Tuesday, June 14, 2011

*The Next Chapter*

Ok guys, I know it has been an extremely long time since I've posted. But, I promise I still care. I guess my story is "I was very busy with the previous chapter of my life." So from this point on, I guess I'll try to get posts in when I can. Deal?

I've been thinking...life is full of different chapters. Some we enjoy; some we don't. However, the most important thing is to know when to end one chapter and start another. I am reminded of the variety of issues we may face because we're human, regarding jobs, family, friends, romance, etc. These issues are naturally featured in life's little book and it's all up to us how each chapter flows.

Of course we know God is the author of life, but He does give us a choice in how we approach each day of our lives and the people around us. Our approach to each day is what determines how that chapter of our life turns out.

Self Therapy:
1) Each day you face the world, are you happy, sad, angry or neutral?

2) What causes you to feel the way you do when you get up each day?

3) If your feelings are bad, how can you positively change them?


I encourage you to celebrate life in spite of its storms because it is after the rain that a harvest comes.


-RH ; )

Friday, May 28, 2010

*Good things come to those who wait*

In the art of living, we often find ourselves in a race, and this race is usually all about achievement. I must hurry and graduate, I must hurry and marry, have kids, etc. Why, why, why? What are we all rushing for? Are we in competition with other people or ourselves? I'd like to think it's both.

A hard core fact is: Most of the time when one rushes through major decisions, they end up selling themselves short. Think about it logically; if we always select/accept the first thing that is presented to us, then we have not given ourselves any other options.

One reason that the human race often rushes through things is because we live in an "instant" society; thus we have gained the "We want it, and we want it now!" mentality.

Let me prove to you how "instant" the world has become. Examples would be, the microwave, do-it-all-cell-phones and instant messaging, cosmetic transitions (no one wants to take the time to grow their hair out or lose weight the normal way anymore), and the list goes on, steroids in the food market, and more.

Keep in mind that truly the best things take time. It takes time for a seed to grow into a flower, for a baby to be born, for a wound to heal, and so on.

The best things come to those who wait. Do not be discouraged, hang in there and wait.

~The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong, but to the one that endures until the end~

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Hey! Who wants to be a millionaire?

I'm quite sure that everyone would love to be a millionaire, or at least the majority of the human race would like to.

Anyhow, today I attended a wealth-building seminar on campus, and I must add that I did learn something. The provider of this workshop was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

The FDIC's initial goal for having wealth-building seminars on college campuses is to educate college students in the area of finances. The workshop was a brilliant idea in my opinion because we students specifically need to be in the "know" concerning finances.

Education loans etc. and simply trying to make ends meet could easily set a student up for a future of financial deficiencies and bad credit; and that was one of the primary topics of discussion. Hey, that reminds me: Would anyone like to pay off my debt? I am just kidding.

One of the best quotes that I heard in the seminar was spoken by the first guest speaker, and that was "It's not hard to become a millionaire." If one followed the advice that the FDIC gave, such as saving money, maintaining good credit, using budgeting tools and making smart investments, it could be much easier to become a millionaire.

However, in the meantime while waiting to make our millions, let us keep in mind that true wealth is salvation, good health, family, friends, love, peace and happiness.

Here is a free financial web site that the FDIC shared with everyone during the seminar: www.bankrate.com

I have already checked out the above site and done some financial calculations on it. It is amazing. I encourage you to check it out and I hope that you find the site helpful. Let us continue to be money smart.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

~Budget Woes. Again?~

As you all may already know from the glimpse of my profile, I am currently in college. Well, of course I had a hot topic last year about the economy, and now this crisis has hit closer than I realized.

I attended the State of the University Address program yesterday for my school, and to hear what the university's president was saying about the budget slightly saddened me. He mentioned more budget cuts for the future and that leads me to question the longevity of the university's academic programs.

While I am concerned about the budget of my school, I still have hope that brighter financial days will return and the rest will be history. I did some research concerning the budget of other universities in Florida, only to find out that they are experiencing similar financial woes, if not the exact same.

My heart's desire is that every struggling university survives because education is freedom, and it is imperative that the gift of education keeps on giving. If circumstances became so terrible that the percentage of layoffs increased, there would not be enough educators on board to equip the next generation.

