money

Knowing when to call it…Putting God First

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This morning, I found this article to which really got me thinking.  Conclusion: Money isn’t everything if you aren’t happy or satisfied with what you are doing.  Offensive lineman John Moffitt of the Denver Broncos has decided after season 3 to retire.  Money wasn’t everything to him to sacrifice his body for the name of the sport when the passion or happiness factor wasn’t there.  Smart man.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/offensive-lineman-john-moffitt-walks-away-nfl-says-211429267–nfl.html

How many times have you sucked it up and thought you were doing something that you WANTED to do?  How many times have you realized what you thought to have been a very rewarding decision and choice really wasn’t what you thought it was?  The fact is, life is really about making every decision count.  We make right decisions and we make wrong decision.  Life is about learning.  Life too must be lived ON purpose.  If you don’t live a life worth your passion, sanity, and one that is desired then maybe it is time to look at priorities.

I was always raised to put God first.  As human beings….as selfish human beings…we always try to do it our way.  We try to make everything about what we want to get out of life.  That is a little backwards in my opinion.  Life really isn’t about us anyways.  Sounds like a contradiction, ehh?  Let me explain.  God created each and everyone of us with a specific purpose and need in mind.  He didn’t intend for money to be everything.  He should be our everything.  It is through our relationship with God that we come to know the person He created.  We find out about our strengths and weaknesses and just how much we should be depending on God for our guidance in this journey.  We will not find our way by chasing what we think will make us happy.  We will never be fulfilled by putting ourselves first.

Here is a really amazing blog post by Joyce Meyer’s Ministries to which explains what I mean.  http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=putting_god_first_in_your_priorities

When you put God first, you start to notice things that maybe you wouldn’t have even glanced or thought twice about.  Take for an instance, walking around.  Have you seen the same street bum begging on the corner?  Have you ever really thought about why this individual is there?  Or what their story is?  Or do you consider yourself an elite individual with your clique of friends only.  You keep a tight reign and no one else can be let in to the “inner circle”.  News flash…there is always someone that is feeling left out.  Have you noticed that person lately?  Have you taken into consideration their feelings?  Have you decided to do anything about it?

When you put God first, you realize that He loves each and everyone of us as though we are the only person that existed.  He never abandons us and many times falls quiet as to test us.  When you feel that He is the furthest away–He is simply right around the corner.  I think for me, one of the hardest things to realize is that Jesus is in every single person.  He is!  Have you looked deeply into a strangers eyes?  Have you ever just felt this calm love?  Or maybe not….I guess that would be kind of weird, right?

I do feel that when I am having a rough day, He sends little angels to remind me “Hey goof…life is not all bad!  I am still right here walking this road with you!!”  It never seems to fail when things go array, I am always exactly where I need to be.  Whether it is for my benefit or the other persons.

When you put God first, perspective comes.  It is not right away or with ease to which that happens, but eventually it will come.  When you put God first, your passions meet obedience.  We are so narrow-minded as human beings as to think we can put limits on God’s love for us.  God can do anything.  TRULY.  God will guide us toward our passions and love if we simply ask and follow Him.  This is a hard thing for an extremely independent little woman to get through her thick skull.  I need to stop whining and just go bring everything directly to God.  God has always been there consistently.  Why do I always forget that?

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http://pniridescent.com/2013/07/16/when-we-put-god-first/

This week has been a stressful week.  I put a lot of this stress on myself without realizing my load is nothing compared to others.  My cross to bear, is my cross.  I need to remember not to push my cross on others as I do not want to tip them.  I am grateful that others allow me to vent.  I am grateful that I have such a support group and cheerleading section making sure that I am still sane.  I am so grateful for the reminders God places in my life to which keeps me afloat.  But, I need to remember to know when to call it for my sake.  I needed to remember that God comes first and know to call it quits to me being selfish.  It’s God’s will not my own.  He will always provide as long as I am listening and obedient to Him.

Today I want to challenge each and every one of my readers, do you truly put God first?  Are you truly seeking Him and His plan for you in each decision?  Are you using your gifts to the best of your ability?  Just look at yourself reflectively today.  Be thankful for who you are today.  Be thankful for where you are at on your journey.  Be thankful for your support group.  Becoming is a hard long road of faith.  The end result will be well worth its while!

CatMan

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If I were a Weather Teller….

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Yes I know that people who “tell weather” are actually called Meteorologists.  I think a Weather Teller sounds better.  I mean you don’t call a Bank Teller a deposit and money keeper!  Geez people.  Plus, now a days we need simple lingo.  You know so the uneducated lazy average joe can understand!

I think it would be cool to be wrong 75% of the time and still be able to keep my job.  I think that would be a fabulous!….Can you think of any other time where that would be ok??

For an instance, this is a real report from the National Weather Service:

Special weather alert (from the NWS): … GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED TODAY… SUSTAINED WINDS UP TO 25 MPH WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE. WITH SOILS SATURATED DUE TO RECENT RAINFALL… WIND GUSTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE MAY BE ABLE TO BRING DOWN TREES. IN ADDITION… UNSECURED OUTDOOR OBJECTS WILL LIKELY BE BLOWN ABOUT.

