or turn into a bitter and often angry person.<br /><br />So, lighten up. Let some joy in. Who cares if you are 55 and still finger painting and playing with dolls. If it makes you happy, then do it!<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-58804688811249761372010-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:33:48.966-07:00Like sand through the hour glass...<em><span style="color:#000099;">"Men are afraid to rock the boat in which they hope to drift safely through life's currents, when, actually, the boat is stuck on a sandbar. They would be better off to rock the boat and try to shake it loose."<br /> -Thomas Szasz</span></em><br /><br />Having had a particularly rough week (yes it happens to EVERYONE), I was thinking about how wonderful the ocean is. How soothing the ocean sounds, the smell, the sand between the toes and how much better it seemed when I was little. I can go out for hours now, but back then we could spend day after day on the beach and it never, ever got old.<br /><br />The sadness of this though got me to wondering where our sense of playing goes as adults. Is it something we lose as teenagers, when we are trying to be cool? Do we really outgrow playing? I think it's a damndable shame that we have such difficulty having a good time. How expensive we think it is to enjoy ourselves, when we used to just need a backyard. No frills, no equipment, just you and your imagination station.<br /><br />One of the things I have always wanted to learn was to build a sandcastle. When we first set out to build one, we think of this beautiful castle that we can somehow just magically create in the sand. We get out there with our little plastic molds (or measuring cups, whatever) and start packing sand. Usually we start with dry sand and we get nothing, then we learn to do it with wet sand. I used to try and try and try, I have never been able to build that big beautiful sand castle. But I think I'll go back this year and keep trying.<br /><br />The sand castle reminds me of the lives we all try to build. When we are young we have this great idea of what we want. Big house, cars, kids, pets, etc. Then we set out to build that life we dream. Not enough water, not the right kind of sand, tide comes up before we can finish, etc., etc. So many things get in the way of making our sand castle, but we can't build it if we never go back and try.<br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-15748620582000904042010-04-20T19:49:00.000-07:002010-04-20T20:14:16.662-07:00Jim Rohn - Rich Vs. Poor<em><span style="color:#000099;">The philosophy of the rich versus the poor is:</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">The rich invest their money and spend what is left;</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">The poor spend their money and invest what is left.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"> -Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rohn</span></span></em><br /><br />Good investment habits are right up their with good eating habits, good business habits and good exercise habits. Knowing that you have it reduces stress and can ease the day to day grind.<br /><br />Many who read this blog are thinking, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">THAT'S</span> BS!!, If you don't have money, you can't invest any money!". But it's all a matter of perspective.<br /><br />I like to think of it as percentages. If you invest 1% of your income (before spending any of it), every 100 paychecks, you have one spent. If you only make $1,000 a month, that's only $10 that you have to put away. If you can invest a little bit more, say %5, then every 20 paychecks you have one month stashed away. It may not seem like much, but it will add up.<br /><br />Save your change, save rebates, use coupons and save the difference. Just like any other improvement on yourself, work on it, practice and you will get better at it each time.<br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-65474096440101461882010-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:002010-04-19T10:14:02.852-07:00Jim Rohn - All About The Plan<em><span style="color:#000099;">I had always mistakenly believed that if I had more money. I would have a better plan for creating wealth. The truth is that if I had a better plan, I would have more money.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">You see, it's not the <strong>amount</strong> that counts; it's the <strong>plan</strong> that counts. It's not how <strong>much</strong> you allocate but <strong>how</strong> you allocate it.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"> -Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rohn</span></span></em><br /><br /><br />I have to say that of all the plans I have had to get more money, I had never really had a plan to build wealth. Nest eggs, college funds, retirement plans and rainy day funds I have, but never really put much though into a wealth plan. It is now on my 'To-Do' list.<br /><br />Just in case you are wondering what the difference between having lots of money and having wealth is, here's a quick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">explanation. </span> Money is simply the cash that you have coming in or stashed. You can have a ton of money and have no wealth (I know a person who has an income of over 2.7 million dollars a year and their net worth is -1.2 million, oi!), the money just goes as fast as it comes in. To have wealth you must have significant assets (cash reserves, property, investments, etc) over any debt you may have (also know someone who only made 37k a year, but has a net worth of approx. 800 thousand). So it's not how much you make, it's how it gets spent.<br /><br />Ever know someone who is very successful, without having to spend 100 hours a week on work? Those people have a <em>plan. </em>If you know how to work smart and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">efficiently</span>, then you get way more done in less time. It takes a plan. You must think out what you are doing for today, this week, this month and this year. You must see how actions you do during that 1 year plan affect your 5 year plan. What's that? You don't have a 5 year plan? Well then it is really time to sit down and think about what you want your life to look like in 5 years. Build a plan.<br /><br />Life can either be what happens to you, or it can be what you make happen. Some people are happy with letting life happen to them, or they are just not unhappy enough to do something about it. It's their choice, and no one can change it but themselves. But if you are a person who wants to make life happen, you must have a plan. Without plans, who knows what you're going to end up with?<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-13766258530693026602010-04-16T11:07:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:12:23.358-07:00Jim Rohn - Apples<em><span style="color:#000099;">"Some things you have to do every day. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn't going to get the job done."</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"> -Jim Rohn</span></em><br /><br /><br />Oh, how this makes me laugh at myself. I always think, well if I miss a work out today, I'll just double up tomorrow. Then when the week ends, I wonder why I don't get the results I wanted.<br /><br />If you missed brushing your teeth one morning, would doing it twice that evening make it all better? Not really. We must, must set our priorities for the day and follow through on them. There are many things that have to be done every day, telling your family that you love them, getting physical activities, eating your veggies, etc. If you are lacking in one of the areas that you want to improve, find something small to do every day to work towards that goal. You'll find that if you stick to it, it just comes naturally after a while.<br /><br />And just think of having to eat 7 apples in one sitting, talk about a chore!