No More “New Year’s Resolutions” A New Twist on Time Management

No More “New Year’s Resolutions”
A New Twist on Time Management
by Cindy Hyde

Sigh. Resolutions come and go. Sometimes guilt, disappointment, and even shame come because we did not keep our ‘resolution’ to ourselves. I say NO MORE resolutions!

This year I resolve [decide, make my mind up, determine] to not make any resolutions! 

Focus

This year we can choose to focus on our life vision. Or at the least, we can focus on the vision for this year. If we take the main areas of our life: Spirituality, Relationships (both friends & family), Career, Education, Finances, Community Service, Recreation, and Health (mental, physical, and emotional) and look at them as individual components we will have many long-term and short-term goals that may or may not connect to our overall vision. Each of these areas of our life should be looked at as a whole picture. We should look at the vision at the end of the year instead of where we are right now. We can project ourselves into the future and decide what it is that is important to us.

Instead of piecing our lives together with individual goals, we can look at the vision and begin to work backward. Goals are part of a vision, but they are individual parts or steps that get us closer to the vision. If we took stock of the ‘important to me’, and focus on them instead of making resolutions, how much longer do you think we would stick with a plan?

Vision drives us. 

Without vision, we are lost and floundering through life without direction. Why is it that we are goal-oriented and not vision-oriented? If you have a vision, you will have goals, in fact, you are going to have to meet several goals for your vision to become a reality. However, the vision is not a goal. Vision defines every aspect of who we are, uses every gift we have, requires all the talents we develop, and utilizes all the skills we have learned. Vision carries us through the tough times, knowing there is more to life than what we have right now.

Charge.

Take a few minutes before the end of the year to focus on what it is you personally want out of life or what you want to do with your life. Look at what burns in your heart. Examine the desires you have always had but never had the nerve to do anything with them.

Whatever your vision is WRITE IT DOWN. Write the vision and make it plain as the Scriptures instruct. Write it down. Make it clear to yourself. Think about it every day of your life. Work with your vision until it becomes part of you. See yourself doing the vision, being the vision, working with the vision. If you take just 10 minutes a day to focus on your vision, thinking about how it will be, what it will sound like, what it feels like, looks like, and smells like, involving your senses in the imagination the stronger your vision will become. The stronger the vision becomes the more of a reality it becomes.

Enlarge your territory.

You can realize your vision. I am living my vision right now. I had a vision of helping people. Of bringing hope and healing to wounded souls. I am doing just that. Each year my vision expands with more details. Again, I find myself in need of more vision for this next year. I ask myself, what do I want to do? What do I see myself doing? What can I do to help others? No matter how much of your vision has become a reality, there is always room for growth. Expand it and move the tent stakes as the Scripture says. Pray and ask the Lord to enlarge your territory. He will.

Write it out.

Take the vision for this New Year and write it out. Work your vision backward. If you want to lose weight, what is your goal for the end of the year? Write your plan for each quarter, making each of the short-term goals clear and easily accomplished and only use one sheet of paper for the whole year. You will find that your vision finds you and makes a way for you. The Lord will begin to send people across your path to help make the vision a reality. After all, He is the one who gives you the vision in the first place!

One vision + 10 minutes/day = Reality.

Do it!

Pray. Write. Meditate.

What is a Virtual Assistant and Why You Need One

What is a Virtual Assistant and Why You Need One

In today’s digital world, everything is just a click away. Many people are choosing to work remotely. A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an asset to small business owners, entrepreneurs, startup teams, nonprofits, and executives. Virtual Assistants connect with and provide services to all types of clients online instead of working in an office.  

A ‘stay-at-home mom’ can earn a good salary while still taking care of her family. A college student can work remotely and pay their way through college. A retired person can work from home and earn extra income. These are just a few examples of those who choose the “virtual assistant” lifestyle. 

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who provides basic and advanced administrative services. Some VAs offer high-end business services like social media management, Pinterest or Instagram management, blog services and management, online business management (OBM), graphic and web designing, and much more to their clients. The types of services offered are unlimited.

Virtual Assistants pay their own self-employment taxes, set their own rates, choose which projects they want to work on, when and where to work, and usually have multiple clients at a time. They work with business owners on specific projects or on a long-term basis.

Virtual Assistants come from a wide range of backgrounds, with their own skill sets, expertise, and experience. The opportunity to hire VAs for businesses is changing the way companies across the world are run. They no longer need to only hire full-time employees. Instead, they can outsource tasks to help save time and money.

A VA partners with a business owner to deliver a service or take over specific tasks for them. They handle a variety of tasks to support their client and the job that a VA performs will be different based on each business owner’s needs.

Hiring Remote Workers is the New Trend for Small Business Owners

You can hire a virtual assistant to help a business expand so you can take it to the next level.

