Seeing the Compassion of Others

Hurricane Sandy was a doozy! I live in Eastern PA and the wind gusts were up to 81 miles per hour and we got between 2 - 4 inches of rain. Although our lights flickered a bit during the high winds, we never lost power. We did lose our cable and phone for two days, but we made it through the storm virtually unscathed.

What really has moved me the most through the last week is how people are working together to get through this. There were homes and businesses without power for five days; food had spoiled; homes without hot water; schools were closed and there were long lines at convenience stores that sell coffee and gas.

Through phone calls, emails and social media, I've seen offers for people to come to homes to charge their phones and computers, get a warm shower and a place to sleep. I met some men from South Carolina that drove all the way up here with their trucks so they could help restore the power in our area... staying in tractor trailers outfitted with bunk beds.

In times like this I see God working in peoples lives. The love and compassion that people have for one another is truly touching. I know that for some people, they don't even realize that God is at work... they may be motivated by money or a sense of obligation, not realizing they are a tool for God's handiwork. Perhaps the person on the receiving end has lost hope or faith, but these little (and  sometimes big) gestures help to restore what is lost.  We don't need a devastating storm to bring the best out in people... all we have to do is look around and see what it is we can do for someone else. Perhaps it's returning a shopping cart from an elderly person, or pay for someone's coffee at a convenience store. When I see the compassion of others I know God is at work and I am hopeful.

More Steps Forward

I have been so busy with looking at my opportunities for work that I've neglected to write anything lately, so here's an update. Today I went to a workshop on how to finance a new business, whether it's a start up or a franchise. It was very informative and gave me some new things to look at.  Last week I spoke with three different franchises to see if any of them fit with what I want to do.  I think they all have potential, but my issue is that I don't feel very passionate about any of them. I think I could be successful doing any business, and I think a couple of them could actually be a great source of income, but I don't know if my heart is in it... and this is why:

I went to my church on Friday morning to do my weekly service answering phones and updating social media, and it just feels like a wonderful place to be. I love being around the people, I love being able to help them with what they are doing (one women needed me to help her with her computer) and I love posting information on their website and social media.  In fact, they asked if I was interested in running a free seminar for the congregation on the internet, social media, and the website. I like to feel needed and I like to use my skills.  I felt so good when I left church that day, that I know I want to feel that every day.

This makes me think I need to have something I'm passionate about, rather than just a source of income.  I'm not ruling out any of the franchises yet, but I have two more business ideas I want to look into. One is a new product idea and the other is a new business. It has been successful in other areas of the Northeast and it's something I've been thinking about for five years.

How fortunate for me that my life has afforded me this opportunity to look at my life. I wish I had a clearer picture of where I'm heading, but I'm pleased that I am moving forward.

Seeing the Blessings

Lately I have had this overwhelming feeling that I am blessed.  I don't have a job, and yet I feel a sense of abundance. My heart is filled with gratitude and hope for the future.  I was sitting with a bunch of friends last night and one of them is older with cancer that has spread to his organs and brain. He was sharing about how grateful he was that he had a chance to go through each and every experience in his life- both good and bad. He talked about how he saw children fighting this battle with cancer, and some of them would never make it to college, or get a job, or know how to be a lover, or get married and have a family. He has 5 children, 14 grandchildren and a loving wife of many years and he is blessed. 

He may be sick and leave this earth, but he is blessed.  He is surrounded by God's light and love; he is surrounded by the love of his family and friends; He has lived a life filled with work, golf, friendship and service.  He is blessed... and I am blessed to be able to call him my friend, but that is not where my blessings stop.

I am blessed that I don't have a job (check back with me to see if I still feel this way in a couple months ;o). This is a time for me to reflect on my past and move into the future. It's a time to look at what's in my heart and move forward.  I want to work for myself- and create a business that will allow me to earn a decent living, yet be there for my children as they move into grade school.  I don't know what to do, how to do it or where the money will come from, but I want to try. I would rather take the risk and give this a try, than get old and regret what if...

I'm learning there are many resources out there. Places I can go to learn, people I can talk to that can direct me to where I need to go.  Believe me I am scared to start my own business, to leave the security of a guaranteed paycheck... (but then again, what paycheck is really guaranteed)?

I am blessed with faith in God, knowing that this is all part of a greater plan. I am blessed with a family that I love so very deeply, and that love me too. I am blessed with an abundance of friends who have been there for me over the years, through the good times and bad.  I am blessed with a roof over my head and warm clothes to wear and I am blessed that you are reading my blog.