Perspective

All must be taken from appropriate perspectives. One incredibly financially damaging thing I see people do to themselves over and over is resent those who are doing well financially.

Why would that matter to your own finances? Because you are sending out the notion that you feel money is a waste and that you want none of it. So when the opportunity comes your way to earn more or better your current opportunity, guess what? You'll pass right by it.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:

Me: Look at that beautiful home on that hill.

Friend: I know those people, they have four hot tubs!

Me: Wow! That's cool.

Friend: No it's not! Do you know how many hungry people you could feed instead of wasting money on those hot-tubs?

Me: With that logic you should return the $100 pair of shoes you bought this afternoon and donate that to hungry people.

Friend: I disagree (pout and subject change)

See? It's all perspective. Why is it okay for her to buy expensive shoes, but when someone who can afford to have four hot tubs, thet are now labeled greedy.

Next example:

Friend: I know a guy who drove a Hummer all the way from Utah to California.

Me: Oh?(failing to see the point)

Friend: Oh? What do you mean oh? Do you know how expensive that gas bill must have been?

Me: Does he earn a lot of money?

Friend: Well yeah, he's wealthy. But that doesn't mean you should be wasteful and blow crazy money on gasoline!

Me: So, how long until your truck lease is up?

Friend: 2 more years. I can't wait to get my new one leased.

Hopefully you saw the irony in the second example as well.. Here we have a hard working person being critical of someone for taking a roadtrip in a hummer. Really? You're just being resentful because he has the money to do something like that. Because if paying for Hummer gas is wasteful, well then how much more wasteful is it to pay on a vehicle for years and never come out owning it?

All in proper perspective, my friends.

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Hooray for Yay!

Since I spilled out a rave about nay-sayers, I've come to see side B of the equation. For the people that tell you that all your aspirations are ridiculous, there are usually a handful people who actually encourage your quest. These are mentors in your life's journey who should be kept close to you as you continue.

Of course there will be much less of these people than the one's who oppose you, but a few is all you need. I can count the people in my life who will encourage my journey on less than one hand, and that's exciting. See these people are valuable to you for things beyond advice and knowledge. They are mostly valuable to you in support; your own cheerleading squad with you wherever you go.

If you don't think you know who such a person can be for you in your own life, then begin your search for them now. Who do you know that loves and cares about you? Tell one of them about the things you want to accomplish and watch for a reaction. If it is one of complete positivity and happiness for you, then you have found a golden nugget.

What if you really can't find a single person to believe in you? Don't give up! Expand your circle of friends, get to know people in similar like minded groups, and read! Read about people who have had to overcome incredible odds to have what they have today. Sometimes those examples serve as your greatest anchors toward your cause.

We're going to change the world, and as we find those who support that cause, be grateful every day.

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Expect Opposition

My thoughts for this post originally started on some aspect of saving a few bucks that could ultimately lead to a huge amount in the future. That all changed when I rented Julie & Julia. If you are even a semi regular blogger you are probably familiar with Julie Powell and her success story.

So instead of writing about how you should bag your lunches and skip the daily trip to Mickey D's, I want to express my feeling on another subject that could totally squash any goal you may set for yourself.

Nay-Sayers!


You know them, but please whatever you do, never succumb to being one of them! You know, the people who tell you that the things for which you aspire are a waste of time and that you should give up on your goals and dreams. Just because you cannot fit into their box of what they consider to be reality, doesn't mean you need to shrink yourself in order to accomodate them.

In the movie both Julia Childs was ridiculed by cooking teachers she had when she started to learn how to cook and Julie Powell being told by her own mother that she was silly for even starting a new project in her life.

Think of how many times you've been told to forget about your hopes and aspirations. How many times have you been convinced to quit that which you love. (If you haven't had many such experience, then there's a hint to start dreaming bigger!) Now think of how many times you gave in because all that negativity made sense to you at that point.

For the love of all that is good NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN! Never give up, especially because of someone's unwelcomed advice. You want to accomplish great things? Make sure everyone gets out of your way "cuz this time, We ain't backing down! Right???

"Brick walls are put up to see how bad you want it." -Randy Pausch

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