HIGHLIGHT FOR THE MONTH!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

HOLIDAY TRAVEL START BOOKING

And you thought The Pulse was not about saving money. Not true. In being dedicated to what matters in life, The Pulse knows that making travel to see family or just get away means a lot to many people.How many times do you hear about the holiday travel rush? Uhm, yearly?! Of course, as long as there are end of the year holidays there will be The Holiday Rush. So, with that, here are airlines offering specials... get a pencil... get ready.

 

American Airlines  American Airlines nationwide fare sale -- from $152* round trip
 Low fares just in time for the holidays. Save on your late fall/early winter flight with Expedia and American Airlines’ round-trip sale. You can get a flight from NYC to Chicago for $152* round trip. Book by November 15; travel now-December 31.Book by 11:59 PM on 11/15/09 (PST) 

Sky-high savings -- little time left. American’s huge, 72-hour nationwide sale ends this Thursday. Fares start at just $25* each way, based on round-trip purchase. Travel December 2-16 and January 5-February 10. Don’t wait on this one. By American, Book by 11:59 PM on 10/29/09 (CDT)

Last-minute flights from your city -- from $101* round trip 

Time is almost up, and it's time to save. Take advantage of Expedia's last-minute sale and get a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Vegas for $101* or Washington, D.C. to Orlando for only $139*. Many departure cities and destinations are available.By Expedia.com, Due to limited inventory, this deal may expire at any time. Book now to take advantage of the savings.

AirTran's huge one-way fare sale -- U.S. flights from $39* 

All stops are on sale. Expedia and AirTran have teamed to offer a one-way fare sale to cities across the U.S. One-way fares include Boston to Baltimore for $39* and NYC to Charlotte for $64*. Book by November 10; travel now-February 10, 2010. By Expedia.com, Book by 11:59 PM on 11/10/09 (PST) 

Discount Sites:






NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH: 30 DAY BLOGATHON



JOIN ME!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!  
CHILDREN WAITING FOR YOU!
When I was in elementary school, I was the youngest child in my immediate family as well as the youngest grandchild on both sides of our family. While it had its benefits, I wanted a brother or sister. Well, actually a brother, I have two older sisters and that is enough. One day, our mother sat us down, picked up an envelope, pulled out a yellow legal sheet of a paper and read it. What I remember is that long yellow legal paper, the cursive on it, jumping around like it was Christmas, and two names: Andrea and Yolanda. It was a letter sent from my aunt Anita and Uncle Bobby telling us they were adopting Andrea and Yolanda, sisters. They had previously adopted their oldest daughter, Andrea (yes, two Andreas), and had fostered other children in the hopes of adopting. Those placements were not a fit. Now that I think about it, the excitement that letter brought was overwhelming. We could not wait to see them, meet them, and play with them. They were younger than me by one and two years, respectively, which was perfect. No not little brothers, but better sisters who enjoyed just being around, having fun, giggling, and all that stuff. 



Data from Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) for October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006 indicates that there were 129,000 (25%) children waiting to be adopted through public adoption. In America there are over 510,000 American children in foster care, taken away when their families are in crisis and can’t take care of them.

The following is directly from The National Network for Young People in Foster Care….
If nothing changes… by the year 2020:
  • 22,500 children will die of abuse or neglect, most before their fifth birthday
  • More than 10.5 million children will spend some time in foster care
  • More than 300,000 children will age out of our foster care system, some in poor health and many unprepared for success in higher education, technical college or the workforce
  • 75,000 former foster youth, who aged out of the system, will experience homelessness
  • Average time foster care children have been waiting to be adopted: 39.4 months

As an adoptive parent this statistic is overwhelming and calls me to act. November is National Adoption Month, for the month I will be blogging each day to bring attention to the cause of children in foster and adoptive placements, giving parenting tips, and sharing stories. 
How can you get involved? GREAT QUESTION!


1)      Consider becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent? There are children waiting for your heart and home to create a sense of belonging and stability.





2)     Share this blog with friends, family, and associates. You never know who is considering adoption. It may be your sharing that helps bring a family together!



3)     Donate through Clothing Our Children. Children in foster and adoptive placements are in need of the same things that other children may take for granted. We will be purchasing gift cards to be given to various foster and adoptive agencies to benefit the children! Will you donate for them?

