“I am sure of nothing so little as my own intentions.” ~ George Byron

Do you have good instincts? Are you a good judge of character?

Can you tell if someone is genuinely sincere versus doing or saying anything at that time to appease you?

Wherever there is human interaction, arguments don’t seem to be that far away. There are situations which cause one to be mad, angry and upset with the other person. And, that all stems from whatever was said or done directly or indirectly to them. It matters not if it’s from your family members, friends, co-workers or complete strangers. I am sure that this is something that everyone can relate to.

When we feel like we are the victims in such a situation inflicted by another person, we feel justified for feeling the way we want to. However, in the midst of the heated discussions or lack of communication for that matter, we often lose sight of one important key factor. And that is the actual underlying intent of the person upsetting us.

We Don’t Learn Intentions in School

It’s funny because I don’t remember having a class in school to learn about such things. Yet we can be faced in situations that cause us to get upset and angry on a daily basis. I wonder why this subject is not mandatory. I know a lot of people’s blood pressure would be in a better state today if they had assistance on dealing with their emotions – I know at times mine would.

If we had a class on this it could help people see where to spend their energy and what is ultimately causing them more harm than good by harboring such feelings of anger, resentment towards someone.

This is not to belittle in no way shape or form any inexplicable actions or words that someone says to you. Intstead, it is more to understand the intent behind why it was said or done. I am sure at times that even though someone said or did something to us where we didn’t like or it caused us to be upset at the time, once we were no longer hot tempered we could begin to understand where they were coming from. Separate their intention and decide for ourselves if we want to believe that they purposely wanted to cause us pain and anger – or was their intent coming from a place of love, a place of purity and not stemmed from any malice?

People’s intentions need to be examined at all times; whether it is your intentions towards someone or vice versa. Not everything is cut and dry and we need to trust ourselves more to follow what feels right and work with others to get passed confrontations that were upsetting to us only if there is something to build on.

“This is the class of life and no matter what you learn; you are ultimately your best teacher.”

It’s a new semester and classes have just begun. It’s now time for you to register for your class. The teacher is someone familiar and you know this person very well because it is YOU. This is the class of life and no matter what you learn; you are ultimately your best teacher. You have the choice to teach yourself what the best for you is.

So, understand and pay attention to the people in your life. If they constantly bring you down and you feel that their intention is not of someone that wishes you well, teach yourself to want better. Because you should expect better. I have often felt that after a bad argument in which nasty words or comments were said, the people saying the hurtful words most often show you their true self. Although they may apologize afterward, don’t completely ignore what they have shown you.

Learn from it and build your character to rise above their actions. Try not to engage in the way they act. Easier said than done, I know. But we need to learn from our mistakes.

Class of life begins now so make sure to be present.

There’s one simple, natural product that can help us maintain that balance easily and baking soda is it:

Baking soda is, was, and always will be a product that everyone should have in their home. It’s not only completely natural, but it’s eco-friendly and has as many uses as you can handle.

Life on earth lives within a certain level along the pH (power of Hydrogen) scale. Maintaining that pH in your environment and in your body is vital to its continuation.

“Baking Soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate pH—keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, it’s natural effect is to neutralize that pH. It has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering ( You can drink 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda with a cup of water for Your Body’s pH Balance ). We can also protect ourselves from the array of toxins in household cleaning products (Conventional cleansers can expose us to multiple chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health issues.).

This natural product also makes a perfect stand-in for many personal care products, which are adding their own twist to the toxic tangle of pollutants and personal health (mainly in the form of synthetic fragrance, sodium laurel sulfate, and parabens).

51 amazing uses for baking soda

Personal Care

1. Make Toothpaste

A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpaste. You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen Your Mouth

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak Oral Appliance

Soak oral appliances, like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures, in a solution of 2 teaspoons dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The mixture loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using soda.

4. Use as a Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use. (For a stronger exfoliant, mix some into your organic sugar scrub.)