A VA usually works from their home office, but they also work while traveling, while they are on vacation, from a coffee shop, in the park, at the beach, or from anywhere in the world.

They can access all the client’s necessary documents, files, contacts or calendars remotely.

Running a business can be an exhausting job that requires so much of your time.

Hiring a Virtual Assistant to help with the day-to-day operation of your business frees you up to invent more products, offer more services, and give you more time to pursue the enjoyable things in life that often get neglected. Like family and vacations, or to work on that dream of being a drag racer that you’ve had since you were a child.

You might consider hiring a virtual assistant if you need an expert in a certain area that you don’t have experience in. Rather than take the time to learn another skill, you can find someone who already has that knowledge. This will save you time, energy, and money.

By hiring a virtual assistant, you can delegate out tasks that have been taking up your valuable time. By getting your time back you will avoid burnout and the overwhelm you might face as you continue to grow your business.

10 Reasons Why you Need a Virtual Assistant

1. Saves you time.
2. Allows you to focus on your primary business.
3. Get the specialized help you need.
4. Save thousands of dollars per employee.
5. Lower the cost of doing business.
6. Less office space required.
7. Don’t have to hire a full-time employee.
8. Don’t have to pay payroll or payroll taxes.
9. Don’t have to pay for employee benefits.
10. Only pay for the number of hours you need.
    

More Reasons to Hire a Virtual Assistant

The many benefits of hiring an independent contractor outweigh the disadvantages. We will discuss those in another blog post.

Virtual Assistants don’t have the stress of commuting to work so they are fresh and ready to work at their peak performance time. Giving your project their undivided attention.

Hiring VAs means businesses have a lower employee turnover rate. No more dealing with deadbeat employees who don’t show up to work on time, no more employee conflicts to diffuse, no more employees calling in sick.

You don’t have to endure personality conflicts with your employees. 

You don’t have to cope with bad attitudes that decrease productivity.

Small businesses have access to global talent. You are not limited to the skills and talents of just one employee. In fact, you have the option to contract with more than one VA who offers the expertise you require to expand your business.

If the employer is looking to conduct business globally, it helps to have an employee who lives in another country to connect for various reasons.

There is ground for creativity, hiring all from the same background can be a downfall in some work environments.

Hiring a remote or international worker enriches the work culture.

Employing Virtual Assistants from different time-zones allows your office to operate for extended hours, keeping phones, email, or other forms of customer support available for longer

Like I said, working with a VA is far more beneficial and helpful than the alternative.

So, what are you waiting for, join the Virtual Assistant trend today!

The Way That Seems Right

The Way That Seems Right

There is a way that seems right, but is it? Just because a door of opportunity opens for you does not mean that it is the door for you at this time. How can you know if the way you need to go is right or not? 

The First Path

It may seem there are many paths to follow in life. As a Christian, we only have two choices. One choice is the path of righteousness. The second is the path of unrighteousness. The first path, the path of righteousness, leads to peace of mind, harmony, happiness, serenity, contentment, and fullness. Living in the path of righteousness causes us to walk in blessings.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3

The second path

The second path will lead to anything but the above. Isaiah said, you 'shall not know peace'. (Isaiah 59:8). Quite the opposite is true. Without peace, you live a life of turmoil, worry, fear, disagreement, discord, and despair. Oh, yes, there are many more words I could use to describe a life without God's peace. The way of the world, the way that seems right to us, the way we deem best because of the 'lust of our flesh' or our desire for things that are not good for us will not produce a good and peaceful life.

"The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." Isaiah 59:8 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12

Creation

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He created everything in it from the birds in the air to the microscopic life and the largest of fish in depths of the ocean. He filled the earth with His glorious and spectacular creations. Then He created man in His own image. 

"Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:" Isaiah 42:5

Free Will 

He gave man wisdom to rule the earth. To have dominion over it and all that was in it. Although He gave them wisdom, He still gave them free will, a choice. Walk with Me or walk away. Sadly, man chose to stop walking in the path God set before him. Ever since man ate from that forbidden fruit we have walked in a path of unrighteousness. God restored man's right standing or 'righteousness' with Himself through His Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Some ancients walked in the ways of God. Enoch was one of them. He walked with God and was taken into heaven without dying. We can gain wisdom from the ancient.

God said, "...I appointed the ancient people..." Isaiah 44:7

"With the ancient is wisdom..." Job 12:12

The Righteous Path

He appointed the ancient people to walk the path of righteousness. The path that was right for them, the one that would lead them to the best life possible. He wants us to walk with Him as the ancient people did. All we need to do to walk in that path of righteousness is to ask Him to show us the way. 

