Do something good today - for the greater good.  Make your community, your church, a neighborhood  school or some else's life better - TODAY!!!!.  Find a way to serve,  do it proudly. It is the right thing to do....just for today. 

The holiday which celebrates and honors  one of the greatest Leaders who has lived in my lifetime, would  want us to march on in a forward way.  He too would impart upon us l to be more than we ever thought we could be.

YES! Today is a day off (technically ...OMG, those sales!!!) but we have 24 hours TODAY to do something different, add value and make it a day of service.  Today is about being ON!

Join thousands in America and many around the world in heart and song in HIS name as we celebrate  life and  each other.  Make a contribution to serve today. We will all be better. Ultimately, we can make and be the difference in the world we want to see - if we just do it!

Happy King's Day!!

Counting blessings is something I look at so differently today. What about you... How do you count your blessings?  Where are you this holiday season as it relates to spending and buying gifts for friends and loved ones??  Have you counted  your blessings (yet?)

As you ponder the questions, think about how blessed you are.  Write a letter to a friend or a loved one.  Let her know how special she is.  Know someone who is unable to get out and select the perfect tree...why don't you stop by with a special home- baked  "goody."  Put up the holiday decorations while you are there and feel the happiness when the lights are hung.

Counting blessings and giving from the heart will make someone's day and holiday season a most memorable one. Do it... and be grateful.

...Tis the Season!!!! 

.

"What was I thinking?" I asked myself as I hurried to the door in hope of beating the after work crowd for my weekly groceries.  It was 6:30.  Dinner was still a  mere thought in my mind and getting home from a long day after a tough meeting with a 4:30 client, I was bushed.  In auto pilot, all I thought "Just do what you have to do and get home....fast and in a hurry."  "Bury this one," I added quietly to myself..."You have to start all over again tomorrow."

Prompted by a kind gentleman at the door who stopped and smiled at me  I prepared to open the entry door  of the supermarket.   "Where's your bag?" he asked, "It's earth day every day here," he added, "And we want your help to save the earth."  " Besides you will get money back for your effort, if you use a recyclable bag."  "Wow," I sighed, a whole five cents,mmmhhh,  he is serious about this job... I continued thinking silently but answered back with a half smile as I affirmatively nodded, "That's a good thing!"

Feeling a little guilty and also experiencing the need to be a part of the bigger picture, I returned to my car, picked up my "save the green bag" and sat there for a few minutes.  I took  time while in the car to prepare my weekly list.  Upon completion, I  was proud of myself for the effort put forth and the  savings - the whole nickel and the monies saved after shopping because I put together a list vs.  random buying based on everything that looks good in my face. 

A list always saves the purchaser money. Too it hones in on  personal desires related to  lifelong goals -  to stay the course and live the healthy wealth wise motto - Sense and cents at every turn.  Yep, I almost, broke my own rule, but I did not not.  For sure I was glad for the reminder from one who cared enough to share.  After all, areen't we all worth it -  again!

This week:  Don't spend money on things you don't need.  Prepare your food and essentials list before entering the supermarket. Plan and  have a varied menu in mind as you and your family think of the week's menus.   Prepare to save.  You will waste less because you have made healthywealth minded decisions in advance.  

Plan and prepare wisely. Always use your sense for cents - you are worth it!!!!

Today, try to take advantage of the low rates if you own your home.  Refinance today and $ave!

Depo$it an extra few dollars this week from your next paycheck and throw all of that excess change you have around the house in an account with your name on it. start with checking your wallet, there is alays loose change there.

Celebrate you! with the interest rate (yes, I recognize that it is minimal) on those accounts you opened earlier this year.  Make today count - your blessing that is...and celebrate Mother's Day for a lifetime with all that you are putting away for tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! You deserve all that you earn because you saved for it!

With the radio  stations playing our favorite morning tunes; his on hip hop and mine tuned into R and B initially, I  paid very little attention to the number of times I heard Luther Vandross crooning his heart out.  After the 5th song in less than an hour, it made perfect sense.  I heard Steve Harvey from  The Morning Show announce, "Today is his Birthday." he stated..."The greatest R and B voice ever to sing." 

With a smile on my face, I knew despite whatever the news for the day and meeting update from    President Obama's Economic team meeting in Washington DC at the  summit, today was Luther's birthday and just for today...."A House is Not a Home" and "Any Love" would reign in my heart.

Initially thinking about my client's and their financial matters -  especially after watching 60 Minutes last night, and hearing the reporter discuss  everyone's 401k blues and debt management non solutions somehow, it did not have its weight. It probably would have been different even a year ago.  After all, haven't we all resigned to the fact that we will be working until death or debt due us part???

