The push, the pull…the unseen force that threatens to destroy the will of the person
who has done everything in their power
to avoid that choice which they can not, or will not, give into

The mental strain continues until the system overloads
and weakness takes control, for the barest sliver of a moment;
long enough for that decision which has successfully been avoided; until that moment, becomes accomplished!

So what was achieved in the end?
Acceptance of the fact that; what had previously been avoided,
could have been accomplished sooner;  averting the stress of it all…but, would that be in their best interest?

What was the struggle all about; why was it so important to resist, if you eventually gave in anyway?
that is the lesson…hidden in between the push and the pull
A rough gem of knowledge, polished bright by the friction

knowledge which will allow you to understand what will
be revealed to you in another life lesson moment… at a future date;                                                                                                        it will become an opportunity for in-depth growth once you understand the layers of the lesson

Was the avoided topic destructive to you or another? Why was the pull so strong? Was the experience beneficial in the end? Why did you resist it and push against the experience from the beginning? Could the choice be unhealthy or unsafe for you, or another person? Are you capable of making good choices without guidance or professional help?

Use that knowledge to grow and positively affect others…
that is the real reason you suffered in the process;
so that you would remember; and, not waste all that was gained in the struggle.

So, what are you avoiding and why; have you begun to figure it out?

       Getting a mentor or an instructor who’s teaching style matches up with your learning style is important to maximizing the instruction.  I love learning in a relaxed setting. 

         It is hard not to feel intimidated when you are trying to absorb information all at once from someone who is treating you with a superior attitude or in a demeaning way.  My mentor doesn’t do that.   As an adult, I realize that not everyone has access to a coach, mentor, or instructor who is as great as mine is…however, if what you are wanting to learn is important enough to you…you will make an effort to find someone who makes you feel safe enough to make mistakes while you learn; knowing that you will not be made to feel stupid while you learn it.

       That is important.  Life is interesting and there are so many things to do and learn.  Be adverturous and explore…find someone who loves teaching, to learn from.  You will not be disappointed.  Remember, if you are ever in the position of doing the teaching…take the time to make sure that those who are in the position of learning…actually do so, while feeling good about the process!

        Kudos to my coach and mentor Dixie Brown of Lay Off Your Boss Marketing.    I am an affiliate for them because I believe in what they teach and how they teach it.  If you are interested in learning how to market online or to becoming an affiliate marketer in any niche online…then Jeff Wellman, Dixie Brown, Paul Counts are the people you need to learn from.   Right at the moment, Dixie has a great video training for *Free* on turning your PLR products into CASH -  http://bit.ly/315R1m  Take advantage of her great teaching abilities and you too will know what value she adds to the Lay Off Your Boss Marketing Team and to those who wish to learn to making money online!

            However, for those that do spend….they are quickly overwhelmed when they discover the amount of new skills and knowledge that they must acquire before they can even begin to make lots money…not to mention the discouragement that sets in when they realize how long it will be before they learn enough to make that huge investment of money back.  It just isn’t practical to spend thousands and wait 12 months to 2 years to learn enough knowledge and skills to make your money back.  Marketing is a system for selling products or services; and, because it is a system…that means there are many components. 

          What if you could learn some of the techniques that would bring in enough money to pay an extra bill or two a month?  Would that be a benefit to you?  I am sure that it would.  Rapid Cash doesn’t promise to make you millions or guarantee that you will be driving a new car in a week…that is foolishness.  On the other hand, Rapid Cash can add enough cash to your pocket to help take some of the pressure off the average person’s monthly struggles http://tinyurl.com/djr2a7 . 

       You see, what alot of those big named gurus and their programs promise you is unrealistic when you think about it.  In their sales pages and videos…they are flaunting their cars, their mansions and piles of money.  Yes it is possible to acquire those things; however, what they often don’t tell you is that it has taken them years and tons of money to learn how to earn the kind of skills and knowledge needed to make that happen.  It does not happen overnight like that for the average person.  It takes alot of work…and a whole lot of expert help to get to that level. 

          People are often manipulated by those ads to believe that they can achieve that level of success quickly.  Realistically, learning is a process and everyone has to start somewhere.  I am an affiliate for Rapid Cash Marketing.  http://tinyurl.com/djr2a7   They teach you how to use skills and knowledge to earn extra money while you learn those other things about making money online, learning a proven, in- depth internet marketing system that can lead to a higher level of internet marketing success. 

