Three things you’ll need
If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.
~ Henry Ford
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How to make and keep New Year’s resolutions
I have a small writing pad in my purse. At the end of December each year, I write down some realistic goals I could accomplish for the next year.
For example:
- Paint and wallpaper the office
- Do ______ course
- Clean out the attic
- Park further from the store so I can walk more
- Have a communal dinner once a month
- Empty all of my change into a jar each day (savings)
Not exactly resolutions but I can feel like I’ve accomplished something for the year if I make it through most of the list.
Keep it real.
Change your life without spending a dime
Last weekend I volunteered at a Christmas event where I helped Santa hand out gifts to children. The highlight of my day was when one adorable little girl (about 6) came up to Santa and stood in front of him just beaming with delight. She glowed and smiled at him for about 10 seconds and then flung her arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug. Santa gave her a small toy and she was just thrilled, “Oh, thank you, Santa!” Her sister was the same. After they walked away, I commented on this to Santa, who said to me in his wise way, “Yes, look at the parents.” I looked over and the parents had the same sense of wonderment about everything. The mother crouched to talk to them at times. She’d excitedly would point to things for them to go and see. Both parents smiled a lot and I saw that this family felt that life was enchanted.
It’s what you put into life.
“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”
~ Albert Einstein
“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.” ~ Aldous Huxley, author
“The world belongs to the energetic.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Learning a foreign language
I spent five years in school not learning French - dutifully going through the verb forms and really not getting anywhere. My mother was Dutch so I can follow a conversation and rhyme off the swear words and names of food. I spent a summer in Denmark and, at the time, I knew enough to get in and out of the dry cleaners but don’t ask me if I want starch.
So here at the campground, it was felt we should all learn French to service our Quebec campers. Great idea. I looked on eBay and bought a listen-in-the-car French language CD. It has sat on the shelf for months.
My step-daughter-in-law called me one day and said, “Rosetta Stone!” Apparently this is the program that is used by spies and diplomats alike. According to their website: Learn naturally and start speaking immediately—without translation or memorization. Apparently people feel it’s the closest they have found to immersion learning. Full courses start at $299.
I’ve seen a few used copies on eBay. They are snapped up quickly. I think this is a good sign. We are closely watching the sales. I’ll keep you posted.
Some personal development for 2010.
Things that make you happy that don’t involve (much) money
I surveyed some of my friends and family:
Tell me some things that make you happy that don’t involve money.
I received some interesting responses (and a few involve cats).
- being able to do something to make someone else’s life a bit better
- visits from friends
- making a kid happy
- kisses from the cat
- having the house really clean
- a Visa statement with a zero balance
- saving an ailing plant
- reading something with print big enough for me to actually see
- a good night’s sleep
-A drive in the country
-A smile from a pretty girl
-Ice cream
-A child laughing
-Riding a motorcycle
-Flying in an ultra-light airplane
-Swimming in the ocean
-Hearing about a friend doing well
-Taking a picture and it turns out really well
-Sprinting the last 100 yards in a two-mile run, and finding you still have ‘more’
Learning something (anything).
Conquering a fear.
Having a new idea.
Making someone else’s day.
Putting something into a more correct perspective.
Breaking a rule and not worrying about it.
Going up to a parking ticket person and telling them to their face, “You are a disease upon society.”
Experiencing speed.
Achieving a simple goal.
Really getting in communication with a cat or dog.
Really not caring what someone else thinks (about me).
Throwing stuff away.
Experiencing height.
Being alone and enjoying it.
Really understanding what an “expert” is saying and fully realizing that the expert is full of s%&t.
Listening to anything composed by Mozart.
My baby’s smiles in the morning.
Love from the cats.
A random compliment from a stranger.
What would be on your list?
Random acts of kindness
My mother had a policy of trying to do one good deed per day. Didn’t always happen. Here she was a single mother with four kids and money was tight and good deeds were on her mind. She would often go out of her way to do something nice for someone.
It doesn’t have to cost much at all.
I have a friend, D, who makes a point of giving the coffee lady a five-dollar tip. He says it makes her day and his too.
There are entire websites devoted to Random Acts of Kindness. Lifehack.org has suggestions as does Kindacts.net. I particularly like these ones:
- Put money into an expired meter
- Pay attention to positive news and pass it on
- Bring a cup of coffee or tea to a colleague
- Hold the door for someone carrying heavy bags
- Cut your neighbour’s hedge
- Let someone jump the queue at the bank
I like to share my freshly baked goods and let someone merge in front of me on the road (but not at the same time).
Something fun (and free) to do with your 6-12 year old
In Canada, Home Depot has free workshops for kids. They even have them for the bigger kids (adults) and women-only workshops. Check it out the next time you visit Home Depot.
For grown-ups in the USA, there is the Home Improver Club. You can learn to install a ceiling fan, tile a bathroom or even just repair a screen. Pick an easy one (they’re even rated) and move up from there.
Learn something this year.
Find a quasi-mentor
I’m calling it a “quasi” mentor because a mentor conjures up someone who helps you all through graduate school so you can land that high-paying job.
Sometimes you just want to learn how to do something simple. My son learned how to change the car’s oil from a visiting older fellow named Hank (Aren’t oil changing guys always named Hank?). My florist sister-in-law will happily show you how to arrange flowers if you ask. I have learned gardening from neighbours who had spectacular flower beds. I have taught bread baking to quite a few people. My mother taught her granddaughters how to knit and crochet. My brother, Phil, taught his sister-in-law how to ride a motorcycle. The list goes on and on.
As part of your personal development, try to learn something new this year. Pass along something you know to another.
Proactive things to do in an unsteady economy
· Keep Healthy: Watch your diet, eat organic when you can and avoid junk food. Take the proper dietary supplements. A walk can be energizing and you want to do what you can to keep your vitality up. You’ll be better at your job and at life in general.
· Practice good parenting: Care for your kids, especially their education. Help your child(ren) with homework and put together a nutritious lunch so they can focus. Sit down to dinner as much as you can. Kids are our future and their future lies in their education.
· Reduce your debt: Look through my blog for more ideas. You can phone up credit card companies and negotiate lower interest rates. Sell off stuff to pay down debt.
· Maintain your home and car: Look after what you have. Keep your place clean. Maintain your car. Get out there with a hose and a vacuum and make it sparkle. Doomsayers have a hard time when people are appearing to prosper!
How to get out of that inertia you’ve been feeling
I spent this last weekend in a swimming pool learning Aquafitness. Well, seemed like I was in the pool the entire time. This summer, I am going to be teaching water fitness here at the campground. Besides being a great way to stay fit, it is another way for people to make a little extra money. This was the case for a number of people doing this water fitness leader training.
Lots of information on Aquafitness here.
I had my Aha! moment in the change room. Even though it was a lot of work, I liked the challenge of a new learning experience, meeting new people and that great feeling from physical exercise exertion.
Like most people, I had that inertia from not wanting to start something new, afraid that it might not turn out the way I’d hoped. This was unfamiliar territory and it was going to take up quite a bit of my time. I’m glad I started. As I drove home, I was thinking about other projects I’d like to start.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” - Lao Tzu