This is absolutely an amazing time for me and has taught me to be thankful for the family I was born into and the one I have, and still am, creating.








Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Father's Day Message: For My Son

Earlier this year I wrote and posted this to Facebook:

With the impending Father's Day weekend, I thought about my son. And in thinking about him, it seemed relevant to consider my actions that support him in being a father of merit, honor, and substance. Please know that this is aimed at Mothers, Fathers, and those involved in the Lives of our young boys/men.

Really quick, if you do not know me, I adopted my son when he was three. Yes, I said, "I". It was a choice I made to become a single parent to this little boy. From the first time I saw him, I could not get him out of my mind. He was in a foster home which I visited, as social worker, on a monthly basis. Whenever I went to the home he would be so happy, but the opposite could be said when I would leave. At one point, his Grandma would have to pick him up so I could leave or he would block the door (he was 1 at the time). Eventually, I chose to take the steps to be responsible for his Life, forever. With that said, I knew that it was not going to be an easy task, so I looked for men who could support both me and him.

As a single mother, it is my job not to "baby" him, but instill in him values that will support him in being productive. At the age of 7, he asked me, "What does it take to be a man?" I am thankful that there is nothing in me that believes that I know what it is like to be a man. I responded by telling him that I do not know what it is like to be a man, gave him "my" thoughts, but told him to address that with my, then, boyfriend. This leads me to share with the single Mom's rearing boys: They are not our trophies, nor tools to be used against their father's to "get" something. Instead, they have been entrusted to us to mold into productive citizens. When their Life becomes an aside to what you want or can get their future is in jeopardy. What you sow into his heart, mind, being, and daily living will manifest. What are you sowing?

I chose to have him take on being responsible for what he could as early as possible for two reasons: 1) I'm not trying to be SuperMom and 2) build character and responsibility. My friends who have children his age, especially boys, are surprised at the things he does. I'm guessing because they never thought of it or as one of them said, "I don't trust him to do that!" Well, that is another Oprah Show or Sidney Note. Jamil has been sorting his clothes since 5, putting them in the wash since 6, and totally washing on his own since 7. He loads and unloads the dish washer, puts up groceries, cleans a mean bathroom, vacuums, sweeps, and mops. As the ability to be home by himself, if necessary. The Boy can cook a mean pot of Ramen noodles and add some fixins if need be, reads the back of a box to warm or cook things up, and calls when "somethin' just ain't right". It is not my intention to have a paralyzed grown man running around in society, not if I can help it. It takes starting young to develop a Man, it is a challenge to begin at 15.

From the day Jamil came to live with me I was on pins and needles. I want so much for him. I spend time thinking about "what's next?" for him to get where he wants to go. And I listed to my male friends to get their take on situations, how I can better be a Mother to this little guy, and gather their wisdom. If it were not for other men like Charles Collins (his Godfather), James Gray (my ex), Jerrald Gaskins (my brother), Lance Montford (my cousin), William Dallas (great friend), and Arneil Seedarnee (brother from another mother) I can only imagine where he and I would be. There are tons of men that I watch and take notes from to implement with Jamil. More likely than not, if you are tagged in this Note, I take a look at your actions vicariously and you contribute to how I am with him. Jamil is lucky, he has a host of people praying for, supporting, and interested in him becoming a man of substance. As his Mother I choose to open up the World to him giving him simple wisdom, sharing my challenges and triumphs, having conversations that make a difference for his Life, and listening to his dreams.

In my relationship with men, I've learned that it is my responsibility to model good choices in men who would be around him. And that he sees how a woman carries herself. For him to see arguing, fussing and foolishness contributes to what he thinks a relationship is about. You bring "Dude" around then, your son will emulate "Dude", bring "My Dawg" around you will see "My Dawg" in him, if you choose "A Gentleman" to be a part of your Life you will see "A Gentleman" emerge. It is that simple. You do reap what you sow.

My simple wisdom for him to be a man of substance:
- be aware of your actions and how they effect you and those around you.
- don't be ashamed to show emotions
- eat healthy!
- manners matter
- use your brain, reasoning is a great thing
- hygiene, you don't wanna be the stinky kid!
- looks do matter, a first impression says a lot
- live your dreams, they are yours
- you can own it if you want it
- never fear asking questions
- have a system for doing things, makes it easier
- never be around a girl who argues all the time and won't shut up - she'll cause you too much stress! (he got that!)
These are ones he remembered, I just asked him:
- have a clean house
- do your best in school so you don't have to drop out
- don't lie - it gets you into big trouble! (YAY! Now let's put it into practice!)