       There is a team of coaches who are there to teach you how to pick up extra cash to supplement your income with skills that you may already have or can quickly develop.   They are knowledgable in many areas and use these skills themselves to earn money online.    Do you have digital photo experience, interviewing skills, graphic arts skills, writing skills, direct marketing skills, writing sales letters, video skills,  voice over abilities, editing skills, etc?  The list goes on…but, if you could learn how to use those skills in an effective way to earn enough money to take the edge off of your present financial situation it would be a blessing right?  

          If you are willing to learn and willing to take action towards achieving some financial success online then check out this link:  http://tinyurl.com/djr2a7   Yes, I will get a financial reward if you were to purchase…but, if their program improved your finances; then, I think you would thank me anyway!   I think you will see the wisdom in investing a small amount of money that will quickly repay your investment if you put in the effort to do what the successful internet marketers Jeff Wellman, Dixie Brown, and Paul Counts instruct you to do. 

             If you are blessed…give thanks to God above…and do what he calls us to do; Deuteronomy 15 vs 11 says “There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor & needy in your land”.    People who struggle financially do so for a variety of reasons…many of them are not at fault for their situation.  Don’t judge.  If you are blessed and have enough, or more than enough….you must respond to your hearts prompting.  Give…give generously and without strings.  Do it with sensitivity and in such a way as to honor their dignity.  It is hard to accept help from others.

          You can give money, you can give time, you can give produce…you can give your skills, knowledge or talent to improve the situation of others.  Did you know that many children are getting fed at school because they have so little at home?  They are on food programs at school…but what about weekends?  There is no school on weekends…are those children getting enough to eat during that time?  Many are not.  Feeding America, formerly known as Second Harvest, has a program that provides backpacks of food for children on weekends.  For every $1 donated…it provides $14 worth of food.  http://bit.ly/2YzhwU

            The children aren’t the only ones going without the basic healthy items they need to eat a well balanced diet.  Families are spread all over the country.  Many don’t live near their elderly parents and therefore, they don’t know their true financial situations.   Pride keeps many elderly people from sharing their difficulties.  They would rather go without than share with others the fact that they do not have enough to eat.  This is unacceptable in America where we have the means to feed our children, our poor and our elderly members of society; if we all do our part to fill the gap.

            Talk to your local food bank or Commision on Aging about helping out the elderly in your community.  If you have enough to eat, why shouldn’t they?  There is always a need.   You can help fill it…making a positive impact on those around you.  What does your heart tell you to do?  Please support and donate to these organization to uplift people.  You just never know how this will impact their lives or your own! Thanks! 

      I can see how you were able to manuever and avoid some of those obstacles; and yet, from where I watch, I can see that there are places on this river where you will not be able to avoid the debris.  It is obvious that you will be slammed into the rocks in some places, there are deep waters up ahead; there are places where the water moves so fast that it tumbles over the waterfall with a suddeness that takes my breath away.  You took no precautions, will you survive the fall?

      It would have served no purpose to have shouted warnings to you, of the dangers up ahead, when you stepped into the smooth, calm waters on your entry into the river of life; for you would not have heeded the warning.  You could not see those dangers for yourself from where the journey began.  The joy of the water surrounded you with a false sense of security and peace. You looked so happy; enjoying the ride.   You thought you were in control of the journey.  Yet, who controls the will of the river?  No one has the power to control it except God who made the river.  The challenges were to come along the way.  They could not be avoided forever; it is the way of life for us all.   

         The frequent traveler who chooses the same path, over and over again, learns much and can be a guide; yet, by spending all of their time guiding others, the guide risks missing out on new life experiences of their own.  So we must understand that life has it’s hurts…and, if a person does not risk the occasional bump or bruise, they will miss much of the joy of the journey.  For it is in traveling the river of life where we gain knowledge, experience, and a connection to the world and those around us.   I decide to no longer just observe…I want to have an exciting adventure of my own.

       The waters may be deep, there could be rapids, there are rocks and debris for each one of us.  However, there is also an appreciation for the beauty of the scenery as we travel, the people that we meet and bond with, the thrill of the experience as we take in the challenge and the risks.  Living in fear paralyzes and prevents many from experiencing all that life has to offer.   Trusting in God, the Creator of the universe, is a lifelong learning lesson.  Really, when you think about it, what do you control?

        I need to fear less and risk more.   I am not in control of what happens in all areas of life.  You need to risk less and recognize that fear is a tool that can help prevent avoidable, foolish risks.  For you are not in control of all areas of life either.  By sharing and connecting with one another, understanding that ultimately God is the only one in control; we will take more from the river experiences and live more fully; appreciating the journey and the scenery along the way.  Life is short…let’s not waste any of it!

