What is 'fun' for you?

Everyone looks at having fun differently. Fun for me might be dancing with my kids or reading at a poetry reading. For others it might be playing video games, going to the movies or playing softball. Each person know what makes them smile and also when to comprimise to have fun with others.

When there is a shortage of cash, then the usual fun activities may have to be cut or reduced. Fun can still happen though. For movie buffs, rent and pop your own popcorn and drink soda from a two litre bottle. If you love dancing look for a 'ladies night' event or go somewhere that does not have a cover charge. Afterall, are you going to the club for the people or for the music to dance?

If books make you happy, hit the library. If listening to music is your stress relief, then check Youtube or MySpace and listen free until you can afford to purchase. If you miss the arcade, then do a small tournament with friends on a system that hosts 4 controllers.

If you have a drop income or if you need to deal with other priorities, it does not mean that you can not have fun. You just have to adjust your lifestyle. If you are newly married or have young children, you're not as flexible to go out. However, couples can still have their special time together - establish and follow a bedtime routine for the children!

It's all in your hands - only you can help yourself have fun.

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How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - not a review but My Thoughts

How would you really lose a guy in 10 days? I'm just watching this movie on Oxygen and what the female character did would run a guy in 10 days. Who really wants a clingy person hanging around them? No one wants a relationship with anyone who pays too much attention to them because everyone wants their space.

She was flat out annoying and most men would run once they realize that the woman has clingy intentions. Incessant phone calls, crazy mood swings, eating disorders, unannounced visits are all ways that both men and women put a potentially good relationship to end.

Relationships should be based on love, trust and some mutual understanding. We both have to be understanding and flexible while being willing to comprimise. Afterall who wants a relationship with rules coming from every angle. Sometimes, you just have to live in the moment.

I have been clingy in the past and I know I have been annoying too but these are lessons that were well learned and I know better now.

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Networking and Customer Service are Important

Networking is key in business. I hope that if my name is mentioned, the reaction will be positive. Businesses have to work hard to keep customers by building goodwill which in turn means building a good name. I have been blessed to work with good people who have built a name for themselves. Once I say that I know that person, the conversation or transaction goes smoother.

I think what builds goodwill is when a business acknowledges the customers' rights and feeling. I do no agree that the customer is always right because there are many cases when we are not. However, situations can be dealt with in such a way to alleviate the harshness of a situation.

I had a bank teller tell me something that I did not like. I carried some dollar bills to be changed to bigger bills and the young lady told me that I was showing the first sign of money laundering. I actually ended up leaving that bank to go to another one to get them changed. I reflected on the situation and I wrote the bank explaining to them that I have been a long term customer and I wished to use more services. I asked them to offer the tellers more training because $75 in one dollar bills could come from many different sources - like my piggy bank. The bank was excellent in their response and apologized. I felt proud to be a customer once again.

That bank solidified that goodwill for me. I have had several other good experiences but I have had my share of bad too. I feel that I am professional and that I try my best to get my job done. Therefore I expect nothing less when I am paying for a service.

New entrepreneurs have to bear customer service heavily in mind and need to maintain solid business contacts. Even if there are competitors, still show a good face because it will prove to help you in the long run. In life, networking is important because these contacts can remain lifelong counterparts. Networking may start in school, church, at the gym or even at the grocery store. We never know who will turn out to be a key person that may help to push our career or business along.

Keep that goodwill going strong!

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POEM: Arrested Development

is my development arrested
or am I under-invested
I give my personal best
and yet
for me they want death
but I've got strength
and I go to the lengths
I swim to the depths
I remember when I crept
I know my momma wept
when I did my best
when I live with zest
even when I am under-arrest
my happiness is where I now invest

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Use Your Imagination

They say you're not living unless you've travelled. I think that you're not living if you don't use your imagination. Do just think in straight lines? Or are you in bends and twists everywhere? I love to think about new ideas and fun things. Of course, I don't spend all of my day daydreaming but I like to visualize things - especially how I can move forward in life.

I am community minded so no matter what it's hard to turn a blind eye when I see nonsense going on around me. It's just that the solutions are not always at hand but brainstorming helps to solve these problems - we just need to do this on a national level.

