5/17/2020
How To Stimulate Those Stimulus Dollars!
Are you expecting to get a "Stimulus Check" from the Federal Government? Well, if you are, this would be a great opportunity to do something different with your money. Realizing an opportunity will put you in a stronger position.
I know it is extremely tempting to go out and splurge on yourself. But delayed gratification may be better for you to embrace. The world has come to a screeching halt. Now is the time to catch up to those that have fared well in this beautiful thing we call life.
Here are just a few tips on how to Stimulate those Stimulus Dollars!
$ Tips! $
5/16/2020
Stewardship!
This 11-Letter word is the difference between the Haves and the Have Nots. It's the difference between Wealth and Poverty.
Do you ever wonder why certain people are successful, and other people struggle, living paycheck-to-paycheck?
How often have you pulled up to a stop light and looked over out of your car window, and saw a very nice shiny car, perhaps your dream car?
Did you ever say to yourself, "Man, I wish I could have that car?" Or, what about the Christmas party at your boss's home, the house that's nestled prestigiously in a "Gated Community", beautifully furnished with all the fixings and amenities of a luxurious life?
Okay, I hear some of you Thinking..."Life isn't about material stuff"...You are Absolutely correct.
I am mainly talking about a matter of principle here. The Principle of Stewardship Works in every area of your Life.
Okay let's move away from the material stuff for a moment. Let's look at you physically. Is the person you see in the mirror, is what you have envisioned you to be? Are you at your ideal weight, or can you afford to shed a few pounds?
The quality of your life is always defined by the quality of your choices, which is a reflection of your stewardship. Your life did not start out being overweight, but you somehow have found yourself tipping the scales. Why? In most cases, lack of good stewardship.
Stewardship is being responsible for someone else's possessions, in such a way that it becomes personal to you. Even though it's not yours, you treat it as though it is.
We own nothing in this life. Everything that we have has been leased to us to manage. And the better you manage, the more you get to manage. This is a very simple principle, but very complex in how we handle it.
See, God gives everybody what they absolutely need to succeed. It's just up to that individual as to how it's handled.
Did you know that you absolutely can have that car, perfect body and health, or the house that you so desire? If you expect to have a full and well-rounded life, these are the three areas that you must concentrate on:
a.) Your Relationship With God.
b.) Your Relationship With You.
c.) Your Relationship With Others.
Your relationship with God is the most important one, so let's deal with that one first.
1.) The Bible asks a very fundamental question: "What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and then lose his Soul?"
There's absolutely nothing in this world that's worthy of losing your Soul over. So, make your relationship with God a top priority. Spend quality time with him in prayer, seeking direction for your Life. If God gave you his Son, He will give you anything based on your ability to handle them. Show God through your relationship with him, that you can handle the blessings that He has waiting for you, by your impeccable stewardship.
2.) Just like you spend time with God, you need to spend time with yourself, too. Growing and developing is your personal responsibility to Life. Always seek to improve everything about you. This includes your body & health. Make a commitment to eat healthier, get that body moving like Coach Les preaches everyday. Just Love You!
3.) The ability to embrace new and healthy relationships is solely predicated on how you handle the ones that you are currently in. It takes time and energy, and a lot of effort on your part to nurture good relationships. People make the world go around, not technology and social media. Genuinely love people and get to know them. Don't dislike someone because your close friend doesn't like them. Make your own decision about the people you allow in your life. When choosing friends, you must make sure those individuals are Suited to assist you in your purpose, and vise- versa. You must always surround yourself around people that have your best interest.
These three things are what God has given us, so that we can have and enjoy a wealthy, healthy, and wholesome life. If you are a Good Steward over these three areas of you life, there's nothing in this world that can stop your Success!
If you have an old car, keep it clean and change the oil. Check for old French Fries in between the seats. Get the bird poop off the glass and windshield. Treat that old car like it was a brand new one, just like the one you admired from a distance.
Take care of that body that God has given you. Exercise and walk daily. Eat healthier.
Clean-up that apartment that you live in. Make your bed up in the mornings. Pick up the trash and debris in front of your apartment building. Take pride in your Environment!
In other words, be a good Steward over what you do have and what you have control over. Show the world how blessed your are, through your awesome Stewardship.
Author D. Sandridge
5/15/2020
Get Financial Help During Covid-19
I just wanted to give you some information that may be useful to you and your family, as we navigate these uncharted waters.
If you are struggling financially, due to Covid-19, help may be just a click away. The Federal Government has approved additional funding to assist families, as we embark upon these challenging times. The program has been included in the Cares Act: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
Even if you do qualify to receive Unemployment Compensation, or have been denied benefits, for whatever reason, you still qualify to receive this additional $600.00 per week.