<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-68968466298897920082010-04-15T09:59:00.000-07:002010-04-15T10:11:16.720-07:00Jim Rohn Day 2<em><span style="color:#000099;">"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the fundamentals."</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;"> -Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rohn</span></span></em><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This week I have been teaching my son how to fry an egg. There is quite a bit of skill that goes into frying <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> perfect egg: cracking, opening, distance of release from pan, temperature of the pan, proper grease, seasoning, timing of the flip, the flip itself and then completion. All these things most of us do without thinking to create a successful breakfast of fried eggs. He is learning, going through all the steps, sometimes missing a step and not getting the results that he wants, but he will try again tomorrow. There has been tears, and frustration, and dissapointment, and a little bit of anger. But he keeps doing those same steps over and over again, and that is all any of us can do.</span><br /><br />There are definite <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">activities</span> that we must do to reach success in our chosen area. Sometimes we know all the steps, sometimes we have to research them. If my son gives up today, then tomorrow, next week and next year, there will be no fried eggs for breakfast. If you give up on the basic steps you need to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span>, there will be no success. But, if you apply those steps every day, every week, month after month, success will come. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day and for the rest of your life.<br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-7006044312343121622010-04-14T08:45:00.000-07:002010-04-14T10:12:23.883-07:00Jim Rohn Day 1Time for my tribute to Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rohn</span>, he passed away in December of 2009. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Definitly</span> one of my favorite inspirational speakers.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">"There are always a half-dozen things that make 80 percent of the difference. A<strong> half-dozen</strong> things.<br /><br />"Whether we are working to improve our health, wealth, personal achievement or professional enterprise, the difference between triumphant success or b<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">itter</span> failure lies the degree of our commitment to seek out, study, and apply those half-dozen things."<br /> -Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rohn</span></span></em><br /><br />In an article I once read, it stated that the average number of things most people can remember is 7 things. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disagreed</span>, there are 7 sins and 7 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dwarfs</span>, I can never remember all of them. Usually I remember 6. So a half-dozen things are easy to remember.<br /><br />Thinking on this concept I tried to apply it to many aspects of life, it turned out to be so very true. Having read lots of self-help, inspirational and instructional books; they all say the same things from different angles. Could it be because there are really only 6 things we need to work on to improve our lives? Let's take a look:<br /><br />Health:<br /><ol><li>Exercise at least 20 min, 4 times a week</li><li>Eat whole grains</li><li>Eat fresh fruits and vegetables</li><li>Avoid Fat</li><li>Eat Lean Meats (may fall under #4)</li><li>Watch Your Portions</li></ol><p>That's about it. Easier listed then applied, but those 6 things can create a world of difference. </p><p>Personal <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Development</span>:</p><ol><li>Do what you say you're going to do.</li><li>Keep in contact with friends.</li><li>Spend time with your family.</li><li>Read something inspiring every day.</li><li>Do something good for someone else at least once a week.</li><li>Be abundant with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">gratitude</span>.</li></ol><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmm</span>... There seems to be a pattern here. </p><p>Business:</p><ol><li>Write it down! (goals, daily planner, business plan and marketing plan)</li><li>Keep a good contact list.</li><li>Follow up with customers and potential customers.</li><li>Try to meet at least 5 new people every week.</li><li>Do something every day to advance your business.</li><li>Know when to get help. </li></ol>Some may vary business to business, but there are certainly only a few things that make the biggest difference. If you get in the habit of doing #1 then 2-6 will fall into place.<br /><br />Personal Finance:<br /><ol><li>Save then spend.</li><li>Know your wants vs. needs.</li><li>If you can't pay cash for it, you don't need it.</li><li>Planning leads to success.</li><li>The best things in life are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> free.</li><li>Know when to get help. (one of my personal mantras)</li></ol><p> </p><p>I'm pretty sure I can go on all day with my lists of 6, but that would be dull. There is a pretty easy way to make your own list of 6. </p><p>First write down what you want to accomplish (weight, happiness, savings), then think about what has to be done to get there (lose weight, have friends, better spending habits), write out as many of those things that have to be done as you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">possibly</span> can. Then go over your list and find those 6 things that everything on your list has in common. Keep that list posted on your bathroom mirror so you read it every day. That way you know what to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">concentrate</span> on!</p><p><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</p>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-35068282816280954082010-02-24T11:56:00.000-08:002010-02-24T12:17:52.140-08:00The 1 Ton Phone<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.<br /> -John Maxwell</span></em><br /><br /><br><br><br />The fear of the phone is so very common amongst business owners. There is no shame in knowing that you KNOW you have to make calls to get business, yet you avoid the phone like it's got the plague. We all understand, we have all done it.<br /><br><br><br />I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who was saying how they only had a couple of customers that month and didn't want to spend a lot of money on an advertising campaign. She then asked me what I would do. I said I'd get on the phone, start calling people, see what's going on. She said she hated doing that and was going to run the ad campaign... Oh well.<br /><br><br><br />Referrals can be the life blood of your business, but how do you get one and from who?<br /><br><br><br />The people who give you referrals are the ones who know and like you. Lots of business owners put their social lives on hold in order to advance their business. It is a huge mistake. How can you get to know new people and have those you know like you, if they never get to spend time with you? The solution is to call them. Don't call to talk shop, call to see what's going on in their lives, call to see if there is anything you can help them with. Do they have a fundraiser going on? Any special events for their kids? I'm telling you from both a parent and a business owner's point of view, buying a few chocolate bars or an $8 roll of wrapping paper goes a long, long way in developing relationships!<br /><br><br><br />Want to call people but have no idea what to say? Try keeping a log. Just a few notes on what's going on with them. See if they are on Facebook or Twitter, it will give you a better idea of what to talk to them about. In the log try to keep track of kids, pets, spouses, any issues they may be having. If they mention in January that Jane is working on her final project for graduation in June, that gives you a great reason to call back in June!!