         I have a suggestion…after you have abused all of your willing friends and neighbors by giving away as much extra produce that you can…why not consider donating to your local food pantry or food banks, local commission/council on aging, or department of social services?  If you can’t keep up with the canning/freezing/or giving away…please do NOT let it go to waste.  Not everyone has the room or the ability to garden.  Fresh fruits and vegetables is important for health and well-being.  Many folks are having to get a big portion of their groceries from a food stamps program, a food pantry/food bank, or a commodities program.  Getting enough food to “save up or preserve” for winter isn’t always an option. 

        Due to financial situations, many elderly who live alone, and many families, will do without having access to healthy fresh fruits and vegetables because they can’t afford to purchase it.  Giving to those who are in need is a great way to give back to your community and to share the blessings that you may have been blessed with.

         I have a great friend who goes by the name of Mother Connie on Twitter (@Motherconnie).  She started up a wonderful blog to HELP people learn how to make healthy and delicious meals; with the food items that they get from a food pantry/food stamps, or commodities program.  I would like to ask you to remember during this season of harvesting that others would love to be blessed with your extras.  Please donate to your local communities pantry or program in the name of,  The Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  Then leave them the information to give to their clients about how to go to her site and get some great tips/recipes.   The website address is: http://foodstampscookingclub.com/blog/ . 

          Drop in and say hi to Mother Connie; it would make her day, and her night, to know that she was able to help someone out by getting something that they didn’t know what to do with from the food pantry.  She is a fountain of knowledge and she isn’t stingy with her help!  Tell her Rainy sent you!  She will make you feel right at home.  Blessings!!!

          People are being influenced daily by where they go and what they purchase online by these powerful effects.   It is a digital form of word- of -mouth.  It appears that the negative opinions regarding the Bruno movie… which is based on it’s gay theme of an Austrian television host, may have prevented this movie from having a repeat of it’s opening day’s financial success.   It may or may not be true, that online word of mouth prevented many people from viewing scenes that many have alleged are pornographic in nature; but, many voiced their negative comments in multi-media outlets after seeing it; including Barbara Walters who said on her show, The View, that she believes parents should keep young kids away from this movie because of the up close shots of genitals and scenes of  vividly descriptive anal sex.  However, as long as people perceive the Twitter effect as being true…it will gain in it’s ability to influence people’s behaviors.

          The ways that Twitter is being used is still in its infancy.  People are exploring the limits, the rules, the regulations, the benefits, the profitability, and the power of  Twitter.  I think you are going to see Twitter explode.  There are scoffers…mainly people who have tried to use it strictly for business purposes of direct marketing.  That doesn’t appear to be effective.  Most Twitter users are people who are connecting in a social way and for a variety of reasons.   For the most part, Twitter streams are not targeted markets, so that limits a plan to heavily promote tweets intended to make massive amounts of money.  Many hope to benefit financially in a linear kind of way…but, often people are offended and distrustful when approached in an unsophisticated business model, by people who approach them with an in-your-face, door-to-door kind of way.

         True influence is going to come by the power of recommendation or rejection.  This is done by planting seeds of approval or discontent by a peer-to-peer approach.  Big business is going to learn to hire people who will annoymously plant seeds of recommendation.  That is different than an affiliate kind of way of putting out an affiliate link which will directly connect them to a business or product.  Others, realizing the power of recommendation marketing are demanding transparency when a recommendation is underwritten by financial gain by the person doing the recommending.

          Anyone who knows anything about gardening knows that you must plan, prepare, nuture and then harvest your produce.  Part of the planning is strategy, preparing means that you need to evaluate what is needed that will allow the business person or individual or organization to achieve their goals of influence and success.  Planning what kind of seeds to plant and when to plant them is part of that planning and preparation.  Nurturing those seeds of recommendation or influence will require many things including large numbers of “seeds- or people sending out tweets”.  It will require a little psychology, a lot of personal relationships built on trust and responsibility and an awareness of when too much is too much and when there is not enough “seeding” going on. 

         The reason for that awareness is that Twitter is a volunteer thing.  Every person has the right of choice whether to follow another Twitterer back; that is crucial for a two way relationship.  If someone is offended, spammed, intruded on or direspected…they will delete or block that person from their Twitter stream.  This will end the influence or the harvest of the desired effect of the Twitter user’s “seeds of influence”.  It is all evolving as you read this. 

          Lest not forget…gardening can be destroyed by pests.  Pests in a real live garden come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  Conditions can destroy a garden as well.  A productive garden takes all of this into consideration.  Pests online are those who have destruction in mind….those who spam or who try to destroy by hacking into accounts to steal data to be used later for financial gain.  Twitter and other online means of social networking are trying valiantly to curb such pests.   As far as conditions go, some of those can be controlled and some cannot.  The most powerful conditions that you can control as a Twitter user are respect, responsibility, trust, honesty and authenticity.  A fake person or one who operates without those conditions quickly becomes powerless and blocked!  So grow your “gardens” with care so that your harvest of influence is based on the good things that all relationships need to be healthy.  Be very careful about the fertilizer you use because it can come back to “burn” you!

