Living Life Abundantly

“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touch down.” Ross Perot

“A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.” Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement

6 years ago I was laid off my job as a sales manager and so I started considering home based Internet business models. I had already purchased a plethora of different books all of which assured huge incomes within days or no less than one month.

Having been unexpectedly laid off I was motivated and determined, but also somewhat eager. I had created a number of projects within a week.

The first mistake to avert is heedlessly jumping into a home business that you have not done due diligence on. There are numerous people online that are hoping to make money by selling YOU the “perfect” home business. Oftentimes they haven’t even tried the system themselves.

The second mistake to avert is believing the hype that you can pop out of nowhere and just begin generating thousands of dollars in 30 days or less with a brand new Internet business. I am not saying it is impossible, but to tell the truth it is extremely unlikely. Particularly for newbies and inexperienced Internet marketers. You should be prepared for a modest income, especially in the first 3-5 months.

*You set yourself up for frustration and failure if you expect to be a millionaire in 30 days!

Make a list of home business options and consider all the important factors and skills necessary to be successful. Be realistic about your abilities as you will plainly need to have or at least acquire some of the key skills necessary to succeed.

The third and one of the biggest most widespread mistakes to beware of is not learning the basics of Internet marketing. So as to attract visitors to your business website and make money on-line you have to understand and implement an Internet marketing plan.

The fourth mistake made by most people is giving up on a program too soon. What I did in the past and what you ought not duplicate is believing that there is an issue with the program when the money doesn’t start coming in. Sometimes it is a matter of making small tweaks, measuring the effects of the alterations and patiently waiting.

Establishing a home based Internet business is similar to a boxing match. Be imperturbable, work hard and smart and you will become the champion of home based business Internet marketing.

Learn How Exactly How Top Earners Generate Home Business Leads. Get Your Own Home Business Lead System To Explode Your Business and Sponsor More Reps!

We have said before and still believe…one of the ways to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Ladies, if you are single and cannot cook it’s time to get in the kitchen and learn here’s why…

It is time for younger women to learn that the lasting power in a relationship is not just about great sex. Marla urges them to “Get Back -n- The Kitchen” in an effort to keep a man!

Keith Olbermann does an hour-long “special comment” on the necessity of health care reform

This certainly hits home for me because:
1. I am one of over 50 Million Americans without health insurance

2. My dad suffered from renal failure

I know that I am not alone when it comes to pondering “Why Bad Things Happen To Good People?”

It’s actually something that I’ve wondered for many years. Personally, I’ve gone through some terrible things, even recently… so have a lot people that I know…So are so many people around the world. And so, the question I ask is why?

I posed the question on Twitter and someone responded with an interesting thought that I agree with but it still doesn’t totally answer my question.

Back in my college days I did this humanities project where me and my friend Carmen took the book of Job (from the Bible) and turned it into a rap to Snoop’s version of La Di Da Di. We acted it out and I was the one rapping from Job’s perspective. (I wish I had an understanding of the Power of Words then because I would not have done it)… Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because as I thought about plausible reasons why bad things happen to good people, the book of JOB continuously comes to mind.

If you know the story of Job, you know that he was a good guy. According to the Bible, Job was:

blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil

Sometimes when bad things happen to people, we tend to think that they must have done something to deserve it (or it wouldn’t be happening). From what I’ve read, seen, and experienced, there are times when that is the case…but there are also times when it’s not…like with Job. It is possible to be a good God fearing person and have bad things happen.

In Job’s case he suffered disaster after disaster not because he sinned or did anything wrong, but because God allowed Satan to test Job.