<br /><br><br><br />If you need to set appointments for presentations? This is BY FAR the hardest reason on why you need to call people. Calling someone out of the blue, or even someone you know well and putting yourself out there opens a huge door on our self-esteem. There's lots of outcomes and I think I've heard them all. From rude, to excited, to unwilling to can't wait, you never know what's going to happen on the other end of that phone. But it MUST, MUST, MUST be done. Try working out different approaches, some people wouldn't' listen for a second if they thought you were trying to sell them something, but if they thought they were listening as a favor to you or to see if they know someone, it can be a different story. Try and figure out what approach would work for them and if nothing else, just try, try, try again.<br /><br><br><br />Using the phone to build your business is like any other tool or skill you need to be effective. I don't think any of us were born with a great ability to set appointments, get referrals or build relationships. We have to practice at it. Start small, try 5 phone calls a day. Just keep working at it. Like all other skills, it will grow with time, and soon you will be great at it!<br /><br><br><br><br><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br><br><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br><br><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-61991998102264076932010-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:002010-02-15T21:05:35.745-08:00I Suck At This!<div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success.</em><br /><em>-</em>Elbert Hubbard</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Over the last month I have been homeschooling my son. It is a growing experience for us both. I have always appreciated teachers, they do something that I would not even try to do in my wildest dreams. This experience has made me appreciate them even more. As we struggle over grammar, spelling, math and Spanish, I hear myself repeating the same words over and over again.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">"I suck at this!" he will cry out.<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">"You don't suck, you just don't have enough practice." I tell him, "No one is good at anything their first try, they have to practice, practice, practice. Just be patient"<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It struck me today how true that is. It's not that we really try to limit ourselves and what we can do, it's more like we expect our god-given gifts to appear to us. As if one day we shall wake up and know that we are supposed to write a great novel, or be a great business person, or even to be the best parent. Unfortunately many of the talents and gifts that we need and want in life have to be learned.<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Learning is a hard process that takes much patience. I am a seamstress, by no means the best seamstress, but I can stitch together many types and styles of clothes. I sewed my first dress when I was 11. Even after so many years of sewing, there are things I have to learn and many, many things I have yet to do well, let alone perfect. I can think back to so many scrapped projects, panels sewn in the wrong way, mis-matched button and button holes, crooked hems, bad seams and just general disasters that have lead me to this point. This point where I can take a tissue pattern, some thread, cloth and notions and bring forth a beautiful gown.<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Thinking about all the work and mistakes that have gone into this learning process, I have to ask myself why I think that, in just a few years, I could change my life. Why I would be so down on myself for not succeeding in all of the tasks I set out for myself?<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It is my personal lack of patience. I told myself I was being patient at 6 months and a year. That my success was right around the corner. But then after that year had passed, I started to think I must be doing something wrong. That maybe I had chosen the wrong path, that this was fates way of telling me to do something different. I spent a lot of time thinking about it, and I say "No!". It's not the wrong path, I am just learning.<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I am taking steps down this long, winding, difficult road of self-improvement and self-realization. One day I will have what I want and do what I want to do. I just need to keep learning, keep reading. I will one day be able to help those around me to succeed in their endeavors. I will find those people who will help me by helping themselves. I am absolutely positive that we are not all lost causes and have a set life laid out before us. I have faith that we can be whatever we want to be in life.<br><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">This belief guides me and keeps me on my path of learning. This learning will never be done, ever. And I am thankful for it.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings </div>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-32631714601971903342009-11-13T11:04:00.000-08:002009-11-13T11:29:20.625-08:00Does It Hurt Enough?<em><span style="color:#3333ff;">One day when traveling, I walk into an old General Store. You know the kind with wood flooring? There's a dog laying by the counter, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">groaning</span>. Every few minutes he'd let out a little groan. When I put my items on the counter to pay for it I ask the man there what was wrong with the dog. He stated that the dog was laying on a nail. I asked why he didn't move. The man replied, "It doesn't hurt enough."</span></em><br /><br />I heard this the other day on a Leadership Training CD. The man spoke of how many of us complain about different aspects of our lives, but never do anything about it. How it's because it doesn't hurt enough yet. It's shocking how true this is!<br /><br />There are things about our lives that we all want to change. Everyone knows by now that I am a self-improvement junkie. It's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amusing</span> that there are a lot of people out there who think that only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">losers</span> and those with low self esteem read self-improvement books. When, in reality, a lot of successful people have a huge library of self-improvement books. It's a matter of being the best you that you can be. Why wait until it hurts to do something about it?<br /><br />Millions of people complain every day about how much they hate their job, their body, their living situations, etc. Day in and day out they do the same things and then scowl at the results. They never do anything to change it, because change is difficult. It's like voting. I hear tons of people that complain about our political situation, yet only 1/4 of us actually vote. One of the things I ask people when they are on a political rant is if they vote, 3/4 say 'No'. My response is 'If you're not going to participate in the system and try to do something to change it, don't complain.' Just like everything else in life, if you're not doing something to try to change what you dislike about your life, don't complain about it... you're the one making the choices.<br /><br />Being that ideal vision you have of yourself takes hard work and lots of practice. You can't wake up one morning and decide you are going to run a marathon, 26.5 miles in a day is a LOT of running. You have to train, you have to practice, you have to come up with a fee for participating, you have to have the proper equipment. All this for one little marathon. Think about your personal goal. Break it down. Work on it a little every day. Practice the skills that you need to reach that goal.