Why do you have to treat yourself like you are special and unique? Because you are the best God made. Treat yourself! You are a unique human being on the planet, but be mindful that you need to be a responsible person to that planet and it’s inhabitants. One suggestion is that if you treat yourself like a business, you will go farther, faster and lead a more successful life. If you don’t life can make or break you in many ways and you will not be leading a life that you choose. Others will have chosen your way of life for you. Some of the responsibilities that you need to consider for your self-preservation, well-being and happiness is your decisions financially, emotionally and physically. Financial, you will need to be able to pay your way in the world, help others and treat your friends and yourself. Emotional well-being means that you have an attitude that will gain you entrance into any opportunities that you choose. Physical means that you will have the energy to pursue opportunities, the health to become older and wiser and to live to utmost of your capacities. Do not leave these three things to someone else. You must always be in charge in these areas.
In order to live life to the fullest, you must have a purpose and goal in your life. If you start out with a short goal, it will lead to far reaching goals. Over a lifetime, you will reach or change your goals many times. That’s ok. As long as you are moving forward, you will always be in a positive mode. If you do not have goals, you will stagnate and be bored and boring.
Always, keep your options open. Always see each door that opens to you. Evaluate it and see if that’s what you want. Otherwise you will miss an opportunity. Life is always giving us opportunities and unless we see them, we limit ourselves and restrict our lives. Or allow others make our decisions. Is this the easy way? No always, because other’s do not know the true us that lives inside of us. All they know is their own trueness that lives inside of them. Only you can make the decisions that will enhance your life and give you the lifestyle you desire. Every decision and choice you act upon leads you toward your own special world. You choose and you make that world your own. Mistakes, we all make them, but that’s part of learning and eventually knowing exactly who you are and what you want.
Some goals to consider:
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Buy stock (what product do you use exclusively, that’s the stock to buy)
Save your money, you will want to enjoy a lifestyle that will gain you independence and a small measure of control over your life. Do something extra with just a little money. For example, if you spend $2 a month on a stock of your choosing, you will have gained if it goes up and you won’t lose much if it doesn’t. It’s better than taking a chance with a good business stock than gambling on the lottery. In this instance you are putting your faith and support in an American business. That business will grow and so will your stock. If the business is purchased, look at their debt load for problems, or your stock may split and eventually be worth more. However, if the company goes bankrupt, you lose. If you follow the business and stock market, you will be monitoring for changes and less likely to lose you will be aware if there is a problem. A business on the stock market must let their stockholders know what is happening. They issue press releases. You can go online to their site and monitor them monthly. Once a year there is a stock- holders meeting where you are able to vote your stock. You will receive the appropriate informational materials in the mail for you make an informed decision on how to vote your stock. I suggest $2 a month because it isn’t a large amount of money and it will continue to increase. If you are able to afford more, it would grow faster. However, in 10, 20, 30 years, it will be a nice nest egg for a business, a new house, or a retirement if you continue to add to it. Don’t fall in love with the stock, that’s why you monitor it, to make sure it stays a good stock. You may have to sell it at a loss if something extraordinary happens to the business. Businesses are not infallible. Some stocks make enough money over the years that you will have a comfortable increase. Remember to monitor the stock you will reap the rewards. Stock certificates make nice gifts also. The first share may be expensive, depending on which stock you choose, but contributing monthly will enable you to build it over the years. For most stocks, you do not need a broker for this transaction. You can contact the company directly. Go to their web site, but before you make a decision, be sure you research the company thoroughly. You want to choose a company that has the same morals and values as you. They may have outstanding lawsuits against them, but if they have been in business long enough to have a track record, and they are a company you would use (i.e., purchase their products), it will most likely be a company you should consider. Check around and see how many people you know buy the product or use the company, for example most people go to Home Depot. This business has an outstanding record at this time. Where would you go for the tools you need to build something?
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Read a classic book or biographies (Jane Eyre, Kate Chopin)
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Reading is mind expanding. It will take you into other worlds. Biographies will show you how other people accomplished success, 19th century books will show you how people made decisions and lived their lives without accessories, such as television, that you are accustomed to having around, and the classics are just good literature. Thinking into the future, how do you want to raise your children? How were you raised? What would you do differently? Keep in mind that the way you were raised is going to be the easiest way to raise your children, so you need to establish new habits and new ideas now.
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Join a club to help you with your interests and to have contacts that will help you reach your goals.
For example, if you want to become a writer, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators are very helpful to fledgling writers. Fashion designer or interior designers have clubs and organizations also. These organizations usually have a yearly convention. It is a good way to see if you have a connection with those people in that profession. A junior college class will allow you to find out which goal is right for you and your future. Over the years and as you change, your interests and goals will change. Be sure you seek out the connection with others who have those same goals. You will either totally love it or totally hate it, but you are researching for your future to find what you want to spend your life doing. Do not let it just happen to you, you plan it and make it happen. Some things take longer, but they are worth the research because it is your life. Whatever your interest, see if you could make it a career.
