The Blessings of a Shut Door

I know we all know that saying, have said it ourselves and or have heard it spoken to us. " When one door shuts, another is open to us." But what if we are so preoccupied with looking for that open door ... that we miss the open window? Opportunities and Blessings do not always come up to us and slap us in the face to take notice... we sometimes have to help them along. Sometimes bad things happen to us to shake us out of the mundane and forces us to face the reality of things. The everyday, the comfort of security and the lull of the known can often times be the shackles that have been holding us from our intended future.

Well intentions and best laid out plans are just that till actions are taken. The past couple years would not have happened had it not been for the swift kick in the rear that I got. It seems every 5 years my life takes an unintentional turn of events and my life is turned 360 degrees. My life changes, my outlook changes, opportunities rise and all thank to closed doors and open windows.

First the company that I held my first job post college was purchased by another company 5 years after I started working for them.  This was a great company and I enjoyed working for them immensly but it was hard physical labor. I knew I was meant for more...
Finding myself back in the job market allowed me to seek out other opportunites and was recruited into the financial world. Here again I was given so much and I was able to challenge myself and groomed myself as a manager and as an adult. However as part of learning... I made mistakes along the way.. I was financially irresponsible ( ironic that I was working in the finance world and teaching others how to budget) when I myself could not get a handle on my own life.)
 My life seem to have spiraled out of control.. that I was desperate. I found myself after 6 long years, single again. Leaving my fiancee was the hardest thing I ever had to do.. but I realized, I had turned into something and someone that I no longer recognized. The years following that was my struggle of finding who I was as a single entity and trying to desperately figure out my finances.

The termination from work came as a surprise.. but in hindsight I guess it shouldn't have been. I made an error in judgement that I should have known better to do.

I was finally free to go back to school to obtain my MBA like I've been talking about since I finished my undergrad... I realize though that I also could not afford to not be at work. So I started accepting contract work, giving me the freedom to study and the flexibility of not having to throw my whole heart and soul into my work. It was hard balancing full load of coursework and full time work but I buckled down and I promised myself I would do it. No going out, save money and figure out a game plan to pay off my debt.

2011 .. I have accomplished much and more.  I graduated with honors for my MBA, first in my family. I was given the opportunity to go to China! Check off quite a few things on my bucket list. I touched and climbed the Great Wall of China, I walked and touched and experience the greatness that is the Forbidden City. I expereince the romance of the famous West Lake of Hangzhou and got to see the metropolis of the east which is Shanghai. :) I traveled to Florida to experience Hogwarts world ( I know I know I'm a serious HP fan) and I got to go to NYC!.  To top it off I was able to pay off 2 of 4 credit card debts. the 3rd one is on its way to be done. I paid off my timeshare mortgage. And I only have 1 more credit card to go.

I am now back with my ex-fiancee and we are learning about each other again. We are like a well oiled machine that was left to dry and rusted a little .. and now cleaned, oiled and detailed we are back on track. I really can't ask for more of 2011. I couldnt ask for more from the doors that shut me out and kicked me out. But I thank my lucky stars for the many windows that have opened themselves to me.. and I thank myself for knowing when to leap through them.

Girl slain, 2 wounded in apparent retaliation for good deed

Girl slain, 2 wounded in apparent retaliation for good deed

I just do not understand the world today. How is it okay for these people to still live? I really wish each wrong doer can physically and mental experience each and every bad deed they have done. Experience the pain of abuse, experience the pain of the relatives ... feel the loss of a loved one gone from your life forever and you can never talk to them again. Take all that and mulitply it by 10 and see how long they last. Prison is too easy for these criminals.. and a quick death is too compassionate.

GRRRR!

http://moneyning.com/frugality/7-habits-of-highly-frugal-people/

best quotes from article that resonated with me:

"to change your life you need to change your attitude because no one else is responsible for what happens to you but you, so you can either complain about the things you don’t like in your life or you can set about changing them."




 "Regardless of how you were raised or how you were treated at school you are able to choose your behavior now. Being proactive means understanding that you are in control of the direction your life takes and in control of your day to day interactions "



You cannot take control of your finances until you make the commitment to do so . ( I had to do that for myself. I had to cut back.. on Starbucks.. home made coffee. Cooking at home instead of eating out all the time. Looking up at the numerous websites for coupon and deals for things to do with the limited amount of resources I have so I don't feel deprived of my lifestyle. Just living smarter. Rather then bankruptcy... see if settling is an option. At least you are trying to take care of your debt.)


such wonderful sites as: http://www.bloomspot.com/ , http://www.restaurant.com/ , http://www.livingsocial.com/ http://www.groupon.com/
http://www.goldstar.com/   are all great sites to use when you want to go out but dont want to spend a fortune. There are so many things to do that does not require money or better ways to save. I never go to an event without checking one of these sites first.