<br /><br />Wealth, health and positive attitudes don't appear over night. It just doesn't. We have to step out of our comfort zone and reach for it. Sometimes we don't succeed the first time, but we must keep trying. Keep an open mind, don't listen to the nay-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">sayers</span>. Don't sit there an let your life hurt you, get up and do something about it. We only have this one life, make it good.<br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-42182063576258433142009-11-06T11:05:00.000-08:002009-11-06T11:32:59.969-08:00Visualization and Action<p align="left"><em><span style="color:#000099;">I would visualize things coming to me. It would just make me feel better. Visualization works if you work hard. That's the thing. You can't just visualize and go eat a sandwich.<br />-Jim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carrey</span></span></em><br /><br /><br /><br />When trying to change your life in any way, using positive affirmations is an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">incredibly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">useful</span> tool. I know there are many people who have never heard of this concept so I'll start with a brief <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">explanation</span>:</p><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Positive affirmations is a positive activity that you want to have happen. They are written as if they have already happened. Your affirmations should be read at least once a day, though twice is twice as good. They are especially effective if red before going to bed and again when you first wake up. Mine are written in a card that I carry around with me everywhere. Here are some examples of affirmations for different situations:<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>For losing weight:</strong> I am 130 lb. I am a healthy, fit, energetic person.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>For quitting smoking:</strong> I am smoke-free. I am breathing better.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>For school:</strong> I am a college graduate. I am passing all my tests.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>For business:</strong> I am attracting the right customers to my business. I am attracting wealth in abundance.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">If you have any questions about your affirmations, or would like some assistance, you can always contact me and I will be glad to help.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Affirmations must be used in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">combination</span> with activities to assist in reaching your goals. You cannot repeat 100 times a day that you are going to be healthy and fit, then not exercise and eat fast food 3 times a day. Affirmations are there to push your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">subconscious</span> mind into creating positive choices through your day.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Just like hypnotherapy and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">subliminal</span> messaging, without a real drive and personal interest in making changes, affirmations cannot work by themselves. Your day should be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">punctuated</span> by the positive choices you have made. Celebrate your success and the success of others. Many small steps will construct the journey of your life.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><strong>Success Corner:</strong> I want to congratulate Terry, Angie and Tammy for their recent positive choice to make a better life for themselves, both <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">financially</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">health wise</span>. They have done what a lot of people choose not to, they have committed to daily activities to grow a business and live healthy lives. Way to go!</em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz </div>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-32269644848144939472009-11-04T16:40:00.000-08:002009-11-04T21:28:25.108-08:00The Myth of Spare Time<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">We should use time as a tool, not a crutch.</span></em><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-John F. Kennedy</span></em></div><br /><br /><br />How many times do we hear 'in your spare time' over the course of a month? Personally, I get sick of hearing it. <em>'You can build a business in your spare time.' 'Volunteer in your spare time.' 'What do you do in your spare time?' </em>Spare time? When did we get 25 hours in a day? Did someone add in a Someday to the week? No, no they did not.<br /><br /><br />Trying to find that time you need to work out, spend time with your kids and/or build a business is a chore in and of itself. There is no way of 'creating' extra time. We only have 24 hours in a day and like most of our paychecks, it's spent before we even get there. So how do we make time?<br /><br /><br />You have to start by knowing how you spend your time. How much time do you spend doing your hair and putting on make-up in the morning? Picking out clothes? Checking email and following up with your friends on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span>? There's a lot of little things we spend our time on. Try keeping a log of what you do. You can't really fix anything until you know what is wrong with it. Are there any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">repetitive</span> tasks that you can group together, like checking your email at lunch so you don't have to spend 45 minutes on it when you get home? Are you waisting time looking at sales ads for things you don't need? Once you actually look at what you spend time on, you can start looking at where to find some. Here are a few tips on finding an extra hour or two in your week:<br /><br /><br />1. Books on Tape/MP3: Many of us have books to read for school, personal development or training. Many of these are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span> in audio format. Check the publisher's website or your school's library. It is often cheaper to record books onto audio then to have them printed in braille, so school's pay students to record the books. Listen to the recordings in the car or during your work out to save your reading time for other uses.<br /><br /><br />2. Many Hands Make Light Work: Is there anything that you can get help on? Give your kids a night that they have to cook, this can save you time and make them feel part of the family. See if your friends want to help on craft projects for the holidays. You can work on it together and get more done, plus you spend time together so there's some time back! Never be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">afraid</span> to ask for help. Are you doing all the chores? Time to ask your partner to help with some, you shouldn't have to do it all yourself.<br /><br /><br />3. Hair, Make-Up and Clothes: Talk to a stylist. There are lots of ways to reconfigure your wardrobe so that everything goes together. A little bit of careful shopping at the beginning can save you that 20 minutes of "What am I going to wear today?!". A stylist can also help you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">simplify</span> your make-up and hair-do. There is no need to go into a two hour hair and make-up session every day before work, do some research on different products and styles. Somewhere in the mix you can find one that can get you out the door in under 45 minutes.<br /><br /><br />4. Email and Social Networks: Set up filters for your not-quite-junk items. Everything from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> goes into it's own folder, Twitter another, Sale alerts in another. It is pretty simple to do, and then when you go to check your email, you don't have to sort through all that junk to see if someone really does need your attention. Same thing with your social networks. Almost all have lists that can be used to sort through which of your friends and family are sharing. By knowing where to go for the updates that you want to look at, you don't waste time on a lot of junk.