Iowahippiechick

This past week while trolling the blogosphere - I noticed quite a few posts on gratitude.  Isn’t that terrific?  Especially during these difficult times we are living in …

This ability to ask the question - What do I have? (And be thankful for it.) Instead of the question - What do I lack? Allows us the opportunity to be grateful for the simple blessings in our lives, and will ultimately give us the strength to overcome such difficult times!

• If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.   -Meister Eckhart
• Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.  - Marcel Proust
• Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. - Henry Ward Beecher
• Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. - Buddha

In this spirit of gratitude …

I would like to show a little link love in honor of my February Entrecard Top Droppers.

1. Themelib 
2. The Frugal Housewife
3. Guilty Pleasures
4. EZGreatLife
5. Blogger Templates
6. Sound of a Soft Breath
7. Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice
8. All Contests
9. Junkfoodaholic
10. For Your Health

Photo Credit: Craig

This is my favorite piece of writing …

Love is God’s creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it.
Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light.
Love the animals, love the plants, love everything.

If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things.
Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day.

And you will come at last to love the whole world with and all-embracing love.

-Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Isn’t that something? 

Just think what a different world it would be if people purely loved?  

As I’ve gotten older -

It truly is easier to embrace Dostoyevsky’s thoughts on love. 

Because in the end …

Love really is all that matters - 

Simply love.

Happy Valentine’s Day -

Peace and Love,

dawn @ iowahippiechick

Today for a mere 25 cents, I discovered a little blue hardcover book called, “Jim Henson’s Doodle Dreams - Inspiration for Living Life Outside the Lines.“  (I love 25 cent day at our local thrift store.)  When I returned back home - Over a cup of coffee I opened this little book.  It featured art by Jim Henson and text by Jim Lewis.  I can’t share the amazing art.  But here is a taste of the inspirational text …

• Be interested in everything.
• An open mind is a good place to start.  Stay open to everything.  The more you see, hear, and experience, the more connections you’ll make.
• Beginning is the hardest thing.
• CREATIVITY.  Taking something enormously strange and somehow making it strangely familiar.
• Try to keep enough balls in the air so that when some fall onto the ground, you’ve got others up there.
• You have to remember:  Problems can be solved.  There is something you can do.
• Every once in a while, stop and look around.  It doesn’t matter where you are; there’s usually something right there in front of you that will surprise and inspire you.
• If you’re open to them, great ideas are everywhere.
• Being afraid isn’t  always a bad thing.  Sometimes you need that trembling feeling to remind you how exciting it is to be doing something new.
• When you take chances, you’re going to fail.  That’s inevitable.  You can either let failure turn you away from your dream or inspire you to dream bigger.
• Understanding other points of view keeps you fresh.  You can look at the same thing one way forever, and it never seems to change.  Then someone comes in and turns it upside down or inside out and suddenly, together, you’ve made something amazing.

When you think about what kind of kids are going to grow up and become successful - Who do you see in your mind?

Is it the straight A honor student?
The captain of the sports team?
The “popular” kid at the school?

All those kids have the potential to be very successful.
(And I wish them all the very best!)                                                                                           Yet there is another kind of kid - I want you to see in your mind.
A picture of a kid who is different.
You can see him/or her… Can’t you?

Kids Who Are Different-

by DigbyWolfe

Here’s to the kids who are different.
The kids who don’t always get A’s.
The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers,
And noses that go on for days…
Here’s to the kids who are different.
The kids they call crazy or dumb.
The kids who don’t fit, with the guts and the grit.
Who dance to a different drum…
Here’s to the kid’s who are different.
The kids with the mischievous streak.
For when they have grown, as history’s shown.
It’s their difference that makes them unique.

This poem speaks volumes…

When you think about Albert Einstein or Bill Gates - Do you think they fit in?
And look at how successful they became…

Photo Credit: Cody

personal finance

Definitions of Thrift -

1. Wise economy in the management of money and other resources.
2. Caution with money.
3. Extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily.
4. Careful spending of money, or using of food or other resources, so that one can save or have some left in reserve; economy.

Did you know January 17th - January 24th is National Thrift Week? 

I actually didn’t.

My grandparents would be so proud him for writing on the topic of thriftiness!

(Especially Grandma Alice, who had thrift skills that surpassed Amy Dacyczyn of The Tightwad Gazette fame.)

Personally, I think thrift & frugal are terms that are starting to migrate over to the COOL side of our cultural spectrum. 

