Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. – Clarissa P. Estes, PhD
The last time I looked at my 401k statement my heart sank and perspiration started to bead on my forehead. In the spirit of looking at the glass as half-full, I reminded myself I was about 20 years from retirement and market corrections would happen that would help my 401k rebound and get my investments back into positive territory.
At the about the same time my statement arrived, I also received an email from my friend and fellow blogger Jonathan Nasman of Illuminated Mind asking me to participate in a series he was running entitled What’s Right With Your Life?
This is certainly a time we could be cynical. The economy in the United States, and the entire world for that matter, is just plain crappy. American citizens are facing a change in leadership during a time of doubt. Many believe our country is not strong enough to make it through these challenging times. I disagree.
Rather than launching into a persistent mode of trying to fix everything or solve the problems that can seemingly flood our lives at times, sometimes it’s just as important to take a step back and assess what’s right with our lives. When we do, we are better able to separate fear from fact and panic from sensibility. Read more
Life is like art. You have to work hard to keep it simple and still have meaning. – Charles de Lint
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
Every now and then we need a nudge, a little extra help. Life can be challenging and sometimes it can test our resolve, determination and faith. When Life surprises us with a pop-quiz, it’s good to know where we can find some of the answers.
The following 45 tips are by no means a comprehensive list, but rather a cheat-sheet of sorts to keep some of the most basic answers in front of us. Let’s hear some of your tips in the comments. Read more
The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. – Gilbert Chesterton
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
Knowing how someone wants to be loved and then providing that love are two separate things. Sometimes marriages and other relationships end because either one person does not understand how to love or meet the needs of the other; or one partner refuses to meet the needs of the other.
To love consciously is a choice. Mary Beth and I often say being married is very similar to having another full-time job – you get out of it what you put into it.
Our marriage is like a savings account. My wife and I make deposits into it never expecting we may need to make a withdrawal. However, when we do request a withdrawal there are no associated penalties.
Yes, we argue over the temperature in the car or who really forgot to feed the dog, but when it really matters; when it really counts, we make the conscious choice to give each other the love that is requested and needed.
With over 23 years of marriage under our belts, we have found the following strategies work best to love intentionally; to love authentically and to love consciously. Read more
I haven’t heard of anybody who wants to stop living on account of the cost. – Kin Hubbard
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the United States is now $3.81. One year ago it was $2.97 (source: Daily Fuel Gauge Report). Not only is the gas we put into our cars getting more expensive, but all of the related costs have significantly increased as well. The price for pizza delivery, garbage collection, calling a plumber or electrician and the cost of food once we make the pricey trip to the grocery story is all out of control.
The high cost of gasoline is forcing my family to make deliberate choices about how we go about our day-to-day routines. Things we once took for granted or considered nominal expenses are now painful to absorb and make a substantial dent to the family budget.
Even though our lifestyle is changing, it’s good to know our approach to life doesn’t have to change. Yes, the cost of gas is just plain stupid right now. But, we can continue to move forward and find ways to live the life we want. The following 15 ways to fuel our lives are all abundantly free and can provide us with the energy necessary to keep going in any direction we choose – no matter the price of a gallon of gasoline: Read more