<br /><br /><br />5. Games: I am a HUGE fan of games. I love them all. But I do get sucked into them. You start playing around and before you know it an hour and a half has gone by and you can't even remember why you booted up your computer to begin with. Try getting a timer next to your computer. Set a limit and stick to it. (30 min is usually pretty good)<br /><br /><br />I hope some or all of these can help you find an extra 5-10 hours in your week. We all get going at lighting speed, end up at the end of the day exhausted and not quite sure what we got done. A little bit of foresight, planning and some professional assistance can make the world of difference in how you spend your hours. Because unlike money, once time is spent, we really can't get it back.<br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-2884597488078900752009-10-28T20:57:00.000-07:002009-10-28T22:11:31.149-07:00Perfection is Not Required<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything. </span></em><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-Eugene Delacroix</span></em></div><br /><br /><br />A look into history you will find that our obsession with perfection is relatively new. Only in the last few centuries has the need for everything to be 'just right' really driven us. The only saying "cleanliness is next to Godliness" comes from centuries of not having running water, fire in the house and a complete void of disinfectants. And yet there were great successes.<br /><br /><br />Many times I have hesitated or even not completed a task because I thought that I wasn't doing it right or that the results weren't up to par. In sewing I have tossed entire projects because of faults that, looking back, I'm sure only I noticed. Hours of work and materials wasted, all for my need to make something look 'perfect'. Handiwork isn't the only area of our lives where our drive for perfection can distract us from progress.<br /><br /><br />I speak to a lot of people who are all or nothing. They refuse to make any forward progress because of a hundred different reasons why they can't do something. They are waiting until after the holidays to lose that weight. As soon as football seasons over they will put the time in to build that business. There is always a reason to delay, ways that the timing isn't perfect.<br /><br /><br />We discount trying. Just getting going and doing something is better then nothing at all. When trying to lose weight, small steps can lead to big results. I started by switching from regular coke to diet coke, then not ordering french fries with meals. Small bits that can be easily maintained and over time lead to a total overhaul of my lifestyle. The weight didn't fall off, but it stayed off. I'm not perfect, sometimes I have fried food, sometimes I have cake. I just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consistently</span> work on making good choices and in the end it pays off. It's not perfection, it's progress.<br /><br /><br />Same goes for a lot of our lives. No one does anything perfect the first time. In many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">philosophies</span> there is no way to ever do anything perfectly. If there is anything you want to do, you should do it. Let nothing stand in your way. If you're doing it wrong, you'll learn. We learn more from doing something wrong then from doing it right the first time. Don't worry about perfection, keep your eye on success.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-3928863529461125412009-10-23T10:22:00.000-07:002009-10-23T10:27:58.068-07:00The General Joy and Rapture of At-Home WorkI have to say the best and worst thing about working at home is <em>working at home</em>. The daily ability to decide what I’m going to do, when I’m going to do it and how I’m going to do it has been the ultimate freedom that I have enjoyed over the last 5 years. Though there has been many, many days when I really wanted (and sometimes needed) someone to tell me what I needed to do, how to do it and when it needed to be done. This is the fun and frustration of being at home.<br /><br /><br />I don’t know about you or your life, but I can spend days on end just tending to my family and home. I can get up in the morning, get my son on the bus, go to the gym, tend to my chore list, run errands, fix meals, help with homework, spend a little quality time with my family and end my day feeling like I have worked 16 hours (because I just did!) and never, ever have one second to actually work on my business. I am continually amazed at parents that can keep a family and house in order <u>on top of</u> pulling off a 50 hour work week (they say it’s 40 hours, but we all know we’re ‘at work’ for <em>at least</em> 50). All I have to do to keep myself on track is to think of the commute, the boss and daycare, the trinity of office work nightmares.<br /><br /><br /> One of the other bitter-sweet facts of working at home is that you are home, all the time. There is nothing I love more than being able to put my son on the bus to school and being there when he gets off the bus (other than the days we play hooky and have fun around town together). When he needs me, I am there. I don’t have to call into work, I don’t have to worry about being fired and no-school days don’t make me freak-out about where he’s going to go. On the other hand, I am always home. There are three words that come out of the mouths of friends and family that make me cringe… ‘Are you home?’ I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> recently taken to saying, ‘Um, I’m at the office.’, this usually gets me at least 10 more minutes of calm before they call back with ‘I thought you worked at home?’. You get called on everything from going out to coffee, to volunteering at the school , to picking up prescriptions. They know your home, therefore you must certainly be available.<br /><br /><br />All in all, it is a really sweet deal. There days when I would love to pack up my laptop and go into an office where someone else buys the office supplies, takes out the trash and fixes the printer, but the days of sleeping in until 8, not having to ever get in the car and spending extra time with my family outweigh them 25-to-1. Working at home is not as easy as it seems, but can be done with a little organization, prioritizing and boundary setting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-59640698416870968332009-10-22T11:04:00.000-07:002009-10-23T14:32:33.973-07:00Help the Community to Help Yourself<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.</span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-Anthony J. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">D'Angelo</span></span></em></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Being a part of the community (online communities too!) can help boost your sense of worth. Sometimes being a part of something bigger then yourself can give you a larger goal to work towards. Solidifying your place within your own community can take years, but there are some great ways to get started.<br /><br />Town hall meetings are a great way to meet the most influential and active members of the community. At school, being active in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">PTSA</span>. Also look into local clubs, Masons, Eagles, etc. By being around those who already have roots in the community, you learn more about ongoing important local issues. One cup of coffee with a few folks who have been living in your area for ten or more years will give you more information then the local paper. Not only do you get to increase your standing in the community, make new contacts, you get to have fun!