My simple wisdom for him has come from Life, but mostly a desire to celebrate him being a great man. If the only thing I ever contribute to this World is a Man of substance, merit, and honor, I will consider that to be a legacy worthy of my Life. He is not "mine", who he is contributes to the World.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Love Actually: Watch your Mouth

Let me begin by saying, I have never seen the movie "Love Actually". Okay?! With that out of the way, for the past two days it seems that the word "love" has come up in different conversations. What seemed to be a sacred word, now, seems to be one which is used for everything and anything. It has no real meaning anymore. All too often words are treated like old rags, used with no thought and thrown around with no care.

Words are all we have. They create the World around us, the World in which we live. For you to read and understand what you are reading words had to be used. Words shape everything. Words are all we have. When we use them without thought or consideration of their affect on others that alone creates a World of confusion. With the events of the past months, the death of Michael Jackson and the conversations (not connected to that), it just seems that we have lost the significance of the word "love". Heavens, people are sliding down walks because they "loved" Michael, a person they have never met. People say they "love" a certain ice cream, movie, car, house, color, China pattern, and so on. Are you kidding me? Love actually.


Love actually, is a choice. Love actually, is action. Love actually, is a relationship. Love actually, is a connection. See, from my vantage point, love is not a word to be used without thought. Not to be thrown about without clarity. Love is powerful. The word is powerful. In my World, the use of the word love is like holding a loaded gun, when you shoot it you cannot take it back. If it hits the target things are changed forever. In relationships, people too often do not look at what love really is, or confuse it for lust. Yes, lust. The fluttering of your heart, the sweaty palms, and the presence of pheromones are all physical responses that you do not have control over. That is where the mind can make a difference. Love actually.

The mind makes a huge difference because love is a choice. You do not "fall in love", if that is true please have the police start patrolling for these potholes and stuff people keep falling into. Maybe we need a whole division dedicated to that alone. Anyway, love actually is a gift you give someone else. When you care for someone and want to give them a great gift there is lot of thought that goes into that gift. You think about who they are, what they mean to you, their likes and dislikes, the thing that will make them smile, and then you consider the cost to you, what you can realistically afford to purchase, and then, make the purchase. Yes, it takes something to choose to love someone, but it should not be taken lightly. There are ways of being when you love. Love actually.

With all this said, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13, usually called the love chapter in the Bible. What I did may make mouths drop, but too bad. Instead of quoting the verse, I took the time to revamp it. Yes, revamp it. How? Simple, too often we speak of what something is not I just flipped it. Only verses 4-8(a) are a part of my translation. Love actually is:

Love is patient, love is kind. Love is confident and content, love is modest, love is humble. Love is polite and respectful, love is giving, love is calm, it allows for new starts. Love rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love prospers, grows, and produces.

With that in mind, the next time you choose to give the gift of your love think about it. The next time someone asks "do you love me?" think about it. The next time you get ready to use the word love, stop to think if that is what you really mean because it is a gift you give, not lightly, or without thought. I have learned to be careful with my words, they make a difference. I have learned to think before I speak, it brings clarity. And I've learned that love is special, not to be tossed about; at least not by me. Love actually.


Copyright © 2006-2009
Enterprising Life, LLC. All rights reserved.

LIFE IS FOR THE LIVING


Commemorate, Celebrate, Appreciate
Every time I think I want to write something about my Mother I put it off, change my mind, or figure there is no need. Not for a lack of love, but there is so much I could say, my mind starts to run in a million directions, and it just seems to take more energy than I want to exert to focus myself appropriately. What I realized is that all too often those times are all about me and not necessarily about sharing me with others or what can be offered from my sharing. So, with that said, I am focusing.


Today is October 20, 2009, which I have dubbed Family Day for my siblings and me. Who cares about October 20? What is so special about October 20? On October 20, 1945 our mother was born in Cleveland, Ohio, as a result we are family. She died on September 23, 2002 in Kalamazoo, Michigan with all three of her children by her side, in the same room, and ironically, it was a beautiful day. Needless to say that is a day we will not forget. I remember it as if it just happened. Following that day, life has not been the same. For months after it seemed as thought I were in a fog, haze, or even a storm from which I would never emerge.