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Develop a signature. For example, wear a pin, hat, or scarf. In order to establish your signature, always wear it. People will begin see your identity.
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Clothes: are you a pants person or a dress person, establish yourself through what you wear. Design your own, take a perfectly good outfit and change the buttons, add lace, or patches to declare a special design for yourself.
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Research your interests: Genealogy (who is your family), pictures (photography of family, friends, buildings, or cities), scrapbook (interview family, friends, teachers, prominent people especially in the field you are interested in for your future), stars (knowledge of the universe), geology (knowledge of the earth) or ecological (write letters to the editor, join a club). This also leads to gifts for others. Focusing on your interests will lead you into seeing things differently. You will be interested in others and an interesting person.
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Classes: if you are close to a junior college (as previously mentioned) or even adult education classes to obtain knowledge about where you want to steer your life. Learn a second language, learn sign language, learn a craft or become more computer literate. Help others less fortunate. At the holidays there are many ways to help others.
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Healthy habits. Develop good habits: eating the right foods, healthy snacks, exercise even if you only walk. One of your many options is the choice of the food you eat. Your body is a living, breathing part of your future. You can choose to wreck it with bad habits in which you will pay the price later. You have seen, I am sure, people with oxygen strapped on them while shopping because they need it to breathe. They made a choice. Every choice has a consequence (good or bad).
Habits, bad and good. Many people chose to smoke, drink and be merry all their life. Thinking this was the good life this is how they chose to live. They can be extremely good looking, very popular, in a prestigious position in an organization, co-owner of a business, the life of the party, raise beautiful children, and very hard working. By the time they reach their mid-fifties (which is still relatively young), they can become immobile and in very ill health the rest of their lives. This is a choice they make and it is a choice that is not for life, because it will rob them of the years that they should be enjoying in good health. People believe they are infallible. None of us are infallible and what we do to our bodies will determine the way we live out older age, a time when we can enjoy the fruits of our laboring all those years.
This might not be crystal clear at this point in your young life. Yes, you can choose to smoke, drink and eat badly for a while, but the “while” soon becomes an addicting habit that is detrimental to your mind, body and finances and will cause you to become numb to what you need to do to have a successful business (you). “Oh, it won’t happen to ME!” Yes, it will. Be aware that there are consequences for everything you do, eat and speak. We can weaken our minds, bodies and finances by the choices we make. Do not put yourself in a position where you can develop bad habits that will change the quality of your life. The friends that you choose can lead you into different directions by their perceptions of life and their unique choices. Therefore, carefully study the lifestyle of the friends you are thinking of choosing to make certain it is a lifestyle you would choose for yourself. You, and even many adults, are not strong enough to forego a lifestyle of someone you are constantly around. Particularly if you like the person you are influenced to some extent by the company you keep.
What is healthy food? There are many ideas on this subject. Some people are vegetarians, some food ideas are good for the heart, but the diabetes foods are the healthiest ideas. However, none of them are really right for you unless you listen to your body. Your body will let you know by getting too fat, being too thin, or your feeling unwell and listless. Some foods, according to the make up of your body, are better for you than others. Remember, your friends will be able to eat differently than you. You must try different foods to determine what is right for you. Some foods will alert you to the fact that you are allergic to them, pay attention. Most people are allergic to sweeteners in diet sodas and other foods. It is also an additive that will creep up on you and you have no idea how unhealthy you are feeling until you stop putting it in your body. The additive is controlling you and keeping your energy from you.
The pyramid is a good guideline to start. Some people find that carbohydrates are weight gaining. If you choose to eat carbohydrates, eat them early in the day so the fat has no chance to stay on your body. For example, saltine crackers are pure sugar. A lot of people use them as a snack because they believe crackers are low in calories and then hey do not understand why they aren’t losing weight. The cracker is low in calories. However, it turns to pure sugar in the body when eaten. It is references like these that you need to understand in order to lose weight, stay healthy and eat well.
Exercise. At this point in your life, you may think you do not need to exercise or feel you just need to tone. However, your blood needs to pump, and you need to keep your weight at the right set point. This is the point where you need to develop good habits your whole life. You can join a gym, play a sport, or just walk daily and add a bit of weight to keep the muscles strong. Watch your knees and joints that you don’t injure them. Knee or back surgery in later life is not a fun thing to have happen to you.
Vitamins are important so that you keep your bones and body strong. You may need a multi-vitamin all of your life. Anything extra needs to be researched for your particular body, just as the food you eat should be researched. Some of the vitamins you may need to consider, because they are not in the foods that you eat, are:
If you are hungry for chocolate, you may be low on selenium.
The right foods, exercise and vitamins will have an effect on your hair, your complexion, your body shape, and your emotional attitude. For example, some foods are energy producing and some produce drowsiness.
If you notice, people who take diet pills are stressed and fidgeting all the time. They do not realize what these pills are doing to their attitudes. What are they doing to their bodies? Co-workers notice the difference in their attitudes and boisterousness, just as people are able to notice a difference when someone has had too much to drink.