<br /><br /><br />Shopping local is another great way to meet people. Especially in the non-tourist season, mostly local people shop local. Start a conversation with a fellow shopper or the owner (usually the one behind the counter), this can certainly help you get the feel of the community. The economic value is incredible as well. If you shop at a big chain like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wal</span>-Mart, only about 9% of what you spend stays local, by shopping local you can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">boost</span> that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">percentage</span> to 50% plus. Not to mention that the money that is spent at a local shop is usually spent local as well. A dollar spent locally gets <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">re-spent</span> 4-8 times.<br /><br /><br />I'll end with volunteering. The food bank, the school, the library and the local chamber of commerce almost always need volunteers. Helping others always gives me a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">boost</span>. I think that if more people were helping other people, we wouldn't need so many anti-depressants. Nothing can snap me out of a funk faster then helping someone in need.<br /><br /><br />Besides the positive effects on yourself all of these activities can lead to a healthier business for you. People that participate in all these activities show a higher leadership potential and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">usually</span> have more contacts then those who do not. Good for you, good for your business and good for the community!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbizBrandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-76858501927612261962009-10-21T23:36:00.000-07:002009-10-22T00:00:59.663-07:00We Are The Dreamer Of Dreams<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.</span></em><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-T.E. Lawrence</span></em> </div><br /><br />We all dream. We buy a lotto ticket and think of all the things we could do with 200 million. We think of how it would be if all of our troubles just up and vanished. But very, very few of us actually <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dissect</span> those dreams into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">manageable</span> chunks.<br /><br /><br />When my son was around 5 I realized that I didn't want the life that I had. I'd drop him off at daycare around 6:30am and pick him up around 6:30pm. I remember spending hours thinking how nice it would be to have someone take care of us. Just to be able to take him to school and pick him up was something so far out of my reach that I'd stress over it. Then there came the turning point, it started to affect him.<br /><br /><br />He'd act out in school, then the school would call me and I'd come in. Then he'd start acting out more. I then realized that the hours spent away from me wasn't just a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessary</span> evil, it was harmful. That's when I took action. I started looking at all sorts of ways to work at home. I saw myself being able to get to the school in the middle of the day, I saw myself getting him on the bus, I FELT that this WAS GOING TO HAPPEN! Then a job offer came through and it was working from my home and it was mostly what I was looking for. This was the first time I had used pure determination and positive thinking to make my world better. I have been working from home for 4 years now and it has been one of the best decisions of my life.<br /><br /><br />Dreaming and hoping are good. They are a fantastic way to feel out what you want in life. I have a dream board. If I want something, I break it down. How much will it cost? What do I have to do to get it? What is a reasonable timeline to set myself to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achieve</span> this dream? I get pictures of what I want and I put it on my dream board. I look at that board many times a day. It keeps me motivated on my goals. I KNOW I will get everything on that board, I see myself several times a day driving that RV, smelling the Scottish air, driving that new car. The best feeling in the world is when I go up to that board and take something off of it.<br /><br /><br />Find the difference between fantasy and dreams. You can reach your dreams. Anyone can, it's just a matter of how.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br />http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings<br />http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz<br /><br />Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-15858712878375562622009-08-25T13:34:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:25:21.823-07:00Faith & Hope<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.</span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sopia</span></span> Loren<br /></span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">There is a sign on a church on the way into town that states, "Hope is praying for rain, Faith is carrying an umbrella." I used to think that hoping for something and having faith in something are one in the same. After thinking on it more over the last few months, a striking difference has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurred</span> to me. I want to thank whoever put that up on the churches billboard.<br /></span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">When we hope for something, it may or may not happen. We tend to make a backup plan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">in case</span> things go wrong. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with ever having a backup plan. But it means we have explored our own doubts about the outcome of the situation. We have allowed ourselves an out if things don't go the way we want them to.<br /></span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">Putting our full faith in to something takes away any doubt that it will happen. There is no back up plan, no doubt, only the honest, true belief that this outcome will happen. Knowing that something has to be, often gives us more motivation and pushes us farther. Just like love, there is risk, but we put all other cares aside.<br /></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></div></span></span><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So how does this drive us? </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br />When trying to accomplish a goal, going to college, loosing weight, building a business, we have to have some form of hope or faith to get us through difficult situations that come with reaching any goal. Hope can get us so far. We can hope we pass a test, hope we lost weight, we can capture that customer. Hope can get us so far. Hope is like gambling, we could make it/we could not.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br />To assure success you must have faith that you can do what you put your mind to. You have to push all doubt out of your mind. Write down your goal, visualize yourself accomplishing that goal, make sure that you KNOW that you will succeed. </div><div align="left"><br />When you start living with less and less doubt in your life, you will be amazed at what you see. You stand taller, talk with more confidence and are just more at ease with yourself and those around you. When we are more sure of ourselves, the world sees it, likes it and wants to know your why.</div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left"><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a></div><div align="left"> </div>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-86665059067270769312009-08-19T10:52:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:23:15.386-07:00Loving Yourself or Abusing Yourself?<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">Self-love is not opposed to the love of other people. You cannot really love yourself and do yourself a favor without doing people a favor, and vise <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">versa</span>.</span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-Dr. Karl A. