Truths I've Finally Learned

There are some things that I've finally learned and those insights have greatly improved my life. Here are a few of them.

--There is more than one way to do most things. And my way isn't always the best way.
--Everybody wants to be noticed in a loving way.
--Most people are trying to do the best they can.
--The sun is always shining above the clouds.
--Freedom of choice is EVERYTHING - and the consequences are vital and unavoidable.
--Everybody looks better wearing a smile.
--I don't have to fix everything and make it all better.
--Breathing slowly and deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth is very calming and relaxing.
--The right tool makes the job a LOT easier.
--Time divided into days and nights and seasons... is an awesome, fantastic blessing.
--It's a very freeing feeling to say "I don't know."

Bill paying

Funny thing. Most businesses (utilities, credit card companies, other places you owe money) like to be paid every month! Go figure. The 'when I feel like it, think of it, or get around to it' system is generally frowned upon.
I've come to the conclusion that the best system for me is to have a set day every month (like the 7th) on which I set down and pay bills. I have one bill that doesn't show up until the 10th. That one has to have special treatment. But others are due before the 10th, so the 7th, with special treatment, works best for me. The first Saturday of the month, or the last day of the month or some other specific day might work best for you.
I have a book with a list of all the bills I have to pay, how I pay them (online, direct pay from the credit union, auto pay, by mail etc), when I actually pay them, and how much. This helps me keep track that I did pay and how much I paid.
It's a habit thing. A very useful habit thing.
And since it's the 7th....gotta go!

Working with the Stove

Don't put your fingers on the burner a few minutes after you've turned it on.
And if you do: As fast as you can grab some ice cubes and hold them on the affected area. Holding it under some cold water at the same time will help the ice from sticking to you. (Think A Christmas Story) You need to hold the ice on there much longer than you'll probably think is sufficient - at least 5 minutes. This helps stops the cell burning which is taking place in and on your skin.
You don't need to ask how I know this. Use your imagination. And don't ask why...there is no logical explanation! But the ice works if you're fast enough and I'm fine.

Camera Date Stamp

Set the date stamp on your camera as soon as you get it. And check it from time to time to make sure it's accurate. It is SOOOOOO useful to have the correct date on the metadata of pictures. Once you set the date - on the menu - you don't need to do anything else as far as the date information. Push the menu button. Click on set date. Then set the correct date and time. That's all there is to it. And we will all be happy to have this information. :D

Debit vs Credit and Who to Believe

Debit cards are tied to your personal accounts. When you use it the money comes right out of your account. You're using your money. The biggest problem with it is that that little plastic card makes the money so easy to slip right out of your account!
Credit cards are tied to an agreement you made with a lender to be ready on the spot to loan you money. When you use it you are using someone else's money and tying up your future earnings. Plus it comes with the agreement that you'll pay interest (which is how they make money and why they're willing to loan it to you!) on terms you've already agreed to - although you probably don't know what they are since they're usually written in really tiny writing!!!! The interest rates are often high. In any case, if you only pay the minimum they require each month you will pay for a very long time and you'll end up paying a LOT more than you borrowed in the first place.
There are times when credit is necessary. But not nearly as often as we think it is. And as long as you owe someone money you're in bondage to that degree.
There are lots of experts in the financial field and they can give you lots of ideas and helps in understanding how to make it through these turbulent times financially. It has, however, been our experience that some of their thinking doesn't always line up with the counsel of the current day living prophets. The prophet counsels us to go into debt with great caution and only when it is absolutely necessary, borrowing as little as necessary. Then to work hard to get out of debt as quickly as possible.
If we use a credit card to establish a credit rating for when we absolutely need to have it available we should do so only when we already have the money in our account and pay it off in total immediately. If we use a credit card because ends just won't meet then we should look carefully at the ends and make changes if possible to make them meet as quickly as possible.
If we have a problem with our credit - or debit - cards being a little too easy to use it can be helpful to go to a 'cash only' system for awhile to make things a little more real to us and to help us control ourselves a little more.
The counsel from President Harold B Lee (I think) is so true in financial matters.
Never give up what you want most for what you want now.

Intimidation

I have spent a lot of my life feeling intimidated. What are they thinking? How do I measure up? Nobody really wants me in the group. I'm not smart enough, pretty enough, thin enough, athletic enough, funny enough, fast enough.......

No one will ask me out (or want me to ask them out). No one would want to come to a party I'm having.

On and on and on. Feeling intimidated and 'less than' is reinforced throughout our lives (I HATE, more than I can possibly say, those games where two captains choose people to be on their teams). But there comes a point at which I must grow up enough to say "I'm good enough, even if I was always chosen last for the team". Just because you may never have found your 'bosom friend' doesn't mean you will never have one or that you're not worthy of one. Just because someone turned you down for a date doesn't mean there aren't many who are just waiting and praying that you'll ask. Just because the plan you had isn't working out doesn't mean the way it's working out won't be wonderful.
When you're feeling like others are looking through you, check out whether you have a mirror in your hands. Are you assuming what you think others are thinking? Looking in the mirror too much and spending time wondering what others are thinking of you keeps you from looking for those who need you to tell them they're OK. Others need you!

Intimidation isn't a Christlike word. It's a mean, ugly word. It's a mean, ugly feeling. Refuse to be intimidated. Throw your shoulders back and step up. You're way more than good enough.

Raised Voices

I once heard someone say that you should never raise your voice unless there's a fire and you're raising a warning voice. I laughed. I thought it was a funny line. But I've come to realize that it is a very accurate truism. Those of you who know me well know that I've learned this one from personal experience. If you can control your emotions enough to control the volume of your voice you will live in a much happier environment. Raised voices do absolutely no good. They scare us. They make us feel uncomfortable. They demean us. They teach us it's ok to do the same to others. They drive out the spirit. No one, and I do mean NO ONE has a right to raise their voice at another living thing. Unless there's a fire.