"That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do." Jeremiah 42:3 To say to Him, "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths." Psalms 25:4 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6 "...He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths..." Isaiah 2:3

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." Jeremiah 6:16

The Lord's reply will always be found in His Word. He said He taught and led the ancient ones, and He will do the same for us. He is the same as He was then. He does not change. He is and was and always will be. His paths are mercy and truth. He even said He would put His Spirit within us and cause us to walk in his statutes or His way for us. When we do walk in the 'law of the LORD, we are blessed. We are not defined by the world or the flesh when we keep His judgments and His commandments.

"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." Proverbs 4:11 "That thou mayest walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous." Proverbs 2:20 "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalms 25:10 "I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;" Ezekiel 20:19 "I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:27 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD." Psalms 119:1

We have a choice.

We have a choice. Walk the right path, the ancient or old way, and be blessed and live in peace, or walk according to the way it seems right, the way of the world, and miss out on the multitude of blessings and the peace that passes all understanding. I hope we all choose to follow the ancient paths and walk in peace.

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD." Psalms 119:1

Choose carefully which path you follow.

Cindy Hyde, MA

2018

King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Did You Ever Think?

Did you ever think... 

     Did you ever think you would find yourself in this position? In this predicament? In this failing relationship? In this dead end job? In this lifeless church? In this shape?

Do you ever think... 

     There has got to be more to life than this? That you are supposed to be doing something but you are not sure what? Why am I still at this job; at this church; or why am I still In this dysfunctional relationship? 

Having asked all these questions and more myself I can tell you with great assurance that there is always more to life than you have right now. When you align yourself completely and totally with the will of God He then begins an alignment process in your life. If you feel stuck start giving of yourself, like donations of all kinds, like volunteering for a nonprofit who could use your expertise. Expect nothing in return though. 

If you want to make changes for a better life start clearing out the junk in your closets, under your beds, and everywhere else you have stuffed stuff. 

Give away what you can, sell what you can, or donate it.  The feeling and the benefit you get from doing this will begin to cause a shift in your attitude and open you up to begin receiving what God has for you. 

So stop questioning and thinking so much and get yourself into gear. These ten suggestions for change will get you started. 

1. Pray. 

2. Release. 

3. Give. 

4. Donate. 

5. Volunteer. 

6. Be open and receptive to new ideas.

7. Clean out. 

8. Organize. 

9. Receive. 

10. Be grateful and thankful. 

Big Bang Theory. Really?

I just watched part of a documentary about the Big Bang Theory. My question is: where did the gas and all the chemicals come from that made the stars that made the ‘big bang’ in the first place?

Faith must be mixed with scientific fact. Scientific facts rarely disputes faith. Science on the other hand continually proves there is a God. I know God created the heavens, the earth, and all that is within them. I know this because I believe something much wiser had to figure out where to put the plumline, how to perfectly align the axis of the earth, exactly where to connect the optical nerves to our brains that it would produce vivid images that would be sent upside down and then processed at lightening speeds. How could our tongues be created by accident? Taste buds are amazing. Considering our nervous system and how it all intertwines and connects to form this nothing short of miraculous system. The cardiac muscle kknowing when to beat, how long to dialate and constrict pushing life-giving blood throughout our bodies millions of times during our lives.

Truly we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139).

A Poodle Kind of Love - A Free Verse Poem I Did for a Creative Writing Course

A Poodle Kind of Love

Speaks loudly with no words at all my poodle does.
Being the world’s second smartest breed,
Creative ways to express himself he easily finds,
Licking, staring, prancing and dancing...

Hook and loop Velcro he thinks he is,
No matter where I am, bed, couch, or chair,
Tis’ where he is, black curly hair stuck to me,
Hugging, snuggling, playing and entertaining…

Tail in full wag, legs flying through the air
Is how I am greeted every time I come home.
Five minutes or five hours, the greeting is the same,
Wiggling, whirling, twirling and jumping…

A greater love cannot we find in all the world,
Tis’ a poodle kind of love, freely, intentionally,
Unlimited, unmerited, unconditional, he is
Loving, adoring, caring and charming…

Want Unshakable Faith?

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Would you like to be unshakable in your faith?

King David knew about faith in God, he knew by Divine revelation what it took to please God, and what the requirements were to become unshakable.

Psalm 15:1-5 "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."

Who may live with God and in his house?

John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

Requirements:

He whose walk is blameless  

1 Thes. 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

He who is righteous

Romans 3:21-24 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

He who speaks the truth with sincerity

Ephesians 4:15 "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

He who controls his tongue

James 3:8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

He who loves his neighbor

Luke 10:29-37 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

He who keeps good company

1 Corinthians 15:53 "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

He who keeps his word

2 Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

He who cares for the needy

Lev 25:35-37 "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."

He who loves justice

Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Results:

Unshakable faith!