The information below is for residents of the State of Michigan. If you live outside of the State of Michigan, visit your state's Unemployment Agency website, and search for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) link.
The link below will direct you to our website. Click on the yellow Covid-19 Information Tab.
This will direct you to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation link.
Click on the link to create an account and submit your information to the State. The State will need this information to process you claim and to issue those well needed fund$
I hope this information was helpful to you.
5/14/2020
Was That My Mother? She Died Almost 4 Years Ago
My day started like any other typical Monday. After swiping the snooze button on my smart phone a few times, I got up a little after 7 a.m. My first pickup is at 8:30 in the morning in Southfield, Michigan. After I picked up my first client, I dropped her off in Warren, which was about a thirty-minute drive.
With a little downtime, approximately 2 ½ hours before I had to pick up my second client in Waterford, I thought it would be a good idea to run the car through the car wash and vacuum it. After the car wash, I stopped at the gas station to fill up and get a newspaper for my clients. I also refilled the inside door handle with tootsie rolls, and made sure fresh water was in the cup holders. The car was now completely equipped to transport my senior clientele.
By 11:30 a.m., I’d picked up two people I’d never met before. This particular run was a referral from a prior client; I was transporting her mother and her mother's friend. I was taking them to the medical district in Detroit for a follow-up doctor’s appointment. It took us about fifty minutes to make it downtown.
When we finally arrived, I pulled to the curb to assist my clients out of the car. After I put the car in park, I got out and opened the doors for my clients, pulling the walker out of the trunk.
As I unfolded the walker from its collapsed position, and placed it on the sidewalk so my client could brace herself, I noticed out of my peripheral vision another senior walking toward us. At the time, I didn’t really think too much about it. I continued assisting my two clients. I made sure they had my cell number to contact me when they were done.
The senior who was walking in our direction finally made her way to the place where we stood. She waited there patiently as I wrapped up my conversation with my clients. Then, it all happened.
"Excuse me, you do transportation, right?"
“Yes,” I said.
"Can you drive me to the parking structure? I can't make it way over there. I'm not going to make it."
I was more concerned about her heavy breathing. I wondered if she was in pain and if she was going to pass out.
“Sure, not a problem,” I said.
I helped her into the car—the one I was so meticulous about, as if I was chauffeuring royalty. I did this routine for years--thirty to be exact. However, this time felt different. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I'm not sure if it was because this was the very first time, in my thirty years of being in the transportation industry, that I’d driven two seniors at the same time.
As I was driving into the parking structure, she asked me, "How much do I owe you?"
“Really, you think I’m going to charge you? You owe me absolutely nothing. It’s a pleasure to help you. I'm so glad that I was actually there at the right time.”
"God bless you, son. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus!" is all I heard coming from the back seat of the car.
"We know each other well. He and I have a very good relationship,” she said.
“Great, make sure you send one up there for me.”
"No, I'm not. I am going to send seven up there for you.”
“Thank you so much!”
I pulled up to her car, got out and opened her door. As I was helping her out of the car, she said, "You are such a wonderful young man. (My mother said this to me on many occasions. My mother really loved me). Can you give me a hug?
“Sure I can. I would love to!”
This is when it hit me like a ton of bricks—the moment I embraced this senior. Her embrace felt like the ones my mother used to give me. I held her in my arms, as if she was my mother. Her embrace and gentle touch reminded me so much of my mom. This is when I totally lost it. All of my emotions rose up from the bottom of my soul.
As I rested my forehead against her sweaty neck and aged face, tears formed in my eyes. I tried my best to hold them back. It wasn’t working; this was an awkward moment. I didn’t want this stranger to see me crying. Although she was a stranger, she felt more like the woman who birthed me 51 years ago. But, my mother has been dead for almost four years.
I said to myself, "Is this really happening? Why am I feeling like this?”
Her limp, how she labored as she walked, the way her clothes draped her body--all reminded me of my mother. Even her heavy breathing sparked a memory of "Miss Kat." That's how the kids on the block addressed her, back when kids respected their elders. As children, we were never allowed to call an adult by their first name only.
I don't really know if she knew I was crying because our eyes never made contact. As I helped her out of my car and into hers, my right hand automatically went to the small of her back to help support her weight, before she lowered her medium-built frame into the car. This is how I always helped my mother into my car. It became a natural reaction after doing it for so long.
Never making eye contact with me again, she said, "Thank you so much and God bless you."
“Thank you, and God bless you, too!” She adjusted herself behind the steering wheel.
My emotions were out of control. I couldn't get in my car fast enough. As soon as I closed my car door, I wept profusely for twenty minutes. Although this was a bittersweet moment for me, I will forever be appreciative of the event. I don't know if I should call it an event opposed to an encounter. Whatever it was, I will always ask the question, "Was that my mother?"