For an instance, if CatMan was doing the weather telling:

“LISTEN UP! WEATHER GODS ARE ANGRY!”  WIND WILL BLOW YOUR BIG BOOTY OVER TODAY SO BETTER STAY INSIDE.  YOU DID NOT NEED THAT CHEESEBURGER FOR LUNCH, SO MAKE A SALAD.  WINDS COULD END UP GETTING UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT DOWN ON FRITZ SO LOOK OUT! (40 MPH).  RAIN HAS MADE THE SOIL WET (WELL DUH! THAT’S WHAT IT DOES, I MEAN LAST TIME I CHECKED!).  WINDS OF THIS FORCE PROBABLY WILL BLOW YOUR TREES OVER THAT WILL FALL ON TO YOUR POWER LINES.  POWER LINE’S JUST IN CASE YOUR MOM DIDN’T TELL YOU….YOU DON’T TOUCH THEM THEY WILL HURT YOU!  IF YOU HAVE TRASH, DRESSED UP GEESE, CHAIRS, PLANTS ON YOUR PORCH…YOU MAY WANT TO BRING THEM IN AS YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL NOT HAVE STOLEN THEM, THE WIND WILL HAVE.  IF YOU WEIGH UNDER 100LB OR ARE A SMALL CHILD…STAY IN SIDE OR YOU WILL BE FLYING LIKE MERRY POPPIN’S.  THANK YOU.

I don’t like when people try to speak above me or the subject matter that is so literal.  Just say what you mean and don’t give me the flowery malarkey…save that for someone else thanks!  I like it when people are right to the point, no sales pitch involved, just wham!  (Can you tell I just got back from a Trade Show?) So remember, just keep things simple.  That is always best.  No one likes someone who thinks they are smarter than they are because they use big words or words that make something sound more sophisticated than the subject matter is.  Just be yourself (no matter how plain and simple you are), say what you mean, and the rest will take care of the rest!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzNYfMTWpVs

CatMan

Awake my Soul…and FREAK OUT!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2RKb3VNAOo

Today I would like to start with a song.  This post is of a very great band that I rather enjoy listening to once in a while.  They are fantastic.  This song has some pretty profound lyrics.  I cannot take any credit for this topic except for giving you my 2 cents.  Thanks Jacabo!  😉

I think we can all relate.  It makes me think how confused we all can get with our priorities.  So many times we think we need more money, more time, more of everything when really we should be grateful for what we have.  Today I spent some time with Herb.  He was in quite the mood!  I don’t know what exactly was ruffling his feathers but, he was quite the difficult one.  I could satisfy him not in any of the work I was doing for him.  We first had a meeting.  We discussed a few projects at hand.  Then we had a few erruns consisting of going to the bank, eating lunch, getting gas in his car, then making a deposit at another bank…it was good except to say when we got out to the parking lot after lunch he turned and fell.  This was my first experience with a family member or close friend falling seriously not anything stupid like I was walking and tripped on my foot sort of deal.  I dropped my purse and ran to the one side of him and helped leverage him up.  He wasn’t hurt except for his pride.  He stood up quickly and like his mom I yelled to go slow and calm him down.  He calmed himself down and stood there stunned.  It was hard.  He got back into the car slowly and just was so embarrassed.   He told me that when he falls–he immediately goes limp so that way nothing gets broken.  Smart plan if you ask me.

Today was humbling.  I am really glad that I don’t make a ton of money or feel it necessary.  I know I need to make enough to cover all of my bases and I do…but, I really am so blessed to be doing all the stuff I am doing!  I get to leave work and hang out with a cool old guy…

Driving Miss Daisy...if you will....just for comparison sake geez!

…coach a group of young girls and be there for them when they are in their prime time of self-esteem problems and still trying to figure out who they are (not going to lie I am still trying to figure out who I am and I am 10 years older than they are!), as well as help with one of the coolest organizations ever SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF COURSE!  Just think, If I had any other job I couldn’t do half the items I am doing.  With work, my job is so diverse.  I am currently revamping our website.  That is a task in a half but, the group (CLP Marketing) I am working with is phenomenal.

 

I don’t wish for anything more at this point.  Life is truly good.  OH so now on to the funny part of this post….

So my eye wont stop twitching…it’s getting pretty bad and frequent.  SO, I am finding myself grabbing the bottom lid in the midst of these conversations and trying to still talk and then the other person gets so distracted that they MUST inquire…I just blamed it on my “Cat Allergy”…cough cough.

I probably looked like this girl...

 

Next, I was informed last night if I was ever to get pulled over by a cop I was told to just “freak out” as my brother put it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUZUmP4N6Vk HAHA!  He had expired plates by accident on the car.  He merely forgot to put the sticker date on it so OPPS.  Well on his way home last night, yup you guessed it…he got pulled over!  He said all he did was literally do everything by the books and freaked on the cops and actually freaked the cop-out!  It was very dramatic and comical as you can imagine.  My brother has very buggy eyes

hehehe....

so they were almost to the extent of deer in the headlights look?  Oh so funny….well long story after the cop told him to hold on and “…roll the dang window up it’s freezing out!” …he came out of it just with a warning.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArCveCHexqg Then the cop finished up by saying you did everything by the textbook but, that was definitely freaking me out pulling you over!  Love it.

 

🙂

Love the Effervescent,

CatMan