You are better off being more concerned with helping another than you are with furthering your own agenda.

When was the last time you did something nice for someone you didn't know?

Most of us shy away from such selfless acts of kindness. We are either too busy, too crunched for time, too broke…The list of excuses goes on. Many of us have never experienced first hand the struggles some people go through on a daily basis, so we just don't understand. We criticize those in need for asking for help, when we don't know anything about them or how they came to be in their current situation.

The truth is, if any of us were ever to end up in that same position, we would be begging for help just like many of those who we turn our noses up to.

I've lived at my current residence for over a year now and every day, on my way home from work, I get off the same exit ramp. When it isn't too cold, there is a homeless man who stands by the ramp at the intersection with a sign asking for help. I found myself always making excuses as to why I couldn't help this man; "I don't have enough money to feed myself right now", "I don't keep any cash on me", "The light is about to turn green", "I've got to get home". Truth is, I was throwing myself a pity party and not taking the time to realize that, even with all the horrible things I've been dealing with in my life, I was still better off than this man.

This past Friday was a beautiful day. I was driving home from the gym after work and I exited on the same ramp I always take when going home. There he was. The same man who stood out on that corner all Summer through the exhausting heat and all Fall through the cold rain. He stood there with his sign, looking at the long line of cars that sat there waiting on the light to turn green. On his sign, which was just a small piece of cardboard that likely came from a nearby dumpster, was written in black marker "aNyTHing hELPs".

At that moment, I began to think of all the excuses I had made previously when I had driven by this man on my way "home". This entire time, I've always had a place to go home to. This man has been homeless for over a year, and I've been too concerned with my own troubles to offer him any help. The joy in his voice when I offered him the only cash I had with me said it all; "Thank you. God bless you."

The most important task God has for us today may not be on our "to-do list". We may have to detour from our plans and reach out to someone in need of our help, love and compassion.

As I grow in life and become a better person, I keep learning more about myself along the way. This week I learned how important it is to reach out and help someone every chance we get. I challenge you just as I have challenged myself, to do something nice for a stranger every day. It might be something as little as smiling or saying "hello", or as big as giving money to someone in need or helping a stranded motorist change a tire.

Remember "aNyTHing hELPs"…

Do you have street savoire faire?

One of my favorite Disney movie songs. I always can get inspired by this song when I'm feeling down and out. Listen to the lyrics!

Watch "Oliver And Company - Why Should I Worry (English)" on YouTube

Compassion; Children can teach some of us "adults" a thing or two!

I know the majority of women probably don't care the slightest about sports. And while I have faith that stereotype is currently changing, I still am in the minority as a woman when I say that "I LOVE football." While college football is my true passion (as a fan), I try to follow the NFL fairly closely as well. (It can be difficult when your favorite team is the Chiefs, but I'm no fair-weather fan so I will always cheer them on even when we aren't having the greatest season.) Whether you are a football fan or not, you are probably aware that the Super Bowl is coming up. But I'm going to step back in time to one of the two games that determined who is playing in this year's Super Bowl.

Journey back with me if you will to the NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants. Let's put aside the fuss prior to the game, concerning a politician confusing the San Francisco NFL team with the MLB team and announcing to his San Fran crowd that "The Giants are going to win!" (Who is this guy's PR/Speech Writer?) This game was responsible for a lot of chatter, mostly on Social Networks like Twitter, and most of it was not just negative...it was vulgar. One play in particular sparked direct threats from San Francisco "fans" not, as one would assume, to the team, but rather directed solely to ONE player on the team. In a matter of 3 seconds, the 49ers "fans" determined that this one player was responsible for the entire 4 quarters and OT ending in a San Fran loss.

First, might I say that I am appalled that grown adults would behave this way! Just another mark to add to the list of reasons why our children are not receiving the guidance and parenting they need...so many adults are still behaving like children themselves. In fact, after the article that I stumbled across today, I would go as far to say that many adults are behaving far worse than even a child would.

The young man who was the target of all these threats is named Kyle Williams. While I'm sure that he is absolutely terrified of what these people (I don't think it would be a stretch to call these people "crazy") might actually attempt if he lets his guard down, I hope that he was able to, in some way, read this letter from a 7-year-old boy.