It’s definitely not so nerdy or square - to want to use one’s money wisely these days! 

About time - don’t you think? 

Being thrifty, helps Craig and I to have better control over our money. 

Which then allows us, a lot more choice and freedom in what we do with our money. 

It really works for us!

Here are some interesting articles on the frugal and thrift movement -

1. Thrift is Hip  By Marie T. Sullivan, Chicago Daily Observer, June 07, 2008

2. Let’s Make It Cool to Save By Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post, Sunday, May 11, 2008

3. Thrift Is the New FashionBy Daniel Gross | NEWSWEEK Published Oct 25, 2008

Isn’t encouraging thrift a terrific idea?

dawn @ iowahippiechick

personal finance

A Frugal Living Reflection …

“I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize.  The first is gentleness, the second is frugality, the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others.  Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader before men.”  - Lao Tzu.

I find it quite interesting - that a piece of philosophy from so long ago is still so relevant.  I really like this … kind of a neat theme for living in 2009.

What do you think about it? 

Do you agree with the father of Taoism? 

Or not? 

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Have a terrific day!

dawn @ iowahippiechick

personal finance

Don’t you just love a fresh start?  Or a new beginning?  Especially after the bummer-of-a-year that 2008 turned out to be …

Here are some really good articles and blog posts -

To keep your 2009 New Year’s motivation inspired:

1. An article by MSN Money’s own MP Dunleavey - called How Our Money Secrets Can Cost Us. (She totally hooked me with her first line … It’s time to come clean!)
   
2. I’m kind of new to the Marc and Angel Hack Life blog.  (Which features practical tips for leading a productive life.)  But already I am ridiculously impressed!  It’s a blog that everybody should be reading daily in 2009 - I’m not kidding!  Start with this post called Be Who You Were Born To Be.
3. Have you heard of The One Dollar Diet Project?  (I hadn’t until I saw them on Fox and Friends one morning.)  Basically it’s about two social justice teachers who decided to eat on a dollar a day.  This is a pretty cool blog, because it speaks to us on so many levels!  Click on the link to be inspired … I dare you!
4. I love books.  Always have and always will! Shaefer’s Blog had an interesting post where he listed his top 10 all-time favorite books.  Can you guess what the number one pick was???  Check out the blog to see!
5. Meet the family of 7 who live on $44K a year -  debt-free!  These people are awe inspiring in their money management skills.  Click here to read their story.
6. It never ceases to amaze me, the wealth of inspirational information, available FOR FREE  on the web!
   

I hope you had a good New Year’s Eve …

And I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2009!!

dawn @ iowahippiechick

Have you ever really thought about the answer?  Really?

It isn’t as easy to answer honestly as one might think.  Because in reality there are several motivators for gift giving.  Including:

1. Reciprocation
2. To express positive feelings
3. Maintaining power and prestige
4. Establishing security
5. Promoting self-interest
6. Expressing hostility

Interesting isn’t it?

Who knew there was so much psychology involved in giving & receiving?

Who I am as a gift giver has changed over the years.  Honestly … I know I’ve been motivated by all six on the list during my life. 

I know when I was a young newlywed - insecurity led me to give from a motivation of establishing security when it involved Craig’s family.  Think outsider (me) trying to fit in with them (my in laws.) 

Looking back, I can also see that when my sister’s kids were small, I gave to them from a motivator of power and prestige.  I was the cool aunt and I wanted to maintain that title and place in their lives.  So I spent more money on them than I know I should have - isn’t that just silly?

But it’s sort of interesting reflecting on my gift giving past.  Now that I’m a bit older my motivation for gift giving has simplified.  It’s to express positive feelings - plain & simple.  

Have you ever thought about your motivations for gift giving?

dawn @ iowahippiechick

Here are some links for some terrific activities, crafts and games for the kids to do, during the Thanksgiving holiday -

1. The First Thanksgiving 
2. Counting Pilgrims 
3. Pilgrim Children Dramatization
4. Thanksgiving Bingo 
5. A Thanksgiving Fill-Them-In-Tale 
6. A Turkey Hat 
7. Paper Bag Turkeys 
8. Tiny Toms 
9. Turkey Pinata 
10. Turkey Puppet
11. Pilgrim Pal 
12. Thanksgiving Coloring Pages 
13. Thanksgiving Activities from Crayola.com 
14. Various Activities From IPTV Kids Clubhouse (Not Thanksgiving - but fun activities nonetheless!)
    
15. Children’s Literature Read Aloud Online (It’s a neat resource - reads to the kids while your trying to get something done!)