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Develop your personhood and be a good friend. Think of how you would want to be treated and treat the other person that way. Is there something they like, or that they like to do, treat them. Life is so short and to give a friend a bit of happiness is a treat for both of you.
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Learn the psychology of people and yourself (this is an ongoing research, but the more you understand about how others operate, the more you will be able to control your life and your attitude toward life). Sometimes the psychology of business is the same!
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Control: most of the time the world will be in control, however, there are sections of your life (in addition to your attitude toward life) that you can control and you can still be a sharing caring person. Actually, this is about how to maintain control of your life.
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Have a dish that you have perfected so that every time you go to a party it is requested because you have something really exceptional. Frosted brownies (with added events or sayings), a special dip (see recipe for vegetables or use the dip recipe on the Lipton Soup box and place inside a large round bread base -- scoop out inside to be used for dipping), hors de oeuvres (see recipe for spinach balls.)
Parmesan Spinach Balls
Makes 10 servings
| Prep Time | 15 Minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 Minutes |
| Ready in | 30 Minutes |
"These delicious little appetizers are always a hit. Serve warm or at room temperature with a good quality mustard. These can be frozen unbaked and popped into the oven when unexpected guests pop in."
Ingredients
- 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 2 cups Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 4 small green onion, finely chopped
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, mix the frozen chopped spinach, Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, butter, green onion, eggs, salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into 1inch balls.
- Arrange the balls in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned.
From: BIRD’S EYE c1976
Vegetable Dip
- ½ tea. Dill Weed
- ½ tea. Beaumonde Seasoning
- ¼ tea. Curry Powder
- ¾ c Helman’s Mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
- 1-3 oz. Cream Cheese (soft)
- 1 C. Sour Cream
- 1 TB Minced Onions
- 1 TB Chopped parsley
Mix thoroughly and refrigerate at least a couple of hours. Serve with raw vegetables. You may want to double the recipe this is a popular dip.
From: Sharon Tarter c1970
| Nutrition at a glance | Servings Per Recipe: 10 amount per serving |
| Calories | 259 |
| Protein | 12g |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Sodium | 691mg |
| Cholesterol | 118mg |
| Carbohydrates | 19g |
Chocolate Mint Sugar Cookie Drops
| Submitted by | Clare |
| Makes | 3 dozen |
| Prep Time | 10 Minutes |
| Cook Time | 8 Minutes |
| Ready in | 30 Minutes |
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mint chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup sugar and vegetable oil. Stir in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in mint chocolate chips. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls. Roll each ball in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar to coat. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
| Nutrition at a glance | Servings Per Recipe: 36 amount per serving |
| Calories | 103 |
| Protein | 1g |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 63mg |
| Cholesterol | 12mg |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Fiber | 0g |
REMEMBER to review these guidelines and ask yourself these questions in order to update your goals and plans as time goes by:
- You are the most important person, unique and different, in the world.
- You have the utmost abilities to change the world.
- Be aware that most other people have their own agendas for their own goals and interests and will only go toward those. Big businesses tend to make decisions solely toward what is good only for their bottom line and could hurt, kill or maim you. (Read any books by Ralph Nader.)
- Responsibility is next to Godly.
- Sharing is caring.
- What’s in it for you? What difference does it make?
- What’s not in it for you? What difference does it make?
- Habits: Chocolate is a food group! (Just checking to see if you are paying attention.)
- Love is in you, not just around the corner.
- Economics for your business (you). You are your bottom line do not compromise it.
- The outside and the inside: whatever you put in, reveals the real YOU. Are you who you want to be? Only you can change you.
- What can color do for and against you?
- Clothes and your relationship to them.
- Friends and your relationship with them. Be one. Keep them. Recognize when it’s time to give up on them—when it is hurting you and your life.
- Who are you, really? Attitude can hurt or help your cause! Take charge of your life. Compromise is important...would you rather win the battles and lose the war, or win the war and lose the battles.
- Skills for now and forever.
- Make and DO: Goals and Plans to Establish your Future.
- God, the Bible and Peace: last but not least, the most important part of your goals and plans is the peace and serenity of knowing that no matter what you are not alone. God is always there waiting for us to recognize that He has the best plans and goals for us if we just listen and ask.
You will have a long way to go in life. You need to think in terms of the future but live in the present. Many things will happen along the way, but experience and difficulties grow you up.
There are many avenues that you can take to reach your goals. You must have goals or you will drift. Remember, this will give others the opportunity to make your decisions instead of your being and control and you will be living out their ideas. Given the opportunity, other people will manipulate you because they have planned and thought about their own goals, wants and desires and will use you to obtain their goals. If you have your own goals and desires, you can control your own life, for the most part. It is also important to understand finances in order to make wise and responsible decisions throughout your whole life.
There are many compromises that must be made along the way. Parents, teachers and the laws of society will dictate some of these compromises.
Never compromise your health, wealth or freedoms.
You are free to be who you choose to be. Choose your ways wisely and responsibly. And always keep your options open.