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Time To Consolidate

For months now, Sandra and I have been discussing how to organize your finances by likening it to “your closet”. Our intention has been to break things down to the simple so you understand certain financial terms, how to read statements, and so on, so that you can make sound financial decisions in your best interest. We know that by taking back your power you are no longer threatened by this or at least less threatened.

It does take baby steps and for some this process of looking in the closet can seem overwhelming. So we want to break this process into even smaller steps by choosing topics and providing tools and suggestions that we hope will guide you to a better financial position. It is said that the journey begins with one small step under your feet. (I really paraphrased that!)

Let’s take the first step together. This week we want to focus on your Larger Debt: Credit Cards, Mortgage, and Entertainment AND then learn how To Take Your Bills And See Where You Can Consolidate Them.

1. Credit Card Debt – We have talked about this before. You can call you credit card company and see if they will lower their rate. Otherwise you can check to see what other cards there are. Make sure you look at the fine print of switching. The larger question is how are you using this card? This is something that you want to use only for what you can pay off at the end of the month. By consolidating you will be able to pay this down. Credit card used wisely can help you build a credit rating.

2. Mortgage Loans & other Loans – In the US the housing market was really affected last year during the “mortgage and loans crisis”. Everyone is at fault here – banks loaned to people that really were not in a position to carry a loan, people borrowed thinking that their property value will keep going up and will always be worth more than the loan itself and/or that they are making such good money only to lose their jobs.

I suggest you call up your mortgage company and talk to your representative on how they can lower your monthly payments. I personally did this and I lowered my monthly mortgage by half! Otherwise put together a plan when you consolidate that will move you on a path to becoming deb-free!

3. Entertainment Expenses – this is one of the hardest ones to track for there is so much “just spending without thinking” that is done.
Where can you cut down your spending? If you are like me and Sandra and love to socialize, start by going to less expensive restaurants to eat, or higher end yet less frequent. You can invite some of your friends over for a nice home cooked meal. Rather than eating lunch out every day for $5-10/day, bring lunch 2-3 times per week. Also, rather than stopping at Starbuck’s for a morning coffee, drink one at home and try and cut down to 2-3 times per week. These are habits that seem hard to break. You will find two things, first is that you are saving money by nature of cutting back, and second you can substitute some of these choices with more healthy ones, for instances, drinking more water, taking a walk at lunch with a friend/colleague rather than going out for lunch. You will enjoy the conversation and you will also be incorporating some exercise- good for your body and mind!

A suggestion is that the next time you want to buy something, stop take three deep breaths, think about it and ask yourself is this going to support my financial decision to be more savvy? Instead of your finance controlling you, you control your finances. As always we love to here from you.

Check and see what government programs exist.

The greatest awareness is KNOWING THAT IT CAN ALL CHANGE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OR A YEAR! It begins with you taking accountability and responsibility and then make that choice. We are here to support you along the path.

All our best,

Maritza and Sandra

THE MIRROR IS FASCINATING I find that the movies being produced and/or shown in Canada and the US are a strong indication of where we are at. I recently saw Invictus, The Blind Side, It’s Complicated and The Invention of Lying. What struck me about all, even The Invention of Lying, is that each one was really about human nature: who we are.

I find that as we move into 2010 we are choosing to be more authentic to who we are, we are choosing what I call ‘heart consciousness’ – caring about our fellow human counterparts and compassion, we are choosing faith and hope, we are choosing tolerance for that which is different.

It brings a tear to my eye for we can CHOOSE to be this always. When I think of the Haiti crisis there has been spiritual work written about how this disaster opened our heart consciousness around the world – the idea of coming together and helping and empowering one another.

I am so excited and happy to be part of this time. While things right now do not seem great, especially in the US which is dealing with their own issues, it is the time for planting the seed for what we do want. By nurturing and fostering what we do want NOW as the seeds begin to grow the shift “is” seamless.