5. Skip Harsh Deodorant

Pat directly onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an Antacid

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/or acid indigestion. Refer to product package for complete instructions.

7. Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin

For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto the affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a Hand Cleanser and Softener

Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts of soda to 1 part water, or 3 parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean. You can try this honey and cornmeal scrub for hands too.

9. Help Your Hair

Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–this product helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean Brushes and Combs

For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a Bath Soak

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration, it also makes your skin feel very soft. Epsom salts are pretty miraculous for the bath too, read about the health benefits of Epsom salt baths.

12. Soothe Your Feet

Dissolve 3 tablespoons in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub. You can also make a spa soak for your feet.

Cleaning

13. Make a Surface Soft Scrub

For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks–even fiberglass and glossy tiles–sprinkle this lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap—let it sit then scour off.

14. Handwash Dishes and Pots & Pans

Add 2 heaping tablespoons of soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dishwater to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry powdered soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratchless scouring powder. Using a dishwasher? Try these energy-saving tips.

15. Freshen Sponges

Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong  solution to get rid of the mess. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

16. Clean the Microwave

Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

17. Polish Silver Flatware

Create a paste made from 3 parts of soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

18. Clean Coffee and Tea Pots

Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in a soda solution and detergent, then scrubbing in the morning with a damp sponge.

19. Clean the Oven

Sprinkle directly onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

20. Clean Floors

Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup in a bucket of warm water–mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

21. Clean Furniture

You can make a homemade lemon furniture polish, or you can clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

22. Clean Shower Curtains

Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling some directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

23. Boost Your Liquid Laundry Detergent

Give your laundry a boost by adding ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter.

24. Gently Clean Baby Clothes

Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh. For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.

25. Clean Cloth Diapers

Dissolve ½ cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers thoroughly.

26. Clean and Freshen Sports Gear

Make a solution (4 tablespoons Baking soda in 1-quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize, clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts of baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

27. Remove Oil and Grease Stains

Use a sprinkle to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

28. Clean Batteries

This product can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery–they contain a strong acid.

29. Clean Cars

Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush.

Deodorizing

30. Deodorize Your Refrigerator

Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

31. Deodorize the Cutting Board

Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.

32. Deodorize Trashcans

Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay.

33. Deodorize Recyclables

Sprinkle baking soda on top as you add to the container. Also, clean your recyclable container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Learn about how to recycle everything.

34. Deodorize Drains

To deodorize your sink and tub drains, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup  down the drain while running warm tap water–it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.) Do you know what you’re not supposed to put down your drains?

35. Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers

Use Baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

36. Deodorize Garbage Disposals

To deodorize your disposal, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water. Baking Soda will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain.

37. Deodorize Lunch Boxes

Between uses, place a spill-proof box  in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors. Read bout safe lunch boxes here.

38. Remove Odor from Carpets

liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as long as possible (the longer it sits the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.)

39. Remove Odor from Vacuum Cleaners

By using the method above for carpets, you will also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

40. Freshen Closets

Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh, then follow these tips to organize your closet in an eco-friendly way.

41. Deodorizing Cars

Odors settle into car upholstery and carpet, so each time you step in and sit down, they are released into the air all over again. Eliminate these odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

42. Deodorize the Cat Box

Cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. You can also use green tea for this purpose!

43. Deodorize Pet Bedding

Eliminate odors from your pets bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

44. Deodorize Sneakers

Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking a little bit of this into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing. When they’re no longer wearable, make sure to donate your old sneakers.

45. Freshen Linens

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels. You can also make homemade lavender linen water with this formula.

46. Deodorize Your Wash

Gym clothes of other odoriferous clothing can be neutralized with a ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.

47. Freshen Stuffed Animals

Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle this powder on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

48. Camping Cure-all

This product is a must-have for your next camping trip. Its a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, fire extinguisher and has many other uses.