I would love it if my current university is still around for the next generations to come, so that my future children and grand children can have it in their option of educational institutions to attend.

~LOVE YOURSELF~

Happy Valentines Day to all, although I am two days late. I hope that your V-day was great, as mine was, in spite of my being single.

Single, dating, or married, it really does not matter when we focus on the fact that we should love and respect ourselves on a daily basis no matter what our status is; and that is the topic of this post tonight.

You may be thinking "What are you talking about Ranata?", well let me explain farther. Sometimes, specifically around Valentines day and birthdays etc, some individuals who do not have a significant other to celebrate with them tend to feel unloved. When they feel unloved, it causes them to feel unworthy of loving themselves.

The issue of feeling unworthy of celebration is only false play on the mind, and that is what gives depression the chance to kick in. I say, it is not worth it. Always remember how unique you are, what your purpose is and why you are important to the world. If you feel that you don't have a good purpose, find one.

Love yourself, understand yourself and try to comprehend and accept the unique things about you. Fall in love with who you are, because no one can be a better you than YOU!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

~The Transition into 2010~

Happy Holidays everyone, although I'm a bit late. I hope that everyone had an enlightening Christmas, and is preparing for 2010. Can you believe that 2010 is so near?

As 2009 exits, and 2010 enters, I have decided to spend the rest of this week reflecting on how good God has been to me this year, the new things that have happened in my life, the right moves and turns I made, as well as any bad decisions I may have made this year and how I can improve for next year; even concerning the little things.

After I do my reflections on the delights, the good, bad, and rough of 2009, I will meditate for days on my strategy and approach of how I will maintain things and overall improve in 2010. I don't really call this a New Year's Resolution; but more of a permanent personal improvement. It exceeds beyond temporary diets and the likes.

One thing in specific that I will be working to improve in, is timeliness. There were one too many times in 2009 in which I was late.

Question: What is one of the things that you would like to improve for 2010?

Monday, December 14, 2009

*Life is Full of Surprises*

You know, in the flamboyant ride of life, we encounter many surprises. Some occurrences surprise us because they are disappointing; while other occurrences suprise us simply because they are exciting and come as great news.

The most important part is not "what" surprises us in life, but "how" we handle and or cope with the matter that caught us by surprise. If it is a terrible matter, should we allow it to hold us back? Or how about this: If it is something great, should we allow it to make us arrogant and jump ahead of ourselves?

Bad occurrences: For the record, NEVER allow bad occurrences in life get you down. Why? Well simply because if you allow lifes rough surprises to get you down, it could overall hold you back from real joy, spiritual success, academic achievement, financial success, real relationships, desired freedom, and the list goes on.

Thus meaning that a simple problem that is focused on for entirely too long, could overall stunt a persons growth of success. So...even if it seems there is no one else there to up-hold you and encourage you, it's ok; always have the ability to encourage yourself. Hey, David encouraged himself back in the Biblical times; why can't you right.


Tips on staying encouraged:

1)Read your Bible and pray.

2)Purchase some index cards and write scriptures and your own positive words to yourself on them. If you want to even write your name on the card with a message (In example: "Carrie, hang in there, you are going to make it") then do just that. Basically write words that get your attention; make it personal, and place these encouragement index cards on your refrigerator, mirrors, and where ever you could see them everyday. I do this, and it works like a charm for any day that I may need a little boost.

3)Surround yourself with positive people.

4)Meditate

5)Smile! Even when you feel like crying, still smile; and guess what, you will find out that it's pretty hard to smile and be sad at the same time.

6)Have a plan to hang in there; refuse to throw in the towel, and keep reminding yourself of that!

7)Always celebrate you! Always speak positive about your life! Always expect to make it! Love who you are! Be confident!

8)Finally, I will share with you my personal made-up motto, "Allow happiness to be your lifestyle, and not just a temporary emotion."



Good occurrences: Concerning good things that happen in our lives, one of the most important things is to react by giving thanks and rejoicing. However, keep in mind that arrogance has the potential to catch a person off guard, and if we allow ourselves to become filled with pride, the same horse that lifted us up and carried us to the land of luxury, can also throw us off. Be careful, stay humble. We can still be all things great, and remain HUMBLE. Yes, it is possible!