We can lead by example and just be. That is what I choose. You can also choose this — it’s baby steps. We can do this together one step at a time.

Enjoy the weekend.

All my love,

Sandra

Typically mass media presentations about world events overly emphasize negative events and negative phenomenon – killing, scandals, terrorism, etc. This sometimes lead to common perception of the people that this world is full of negative phenomenon, and there is almost no positive news or activities of human compassion or sense of caring. Younger generations exposed to such presentations will have less awareness of what the real world is about. There is a danger we get the feeling (unconsciously) that human nature is generally violent and aggressive.

The reality is there are widespread instances of positive phenomenon, kindness and human compassion going on but these are not commonly reported in the mass media except for significant events. We often take news of such positive activities for granted. That is quite normal.

There are basis of hope and ways to transform civilization to more goodness.

see movie:

http://spiritlibrary.com/videos/the-dalai-lama-interview-on-goodness-violence-and-the-media?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=4efd6da021-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email

WHAT DO I MEAN? Through your school years you are going to come across so many people in your life. Some you will be drawn to and some you will want nothing to do with — at least for now. I am not just talking about the kids your age, I am also talking about the teachers, principals, coaches, friends’ parents and so on that impact your life, even when you are not aware.

Again, whether you are aware of this or not, you are starting to development relationships/connections with some of these people who may be in your life for a very long time.

Take the time to learn and listen, share and guide. This is a great time to plant your seeds – explore the things you are interested in – your passion(s). Follow your heart and do what you love. Now is the greatest time for you are “risk free”. Ask questions, become part of something for you never know where it will lead you. All of this may translate into future work relationships, business partnerships, people who will connect you with others and so on.

Do this just from a place of giving and let go of “what’s in it for me”. By sharing and giving strictly from your heart you will draw to you so many wonderful people, things and experiences.

Start now- plant the seeds.

All my best,

Sandra

Here are some excellent quotes I have come across:

“Words alone can not convey the sense of liberation which their lifting brings. But the experience of freedom and of peace that comes as you give up your tight control of what you see speaks for itself. Your motivation will be so intensified that words become of little consequence. You will be sure of what you want, and what is valueless.” WpI.in.181-200.2:3-6

“Have you ever tried to dive deep in you and hug your own soul?

If you cannot hug your own soul you cannot hug another human being

because that human being is a by-product of the soul”

-Yogi Bhajan

“At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Here is a direct quote from an email I have received…

“I’ve had a few parents ask me recently how to help their children develop their spiritual essence. Spirituality for kids is really about teaching them who they are and reminding them daily of their connection to something greater than themselves.

Here are some activities you can do together:

- Get a pack of “angel cards”—they have words like Happiness, Compassion, Love and Friendship on them—and have your kids pick one to focus on each day.
- Teach your children how to set an intention for the day, starting with “I intend for…” followed by the details of what they want to have happen.
- Create a Gratitude wall or hang a whiteboard in their rooms and at the end of each day, have them write three things they are grateful for.
- Help your kids create fun vision boards for their rooms using words, photos, magazine pictures, etc. It should feel good to look at the board and imagine what might happen.
- Let your kids know they live in a beautiful world—as opposed to a dangerous world—and that some people are just a little confused and sad so act in a disturbing way sometimes.”

Here’s an fantastic email I’d like to share:

A Sincere Apology
A sincere apology can clear the air and potentially heal a relationship. To ensure that your next apology comes from the heart, follow these guidelines from my recent blog post:

Align Head and Heart
Don’t just say it, mean it. Accept responsibility, intellectually and emotionally, for causing the other person pain.

Don’t Expect Anything in Return
A true apology is a selfless act. Wanting forgiveness or attention makes the apology insincere.

Don’t Respond Defensively
Acknowledge your mistake without becoming defensive or blaming. (For example, “I thought you wanted me to be honest with you!” or “You always speak like that to me.”)