49. Extinguish Fires

Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when the soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire–and call the Fire Department just to be safe. (And, you should have a fire extinguisher on hand anyway)

50. Septic Care

Regular use  in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. 1 cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

51. Fruit and Vegetable Scrub

This product is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

Share what natural products you use in your home in the comments below. We’d love to hear!

If you loved this article, but still aren’t sure where Baking Soda comes from or how it’s made, check out this article we found on The Grist!

 

Every day is a new day to explore the beauty of the incredible person you were always meant to be.  I am a firm believer that in order to become our true amazing self, it’s essential that we do so through daily practices such as prayer, meditation, yoga, exercise, nutrition and so on.  Personal development has become a huge part of my life and I’m always on the lookout for the most effective ways to create the best life for me, and those around me.

 

Here are 5 of my favorite personal development apps

1. Gratitude Journal by HappyTapper

As Melody Beattie said “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”

I truly believe this statement and have experienced it in every area of my life since that full realization. I love writing a daily gratitude list, and Gratitude Journal just makes it so much more convenient. As a Mom, my phone is the most convenient way. I can write them easily right before I start my am routine and before I’m about to go to sleep – both peak times for me to practice gratitude lists. Plus it saves paper!

This app is very clean. It’s also easy and quick to navigate.You can add photos, rate your day, record the weather and bookmark.

Click here to check out Gratitude Journal in the iTunes store.  Make it a daily habit for a month and watch your life transform! 🙂

2. Awesome Note

I love staying organized, especially with notes and To-Done lists. Awesome Note has allowed me to save time as well as organize multiple lists for personal and business use. Before, I used to manually write lists and create them on my computer.

I tried a few other Android and iPhone apps, but was never fully satisfied or efficiently organized. Finally, I found an app developed by an outstanding iPhone app development company like this iphone app development sydney that combines notes with to-dos in a fun and colorful way! It’s quick to add and update, literally helping me make every second count.!

Download Awesome Note in the iTunes store here.

3. Habit Factor

Habit Factor is the #1 Goals and Habits App for a reason, it’s fantastic! If you’re truly serious about adopting new habits you’ll find yourself using this inexpensive app daily. I love that it has detailed tracking for days, weeks and months. I find tracking my streaks and meeting my goals for particular habits very motivating and effective.

Developing positive habits takes discipline and awareness. It’s imperative we track our performance and have results that we can review over time. If you can’t compare your results, how do you really know the effectiveness of your new habit? When you know your true results you’re more likely to stick with the habits that got you there.

Get Habit Factor at the iTunes store here.

4. Lumosity Brain Trainer

Mental exercise is just as important to practice daily as physical exercise. Neurologists suggest that certain brain conditions can be avoided or improved by regularly using the brain.

For years, Lumosity has been working closely with world leading Neuroscientist from top Universities like Stanford, UCSF, and Berkeley, to create the best cognitive enhancement program. It has over 20 million members.

Brain Trainer is aimed at helping those who might not get enough mental workout each day. Crossword puzzles and trivia questions can provide a quick challenge, but they’re not nearly as focused as Brain Trainer. They have a huge in depth program online.  For busy people on the go, the iPhone app is much more convenient – not to mention affordable.

I love it! I’m improving in every area everytime I play. It’s designed like a fun game (except the Math part for me haha). Honestly, I’ve learned a lot about myself and the way I think from this app. I’ve also been able to easily focus and improve the specific areas that I needed to with their tracking and graph system.

Lumosity Brain Trainer is available on iTunes. Click here to download.

5. Self Help Classics

Need an on the go personal development library?  You know, one filled with inspiring masterpieces from famous thinkers, inventors and billionaires of the past?  Well this one is it; your new best friend!

I’m serious – this app is filled with goodies to improve your life, achieve success and find lasting happiness. It’s a portable library and is rated the best selling iPhone and iPad personal development app.