Job 1:6-12 (New King James Version)
Satan Attacks Job’s Character
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”  So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job lost almost everything at no fault of his own. Through it all he did not stop believing in God. The key point that I take from this is not only to keep believing in times of trouble but such times are a test to see if we will indeed keep believing.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

So now I have two answers as to why bad things happen to good people:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test

While that might be answer enough for some people, I still felt like I needed more answers. (When you’re going through it and you know you’ve done nothing wrong you leave no stone unturned for answers). This made me think of that saying “Nobody said it would be easy”, which lead me to this:

“…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~Jesus (John 16:33)

While this isn’t really an answer as to why bad things happen to good people, it is kind of a reminder that no matter what, everyone will experience trials and tribulations regardless of how good, saved, sanctified etc…they are… Its the way of the world.  The interesting thing here (that is often hard to do when looking adversity in the face), is to Be Of Good Cheer! That is often easier said than done. When someone comes with bad news or something terrible happens, its kind of hard to actually be of good cheer (I’ve been there too many times and know from first hand experience). But the issue comes up a few times in Bible.

James 1:2-4 says:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

As I meditated on this, I realized that it’s part of the answer to why bad things happen to good people. Trials build character which lead to overall growth. I hear people say “enlarge my territory” all of the time. I’ve said it, asked for it, prayed for it, and received it many times. In order to enlarge we must grow. With growth comes growing pains. If every opportunity is a learning opportunity, it is fair to say that the trials we encounter in life can provide the wisdom, knowledge, experience, and understanding that we need in order to grow (enlarge our territory). I guess if that be the case, then it should make it easier for us to be of good cheer and count it all joy…

So far, that’s 3 answers as to why bad things happen to good people:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test
3. Trials and tribulations build character and/or growth

It is said, seek and you shall find. The more I searched for answers the more I found them. According to Hebrews 12:5-11

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.

For what son is not disciplined by his father?

If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),

then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;

but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

From reading this passage it seems clear that in order to be accepted as a child of God you must be disciplined as well as punished. I guess when you think about it makes sense. Jesus was (is) perfect and look how He suffered.  When I put it that way it makes the things I’m going through seem so trivial. We all have a cross to bear. He did say “pick up your cross and follow me.”

Hardships as discipline…when I think of discipline I think of punishment for correcting wrong or bad behavior.  But the word discipline also means:

Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Once again this points us back to growing.

I’m one of those folks that doesn’t believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens in its season and for a reason.  That belief in itself is not enough to really answer the question at hand. However, my reasoning for the belief does make some sense of why bad things happen to good people.

When it comes to things happening in season, my thinking goes to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

When it comes to things happening for a reason, what always comes to mind is:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28

God will take an awful situation and turn it around. He always has a ram in the bush. We just have to trust Him

Fives Answers To Why Bad Things Happen To Good People:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test
3. Trials and tribulations build character and/or growth
4. Hardships are a form of discipline
5. Everything happens in its season for a reason

Knowing all of this certainly makes it easier to deal with in times of trouble. When I’m “going through it” I find comfort in reading the Bible and listening to music that speaks to my spirit.

I always know that there is a blessing in the end… so with the patience of Job I run the race of Faith! I hope this comes to you right on time.

Be Blessed!

Our U Grow Girl! group is blazing hot and as always making moves to “be the change” we wish to see in the world.

Through the months we have individually reached and achieved goals. We have overcome obstacles with mountain moving faith and have pushed forward and onward. While we are focused on supporting one another we are also interested in uplifting and empowering others.

Our monthly meetings are always touching and inspiring, we are often moved to tears…Our last meeting was no different. We had a special guest, Ms. Rosie from Floodgates Of Faith Christian Ministry. Ms. Rosie is an amazing woman who exudes the love of God. She explained to us how God put it on her heart and led her to open a shelter. This is no ordinary shelter…. it’s not even called a shelter, it is known as Yarborough Estate, and referred to as home by its residents.

We learned quite a bit from Ms. Rosie. One of the things that stood out most for me was learning that most shelters do not accept male children which forces women to leave their sons in the care of someone else. Ms. Rosie’s estate accepts women with male and female children. Our U Grow Girl! group believes organizations like this must be supported and we learned that funding for such programs are limited. While we did not make a financial contribution we did send Ms. Rosie to the estate with lots of love, prayers, clothing, shoes, accessories, and toiletries.