Commit to Being Better
After acknowledging the ways in which you hurt another, express the ways in which you will act differently in the future.

Remain Grounded and Accepting
Before and during your apology, accept the uncomfortable feelings that arise within you, and accept whatever reaction you get from the other person.

Here’s an inspirational story I’d like to share from this site:

The Mountain Story
A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”
Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”
He receives the answer: “Who are you?”
And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”
The voice answers: “I admire you!”
Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!”
He receives the answer: “Coward!”
He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”
The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”
Again the man screams: “You are a champion!”
The voice answers: “You are a champion!”
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT’S A REFLECTION OF YOU!”

– Unknown Author

This is truly amazing & very touching………….

Swallows:

Here his wife is injured and the condition is fatal.

She was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road.

Here he brought her food and attended to her with love and compassion.

He brought her food again but was shocked to find her dead.

He tried to move her….a rarely-seen effort for swallows!

Aware that his sweetheart is dead and will never come back to him again,

he cries with adoring love.

He stood beside her, saddened of her death.

Finally aware that she would never return to him, he

stood beside her body with sadness and sorrow.

Millions of people cried after watching this picture in

America and Europe and even in Asia . It is said that the

photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the

most famous newspaper in France .  All copies of that

newspaper were sold out on the day these pictures were published.

And many people think animals don’t have a brain or feelings?????

MAKING SENSE OF THIS?When tragedy strikes we often ask why? What is amazing is the outpouring of heart from around the world. Why do we need a crisis to bring us together? It will be nice if we can always be this way. Perhaps this time will be different.

As for putting this into perspective I hold a belief that G-d has a plan; not one that we readily understand and/or know about. I wanted to attach something that was sent to me that gave light to this tragedy in a more spiritual way:

Karen Bishop’s WINGS article, Jan. 16, 2010:

A brief note on Haiti: The massive earthquake that occurred in Haiti this week created a monumental heart opening for the planet. The pain, suffering, and tragic loss it created opened our hearts and shifted the planet, pushing it into the heart space that it will be now operating from. These beautiful and giving souls who agreed at their soul levels to be a part of this experience, have served this planet in ways unseen for a very long time. As it was time at many of their soul levels to depart, they agreed to depart in a way that would serve the planet and take it to its new and higher level. Haiti will become a very sacred space, as it already has, and this event will be remembered for a very long time. It was a part of our very new beginning, and a part that will change the vibration and direction of our new world as well. These brave, unbelievably loving and precious souls, have given to this planet more than we could ever know. They have assisted in shifting the planet into its very new way of being that involves coming from the heart, and the honor and reverence I feel for them and the many other souls involved, goes beyond words.

With much love and gratitude,

Karen
—
As our hearts have been open, let’s come together and make a difference. If you want to donate money please make sure that it is going to agencies that make sure the people will see — food, water, supplies and more.

Below are a list of agencies that you can give to:
I have gathered the names of different organizations/groups provided in the Canadian paper that you can trust your donations with.

1. The Salvation Army – http://www.salvationarmy.ca or
1800-725-2769
2. UNICEF – http://www.unicef.ca, 1800-567-4483
3. United Jewish Appeal (UJA) – all $ goes to Canadian International Development Agency’s Relief Fund. http://www.ujadonations.com,
416-631-5705
4. OXFAM – http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca – 1800-464-9154 -
5. CARE – http://www.care.ca, http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca – 1800-464-9154
6. Canadian Red Cross – http://www.redcross.ca -1800-418-1111
7. Habitat For Humanity – http://www.habitat.ca
8. Doctors Without Borders – http://www.msf.ca -
1800-982-7903
9. Free The Children – www.freethechildren.com; 416-925-5894X153

What we can do together is send love to this country, ask that the violence subside and that the people can begin to grieve and then rebuild their lives.

Stop and take a minute for this. This energy shifts the world.

All my love,

Sandra

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