Among the 30 world famous titles are:

• “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – the most successful motivational book in history
• “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace Wattles – primary source for the bestselling “The Secret”
• “Dynamic Thought” by Henry Thomas Hamblin – A practical course in the Law of Attraction
• “The Art of Public Speaking” by Dale Carnegie – How to verbally persuade and influence others
• “Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie” – An Inspiring autobiography of America’s first self made billionaire

This list goes on and on and is only .99 cents. You can literally save hundreds on the best personal development

books out there! I was so excited when I found this app – if you are passionate about learning and growing, you will too.

Download Self Help Classics from iTunes here

Do you have a favorite app for personal deveopment?  Let me know in the comments below.  Next time, I’ll share my 5 favorite Spiritual Apps. 🙂 Enjoy!

We all want to move the world in a positive direction. The following story is a perfect example of the passion we can all have toward making our lovely planet a more prosperous place. Together, we can be just like Mercy Ships worker Rob McCleod in this story, and bring the light to those in need.

“Adventurous and open minded, 24-year-old Rob McLeod has always strived to help his brothers and sisters around the world. At age 19 Rob took action on behalf of those in need by volunteering with Mercy Ships, the world’s largest charity hospital ship, helping thousands of people in West Africa.

Rob started transforming his compassion into great-hearted action after being involved in a Mercy Ships fundraising event in 2007.

“My experience is really thanks to my father,” Rob said. “After the fundraising event, he came home with a DVD copy of Ships of Mercy, which documented the powerful work Mercy Ships was doing in West Africa. I was overwhelmingly compelled by this video and my father’s enthusiasm; so much so, one year later I was boarding the M/V Anastasis in Monrovia, Liberia.”

The Journey Begins

Rob left his hometown of Mississauga to experience a very different culture and quality of life in Monrovia from May to August 2007, working onboard the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy as a hospital supply assistant.

After completing his undergraduate degree in human kinetics at the University of British Columbia in 2010, Rob left to explore Latin America.

“After five months of adventure I was looking for something more meaningful,” Rob said. “I emailed Tim Maloney [National Director of Mercy Ships Canada] from Nicaragua, and in a matter of days I was booking flights to Freetown.”

“Witnessing Rob’s interaction with the Day Workers in his charge on the Africa Mercy was simply joyful,” Tim Maloney said. “His ever-present warm welcoming smile exuded a compassionate heart that lit the [lives] of those he supervised.”

Change–Just Around the Corner

Rob left for his second field service placement, this time to Freetown, Sierra Leone, from February to mid-December of 2011 as hospital day volunteer coordinator, overseeing upwards of 115 Sierra Leonean workers in 16 hospital departments.

As he experienced the joyful spirit, suffering, and resilience that so acutely characterize West Africa, Rob was becoming a different person.

“I did not realize how much I was changing. It wasn’t until I set foot back in the developed world that I knew my life would be different forever,” Rob said. “The exposure to such extreme levels of poverty has tuned my conscience to humanity at all times, wherever I am, be it the developed or under-developed world.”

“Beyond those he directly worked with, his charismatic effect was so evident when he visited with children onboard who had received a surgery [that] when it was noticed he was near, there would be this chorus of ‘Rob, Rob, Rob’ as they rush towards him with their arms open,” Tim said. “Mother Teresa reminded us that ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’ Rob is a shining example of one who through his action shows his love for his fellow man, transforming those he touches one by one.”

The Rewards

Rob’s time volunteering on the ship has influenced his career and future in a tremendous way.

“It really pushed me to pursue my dream of studying then practicing medicine. I left the ship to begin medical school in Sydney, Australia,” he said.

Rob will complete his bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery at the University of Sydney in 2015, and will one day return to the Africa Mercy.

As Rob works toward his goal of becoming a surgeon, he aspires to practice medicine that reflects the work of one of his most inspirational figures, Dr. Gary Parker, medical chief onboard the Africa Mercy.

“Dr. Gary Parker inspires me every day. The most selfless, talented man I have ever met,” Rob said.

