Posts Tagged ‘help others’

Click To Give for a Good Cause

Posted 01 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Taking a Stand

click2giveDo you want to give more but don’t  know how? Maybe you don’t have a lot of time, or maybe it’s the fact that you’re low on money!

Try one of our sponsors, Click to Give! Causes: animal care, feed the poor, stop child abuse, shelter homeless, breast cancer! Visit Click to Give and all you do is click each cause once a day. Clicking once a day will send money their way.

Click to help fight cancer, stop child abuse, end animal cruelty, feed the poor, and shelter the homeless! Click Here

Please comment below if you know of any other ways we can help others! Tis’ the season to give, and causes like this are great. I hope you click to give today! Thank you.

Often we discuss great causes and take a stand with civil right issues, if this is something you don’t want to miss out on please click here to subscribe to our updates.

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Blended Families & Troubled Teens

Posted 25 Nov 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits
Renae & Robyn

Renae & Robyn

Blended Families

Blended families could be a tough one, especially in the child or teen’s case. “What is today? Oh, I belong at my moms today, and then tomorrow at my dads!” As if there isn’t enough of other things to keep track of, like homework, the latest trends, and other trivial teen things. My stepchildren are to be at our home Wednesday at 3pm till Saturday at 8pm. It works well, and we chose this schedule so both homes can instill morals into the children’s lives, and both parents can have a hand at the children’s future and learning process. 

Communication has been an issue in the past, and will probably continue to be an issue. My husband doesn’t get much response when trying to parent with his children’s mother, but each day is a new day. We take one step at a time. Team parenting can get difficult when those who parent together, yet live different lives, have opposite views and parenting skills and views. It seems this has benefited my teen step-daughter in having things her way, however, made it worse for her because she has gotten herself into too much trouble these last few months.

Change for the Best

My teen step-daughter, Robyn, moved in full time again a few weeks ago. I believe she is here to stay for a long while. Robyn is finally settled in after a few weeks of playing “back-and-forth” between my husband’s mother’s home and ours! She was going back and forth because Robyn’s mother wanted her to spend her custody days with my husband’s mother. That didn’t work out well for several reasons, the other kids weren’t feeling it, Robyn wanted to be with her siblings, and well… other reasons!

Last time we tried having Robyn full time her mom only lasted a week and came and got her on her scheduled day with a police escort as if we’d object. (More about that here) I understand how hard it is to not see your baby daily, no matter how old the child is, but what’s right for the child is right for the child. I know this all too well in Renae’s case. Renae, too, lives with her dad most of the time this last year due to her high school’s location.

Issues at Hand

I’m not putting all of Robyn’s business out to internet land without her permission, but I will say she has made too many wrong choices and is on her way to making the correct choices to better what she has done in the last few months. We’ve changed her school to a great school who will not only keep an eye out on her but will instill the drive in her to want to continue on a successful road. We are constantly reminding her which path is the correct one, and standing by her with unconditional love. Her mom just so happens to live in an environment that is unhealthy for our baby. The neighborhood is not good and the mix of more freedom then she needs, it is a toxic environment for her.

A Good Day

I’m happy to say, her mom is picking her up today after school. They haven’t spent quality time together since the beginning of this month. This will be a great day for both of them. I’m sure they miss each other more then anything! This will give them both a sense of relief and will be a good start for a new beginning for Robyn. My heart goes out to her mom for making a big decision in regards to making Robyn’s situation a better one.

& You

Have you had to make a huge decision in hopes to better your family life? Please share by commenting below, it may help others to take a step in the right direction!

To stay updated on what happens next with getting Robyn on the right track subscribe to our updates by clicking here. Who knows, maybe Robyn will start writing to help other teens; she is a great writer (I wanted her to open her own fictional writing space, but she has been grounded from the computer)!

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10 Ways to Cope with Stress

Posted 09 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness

“In this world without quiet corners, there can be no easy escapes…from hullabaloo, from terrible, unquiet fuss. – Salman Rushdie

Our self awareness series entry by Sarah Ban Breathnach for October 9th, in her book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy quotes the above statement.

I must say, today would be the day I wish you had the book in front of you! Breathnach’s list of ways to relieve stress goes on and on… (on and on in a good way)!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to cope with stress on Breathnach’s list along with my jibber jabbering dissection of some of her tips:

  1. Keep it simple – We create much of the stress around us. Simplify your duties and you will avoid much stress.
  2. Go to bed at nine o’clock at least twice a week – I find myself staying up late researching ways to better Reed What Matters or by networking on twitter. If I go to sleep early a few nights a week I can handle this, if I stay up late each night I’m a walking zombie by the end of the week. Overworking yourself is bad for your family, your business, and your soul.
  3. Keep your house picked up – To wake up to an orderly house, what a joy! This is harder if you have a large family, but it can be done. Have the kids pick up their mess before bed, and you hurry to get the dishes done, wipe your counters down, and clear your table. Even those few tasks will make a huge difference in your home.
  4. Stop trying to please everybody – I’m not going to say this again, we’ve went over this! You can try to please all to only please few, because they don’t have you whole. Don’t spread yourself out to thin. Better to be you and just displease a few!
  5. Start pleasing yourself – Don’t forget about you! If you are happy and well taken care of you will then be able to help others around you. A whole person can better help one who needs healing.
  6. Stay away from negative people – I have negative people in my life, don’t get me wrong. I love all my family and friends unconditionally but know them for who they are, positive and negative. Keep the negative people and the bad apples at a distance, but still love them all the same!
  7. Approach problems as challenges – I feel most liberated when bad news or big issues hits me in the face, and I conquer it! I say, “Take that, and NEXT!” Keep it moving!
  8. Savor beauty – What is positive in your life? What do you see when you walk out the door? When I walk out the door, I don’t see the ugly apartment buildings that surround me. I see the nicely shaped bushes, flowers, the leaf blowing in the wind, the rain puddles, or the big blue sky (depending on the weather). See the good and turn away from the bad!
  9. Create boundaries – Know when too far is too far, and when far enough is far enough! Keep your dignity and be you my friends!
  10. Search for your authentic self until you find her/him – Do you know who you are? Sure, you know what you like, what you don’t like, and what you do for a living, but do you know the true beauty and wisdom you possess. Do you know you? Find you!

