If you want to have a great life, read great books. One source I found for a list of great books, is "Books that Shaped Successful People" by Kevin Kelly. Kevin asked dozens of famous people to give him their "top ten list" of books a well-read, well-educated person should read or simply should have read? He also asked, "What is the greatest book you have ever read?" As you might expect, the Bible was the number one response. Senator Mark Hatfiled wrote March 8, 1994, "The most influnetial book in my life has been the Bible. My faith guides me in every decision I make, and the Bible is a constant source of inspiration to me." (p. 189) Suprisingly to me, Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" was number 2. Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and Homer, along with others, make the utlimate top 15.
Do you have some favorite books that have shaped your life? Maybe a top ten list? What book would you recommend to someone to read over the holidays? If you want to have a great life, read a great book over the holidays.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Don't overspend at Christmas!
If you want to have a great life, don't overspend at Christmas! Christmas is really not about gifts and toys, it's about the greatest gift, Jesus. Don't add stress and greed to your life and the lives of your loved ones by running up your credit cards to give others everything they want. If you are going into debt to buy Christmas presents you are definitely spending too much! In a perfect world, you have budgeted your money throughout the year, shopped sales when you have found the perfect gift, and have a list of ideas to look for when you do go Christmas shopping. Just like going to the grocery store, if you go Christmas shopping without a list and a budget, you often buy and spend more than you should.
A great idea for grandparents and parents is to put half of the money you might spend on your kids and grandkids into a mutual fund or savings account. How fun to be able to give a grandchild $1000 when she gets married or graduates from college and say, "this is money I've been saving for you every Christmas (you can do this for birthdays too) since you were born." Now that my children are appoaching college, buying cars, etc. I am so glad we have done this with our kids. It has taught them the discipline of saving (I hope) and provided a small start to the large amounts of money they will need for college, cars, marriage, etc.
Those who love and care for you will certainly understand if you need to cut back on your Christmas budget. Just communicate this to them. If your relationship is close enough to them that you are buying them a gift, they should certainly understand and not want you to overspend. If you want to have a great life, don't overspend at Christmas.
A great idea for grandparents and parents is to put half of the money you might spend on your kids and grandkids into a mutual fund or savings account. How fun to be able to give a grandchild $1000 when she gets married or graduates from college and say, "this is money I've been saving for you every Christmas (you can do this for birthdays too) since you were born." Now that my children are appoaching college, buying cars, etc. I am so glad we have done this with our kids. It has taught them the discipline of saving (I hope) and provided a small start to the large amounts of money they will need for college, cars, marriage, etc.
Those who love and care for you will certainly understand if you need to cut back on your Christmas budget. Just communicate this to them. If your relationship is close enough to them that you are buying them a gift, they should certainly understand and not want you to overspend. If you want to have a great life, don't overspend at Christmas.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Have a Thankful Heart
If you want to have a great life, have a thankful heart! No one likes to be around negative people - people who consistently complain and usually point out what's wrong with life. We all know life isn't perfect, but let's be thankful for the good in life! Your job may not be perfect, but at least you have a job. Be thankful you have a job, and think of ways you can make it better. You become the encourager at work this week. Your home may not be the nicest on the block, but have you seen the impoverished homes in Mexico City lately? Be thankful! Once you have a positive spirit, you can look for ways to better your life and the life of those around you. You won't attempt this if you are thinking how bad you have it! This Thanksgiving, take the time to list ten things or people in your life for which you are truly thankful. You might even prayerfully thank God for His blessings in your life. If people are on your list, have you told them you are thankful to God for them being in your life? The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." To have a great life you should have thankful heart.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Know Your Finances
One of the greatest causes of stress in our lives is uncertainity with our finances. According to an USA Today article from September, "When asked what kept them awake at night, 38% of employees said they are concerned about being able to pay for basic necessities in retirement, according to a survey by The Principal Financial Group. Nearly half are anxious about enjoying the same quality of life they now have." (http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2007-09-04-foreclosure-stress_N.htm)
If you want to have a great life, know your financial situation. Wondering around in the dark about anything in life, leads to worry. Whatever your financial situation, you should know your expected income each month, and your expected expenditures. Know how much money you have in your retirement account. (You do have a retirement account, don't you?) If you want to have a great life you should know exactly how much debt you owe, and develop a plan to get out of debt. Yes, this all takes some time, but as you find out this information, and develop a plan, you will have a sense of accomplishment and victory, even if the news is not good. If you need some help with this, organizations such as Crown Financial Ministries (http://www.crown.org/) can be of great help. There may be someone in your church or office who has some expertise in this area who can give you some help. Hiring a financial planner that is recommended by a trusted friend may be a good investment. Some have even turned to their pastor for financial advice. Don't be left in the dark about your finances. If you want to have a great life, know your finances.
If you want to have a great life, know your financial situation. Wondering around in the dark about anything in life, leads to worry. Whatever your financial situation, you should know your expected income each month, and your expected expenditures. Know how much money you have in your retirement account. (You do have a retirement account, don't you?) If you want to have a great life you should know exactly how much debt you owe, and develop a plan to get out of debt. Yes, this all takes some time, but as you find out this information, and develop a plan, you will have a sense of accomplishment and victory, even if the news is not good. If you need some help with this, organizations such as Crown Financial Ministries (http://www.crown.org/) can be of great help. There may be someone in your church or office who has some expertise in this area who can give you some help. Hiring a financial planner that is recommended by a trusted friend may be a good investment. Some have even turned to their pastor for financial advice. Don't be left in the dark about your finances. If you want to have a great life, know your finances.
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