Considering that it was Luther's birthday,  today was about a song and my heart NOT another blues singing moment and broken promises with no plan.  The daunting news shared by the correspondent on America's #1 TV show, about shrinking or dare I say a shrunk and dissipated 401k retirement fund appeared almost moot after listening to Luther sing his heart out - again and again throughout the day.

What is it all really about? I asked myself.  We work our hearts out for years, save in hopes of golden years only to find out that what was once golden, (if it ever was)  may not even be plastic lining, forget silver lining or even copper.    Is that the real problem?  Did we lean too heavily on the plastic and somewhere, somehow lost our way? What about the lessons our parents tried to show us?  Were we too busy living it up to listen to their old fashioned ways of pay as you go and never ever live beyond your means?

Recognizing that building and rebuilding a 401k and or planning for a savings plan may take a minimum of 10 years to build. That is what the experts told us yesterday on the show.  "We have to be honest with the public" is what one of the retirement fund gurus told the watching public.  "Where were you when we needed you?" I smirked to myself.  For those who did all of the right things, where did that leave them who have become us?.  Not asking the right and pertinent questions about who and how the 401k funds were being managed is only one of the many problems discussed.  Too and probably most important, the experts told the audience that the fees being charged on many retirement funds had hidden costs and  how to find them was near impossible.  Mmmh...whose money is it anyway?

Reminded of the way things were, I wondered how many might go back to saving (cash)  in the mattress  and doing away with banks, paying enormous fees, "come on" gimmicks and teaser rates to get consumers to just say "Yes" for the future, of course.  Yes, the cynic in me, is exaggerating (I think) but just for today, I chose to not think about it.  Money and financial matters that have caused us all to sigh and wait for better days waited as I celebrated Luther and sang loudly "Superstar....till you come back to me".   Now if only my money would respond in kind - like the words of his Grammy award winning words.

Strong like a bull, she was calm when she delivered the news.  "You know I gotta keep things moving." she announced, "But in the end, I ain't sacred no more," she added.

"We have done all that we can do and unless a miracle comes my way," she continued, "I have made peace with the facts....we are going to lose our business to the bank." "What we are not going to lose is ourselves."  As soon as she said that I was convinced, she is no longer sacred and she will make a way out of no way and learn the lessons for the next time - whatever, whenever "Next" shows up.

In this economic up and down - mostly down, it is hard to see so many hurting. As a Financial Advisor, I have seen too much of the ugly side as it relates to money, finance and credit.  Where did we go wrong I hear my clients ask and what else can we do? Unfortunately, much of the damage has already been done.  We clearly overspent, took risks we would never take again and despite hoping, believing, praying and thinking; against the odds, unfortunately for too many it did  not work out the way it was planned. 

There are new lessons to learn, new stories to be shared and a a better way to move forward.  My friend is rediscovering that as we speak.  I am excited about her future as I am saddened about her loss.

Do I believe that everything will be OK?  Absolutely! The optimist that I am is certain that things always work out.  In the meantime, I recommend that whatever the pain, whatever the loss, whatever the obstacle stay the course and like my friend says to me all the time every day...."Keep it moving, just keep it moving."   And....Never Never Never Give UP!

Like millions around the world, I was brought to tears when I heard the words that Senator Barak Obama had won and he would be the 44th President of the United States.

Still elated, I almost cry every time I think about the possibilities.  YES We Can! - a cliche, an expression  chanted throughout the campaign that changed the world.  I even heard him say it in person as my 17 year old son and I attended the last rally, Mr. Obama's  final appearance at the rally  in Manassas, VA before appearing  at Grant Park before addressing the world as our new leader.  With over 80,000 people chanting, "YES we Can." in the Red state turned BLUE  at the rally;  the night before the election the event and the journey to the White House was an amazing experience.   Observing and experiencing  the lines, seeing the people wanting, hoping, believing for change.  WOW!!!! It has been an incredible journey that at times still feels surreal. YES!   I am proud and pleased to have been one of the many who made it happen.  Together and forever we changed  the world...YES We DID!!!!!

It all started with a dream and then a plan that was carefully executed.  But before all of that happened, many simply believed.   

Congratulations Mr. President Elect Obama and Mr. VP Elect Biden.  We are proud to be a part of your team and commit to do all we can in Virginia to keep the dream alive. 

YES WE Will!!!!!!

