Category: Self improvement

Self improvement

Debt snowball power

Dave Ramsey talks about the debt snowball on his programs all the time. It is easy in the course of life to think that you are somehow different or special in your circumstance and I have done this. But I have learned that using the debt snowball strategy of targeting bills from smallest to largest works. When you focus your resources and look your financial issues square in the face you can make headway and win with money as Dave says. I use two spreadsheets including Ramsey Solutions Every Dollar app and my own Excel spreadsheet and they have helped me focus my money on my goals. I recommend two things to help you develop a financial game plan. 1. Listen to the Dave Ramsey Show on podcast or the radio when you can for motivation. 2. Take some time to study and plan your budget regularly with a tool or two.

Opinion, Self improvement

Deport Isabel?

Maria Isabel Bueso is a young lady who has helped American doctors develop a treatment for a rare disease. Isabel came to America in response to a request from American doctors to study a treatment for a rare disease that affects American citizens. The current administration sent a letter to Isabel saying that she had to leave within the next few weeks which is a death sentence for her because she receives weekly treatments. Will this young lady receive a death sentence because the current administration wants to demonize immigrants? What happens to Isabel will be a judgement on America as we know it. I hope all citizens will rise to defend decency and the golden rule that so many of us live by, and believe in.

Opinion, Review, Self improvement

Great podcasts that I recommend

There is a lot of growth in the podcast business and I want to share three essential programs that promote living well and enjoying liberty: 1. The Jocko Podcast is a great listen that reviews books and stories of military veterans and relates them to leadership and living well. Sound difficult? Host Jocko Willink with producer Echo Charles weave career, fitness, and lifestyle with military history and strategy for an entertaining, insightful, and funny show. To quote Jocko – “Discipline = Freedom”. 2. Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell is entertaining while teaching you a truth you did not know existed, but should. This is an excellent podcast. 3. The Dave Ramsey Show is great while being straight to the point about money and life – get out of debt, stay out of debt, and enjoy financial freedom. The stories are all different, but the road to better living is the same; get discipline, and lose debt.

Self improvement

Vacation in the USA

America is great because we are able to pursue happiness. Thanks to so many patriots and heroes who came before us we can celebrate our lives, and the time that we have. Vacation is a time to focus on what is most important in our lives time with those we care about doing things we enjoy. Vacation – Enjoy your time.

Self improvement

Police accountability is a good thing

I think that body cameras help good police officers on the whole. There are always two sides to a story, and we send police into dangerous situations that would stress the strongest minded person over time. I agree with the idea of when in doubt trust the cop, but I know that people are not infallible. When mistakes or worse happen we all win with greater access to facts. Police officers have awesome power and massive responsibility; they deserve the resources to do the job right, our respect, and almost always our thanks.

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder – Mark Twain on Life and Fear

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Mark Twain

I am not sure that I agree with Mark Twain about anyone being prepared to die at any time, but I certainly think he knows more about living fully than I do. Death for the living is an abstract concept. The living only know that death is a final exit from the lives that we know. I do understand the first part of the statement. Life is where the pain that we understand is, and we all know that life with illness or trauma can be extremely painful. So I guess if we are totally engaged with life (living fully) we understand that the end can come at any time…and maybe this is as prepared for death as we can be.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to Ponder from Goethe

To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This quote provokes many questions and thoughts about the nature of discipline and translating thoughts into action. You have to first assume about this quote that Goethe is not referring to negative or evil thinking. Obviously it is wonderful that we do not act on our lowest thoughts. Goethe is likely referring to our highest thinking and ideas for ourselves and others and why we so often fail to follow up. Part of the quote’s genesis could be concern about fear or social pressure (hardest thing…act in accordance with your thinking) as well as individual weakness. What do you think?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to Ponder – “Communication creates Clarity” – unknown

The words or quote “Communication creates Clarity” came to me as I listened to a Jocko Podcast. I imagine that someone has uttered these words at some point in the past, but I don’t know who. In his book “Extreme Ownership”, and on his podcast Jocko Willink talks a lot about the importance of communication amongst human beings who are trying to achieve a goal. My experience is that this is very true. If we can focus and understand the desired outcome of our efforts; we can synthesize our behaviors to achieve them. Distractions come in all forms and we struggle with our individual egos and perceptions as we go through life, but if we can see benefit for ourselves and others we can not just cooperate, but create synergy. The Bible says without a vision the people perish. Maybe the vision is the clarity that we seek in life.

Opinion, Self improvement

How hard is it to get to Mueller Time?

We will get a redacted report tomorrow, but what will it say, and what will be left out? Only time will tell. We know that the USA was attacked by Russia and the President does not seem concerned. His campaign made efforts to get information from Russian sources. Many of us have seen what look like efforts to block the truth from coming out in our media. We live in interesting times. Let’s hope the truth comes out and ultimately makes free citizens stronger in America.