And Rob himself continues to be a role model for many young adults, incorporating compassion into his everyday actions.”

Action Items

1)      Raise your consciousness level and push your personal limits

2)      Support the work of Mercy Ships through financial donations, fundraising, volunteering and much more: www.mercyships.ca.

3)      Expand your horizons — there are many ways to learn about different cultures, from taking a cooking class to reading a book to learning a new language!

Here’s a little story about abundance.

I was happy to join a gathering of like-minded friends a few years ago as I’d been working long hours and needed a fun break in my schedule. First, we all got together with a large group supporting a local wind energy project. Then eight of us headed off to a local restaurant that made fresh guacamole right there at your table. Since most of us were vegetarians or vegans, this was the perfect late night snack.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we sat at the only available table, a six-top. But we determined we could fit eight and practically sat in each other’s laps to squeeze in. Luckily most of us had known each other a long time and didn’t mind the close proximity.

As it turned out, I found myself sitting very close to Mike (his name has been changed for this story). Mike was a very vocal, intelligent man who usually shared his tales of woe with all who would listen; this evening appeared to be no different. Although the atmosphere at the table was light-hearted, Mike talked about his current unhappiness with his career, lack of money and abundance, the unfortunate condition of his car, his non-existent love life and his need to find new living arrangements because he had just been kicked out of his apartment.

We’d all heard similar versions of the same stories from Mike and expressed our care but did not dwell on these topics with him.

After an hour or so, we all needed to leave as it was a weeknight and most of us had to be at work the next morning. One of my friends announced that she wanted to pay the entire bill when the waiter brought it to the table. Although we told her we wanted to chip in, she absolutely insisted and wouldn’t take anyone’s money. With that, Mike sighed deeply in relief. He mumbled that he only had a few dollars in his pocket and really needed it to put gas in his car.

As we left, Mike offered to walk me to my car. I guess he felt I had a compassionate ear and wanted to continue telling me his sad story. He said he was convinced that if he just had more money all of his problems would vanish. He really disliked working but knew that money was his answer. There was no one else close by as we walked down the sidewalk when I noticed some folded up paper on the ground. I picked it up as Mike talked on and on. He didn’t notice the paper nor did he notice me picking it up.

It turned out that the paper was two twenty-dollar bills folded together.

I looked around to see who could have dropped the money so I could return it. But there was no one for about a hundred feet in front of us, and only our friends behind us. Since I realized I couldn’t return the money to its rightful owner, I did the next best thing.

That’s right… I ran back to the friend who had so generously paid the bill and gave her the money. I explained that I found it on the sidewalk and since the owner wasn’t around I felt she should have it. She gratefully accepted the cash. Her giving spirit had inspired me to give her something in return.

The whole event struck me very poignantly. Mike was so engrossed in his story of “no money” that he was oblivious to the cash waiting right at his feet. Could I have given him the $40? Yes, I guess I could have. But I knew it wouldn’t have made a difference. His concerns weren’t really about money at all, and giving him the $40 wouldn’t have changed his life, or his story. Giving the money to the person who had shown great generosity felt right to me. I knew she didn’t have a high-paying job and the bill would have been a bit of a struggle for her. So, giving her the found abundance was the least I could do.

Now don’t get me wrong; I am not criticizing Mike.

There were times in my life when I was very much like him. I was blind to the abundance around me and told a similar story of lack. People pointed out what was right in front of me but I wasn’t ready to see it. I was too attached to the idea of not having enough.

So where is everyone today?

The wind energy project still has not come to fruition. That restaurant still makes the best guacamole on Long Island. I haven’t seen Mike in years, but everyone who spends time with him says that he’s still sharing the same sad stories. And my girlfriend who paid the bill still insists on paying every time we go out for a meal, and we playfully argue to who will really take care of the bill. Life is funny like that, isn’t it?

Wishing you a day filled with found abundance and wonderful friends.

Many blessings,

Katrina