OK...What's a girl to do? I am in the middle of a storm and  like many I  too am afraid to dance.  Today was not a typical Monday morning in the bank.  Not only was the President of my region visiting with the team for our regular 9am Monday meeting but another bank failed and like most  Americans (and probabaly the world)....the news appeared to come out of no where..or did it?....AGAIN..  No, I didn't feel like dancing.

Hellllloooooooooo....somebody help me please........ Today I was tired of getting jolted and my shoes are already worn out.  My feet are tired, yet with today's news, I gotta keep on keeping on. Walk  the walk, I told myself...jump higher...feel good and for sure this too will pass.  Another bank failure.spoke volumes to my clients, family and friends.  How do I keep on telling them? This is it.  "No more, the worst is behind us."  "The banking crisis won't last forever" 

OH....did I forget to tell you that in the middle of my day came yet another jolt.....Congress decided, "No DEAL. "   Well,  "Thank you very much Congress."...Now that we have a "No DEAL" vote (or lack of vote of confidence in all that is happening around us...what's a girl  and her middle class family to do?   Guess the American public spoke and this time WE the peole were heard.   OMG!!!!!!!  What are families going to do and what ever happened to  the American dream, a chicken in every pot and the white picket fence?

I don't know about anybody else but for the first time....I was temporarily paralyzed with fear -  scared and  uncertain about what to do about my fears.  When I was a kid and  sought  protection I could crawl into Mommy's bed and lo and behold, it would all be better.  (Well...not quite like that, but it something other families I knew experienced ...) As I grew up, (now that's the truth) I would buy myself a pair of shoes if I needed a reward or a quick fix.  God forbid if I had an issue with a man (thank God those days are behind me)....for sure I would be mall bound, over spent and still depressed.  But now that I am wonderfully wiser with all of the high heels a girl needs, I think about my high worth and less about the high heels.  Count your blessings, "Her Heelness" (yep, that's you)...the best is yet to come and if it does not happen as soon as  you would like....dance anyway.....the rain will force you to swim faster and harder but for sure, you won't  drown....You are worth more than you ever thought you were! Just  keep stepping.   

Inspired by the best selling author series;  Wake up Live, I am delighted to announce that Wake Up Women will be released in October 2008. Amongst the book's authors, I was invited and have been included  as a co author in the book. and share an inspiring tale of my Mother and me focusing on Financial Health and Money Matters.  YES, it is a blessing and what a experience it has been to see this dream come true.  All of my life, I wanted to write and be published.  This book is the beginning of many...stay tuned.... 

Wake up Women  a collaborative effort from almost 30 women is the inspirational genius of all who have shared a personal and inspiring story to help, encourage and empower women in one's journey toward wholeness and success. I am delighted to have been invited to be a part of not only the book but too to have gained the confidence and trust of women who are changing the world. The authors; my sisters in the book are phenomenal. Through emails, weekly conferences calls, a Mastermind program that we collectively work in and everyone's active  participation have we together are making the difference in lives and changing the world - making it a better place.

Having already stated in a previous blog entry (that we are our greatest asset), Wake Up Women is an example of how powerful are words are.  For if we are truly our own asset, (remember that) is there anything we cannot do or achieve lest' we believe?   I believe and live into it every day.  I am my greatest asset.  Now, ask yourself...are you?  

Whatever it takes to be the best you, starts with you. OWN YOU, TRUST YOU,  BELIEVE and BEGIN ...right now! Live your life and show the world your dividends earned.    Once you decide (and it is a decision) the rest will take care of itself.  Practicing your faith, showing  love, remaining patient with mostly you and working hard is my gift to you through the collaborative work of words and stories in  Wake Up Women.  Everything else has been done you already have all that you need.  Our book is simply another reassuring vehicle confirming all that you already know.  The best gift is the present of the presence that we are experiencing right now!!!!! Be encouraged and stay strong....the world is waiting for your entrance...now is the the time to just step up and step in.

Just for today,I will breathe easy and enjoy the goodness in the universe the Creator has blessed me with. Life's simplicity; no matter how much it appears to be hurriedly pulling at me in all directions, will not be a deterrence - Not TODAY and not ever less I choose again.

There is beauty and simplicity in it all.  I believe in me and now create the quiet I need to be free.  Blue skies, sunshine, trees in their fullness and yes, even the traffic that forces one to sit longer on an expressway  is not  the issue.   I accept   higher gas prices, increased food costs and debt that is mounding (unless, I forget,  I created it. ) For today, I will breathe easy and enjoy.....I am my greatest asset.  It alone is my gift and thru it the dividends of life and love will flow easy with purpose for profitable living.