Sitting in my car, preparing to pick up my son, I heard Pastor Joey Johnson on the radio. Hearing him changed my life and perception of grieving. Joey Johnson is the senior pastor at The House of the Lord in Akron, Ohio. That particular day he spoke about grieving, being free of the hurt, and dealing with the change loss can bring. At the end of the program you were given the opportunity to order the series and invited to join their grief recovery group. I did both, immediately. By then, I figured “life can’t get much worse than this” and made arrangements to be at every session. One particular session talked about having the ability to celebrate the life of someone who has died. And that is what I have chosen to do along with my siblings.



I choose to celebrate the fact that Carol Y. Wilkes lived and gave me life, that she shared herself with many people I will never meet yet she touched, that she showed me love, and left me a legacy of the same. And maybe most of all I have siblings with whom to celebrate love and life. So, her birthday is not a day of mourning, but a day to commemorate a life beginning, a life that brought about new lives. Her birthday is not a day of sorrow, but a day to celebrate her bright smile, laugh, heart, life, times spent, and the legacy she has left on earth. And her birthday has become a day for my siblings and I to appreciate each other because we have her in common and because we truly love that we are family. If it were not for her we would not be family. October 20th each year is Family Day among my siblings and me. It is the day we take a moment to call, text, or email to acknowledge each other as family.



For those who have someone who has died, you are still “stuck”, upset, and questioning. It is okay, wherever you are in your journey. Consider, commemorating the life of your loved one and making a celebration of love. Yet, I would be remiss if I did not share information for grief recovery. The Grief Recovery Institute® is based in California and trains people to conduct grief recovery groups. As a result of my experience, I went on to be certified as a specialist and assisted in the first group held in Cleveland, Ohio. 


Please take the time to look into the Personal Workshop and other offerings from The Grief Recovery Institute, if you find yourself, loved ones, friends, or associates dealing with grief (loss of job, finances, a loved one, health, etc.).

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Inside You: The Glow


Wisdom of The Last Dragon



In 1985, "The Last Dragon" came out and for me that was an automatic hit. My brother, who is 8 years my senior, was the keeper of the television and we often ended up watching Kung-Fu movies on Sundays. With that said, it seemed natural that Bruce Leroy would get our money, or should I say my Mother's change from around the house. With nothing but coins in my hands and my trusty cohort and sister, Jamila, with me I went to see that movie at the Plaza Theaters in Kent, Ohio on more than one occasion. As a matter of fact, the impetus for this note comes from watching the movie this morning.

Each one of us have an inner strength that we often do not tap into. See Leroy thought his power came from his Master and that he had to stay with him, continue to study, and then, he would have the "power". His Master knew that true power would not come until Leroy went out on his own to test his abilities, intincts, and knowledge for himself. Between the two of them the only one who believed that Leroy had the power was his Master. Knowing Leroy was full of fear, the Master, gives him a medallion and sends him off to look for another Master.

More often than not, others see the greatness inside of us before we do. Our fear holds us back from kicking the door open on the life we want to live. At the end of the story Leroy gets the infamous "glow" which shows up when he becomes confident in his ability to defeat Shonuff, the neighborhood bully. See you too have the ability to have what you want, it is a matter of playing a bigger game with your Life. When we stop the excuses, the reasonableness, procrastination, selfishness, secrecy, and egotistical behavior the World shows up magnificently. The glow is ease, freedom, comfort, boldness, confidence, and having all you want and need to have the life you have dreamed. Add whatever would work for you to have the Life you love those just happen to ones that come to mind for me.


A few years ago, a coach of mine, Wendy Y. Bailey and I were talking in a session and I told her that my greatest fear is all that I have said about myself is not true. That I am more fearful of what is inside than anything else. And that is the truth of most people. We are more afraid of ourselves than we are of others. We are truly great Beings who can accomplish feats of the miraculous and unexplainable at anytime. You and I are powerful in our being, speaking, and thinking. When I was sent the following quote I immediately saved it. And so I share it with the intention that you find inside you the Power to achieve all you desire... The Glow.


“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Marianne Williamson, from A Return to Love

I’m Not Judging, I’m Just Saying: Girl Please!