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Menninger</span></span></em></div><br /><br /><br />Our biggest critic is ourselves. We are taught to try to be perfect, to get everything 'just so', but do we really, really have to have everything together all the time? Too often we run <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ourselves</span> ragged trying to live up to our perceived expectations and then when we don't meet them we beat ourselves up about it. We must start being happy with what we have done and not be so down on ourselves about what we haven't been able to do, or didn't do well.<br /><br /><br />Even our language can effect the way we feel about ourselves. If we fail to meet a goal, or stumble off our path we say that we failed. We did not fail, we just didn't quite succeed. We need to brush ourselves off, reassess the situation and move forward. Be proud that we tried. I was in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pilates</span> class yesterday with about 10 other women and the instructor said a wonderful thing, "Don't worry if you cannot complete the moves this time, you are here, that's what counts. You are now better then everyone else out there who isn't even trying."<br /><br /><br />What a great way to think about life!<br /><br /><br />If you are trying to build a business and you didn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achieve</span> your goal. Don't worry. At least you are trying. Think about the millions of people out there who are grinding away at a dead end job every day, making no progress at all. You are at least trying. And the more you try, the more you'll succeed. Maybe other people haven't had set-backs in their business, but at least you took the initiative and started your own business! Celebrate your courage and determination, not the parts that are less then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span>.<br /><br /><br />Trying to loose weight is another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">doosey</span>. If you feel you are falling behind on your health goals, don't worry, just keep at it! There are millions out there who constantly complain about needing to loose weight, but you are doing something about it! Feel fabulous that you are trying, because... the more you try, the more you'll succeed!<br /><br /><br />Let's see if we can add a little more self-love into our lives. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Celebrate</span> all the wonderful things we do. Dismiss those things that don't go right. Get back up and try again... and again! Life is a journey, not a destination.<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br />CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com<br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-42145200194830399852009-08-03T14:04:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:21:52.696-07:00Accepting Life. No returns, no refunds.<em><span style="color:#339999;">Each one of us is given a life. That life is like a block of wood waiting to be carved. Everything that happens, good and bad, takes a small shaving off. We don't know what we end up with, but must accept the shape that it takes. </span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#339999;">-Me</span></em></div><br /><div align="right"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">When things go terribly, horribly wrong in our lives, we have a habit of asking "Why me?". Knowing that we didn't deserve something this bad to happen. We've done good, we volunteer, we help our neighbors, pay our taxes, so why do bad things happen to good people? </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">The shaping of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">character</span> comes from not only the good things in life, but also the bad. But I only know of a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hand full</span> of people that will stop when everything is well and ask "Why me?". There's a lot more people out there who only find faith, hope and strength in times of need. Only when in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">desperate</span> hour to they call on friends and family. We tend to ignore life when it is good and curse it when it is bad. This all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurred</span> to me about 3 weeks ago listening to the Travis Smiley (i think) show on NPR. I just caught a few moments of it, he had said "At the end of each and every day, we must ask ourselves 'What's the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">lessin</span> and what's the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">blessin</span>?'." The 'each day' struck me. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">I realized that I had become really good at looking at the not-so-great moments of my life and picking the positive out, then moving on. Finding that diamond in a dung hill and letting the other crap go. But what about my good days? Was I seeking out positive reinforcement on those days? Was I reading my motivational books then? Not really. I was waiting until things started to go awry until I sought out an uplifting message. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">This all reverted me back to Deep Practice. We must be thankful at the end of each day. Good and bad. We must practice on our good days to be thankful so that on our bad days it comes to us easier. We need to stop looking to the Heaven's asking "Why me?". We need to look to the Heaven's and say "Thank You." and then look within and say "Why not me?"</div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">When the truly tragic happens, would you be willing to push all that sorrow onto someone else? Would you be willing to crush a complete stranger's life to make <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">your's</span> easier? I thought about these questions for a long, long time. And I say No. Even though I would love to have my friends, family and loved ones back. I would not give up the hurt and sorrow that filled me when they passed. It shaped me. Everything I have ever done has shaped me, and if I gave or pushed out any of the good or the bad things that had happened I wouldn't be me. And that would be a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tragedy</span> in and of itself. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Enjoy life, enjoy each other. Accept what you have been given, be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thank full</span> for the good and the bad. We should not presume to know what life lessons are in store for us, or how they will shape them. Just know that one step at a time, one breath at a time, we get through this life, together.</div><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-15524205756749539242009-07-31T12:45:00.000-07:002009-10-15T09:52:36.126-07:00Back From Vacation.<em><span style="color:#3366ff;">To love what you do and feel that it matters- how could anything be more fun?</span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Katharin</span> Graham</span></em></div><br /><br /><br />I am refreshed and back from vacation. I know I've said on here how important it is to not only spend quality time with your family, but quality time with yourself. I had such an amazing 8 days off. 4 of which were spent with my best friend and 4 days with my son. I just had a blast. No worries in the world.<br /><br /><br />There's a lot of you out there that can't possibly take a multiple day vacation, so today I'm dedicating to the mini-vacation and stay-cations. It is so important to your soul and well being to have fun, that I think everyone should attend a class on enjoying life. I'm going to share some great ways that we have made a fun injection into our over-worked, stressed-out lives.<br /><br /><br />First close your eyes and think of a time where you were so happy your face hurt, or maybe you laughed until you cried. When I did this I thought of many years ago when my best friend and I went camping together with some friends and how terribly much fun we had. I called her up that same day and told her we HAD to do that again. So we set up a time and nothing, NOTHING, got in our way of going.