If you don’t visualize what you want out of life then you are at risk of other people and external circumstances influencing your life because you are not influencing it yourself.


Recognize that you don’t always know the full story. As you aim to implement frugal principles and stick to a budget you may often find yourself thinking ‘it’s not fair’. 


 is this us... constantly dreaming for the bigger and better? What if we are the big fish in a small pond.. but as soon as we go to the big pond ... we are the smaller fish.. which would you rather have?

True wealth is not measured in possessions but in assets



You are not the only person in your life.  (Listen)




Frugality does not mean having to give up all the luxuries and things which make you happy

Animal Kingdom

Yet more proof.. that male species will stop at nothing for a "hot" piece. LOL Sad.. but funny at the same time. People! pick up your litter!
discoverynews:

Beetles Die During Sex With Beer Bottles
It’s a case of mistaken attraction, because the beer bottles happen to possess all of the features that drive male Australian jewel beetles wild. They’re big and orangey brown in color, with a slightly dimpled surface near the bottom (designed to prevent the bottle from slipping out of one’s grasp) that reflects light in much the same way as female wing covers.
Read more

 

Wishing I Could

dearoldlove:

I really wish I could love you like you love me. Does that help? Well, it’s true anyway.

Reflecting back on my life: I find that I have been very fortunate with my personal relationship. For the most part: the people I have met and dated and fallen in love with have all been great guys that have loved me with all of their heart.

For one reason or another it just didnt work out. It does not mean that they loved me any less.. but actually more then I love them. Each one has expressed over the years that I was :
I feel bad to have broken so many hearts.. or disappoint so many guys.. I tried and it just didnt work. I wish I could love them the way they want me to.. Honestly not trying to be vain.. but I wish I could and I'm sure there is a lucky lady out there wanting to be the recipient of their love and devotion... I just wish sometimes that they could move on and be happy with who they are with.

They shouldn't be blind to Love that was meant for them:

October is here!

 
It's officially Autumn ! :) I love this time of year, the crisp clean air, the bright vibrant colors and the smells of baked goods.

I also love that I can whip out my scarves ( though living in the city.. scarves are handy to have year round)

The different colors and texture is limitless :) Men in scarves are so sexy too! yummy! :)



Waking up in the morning and taking that brisk walk to the bus stop in the ... breathing in the crisp autumn air.. is so exhilarating. You can spot the trees beginning to change colors and seeing them dance in the wind.









We can start burning candles and not overheat ourselves ... another love of mine.. candles, the light, the ambiance, the scent... so magical. When I lived in my smaller 1 bedroom apt.. I use to not turn on the heater and just fill my house with candles to keep warm.. it was such an awesome experience and so soothing.. I wish i had that place again.

Foot Prints

    Friends, Family, Acquaintances all have the ability to change our lives. We have the power to change theirs. A kind word, a smile or even a hug can lighten their day or lighten their mood. If we all know this why do we not practice it. We forget sometimes going through the monotony of life how important we are to one another.
A harsh word  a frown, bad body language has a ripple effect on your surrounding. A child can feel their parent's anger or discomfort. A spouse can see the tension and can feel the emotions.
Why not radiate love so you can get some in return?

 We all remember the old loved ones.. the ex-bf or the guy that we use to date. they have all in one way or another shaped us to be who we are. If we all thought of ourselves in that same light .. we would have more of a profound look at ourselves. Have you ever given or gotten a compliment from a stranger? Do you remember how good it felt? Why do we not do that more often? If you are checking someone out... it does not have to be of a sexual nature..let them know.


I was walking down the street the other day with my co-worker and we were talking about haircuts.. We happen to come across a lady standing curbside with exceptional hair and style that I might want to get... I walked by and paid her a compliment. Who knew if she was having a bad day or having a bad hair day.. or having a great day. But I'm sure.. if I was her... it would have made a difference. So in other words... it can be a second that you are in someone's life.. you can still leave a pretty decent size foot print.