Last night I took the time to view 48 Hours on CBS. Let me start with this: I do not know the Anthony Family, was not around when Caylee was killed, and do not know who killed her. All that I have to say is straight forward, unadulterated, and purely my observations of one thing: 30 days without contact with a 3 year old. I have one thing to say to Casey Anthony, to not tell anyone your child is missing for 30 days…. GIRL PLEASE!

A childhood friend of mine commented on my Facebook post of information referring to this case. My comment is what the impetus for this posting:
I don't know if she did it or not, no one does except her and God. What I can say is that it all looks fiiiishy. You and I know that if our children are gone past the time we tell them to be home we are off the looking for them. The emotions you go through are usually as follows: 1) anger, "you should be home when you were told", 2) concern, "where... Read More is 'x'?" "did something happen? and then, 3) anxiety/panic, after 10-15 minutes and them not appearing you begin going into the worst place you can think. How could this Mom not call the police? Her mother had to cal AFTER 30 days. I SMELL AN OCEAN LINER FULL OF ROTTEN FISH!!


As the parent of a ten year old boy, I find it hard to allow him to run the neighborhood without knowing where he his going, with whom he will be playing, and when he will return. I remember one day, last year, in which he left the obligatory “within ear shot” range, had gone with friends to another street in the subdivision, and I just about lost it. I bought him a watch so he could come home at the appropriate time to check in. By the time I had to come out of the house, he was past that time, coupled with the fact that he was not in “ear shot” of me yelling for him, you have the perfect storm for my mind to run wild. Stepping off of the front porch, I took a breathe, attempted to gather my thoughts about where he might be, with whom may have been, and then, began my search. An avalanche of thoughts hit me at one point: what did he have one from head to toe? Where did he say he was going? What is the most likely place he could have been? After looking for him for all of 2-3 minutes I returned to the house and about 30 seconds after I got in, he bounced into the house. Relieved, I found myself overcome by anger, frustration, and anxiety because he had no idea how worried I had become in the matter of 10-15 minutes.


For the parent of a 3 year old to wait 30 days seems to be so out of line it boggles my mind. My son was playing with friends in our neighborhood and did not report in on time and I almost had a coronary. I did not go back in the house to call friends and plan a night out. Why? Motherly instinct kicked in and my worry about his well-being would not let me do anything but be concerned for him. How you have a 3 year old child missing for more than 5 minutes and not go into panic is beyond me. How you have a 3 year old missing for 12 minutes and not call authorities, is beyond me. How you have a 3 year old “held” by a nanny, and not call authorities is beyond me? And how you are not the person who calls the authorities about your missing child is a smelly situation all together. George and Cindy Anthony, Casey’s parents, have some soul searching to do. There is no place in my mind that I can go which would allow me to make excuses for a child of mine to go 30 days without knowing the location their child. It is not normal.




The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has been in the business of looking for children for 25 years. On their website, they have resources for parents and guardians which in includes what to do if your child is missing. Not surprising to this writer, is that the following is prominent on the page telling people what to do if their child is missing. You might be surprised and surely Casey would be to, but here it is: “ACT IMMEDIATELY if you believe that your child is missing.”  Each day an average of 2,185 children are reported missing which equates to 797,500 children under the age of 18 per year. The Statistics break down like this according to the US Deartment of Justice in 2002:
  • 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.
  • 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
  • 58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
  • 115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)
[Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. U.S. Department of Justice. "National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview" in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.]
 In this information age, there is no reason for inaction on the part of any person charged with the care of a child. Just in case, there is someone who does not have information on what to do I would be derelict in my duty as a parent and child advocate, if I did not share the following information:


What to Do:
  • If your child is missing from home, search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances, and inside vehicles, including trunks—wherever a child may crawl or hide.
  • If you still cannot find your child, immediately call your local law enforcement agency.
  • If your child disappears in a store, notify the store manager or security office. Then immediately call your local law-enforcement agency. Many stores have a Code Adam plan of action— if a child is missing in the store, employees immediately mobilize to look for the missing child.
  • When you call law enforcement, provide your child's name, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.
  • Request that your child's name and identifying information be immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
  • After you have reported your child missing to law enforcement, call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on our toll-free telephone number: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Or you can use our Live Hotline to talk to NCMEC through our web site.
Adapted from Just in Case...Missing. Copyright© 1985 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). All rights reserved.