Read a 7-year-old’s heart-melting letter to Kyle Williams

I truly hope that these "adults" will learn a lesson from this young child. His father said it perfectly..."If you feel this way, how sad do you think Kyle Williams is?" This child was able to show the one thing that we are all capable of and should be using on a daily basis: Compassion.

I challenge you to ask yourself this same question every time you are faced with a situation that makes you frustrated with someone because of a mistake they made, whether big or small; "If I feel this way, how must he or she be feeling about making the mistake?"

Compassion: Get some, and use it!

Have I really learned from my past mistakes?

I realize that it's been quite awhile since I've made a post. It's been even longer since I have written anything about relationships. I would count myself far from being any type of relationship expert. In fact, I'm the person always out seeking advice, trying to figure out why my love life just doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

In an effort to do a thorough cleaning of my inner self and in keeping with one of my resolutions this year, I have been spending this month reflecting on what makes me... well...me. Yes, my personality and my passion for life are a big part of how I'm perceived by the rest of the world. However, I'm more interested in the side of myself that most people don't get to see. All the thoughts, feelings, joys and tears that make me the person I am today.

As I was reflecting back on my previous relationships today, I couldn't help but wonder if I've truthfully learned from the mistakes I've made in the past. Sometimes I think, as women, we become more paranoid rather than more intelligent when it comes to men. For instance, I recently embarked on what may turn into a very healthy relationship in the near future. However, I caught myself "diving right in" if you will...getting caught up in all the newness of the relationship and the intense physical attraction between the two of us. Here I was again, letting myself get too attached, too soon. Did I learn nothing from my past? Why do I allow myself to run into the fire when I've always found that is how I end up getting hurt.

It's not about how much you feel for someone or how physically attracted you are to each other...it is much more important to take the time to really get to know a person before you hand over all your feelings.

I'm definitely going to take my own advice and make sure I don't rush into anything. Be willing to put in the time if you want a relationship to work. It's not just about the physical. Protect your heart first.

Happy 2012! God Bless!

Steve Jobs and the 7 Rules of Success

http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/steve-jobs-and-the-7-rules-of-success.html

Very good read and great advice from arguably the greatest entrepreneur of all time!

Speak up and take back control!

The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behaviors affect the rights and well being of others.
- Sharon Anthony Bower, author


Many people feel uncomfortable being assertive, which often leads others to take advantage of them. Do you ever feel like you shouldn't say something because you might hurt someone's feelings? Does your spouse shirk their responsibilities around the house and expect you to pick up the slack? While it is important to serve others often, being someone's lackey is unhealthy and it's up to you to break that cycle. Kindly address situations where you think someone is taking advantage of your meekness. Being aggressive is a negative quality that people respond to with hostility. Making your voice heard maturely and positively is a trait that will take you far and build respect among your peers. 

I am NOT a Millennial!!!!!

Check out this great article in the Kansas City Star!


Marketing Campaigns Now Tailored For Millennials


So I very much agree that marketing has evolved quintessentially especially with the advancement of sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc...But seriously, the "experts" need to realize that people born in the 80's should not be lumped with those born in the 90's.


We share different values, different life experiences, and we did not grow up online and with cell phones (these things came about and developed popularity when we were in high school/college). In fact, some of the most popular online fads were created by 80's babies (Mark Zuckerberg, born 1984).


And it seems to me that the Baby Boomers seem to judge us by the Millennial label, thinking that we are always texting, always tuned out to what is going on in the real world. While I know there are those my age that tend to over do it on the texting, Facebooking, etc, I also know the majority of us exercise logic and restraint. These things were introduced to us after we were kids. We know what it's like to live without and we know the importance of sometimes just doing things the old fashioned way.


We don't NEED to be connected to technology 24/7, even though we do realize the great advantages of being connected. We know how to go without, and we often get fed up with it at times and just turn it off! How do you think we have time to come up with all these new innovative ideas?


If anything 80's babies relate more to Generation X simply because a lot of us have siblings from that generation. Just a thought to ponder, but I think they need to come up with an entirely different generational name for 80's babies. Maybe Generation Innovation?