Simplify your life, continued...

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner link

I lost my job late 2008 and, at that time, I took my first shot at tightening my financial belt. Luckily, I wasn't someone who lived well beyond my means to start with so I was in better shape than most. I also had invested money and had a savings that helped me to downsize debt immediately!

I was amazed how many debtors did work with me. I not only called my credit card companies (I closed most because they didn't have balances) but I also called my dish and phone suppliers. I told them I had lost my job and because of this I was going to quote out their service. I mentioned that I didn't want to change companies but I needed to save money where I could. AT&T gave me a $10 credit for the next 12 months to stay with them and I was happy to do so. Dish Network discounted my current package to the package price below it without changing my service. Just between the 2, I saved $276 annually and I was happy I had made the calls. I figured, it didn't hurt to try and I didn't know the people on the other side of the phone so I could "suck it up" and make the request!

It isn't easy to walk away from something you're used to buying but when you face reality, it is a necessary action to enforce "living within your means".

Do you have any cost saving tips that you were able to implement? If so, can you share them so others can benefit from your discovery?

An ordained minister embracing hypnotherapy and shamanic healing, continued...

Click on the below article link to get background information to this blog posting:

Examiner

I met Penny Randall through social networking (on Facebook). We both belong to the support group, Grief,Loss & Recovery which is a great forum for those suffering the loss of a loved one. I am intrigued with Penny's gift of healing. I do believe in this type of healing. I really didn't understand the underlying meanings of the rituals but I did believe in the outcome. I knew of this through my readings about the Indian communities and their belief in Shamanic healing. Penny explained this has been embraced in cultures going back before Christ and it is starting to spread again today through our communities.

If you are having trouble moving forward in life, this is a worthwhile investment. There isn't anything more valuable than your own well being! Can you share any other healing paths that have been helpful for you? Drop me a note, I love to explore and share healing options!

Surviving Unemployment, continued...

Click on the below link for background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

Mary Anne Britton is a dear friend of mine who I met when I hired her through a temp agency. It breaks my heart to see her struggle in this crazy market. I'm hopeful she will land a great position in the very near future. It is somewhat understandable when you know someone who doesn't put forth real effort and/or milks the system but when circumstances are polar opposites, it doesn't make sense why an employer hasn't stepped up!

Mary Anne offered advice to others who have recently lost their jobs, " First look at all your options; get your financial house in order – if possible pay down bills; as far as purchases learn that even if it was on your “want list” ask yourself if it is on your “need list”. Learn to live much simpler; I have a crock pot that I use to make soups etc so I have learned to live more inexpensively with less food additives. Dial down the temperature and put on a sweatshirt and sign up for all the classes at Michigan Works!

I have faith in our Detroit business' knowing someone will read the article and approach Mary Anne with a purchasing opportunity of a life time! Can you help?

You're fired, continued...

Click the below link to get the background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

This article is very personal to me. I, like many of my coworkers and friends, have been through this horrible and eye-opening experience. Looking back, it was the one thing that gave me the courage to ignite my passion for writing and drawing and market these skills. It was a blessing in disguise. I thought, while the market is saturated and my odds are low in landing another executive management job, I'll share my efforts and work to build my web business, Lifetime Art Impression. I wouldn't say I'm thriving with sales but I'm starting to feel like things are moving in the right direction which makes me really happy inside. I'm hopeful the market conditions, especially here in Metro Detroit, will open up and we can all let go of our anxieties tied to bills. Although, I must admit, I've learned how to better manage my finances in this crash course of survival. How are you doing in this economic down fall?

My Radio Interview Promo for this Thursday, 2/18/10

Promotion to Healing the Grieving Heart Radio interview

Forced career change surfaced a new found passion

Lifetime Art impressions image

This article was posted in 2009 on the Examiner.com website. Since then they have closed their doors and took the content down that was with them!

Michelle's story is really inspirational to me. I'm in the same boat and I'm hoping 6 years from now I'll be feeling confident and I'll be happy with my career transition. I love writing and creating art and I'm hopeful it will support my lifestyle and I'll be able to consider it a career!

Michelle is actually offering dinner massages in the Toledo area. She and another Massage Therapist, along with a chef, go into peoples home and massage (the couple) while the chef prepares their meal. They've developed a pretty cool package!

Michelle is genuinely serving other's needs and helping spread good health and happiness. We need more people on the earth like her!

Forced career change surfaced a new found passion

Michelle is an extraordinary woman, someone who reinvented herself after her world was turned upside down by a job loss in 2003. Like most people who’ve lost their job, she wasn’t sure where to turn.  She decided to go back to school for Massage Therapy, “Without one door closing I don't think I would have even considered opening another one.” Her forced career change surfaced her new found passion, “Massage is such a rewarding career, I'm grateful, as strange as it may sound to have lost that job!”

Michelle transitioned from a Finance career to Massage. She is a Massage Therapist and instructor at Owens Community college in Toledo. Her passion is clear when you meet her, “It’s important to love your work, because your attitude will definitely come out in your massage. I believe in healing touch, I believe it works. My job is to be the best hour of your day.”

She feels strongly about this holistic healing approach, “Massage definitely benefits both mind and body, treating not only the symptoms, but establishing a cause whether it’s internal or external."

Michelle discussed some of its many benefits, “Massage increases overall circulation, helps in alleviating lower back pain, improves range of motion, assists with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers, helps athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts and is, overall, great for relaxation.” When asked what she would say to someone who isn’t comfortable with touch, she offered Chair Massage as an option. “This 10 – 20 minute, fully clothed, seated massage slowly introduces you to massage giving you an idea of what to expect.”

Michelle’s thoughts on massage necessity, “Most people still consider massage a luxury and say they can’t afford it, what they don’t realize is, it’s not a luxury, it has extreme benefits and what you can’t afford is to not take care of yourself. It’s the best preventative medicine I know of!" 

Michelle’s career transition rewards her daily by meeting people like Patty Wilson; someone who is coping with Dementia. Patty’s response after receiving a massage Michelle donated is testimony of the power of therapeutic touch, “I feel giddy! You know-- happy all over!  I felt, today, like a normal person, doing things a normal woman would do, it was a wonderful day!"  Michelle could have never imagined any of this would have been possible without suffering the tragedy of her job loss. It was a true blessing in disguise for her!