2015-Begin Your Changes Now

A lot of people make resolutions for the new year. They plan to make great improvements to their health, career, or spiritual lives, beginning on January 1st.
Then there are other people who refuse to make a resolution at all because they believe that nothing will change.

The first step to creating any lasting change is to begin. If a goal is really important to you, you don't need to wait until a specific day to begin it. Begin it now.
At the very least, you can prepare yourself for the changes you plan to make beginning January 1st.

Whatever your goals are, there are ways to prepare for them today.

If you are looking to make a career move:

• Create a new resume and cover letter.
• Look up jobs online for potential new positions.
• Post your resume on job boards.
• Buy a new interview suit.
• Sign up for a class to improve your marketable skills.

Looking to get in shape:

• Research health and nutrition information online or at the library.
•  Find a plan that you believe you can stick with.
• Create meal plans for the month of January.
• Sign up for the gym before the January rush, or buy 2-3 new workout dvds.
• Write a list of all of the reasons you want to get healthy.
• Look up success stories online.

Want to save money:

• Create a budget for the next six months.
• Open a savings account.
• Look up coupons to help you save money.

Whatever you want to do, please do not wait until January 1st to begin it. If you start taking steps now, it will give you momentum. When January 1st rolls around, you will be well on your way to accomplishing your goals!

What are your resolutions for  2015? What can you do now to get started?

Showing Kindness

"In separateness lies the world’s great suffering. In unity lies the world’s true strength." ~Buddha

There is so much pain and sadness in the world. There just is. From starving children, to terminal illnesses, from rape and murder, to the victim blaming of raped and murdered people. It is enough to make a person sick.

It is hard to watch humans see other humans as anything other than human. It is hard to wrap my brain around the idea of hating someone because of the color of their skin, their religion, the country they were born in, or their sexual orientation. Why are respect, dignity, freedom, and justice ideas that don't seem to apply to each and every human being?

During times when there seems to be nothing but pain everywhere you look and a sense of hopelessness, it is good to try and show more kindness to others.

Here are some ways you can reach out and help others in need, right now.

• Addie Fausett is a six-year-old little girl who is dying. This year her wish is to receive Christmas cards. You can send a card and spread some cheer to this young girl and her family during this tough time. Send cards to: P.O. Box 162, Fountain Green, UT 84632
• The Salvation Army has started their red kettle campaign for the holiday season. Take a look at the site to see how your donations can help the lives of others. Also, while you are out shopping be sure to donate when you see the kettles at the stores.
• God's Love We Deliver is an organization that was brought to national attention by the late Joan Rivers. This organization delivers healthy meals to people who are terminally ill and unable to cook for themselves.
• The American Red Cross has a holiday catalog you can shop from to help people in need. Not only that, you can donate blood, or money all year round.
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank provides food for families who would otherwise starve. Every day in this country children go to bed hungry. You can donate either to this food bank, or one in your city.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to terminally ill children. Check out the site to see how you can help.

There are many ways you can help people in the world, and in your community. Foster kids need Christmas gifts, someone else needs help paying for medical bills, another person needs a place to live. There is no shortage of needs to be met in this world.

Please look for ways you can show how much you care today.  Namaste.

31 Days

31. Yup. That's all we have. 31 days left to 2014. If you're anything like me perhaps you are wondering where the time went, or how we are past summer, and Thanksgiving already.

In any event, we have 31 days to work on the goals we came into 2014 with, or some we may have picked up along the way. Whether you have been successful at keeping a New Year's resolution or not, you still have before you 31 days to make something really great happen.

What can you do in the next 31 days that will put 2015 on notice that you are coming for it?

You could:

• Start walking
• Learn to cook new recipes
• Learn new computer software
• Register the name of your new business
• Work on writing a business plan
• Spend more time with your children
• Begin to meditate and/or pray 
• Learn yoga
• Journal
• Learn to crochet
• Clean out closets and storage areas
• Look for a new job
• Look for a new place to live
• Volunteer
• Begin writing your book
• Take a trip
• Do daily affirmations

There are so many things you can do in the next 31 days to help you leave 2014 on a good note.

So what will you do?