I hope these tips helped.  I know I write or talk a lot. That’s part of my authentic self. I learned to embrace my jibber jabber.

If you have any tips for coping with stress, or making the day easier so stress doesn’t show up for the day please comment below. We all need pointers here!

  • To purchase this book at a low price: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy.
  • To view the beginning of our series, Simple Abundance; Starting the Journey Today, click here.
  • You can find the rest of out Self Awareness series by clicking here.
  • I know this is going to be a powerful series, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to our updates via email or feed reader by clicking here.
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    “Self-Nurturing on the Job”; Day 2

    Posted 29 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
    Category Self Awareness
    Office Plant

    Office Plant

    Our self awareness series, day 2, entry by Sarah Ban Breathnach for September 29th, in her book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy quotes:

    “Self- Nurturing on the Job”

    “When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care far more profoundly about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be toward others.                   – Eda LeShan

    How many of us want more in life then what we have today? More importantly, how many of us are aware there is more in store for us then what we have today? I’ve had times in my life where I started my day in trying to perform for others, either my boss, the kids, the husband, or my professor. Their standard of me and their wants were my reason to push for more. Not a bad thing, but when you lose sight of yourself while taking care of their desires then there is a problem. 

    Taking care of yourself, is the best way you can care for another. How do you suppose you can help others with their needs and desires if you’re in shambles physically, mentally, or emotionally? Taking care of you doesn’t mean only worry about yourself and what you have going on. It means just what I said; take care of yourself so you can be whole.

    The little things count, according to Breathnach we can do simple things to take care of ourselves on the job. We can take care of ourselves by taking time out for ourselves, and by making our workspace special. 

    Taking time out for you is key! I take time out for myself by taking a longer shower then I normally would. That is the only place I can go without the kids coming to me. When working, I would leave on my lunch hour to window shop, shop, or to sit on a bench to read a book for my “me” time. Even 20 minutes a day, breaking the time into pieces, is good for our souls according to Breathnach.

    Equally important, making your space special, in your home office, corporate office, work truck, gym locker, or where ever your work space may be… make your mark in that space. I do this well when I work in the corporate world.

    You can mark your space with inspirational quotes, candles, music, and a bible if you use one, flowers, a plant, a picture, art, and list of your goals, or whatever else that makes you happy at that moment. Have a few special items in that location, things that help you get through your day. Special items I kept at my desk were artwork from the kids, pictures of things I wanted, pictures of my family, a book of my favorite quotes, reading material, my bible, and plants. I had a special pen holder, and special little office supplies that I found sometimes on my “secret shopping” lunch hours. In my desk I had a few snacks, my favorite drinks, waters, and noodles or canned good for those days I forgot my lunch.

    So there you have it, take care of you, set time aside for “me” time, make your mark in your workspace, and have things surround you that make you feel special! Please share any ways that help you take care of yourself through the day by commenting, your tips may help others. Thank you!

    Note:

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    Standing Behind Our Product

    Posted 26 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
    Category Time & Money

    Stand behind what product you may ask! Reed What Matters’ product is information; on top of that we just became an Amazon Affiliate, and now have an aStore with products for families! All should stand behind their product! 

    Recently I was asked by a reader, James, if a rebate I posted, Bridgestone Tires $50 – $100 Mail-in-Rebate, was a scam or not. I was surprised and worried that something had gone wrong for James in using his rebate.

    With my great customer service skills (Hee Hee), I probed and received the information I needed to help him. James had used this rebate months ago when he had bought tires; he never received credit for the rebate!

    So what, right? I just posted the rebate to help others, right? Wrong! I gained a reader, even if for just a moment with that rebate post! I set out to help James!

    I got Midas’ information, and told James that sometimes rebate companies do miss the buck; I know all to well with working at Verizon Wireless for 7 plus years! I told him to contact them with the information I gave him, and explain his story. His first email to me was 09/18/09, and his issue was resolved by 09/21/09. 

    He sent me this: 

    Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 11:29 AM
    To: jennreed@reedwhatmatters.com
    Subject: RE: Is your rebate program a scam?

    Jennifer,
        I am getting a rebate card sent to me. Thank you for your help.
    James

    Isn’t that great! His issue was resolved quick and I have warm and fuzzies all over for being the one to help! So folks there you have it, stand by your product! That doesn’t mean you have to fork over money to solve ones problems, just take an interest in solving the issue!

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