Learning How to Find Financial Freedom- Stop Going Around the Mountain!

It has been a very busy time in my life.  I have been focusing on my new business and working hard to nurture its care.  If you have not had a chance check out Donna's Dollhouse! 

One of the biggest concerns people have in their lives is money!  Struggling from paycheck to paycheck and wondering how to breakthrough the confinement of financial oppression.  I have had a love hate relationship with money.  I have been extremely poor and extremely well off.  I have spent more time in the red, and I would personally like to turn this around.

At this time in my life, the finances are tight.  Many factors have played into this.  Unemployment, a lack of knowledge about how money should be used, being surrounded by people that bring me down and an overall ignorance of money in general. 

Empowerment means taking responsibility for all areas of my life.  It is easy to blame others, and I have had some really terrible things done to me.  These people should be held accountable, but it is up to me to make sure it does not happen again.  Life lessons can take time and I have gone around many mountains for years.  Stepping out in a new direction takes courage and an internal decision to not take it anymore!

Poverty is something I do not want to take anymore!  I believe dreams do come true and this is not any different.  I guess I equate poverty to being overweight.  People struggle for years trying to lose weight.  They go on diets and spend money, time and effort on plans that do not work.  When a person finally loses weight, they say it was a lifestyle change.  I have to make a lifestyle change concerning money! 

I have to admit, I do not know where to begin, but I know I have to have a plan!  Here is my plan:

1. Read a financial website.  I am going to start reading "The Wallstreet Journal" or the best free, reputable online financial publication I can find.  This will be like reading a foreign language to me, but I will look up terms, be patient with myself and learn as I go.
2. I am going to put $5 a month in a savings account.  This does not sound like a lot of money, but it is to me!  I am really feeling the tension in the Michigan economy.  The other reason for putting this money in the bank is forming a habit!  
3. Find a financial Adviser.  I am going to set up some appointments and find an adviser.  They may laugh at me or think I am crazy when they see my finances, but I do not care.  The main thing is finding someone I can trust, someone that believes in me and someone that takes me seriously.  
4. Pray!  I need the Lord to guide me in this and give me wisdom!  

If you are trying to turn your bank account into something that gives you resources instead of headaches, it only takes your decision.  You are not alone!

Abuse Does Not Define You- Your Perspecitve Defines You!

A person (man or woman) that has experienced long term abuse may see the world different than you.  Emotional, spiritual, physical and mental abuse teach a person that they are powerless.  They are taught that they are second class and having nice things are for others.

It is an internal prison that traps the victim's thinking and causes them to subject themselves to abusive people.  It is a wonderful thing when abused people are able to get out of terrible situations.  Unfortunately the trauma can latch onto every aspect of their life.

A person can become victimized by the world, until a self realization of their worth is experienced.  It is an incredible revelation, but one muddled with grief.  The same moment a person understands how worthy they really are, they realize how much of their life has been damaged. 

This stirs feelings of anger, sadness, loss and confusion.  It is important to work through these emotions.  It is also important to get to the important business of living a life of personal value! 

I want you to know that if you have been abused you are valuable.  You are not supposed to live a life subject to and surrounded by mean people.  Don't be afraid to take control of your life and be the person God created!  It is never too late to change your perspective and remove yourself from abuse.  50 is not too old, 80 is not to old, 18 is not to late and at 25 you are not washed up.  You have one life!  Live it to the fullest!
photo via iron.lcc.gatech.edu via Google images

Be Yourself and Take the Weight of The World off Your Shoulders!

Have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders?  Have you ever felt overwhelmed and sad, but did not know why?  Many of you have, but sadly did not realize it until the pressures or burdens of life were lifted.  The busy lives of most people consist of internal and external expectations that are out of balance. 

One of the biggest contributors to this lack of equilibrium is inaccurate thinking.  The belief that you are making the people around you happy or sad.  You are not responsible for another person's feelings.  Acting out of this belief is exhausting and will cause you to abandon the true you!  How can you be true to yourself if you believe your actions are fulfilling another person's existence. 