<br /><br /><br />There was also a time when we were sitting around talking about how much fun we used to have on Saturday mornings. We would wake up before our parents and build a little fort in the living room, eat Captain Crunch and watch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gummy</span> Bears, Smurfs and He-Man. We got a good laugh out of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reminiscing</span> about our childhood, but it got me to thinking. So I went down to the library, found Smurfs, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fraggle</span> Rock and (as much as I hate to confess) I already had He-Man on tape. So I woke up really early, made chocolate chip pancakes, woke up my son and made a fort in the living room with our old sheets. We giggled and watched my old time favorite cartoons. Talk about a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">boost</span> to the week. I giggled about that for a month.<br /><br /><br />A stay-cation is another great way of getting your family together. It can be one day or a weekend. Google recreation in your local area and pick a few things that your family can do together. A few months ago I had an appointment in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anacortes</span>, it's only an hour away, but I packed us all up. When the appointment was done, we scooted over to the Deception Pass Bridge and out to Oak Harbor. It wasn't much, just a little hiking and walking along the beach. But taking time out of your busy schedule for the ones you love makes the biggest difference.<br /><br /><br />We all want more money, time and nicer things, it's only natural. The most valuable thing we have is Time and we absolutely must share it with others. Spend it wisely and splurge it on those you love, it turns out for the best in the end.<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-72590534554328868352009-07-21T09:05:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:18:29.616-07:00You Got to MOVE IT!<em><span style="color:#3333ff;">To will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">will b</span>ring one to that goal and then hold to that action till the goal is reached. The key is action.</span></em><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">-Michael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hason</span></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></em><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><em></em>Our whole life is made up of actions, big and small. Even sleeping and doing nothing are actions. What we need in our lives is more purposeful actions. Along your day stop and ask yourself what this action is doing to help you reach your goals. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">If you goal is to spend more time with your family and you see yourself playing on a computer or agreeing to work an extra shift. Stop. Redirect your action to something more productive to spending time with your family. If you are working that extra shift, take some of that extra money to save for a family outing. If you are playing on the computer, ask yourself if making that extra level will really satisfy you, or will reading your kids a story?</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">In business success, we often spin our wheels on menial tasks. Spending 45 minutes check email, then rechecking email, then checking our other email. It may be more effective for you to make a phone call instead of replying to an email. Even though typing and hitting send may only take a minute and the phone call may take 5, you are getting through to that person more effectively. Creating a positive bond between you and that individual. And we all crave connections. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Just think about what you are doing, or not doing, and try to redirect some of those actions to your goals. Success is the some of small actions, done day in and day out. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357381605752817742.post-73663464004608054882009-07-17T09:44:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:16:54.712-07:00Deep Practice<em><span style="color:#6600cc;">To be able under all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">circumstances</span> to practice five things constitutes perfect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">virtue</span>; these five things are gravity, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">generosity</span> of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.</span></em><br /><br /><div align="right"><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Confucius</span> (551BC - 479BC)</span></em></div><br /><br />Out of every class or book we read, no matter how bad, we can find one or two gems of information and/or wisdom. No matter who we talk to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">there</span> is always something new we can learn from them . One of my favorites for the week is the term 'Deep Practice'. Here in the West if we know the basics of how to do something, we know it. In the East, we don't know something until we know how to do it right. With Eastern Philosophy we would spend lots of time doing the same task over and over again, just to say we <em>know</em> how to do it. This is what Deep <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Practice</span> refers to.<br /><br /><br />We too often think of things to practice as physical acts. We practice our music, sports and crafts. But how often do we practice ways of thinking or reacting? Positive thought and positive actions cannot just be something we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">idly</span> strive towards or tentatively know. We must practice them day in and day out until it becomes part of us. Deep Practice.<br /><br /><br />You can set up goals for your new positive mindset. Try going an hour without saying or thinking anything negative about anyone else or yourself. Make it to and from a destination without insulting a fellow driver. Set aside time each day to re-affirm the positive things about yourself. You must set aside time to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">practice</span> your positive lifestyle. The more you practice, the better you will be.<br /><br /><br />Same goes for your small business. We aren't born with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to talk or walk, we practice. So why do so many think that the second we sign up for a home business we become great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">entrepreneurs</span>. We have to practice it. We must practice our pitch, we must review and learn about our products, we must learn how to approach people, how to set up our demo, etc, etc. Most people have a curve of 6m -12m. A curve being the amount of time it takes you to become proficient in your business. Expect poor results the first 6 months, better results after the first 12 and then you should hit your stride in your 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> year. This is true about all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">businesses</span>. Home based and brick and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mortar</span>. Expect to loose money your first 2 years. Anything better then that and you ROCK!<br /><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Listen</span> to your mother, "Practice makes perfect". Use it for your whole life. Loosing weight, being a good friend, positive thinking and work. The more you work on improving yourself the better you will be.<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed Day,<br /><br /><br />Brandy Deming<br /><a href="mailto:CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com">CelticBlessings4U@Gmail.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings">http://www.womenswealthandwellness.com/celticblessings</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz">http://www.twitter.com/brandysbiz</a>Brandy Deminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11861453352504500191noreply@blogger.com0