     In years past, families lived in a multi-generational home or environment.  People at different stages of life who could teach and role model life experiences to the younger generation.  That doesn’t happen for many people growing up today.  Often, youth are left to raise themselves because of cultural changes that force both parents to work outside of the home during their children’s most formative years.  They dont get the nurturing or encouragement for positive emotional and educational growth that they need; when they need it.  Instead, they often grow up without much experience with success because there isn’t a go to person on a daily basis to follow up with their scholastic challenges or social interactions.

       Working with the youth of today, it never fails to amaze me at their low levels of expectations of success.  They have hopes and dreams like everyone else; and yet, they do not believe in their ability to make those hopes and dreams come true.  Many of them are failing their classes in school; others do not have the emotional, physical, or financial support of their families.  Some don’t expect more out of life than to get a minimum wage job and some place to live.  They are discouraged, distrustful, and frustrated; in other words, they are feeling defeated even before they attempt something new.

         Finding an attitude of overcoming obstacles appears to overwhelm or paralyze many youth.  When talking to a young person that is on track and appears to have set some goals, as well as having a plan to achieve their goals; it is exciting.  That is  because they appear to know how to channel opportunities, resources, experiences, and support, to help them reach their goals.

         People would do well to remember that the youth of today are our leaders tomorrow.  They are worth an investment of our time, our energy, and our resources.  Please, find someone who can use a little encouragement and support; and be a mentor, be a friend, or become a role model that they can look up to.  You won’t regret it, they will  benefit from a little focussed, positive energy coming their way.  You will also benefit from the experience, because it helps you to view life and experiences from a different point of view…one of a compassionate nature.  You can pay it forward from someone in your past who took the time to teach you how to build up your self esteem, your knowledge, and maybe even a career/educational pathway.   How can you help?

        Get involved with the youth in a local church, agency, charity, non-profit, or organization.   Offer up an opportunity to share some of your skills, education, or financial resources to those with a solid track record of community involvement.  You know you have something of value to offer…even if it is just your time…go ahead…what are you waiting for?

         Try some of these organizations on for size:  

http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1539751/k.BDB6/Home.htm,

 http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/int/default.aspx   ,    

http://www.specialolympics.org/,

http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/state.asp,

http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm

       I think that many people believe that they have no right or no responsibility to actively influence others.  Many people believe in the old saying live and let live; but, if you have a strong belief in something, or you have information that can affect the lives of others…then, i say to you, that you have a responsibility to share it.  Of course, there are many ways to impact or influence other people…you can do this by both your words and your actions, or inaction ( the things that you do not become involved with).

         With the power of the internet, your circle of influence has greatly affected the amount of people that your circle of influence involves…it also gives you opportunities to reach and affect many other people that you would otherwise never have an opportunity to communicate with.  Think for a moment about all of the life experiences that you have…certainly, someone …somewhere could benefit from your knowlege, your past experiences, your connections, your questions, or perhaps your relationships with others. 

         There are forums, websites, blogs, news programs, teleseminars, webinars, social network sites….etc.  There has never been a time where more opportunities present themselves to grow, learn and share with one another.  What do you know…or wish to know that could expand your circle of influence today?  How has your life been changed by the idea of the circle of influence…maybe on a list, Twitter, a blog, video presentation, job, educational situation, a religious environment, a neighborhood…whether it be physical or virtual (online)?  Has someone impacted your life with their circle of influence?     How do you plan to use your voice to change the world around you; or do you disagree about the responsibility of having a circle of influence?

       Everyone of us has gifts, talents, finances, possessions, strengths, knowledge or time that we could share with others.  What I love to celebrate and learn about are those who share those blessings with others without thought or expectation of getting something back from that experience of sharing.

        Our society is going through some amazingly challenging times…people are struggling.  We need to be aware of others around us who are in need…those who could use a little pick me up.  It could be a kind word, a nice deed, financial gift, or it could be a sharing of knowledge that could bring a positive change to another.   There is a spiritual attitude that I love, it says this: “Those to whom much is given, much is expected in return”.  I call that an attitude of grattitude; being thankful for all that you have been blessed with and a willingness to share it with others!   I challenge you to find some way to bless others in your daily life.   Consider this a compassionate call to action…what can you give to others with no strings attached?