Be true to yourself!  You must understanding that each person is responsible for their own feelings and happiness.  You have the right to be yourself.  If it causes others to be hostile or upset, it their issue not yours.  Separate yourself for people that suck your energy and expect you to make them happy.  Separate yourself from people that constantly blame you for their problems. 

Surround yourself with people that actively participate in creating their own lives.  Surround yourself with people that take responsibility for their destinies and generate power from within.  Your life force is for you to have life.  When others rely on your life force to sustain themselves, it is crossing major boundaries and depleting your ability to have joy.

photo via blog.archristian.org via Google images

Empowered and In Love- A Guest Post by Kelli Dussault of My Life Downstream

As promised I have another great guest post for you!  Kelli Dussault blogs over at "My Life Downstream."  Her posts are incredibly touching.  They give the reader an insight into their own soul and allows them to make changes with dignity.  I have enjoyed reading Kelli's work for a while now and I am honored to have her share with you.  You can find her contact information at the end of this post.

They say no one can take your power away unless you give it to them. I agree with that to some extent, although sometimes it seems people can sneak in and razzle~dazzle you and before you know it you are tap dancing around, doing what you think they want you to do, being who you think they want you to be. This is especially prevalent when you're dating.

Why is it that when you meet someone new, you are fully being your wonderful amazing, the only you like yourself and then you slowly start to change. You start second guessing yourself, you want to hurry things along, seal the deal, make this happen and then you go into fear.
You start trying to be more of what you think he might like you to be, being different, being better.. as if that were even possible.

We want so much for this (relationship) to last, for him to stay, perhaps forever, we decide, mostly unconsciously that we are going to be the perfect partner. Wow, really? What does being the perfect partner even mean?

For a lot of us, we can want something to work so badly that we lose ourselves, give up our power, our pride, and that my friends is where it all goes downhill, quickly. We do things we don't necessarily want to do, and when he doesn't do the same for us we pout, we withhold (and you know what I mean), we whine, we bitch and moan. Yea, 'cause that's sexy right?

You want to be the best most amazing, most alluring partner you can be? Here's the secret, take back your power and just be you. Yep, that's right, I know it sounds simple, but it isn't easy.

Being fully in your power is knowing what you want, being who you are, completely, and allowing someone to love you. I know it can be scary, who's gonna love me just for being me?

The person who is brought to you by spirit, the one who just shows up one day as if by magic. The one so perfect for you that you don't have to give up your power for, and it doesn't even occur to you to be that foolish.  You don't feel the need to change a thing, everything just seems to fall into place.

I have done relationships both ways, the give up your power/ try to make something happen, and the allowing/keeping your power relationships.  I have to say, when you just be you, and have faith, what you are supposed to get, what you are supposed to learn will just show up without any manipulation on your part... Now that's powerful.
xo-K

Only love is real, nothing else exists... ~Marianne Williamson
To read more about my journey in life, love and relationships please check out, www.mylifedownstream.com

"Working on Monday"- Starting My Own Business

"Working on Monday" is coming out a couple of days late.  I have been working on a new project, which is starting my own business.  I have wanted to start my own business for a long time, but allowed circumstances to dictate my goals. 

I decided this is the perfect time to start my own business.  Monday I launched another website called Donna's Dollhouse.  Donna's Dollhouse is a website that focuses on makeup reviews, skin care, jewelry, accessories and other fun topics.  I wanted to create a place for women to shop online, have fun and get away from the stress of the day. 

This business certainly is not easy.  I started this endeavor with very little money.  Although the money that went into this was not a lot, it was everything to me.  I am taking a big risk to see my dreams come true.  It could take up to a year or more to see a return on my investment. 

I have an enormous amount of work in front of me, but I look forward to the challenge.  Take a look at my site and tell me what you think!  www.dollmeup2.com

Until next Monday...