If you are not able to travel, can you imagine yourself somewhere? Can you think about being with Moses at the burning bush?  Or standing next to President Obama when he was sworn in? Don't put this down as childish whims because it is out of innovation, inspiration and imagination that we are in the technological world we are in today. Who would have thought that we can have a box in the house that keeps things cold? Further, we rely so much on this box that when there is a power outage, our first thought is about the food in the box spoiling!

Let your mind run and see where it takes you because it could be a global solution, a great book or just a fun time with your imagination!

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Vengeance is the Lord's

I have to try to focus on the positive and leave vengeance and punishment to the Lord. I have to try to not speak badly of those who do me wrong. Trust me - it is very easy to speak badly of those who do me wrong. The list of those who have done me wrong is not a short list, especially in 2011. I've linked with the haters, the thieves, the greedy and the wicked. Thank God there have been some awesome influences in between.

2011 has been a trying year and it will probably end harder. However, I am trying to not to focus on those who have done me wrong. They will have their tribulations to face. I don't have or need to retaliate because God is in control. I just have to pray to him to control my mouth. I try to tell the truth and hope that others will do the same.

It is important not to stay hurting your head with foolish or demonic people. Their purpose is to block progress. I have to propel my purpose and my progress. I already know that the trap one sets for others is the trap for oneself so they'll work it out.

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POEM: What I've Faced

I've been pinched
pricked and pummeled
but I feel great
With the kicks, knocks

and knuckles
I still stand strong
I've returned fire
fists and frustration
but I'm still ready
still waiting
still debating
and concentrating on
my next move
cause I can't cease
stop nor halt
until my destination
is right ahead

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If I Was Given Power for One Day

If I was given the Premier's job for one day, I would have no clue as to what to do. For just one day, the current leader would have to be there to hold my hand and guide me through and I would not make a difference in one day.

With elections coming soon, the candidates are looking at who can get that top position and surely have their plans laid out. We hear about economic recovery, third pillars, the state of the tourism, fixing the infrastructure, improving the education system, social ills and much more. These candidates are gunning for four years not one day.

However, consider that in one day, contracts under negotiation can be stopped, action can be taken against employees, new initiatives can be put in place, working projects can be stopped, new employees can be hired, new furniture and vehicles can be bought and promises can be fulfilled or broken. This does happen in one day after when a new party takes power in some countries.

What we have to be mindful of is that when the taxpayers money is spent or invested, while we may not agree with a project, it may have to go forward. The great thing is that changes can be made to improve or tweak the project. I am never for wasteful or pompous behavior and prefer to always see the best interest of the people being sought.

In one day, good things can happen but planning, prayer and perseverance count for a lot. We may say that we have not seen anything happen in four years but it is our own red tape system that causes this. Maybe we should be thinking about re-election the day after the voters hit the polls and actually campaign within the four years by making things happen in the country and by responding to the voters needs.

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When You Are Thinking of a New Business Idea

Sharing ideas is great but we have to be careful who we share our information with. Some people may want to take the ideas for their own. Others are just negative and want to discourage you.

Share your ideas with people you can trust and who can give you sound advice or point you in the right direction. Honestly, if you want to develop a business and there are others in that same field, you have to diversify or find ways to improve. To start a business, you must have a source of funding. Even if you are washing cars or selling genips, you need a few raw materials and the proper permissions.

There may be a properly functioning Small Business Bureau where you live and they may be able to steer you in the right direction. Be mindful with your investment. Investing in a Pyramid Scheme where you have to recruit others, is not the way to go. Becoming a distributor for a new product is a good idea but you have to know your market, find a customers base, have competitive prices and be ready to work and 'pound the pavement'.

There is a lot of information online so seek ideas but be sure to have a plan for moving forward.

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POEM: It's Time to Rise

It's time to rise
live today being wise
don't watch a man for his size
cause big dreams form in little minds
big mountains stand in small in eyes
once you are set on the prize
no matter what evil is devised
God will always surprise
but this is what we know
God sows for good to grow
no matter the trials here below
My God is the real PRO
his goodness always shows
his blessings always flow
where he sends is where I go

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