Here is a wonderful Thanksgiving Prayer I found.  Maybe you can get one of the older kids to memorize it, in time for dinner on Thursday …

Thanksgiving Grace

We bow our heads dear Lord, to You,

For all the special things You do,

For all Thy brethren everywhere
We offer You this humble prayer.
Oh mighty Lord who art above
Bestow on us Thy gracious love,
Please bless us as we sit to dine
To break some bread and sip of wine.
For all these foods You do provide
Your presence cannot be denied
We bow our heads in silent prayer
To have You know we really care.
We thank Thee Lord for all Thy good
You offer to all brotherhood,
And especially for this gathering,
We thank Thee, Lord, for everything.

—Joseph Ferrara

A Blessed Thanksgiving to everyone!

dawn @ iowahipipechick

Even when cash is tight - there are many ways that we can give back to our communities.  First and foremost, is our time and talents.  These are always gifts our communities will value. I have also found a few other ways, that I personally try to pay it forward.

1. Donate Blood to the Red Cross:  I know, the needles - yikes! But it truly is such a wonderful way to help people. You are literally giving of yourself. I am definitely not a fan of needles, but the feeling I get after donating outweighs my fear.
2. Collect Product Samples:  I do this and donate them to various places. For example battered women shelters, food pantry’s, & for sending over to our troops in Iraq. A few great websites to find them are: www.fatwallet.com, www.walmart.com, www.totallyfreestuff.com. (To save clutter in your email account just open up a quick one somewhere specifically for this project.)
3. Save Some of your Recyclables for Local Preschools and Daycare’s:  Scrap paper, cardboard pieces, plastic containers w/lids, scrap material, scrap yarn, Styrofoam trays, etc… These can all be used by the children, for projects, and will be greatly appreciated by the teachers.
4. Help with a Community Meal:  If I don’t have time to work at one, I try to donate a baked good. It is a rather simple yet appreciated way to help.

There are obviously many other ways to give - but I thought this was a nice starter list.
I truly believe, paying it forward is an important part of personal success - because it makes us a part of something bigger than ourselves.  (And it feels really good!)

Have a terrific day!

dawn @ iowahippiechick

… Is the question I read on page 284 in the November issue of O magazine. (Another freebie I earned somewhere along the way - at the moment the details escape me.)  Immediately all sorts of things start flying through my mind.  *There is a God.  *My utility bill is due tomorrow.  *Obama is going to change our economy,  etc…  ~You get the picture.

Apparently, answering this question, is a regular column Oprah writes in her monthly O magazine.  It’s such an intriguing question - something we all should all be asking ourselves.  Our answers, certainly would help us, on the path to simplifying our lives.

If your curious - here are Oprah’s all-time top 20 answers:

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what.  (This is my creed.)
2. You define your own life.  Don’t let other people write your script.
3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present.  Only you give it power.
4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.  (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)
5. Worrying is wasted time.  Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.
6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for.  You become what you believe.
7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you , that will be enough.  (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)
8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.
10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
11. Trust your instincts.  Intuition doesn’t lie.
12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.
13. Let passion drive your profession.
14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love.  Then every paycheck will be a bonus.
15. Love doesn’t hurt.  It feels really good.
16. Every day brings a chance to start over.
17. Being a mother is the hardes job on earth.  Women everywhere must declare it so.
18. Doubt means don’t.  Don’t move.  Don’t answer.  Don’t rush forward.
19. When you don’t know what to do, get still.  The answer will come.
20. “Trouble don’t last always.”  (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite:  This, too, shall pass.)

My goodness - there is some wisdom to digest!

Have a terrific day!

iowahippiechick

This is from an old Dear Abby column, in which a young 14-year-old, requests Abby to reprint this poem by Wanda Carter. Ms. Carter wrote this poem during some difficult times in her life and it has gone on to inspire others.

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember Your ABC’s

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle.
Don’t give up, and don’t give in.
Enjoy life today; yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.
Give more than you planned to give.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you.
Just do it!
Keep on trying. No matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and most.
Make it happen.
Never lie, cheat or steal. Always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes, and see things as they really are.
Practice makes perfect.
Quitters never win, and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your own destiny.
Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
Visualize it.
Want it more than anything.
Xccelerate your efforts.
You are unique of all of God’s creations. Nothing can replace you.
Zero in on your target and go for it!

What an inspirational use of the alphabet …

Have a terrific day!

iowahippiechick