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa

If you can make ANY type of contribution please do…here’s the contact info

Floodgates Of Faith Christian Ministry
Phone:
310-637-8271 (Service/Intake and Administration)
310-766-3562 (After Hours) (24-hours)

Overview
The program provides shelter for women with children in Los Angeles County. There are no geographic restrictions.

Administrative Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Administrative Description
This is a private, non-profit organization that is funded by independent fund raising and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. Services are provided by paraprofessional staff and volunteers.

Site Hours
Monday through Sunday, 24 hours per day.

Cross Street
El Segundo Blvd.

Access
The site is fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Shelter
PROGRAM/ELIGIBILITY
The program provides shelter for women with children in the Willowbrook area. Services include a transitional shelter for women with children. The shelter accepts boys and girls 17 years and younger. The program cannot accept men with children; they are referred to other community agencies for shelter assistance. The average length of stay for the transitional shelter is four months. Services are restricted to CalWorks recipients who are willing to participate in the GAIN Program. There are no geographic restrictions.

The transitional shelter can accommodate 14 families. Services include bedding, linen, two meal and shower facilities. Each family is responsible for preparing meals. Residents are required to assist with chores; participate in case management and job training; abide by the 10:00pm curfew and 4:45am wake up times; save a portion of their income; and abide by shelter rules.

LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH
Spanish

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Call to apply. An appointment is required. Shelter staff conducts a brief telephone interview to determine eligibility. Eligible applications are scheduled an interview with the program manager within 48 to 72 hours. Referrals are accepted from Info Line and other social service agencies. Some form of ID is required.

HOURS
Intake hours for transitional shelter are Monday through Sunday, 24 hours a day.

FEES/PAYMENT SOURCE
There are no fees for services.

“Each day when I awake I know I have one more day to make a difference in someone’s life”

Donate to the Virtual Car Wash
“Homeboy Industries traces its roots to “Jobs For A Future” (JFF), a program created in 1988 by Father Gregory Boyle while he was serving as pastor of Dolores Mission parish in Boyle Heights. Begun as a jobs program in 1988, offering alternatives to gang violence in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city, the program soon grew beyond the parish.” www.homeboy-industries.org

There are actual folks earning money daily on the Internet. The key is discovering the “right” opportunity that befits you.

A lot of folks get started in web based businesses hoping to get rich quick without having to do any work. Many of these same folks fail miserably and blame the business. What they don’t realize is the business didn’t fail, they failed to run business.

The ‘get rich quick no work required’ business opportunity does not exist. If such a business existed, everyone would be in it and everyone would be rich! The truth is that all web based businesses demand work. Majority of the work is getting traffic to your website. The key to success with a web based business is advertising.

If you’re willing and able to put in some elbow grease, you can make money online.

Here are some legitimate money making opportunities that you can take advantage of with little to no start up costs.

Become a blogger. Blogs are great for personal expression and making money online. Some bloggers sell text or banner ad space on their blogs for revenue. By joining communities like PayPerPost or ReviewMe, bloggers earn money for posting blogs on specific topics. Many blog owners start out earning money by displaying ads on their blog by displaying ads through ad serving programs such as Google Adsense or Kontera.

Selling domain names and webhosting services is a great online money maker. Godaddy offers a reseller program for a nominal fee. When you sign up as a reseller with Godaddy its like starting your own web service business. You’ll get your very own automated website where people can buy domain names and hosting.

Start an online travel service. For a small fee you can join a travel reservation program like YourTravelBiz. Opportunities through travel programs usually include your own automated travel website.

Join a dropshipping program and start selling products on Ebay. You can even open your own Ebay store on Ebay!

Become a content producer. Website owners are always looking for writers to produce articles, press releases, ads, blog posts, and content for their sites. You can offer your services through freelance communities such as Guru.com or start your own company. You can also provide your content through revenue sharing sites like AssociatedContent.

There are a plethora of ways to make money on the Internet.