A Reminder

Since the Christmas Holiday is right upon us, I thought I would post a reminder regarding overspending.  I surprised you.  I bet you thought I was going to say “the true meaning of Christmas”. 

Just like God wants to give good gifts to his children, I understand being a parent and wanting to give good gifts to our children.

However, overspending to provide those gifts is not wise.  Often it starts a cycle that will take the upcoming New Year for us to recover.  I am speaking from experience. From the perspective of someone who had to fight their way out of debt and it literally was a fight.

I have done it all.  I have transferred balances from one credit card to another.  I have run expenses up with the justification that as soon as I get some extra cash I will pay that bill off.  Before I knew it I was alternating what bills would get paid, and the interest rate was driving up my balances.  You’ve heard the old adages "robbing Peter to pay Paul" not a good feeling.  Remember we have to lives after the Holiday’s end.

I can honestly say there has been some Christmas’s where things looked bleak, yet, God with his unfailing love has provided.  I know we live within a society where bigger is better. But I am going to ask you the question “Who is it better for?”   I know it is better for the economy but is it best for the individual.

As we bring Christmas cheer, let’s be wise about our spending and remember the best Christmases are those where unexpected Christmas miracles happen.

Have a Blessed Holiday

Customer Service "Turned the Table"

I believe an act of kindness is like laughter, it can be contagious. 

Two weeks ago, Saturday, my daugher and I realized we had not visited Starbucks in awhile.  It was time for a coffee date. While we were waiting she told me that she would like to go next door and look at a phone case from one of the major service providers.

I am going to choose to believe that what  happen next was because it was early; after , we entered the store I dropped my coffee.  What immediately caught my attention was when I walked into the store 5 people greeted me. (They wanted my business) Yet, when I dropped that cup of coffee I stepped into the "Twilight Zone" because nobody moved.

I thought to myself and voiced it verberlly to my daughter, "really, and this is my service provider." Then out of nowhere a young man appeared with some paper towels.  I gave some to my daughter and then took the time to clean up what had not soaked into the carpet.  When I was finishing up, this same young man appeared with some toweletts in his hand.  He stated, "I know how it is when you spill coffee it can be sticky" "I am a coffee drinker myself".

I thought to myself, if I buy anything out of this store, it will be from him.  He proceeded to help us look for a phone case, recommeded a screen protector, and while we were talking he was reviewing account.  Now I am back where I was when I entered the store.  I am feeling good.

Then he said, some magic words "save me money".  This was my first experience where the sales assoicate took it upon himself to review my account without me inquiring.  I told him," I tell you what, I have been considering changing service provider's so you tell me what you can do to reduce my bill."  He run the numbers.  Afterwards, he flipped the computer screen around and I said, "really, let's do this".

As we were finishing up the paperwork, he said, "I  want to thank you for placing this order with me;  it started my month out right".

I told him I have walked in this store a number of times.  I started pointing out people who had tried to sale me additional services in the past and I walked out saying, no.  The deciding factor for me was the extra steps he took by bringing me and my daugher those towletts.

His actions compelled me to want to return an act of kindines with kindness. If someone goes the extra mile, we should acknowledge that act so they will know that it was not done in vein.  This will stop people from becoming dishearten.  By demonstrating appreication, I believe kindness can be like laughter and continue to spread; then we all can be winners. 

Cloaked in Quietness

 Most of my life people (family/friends/peers) have perceived me as a person that has a quiet nature. In my experience there is a misconception associated with quietness, with being timid, a lack of boldness, and/or strong leadership skills.  As I read through the book the "Artist Way" by Julia Cameron, I have learned that I wear my quietness as a cloak.  The picture that comes to mind is the cloak of invisibility often mentioned in the Harry Potter series that allowed Harry to quietly observe situations so he could effect change. I observe life cloaked under the character trait quietness. It has gifted me with the ability to discern the true character of an individual that has masked their true nature in order to achieve their goals and aspirations.  Unfortunately, it has placed some hurdles in my path that has followed me from my early childhood into my adult life which is detailed below.

 The first experience that I recalled was when I was in elementary school.   I wanted to perform the speaking part of my grade level's Christmas speech. I am not sure if it is important to mention that I was the only one who wanted to perform the speech.  Still, my Teacher had reservations about me being quiet and would I be able to speak with confidence and boldness.  My teacher fail to recognize although I was quiet I was not timid. I recall being asked repeatedly are you sure you want to say this speech. Today, I can see myself standing on the podium and the excitement of my teacher as I walked off the stage.  Was there a paradigm shift; only time would tell?

Later, my choir teacher was holding auditions for an end of the year school play. I missed the original auditions but circumstances allowed for a singing part to open up. The desire to sing was a huge part of who I was when I was growing up.  The audition was held during class.  This was not just any song but a 1^st soprano part that required the soloist to hit a very high note (Aquarius by the Fifth Dimension).  With my hand in the air, I watched classmate after classmate walk to the front of the room.  I listen to the laughter and the comments made as each person made the walk of shame back to their seats. I felt as if I was the last players standing after selections were made for a big game.  Finally, my name was called and I could feel everyone eyes upon me as I slowly made my way to the front of the class.  The music began to play and the dreaded note was quickly approaching. I sang with confidence and I heard and exclamation of sheer joy as I hit that note.  Did I receive the part?  Yes, along with the 5 other classmates that auditioned for the part.   Due to my quiet nature, my choir teacher wasn't confident that I would be able perform the song alone. 

This subject has been weighing heavy on my heart.  How did this misconception effect me has a person?  I know from my experiences that who I am is not defined by people’s perception of me but how I see myself.  Yes, I have had to push past others misconceptions by keeping my hand in the air a little longer than others. But the look of surprise on people’s face satisfies any discomfort felt doing the experience. Today, I am speaking for all the quiet nature people.  Being outspoken does not guarantee boldness and a quiet nature is not an indicator of weakness nor having a timid character.

This blog reflect my opinion; may God richly bless you.