Children are the most defenseless beings on the face of this earth, which is my opinion. As an adoptive parent, former social worker, and advocate for children this case begs the question, “Who is caring for the least of them?” In the case of Caylee Anthony, from my view, it was not her mother. With all the excuses and stories she has told, all I can say to her is “Girl please!”

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Wealth of Southfork

7 Things No One Told Me About Wealth

Throughout my life I have seen wealth in certain ways. I loved watching Falcon Crest and Dallas, now that was wealth. OF the two my favorite was Dallas. Who did not want to live at South Fork? South Fork was this 200 acre lusciously green piece of land with horse stables situated on the property. The home itself boasted 4,769 sq. ft., a classic staircase, gorgeous rooms, a pool, and a dramatic foyer. That had to be “the Life.” Not to mention, the money. Oil, oil, everywhere means money. At my tender age, all of that looked like wealth. And I believed it. Southfork represented wealth, but wealth is not all it is cracked up to be. Wealth is not horses, 200 acres, 4,769 sq. ft. of house, a classic staircase, and all the aforementioned things. In fact, it is elusive. It can be smoke and mirrors.

You may know that Southfork is real place situated in Plano, Texas. Few people know that the Southfork we think of was originally called Duncan Acres and it was the second home of the Ewing family. The original home of the Ewings was the Box Ranch. Did you know that the interior views we all saw were from the Swiss House, which included my favorite staircase? The Swiss House interior became a part of the new set in Studio City, California. None of that stuff was real. Not even the wealth. The idea of wealth is elusive. It can be smoke and mirrors, if you let it. Remember all the relationships gone awry, the fights, adultery, backbiting, and money grubbing? Is that wealth? If so, I do not want anything to do with it.

No one sat me down to share the definition of wealth. Over the years, my definition has transformed from strictly money to a broader definition. Thank goodness for the opportunity to transform my definition, but there are 7 things no one told me about wealth which should not be missed by anyone.

1. Wealth is Not What You Have Been Told. According to the American Heritage Dictionary the wealth can be defined as, “an abundance of valuable material possessions or resources.” What do you value, possess, and have as a resource. That is your wealth.

2. Be Careful What You Do. Your career is a source of wealth whether you like it or not. No matter where you are when it comes to your career or job, it is a resource for something else. Do you like your work? Is it a place where you can grow? Remember your career or job is a resource for something.

3. Almighty Dollar is Not the Whole Picture of Wealth. Of course, money is a part of wealth. It is a resource, if used correctly. Are you free of anxiety or worry around money? Can you do what you want and do the things that are important to you? Money is a resource for something too.

4. Fun in the Sun Make a Difference. Regardless of what you think a part of wealth is the ability to have fun. Activities have a way of renewing your spirit, reminding us of how free life can be, and resetting our compass. Do you make enough time for yourself and other people in your life? Fun is a resource for something too.

5. Eat Your Veggies. Too often we forget about our health and well-being. Unfortunately they are inexplicably tied together. You cannot have well-being without health or vise versa. If I might be so bold as to say that without your health or well-being nothing else is possible nor matters. How do you work, spend time with friends, etc. without it? Your health and well-being are a resource for something too.

6. Personal Growth is Not Just Praying. No one person has the answer of how you should grow or develop through life, however you can continue to push yourself beyond what you already know about who you are in many ways. That might be through spiritual development, activities that expand your limits, or engaging in conversation that challenge your current beliefs. No matter what you think now, personal growth is a resource for something too.

7. That Someone Else Can Truly Be Significant. Uh, oh! Last but not least, is the “significant other” conversation. No, I do not advocate running out to find yourself someone just for the heck of it. Being in an intimate relationship takes something which many people do not want to offer. It takes being vulnerable, free of past resentments, willing to love, and to share the inquiry of life with someone who may not always agree with you. It expands you in ways you may never expand. Relationships are a resource for something too.

Defining wealth in the modern age, has been a matter of splitting hairs or even expanding the definition. If you are running after 6 figures in your bank account you may miss out on the wealth all around you. If you are only taking in the wealth all around you like relationships, fun, and food, but missing the payments that will allow you to be secure in your life, you too are missing out on wealth. It is a balance that can be achieved by taking the time to assess where you are in all areas of life then taking action to develop them. You can start your journey here by taking the Personal Assessment and completing the Financial Fitness Assessment. You can build wealth in your life beginning today.