Resources...

Resources.  What are resources?  Where do they come from?  What can they provide?  What need can they meet?  Which one or one's are currently most needed in your life?  Which types of resources are most helpful?  Which one's are most important?  Which one's are most important to you?  Have you thought about these questions? 

Today, resources seem more and more valuable.  Money, gas, food, clothing, commodities, all important in some way or form for mainstream life.  To those without them, they can be more valuable than in "normal" circumstances.  How we view our resources is just as if not more important than how we utilize them.  Being a good steward with our resources is very important.  If you have plenty of them, it seems less important, but, to those without them, or in need of them, it can change many things.  Things such as your attitude, your stress level, your health, your entire life outlook, how people view you, how you view yourself, and so on.  Whether you have plenty of them, or are in need of the most basic resources, think about how you view them, come up with a system & or plan on how to use them wisely, and the short & long term impact that can be had from that system or plan.  If you aren't a person who is typically organized, find someone who is, ask them to help you.  If you are, make the time to make a plan for this thought.  As I am a person who likes to try to be organized and detailed I'll post examples in the future.  I've managed to figure out how to live off of minimal expenses.  I've had times in my life where I've been blessed with resources, and times where I've had none.  I've come to this conclusion:  If I'm going to have these ups and downs in my life and my income, I'm going to live/plan as if I'm receiving a minimal income, and be a better steward of my resources.  If I would've done better of that in my past, I wouldn't know how it feels to be homeless, hungry, etc.  If you're unable to increase your resources, reduce your expenses.  Think need, not want.  If you're already doing that, and especially for those that don't have or haven't had any or at least many resources or upside swing to their lives financially, you know this all to well.  Just keep being persistent in searching for ways to increase income/resources, and see what other resources are available to help you transition to the next step of self sufficiency.  There are many agencies out there, per county, per city, etc. that are in existence for the purpose of helping people find resources, find temporary assistance for food, housing, clothing, employment staffing leads, assistance for those with disabilities or unable to work, etc.  Every scenario that can exist that has a dilemma, there is also a solution.  Granted, some scenarios are more dire than others, some of those seasons last longer than others, and some seem more hopeless than others, but, none of them are without ways to find some type of resource(s) to help at least one part of your current scenario to help you transition along to a better situation.  Don't forget, one of your most valuable resources is you.  If you truly sit and think about what all positives you have to offer yourself, you'll think of ways to get yourself to the other additional resources you need to get through your circumstance.  For those of you that have a surplus of resources, I still urge you to become more self sufficient, evaluate your resources, reduce your expenses to a minimum, increase your savings, tithe, & share your resources, whether that be your time, your donations, your money, etc.  You can make an impact, and you matter in helping with other people's hope and circumstances.  We're all a circumstance away from being in a scenario we could never imagine.  


As I continue to add resources (links, etc.) please share them & this site with your friends, family, and those you think may benefit from them.  I hope this helps. 

The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) - "Alone Without You"

Persistence & patience pays off...

Well, here I am, now 4 months after losing my employment after I was injured and let go and forced to leave the housing that was also provided as a part of employment.  Thankfully to persistence & patience and being able to find a place to live, due to there being a place with compassion, I found housing, and after searching vigorously for new employment ( approximately 72 applications...with not so much as a phone call back ), I now am able to have employment.  Yet again, revolving around the fact that the employer has been compassionate and considerate for my limitations due to my injury.  Not only that, but, I'm able to help people in need with my employment...what a blessing.  I will not sit here and tell you that I wasn't ready to throw in the towel, call it quits, walk away, and state my frustration with those closest to me, to vent to them and to my Lord about my circumstances.  As I did in fact that, vent to all previously named, praying, hoping, needing something to change, something to come along, someone to give me a chance.  While this of course did not happen in the time frame that I would have liked, it has since proven, yet again in my life, that, persistence is important, but, not without patience, and timing, isn't always what we'd like, but, one of the most important things to remember is to not give up.  Don't give up, don't give in, keep pushing forward, keep praying, keep hoping, keep searching, keep looking, just keep going.  I know this may not sound profound, nor be an "answer" to any particular question or prayer, but, it is what I currently have to offer.  As I continue to journal from my experience and my journey I will add more links & resources as well as any insight I may be able to add.   I have added some today (10/14/10) that include some great resources, income possibilities, etc.  I hope this helps. 

First Blog to explain a little more about what this is about...

First of all, the photo....  of the dog on this blog page...  that's Charlie....   he's my dog, my friend, my faithful companion....  that picture is a reminder of the 2 days I was virtually "houseless".  while he & I were staying in a hotel room, paid for on borrowed money..  Hoping, and praying we'd be able to find housing that I could afford or qualify for, as I had no more money.  You see, I'd fallen victim to the game so many Americans fall victim to every day.  The "I got injured legitimately on the job, they then laid me off and tried to not take care of me from there" game.  Now, I am pretty resilient if I do say so myself, so, I did some "homework" and searched the web, and searched the web, and made calls, and made calls, etc.  I came upon a place that allowed me, and even "updated" the policies to allow for Charlie to come with me and for us to have a place to stay, while I healed, found employment, and got back on my feet.  So, here I am, about 2 and a half months in, and Charlie & I are now finally settled into the little transitional housing apartment and I've been searching profusely for employment.  Granted, I am limited to what I can apply for, as I am still healing from my injury, and thus far, after many a search and many an application for several several jobs, I've got nothing.  But, I press on....  continuing to search, and apply for anything resembling legit employment, in retail, food, sales, etc.  Anything but what I want to really do, which is to help/serve others, as all of those jobs don't have an opening in this area in what I'm currently qualified for....  sure, there's volunteer positions galore, but, until I'm independently wealthy, that won't exactly pay the bills...   So, again I press on, search on, and try my best to move on... but, not without trying to do some good for others, hopefully through this blog and the information I start to put on it and talk about with the experience I've gained in all my battles including the most recent/current one of course and with all my experience in searching for places of employment with Outreach organizations as well as opportunities to serve and assist others.  Thanks a lot, I hope this helps.