God promises to give strength, whatever the financial situation…

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)

“We judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our actions.”

Article By Kevin L. DeWitt

How many times have we told ourselves, “I’m going to _____ from now on,” with the fill-in-the-blank being more organized, more productive, exercise more, save more, eat better, etc.  You get the idea.

It seems we all start with good intentions and sincerity … only to have our enthusiasm fizzle away (myself included) … and so all our best intentions come to nothing.

It’s the most common thing in the world — the honest and fervent desire for self-improvement, followed by inaction or giving in to temptations, followed by guilt or giving up.  It happens to the best of us.  It’s inertia at work, mixed perhaps with a bit of laziness as well as the very human trait of giving in to desires despite all the good intentions in the world.

So how do we beat inertia and temptations? Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Marie Monroe

I just wanted to tell you that things do work out.  Ice storms become spring.  Power outages become light.  Winter skips her way to Easter pastels, sweet, overstuffed bunnies and spirits in bloom.  If that isn’t Mother Nature’s way of telling us there’s hope, then perhaps there is none, but I don’t believe it! 

I watch cycles too closely to be fooled.  Sure, merchandising wants me to bring home fanciful and seasonal new items.  That’s okay.  Merchandising cycles, too, and I tell you, merchandising wouldn’t work as well if we didn’t recognize something that feels right somehow.  Right now, drenched in temperate, short-waved sunshine and carrying a light jacket that has worn out its welcome since early morning, I’m feeling quite at one with these pastel Peeps that are so light and airy.  In my neck of the woods, when the forsythia blooms, so do the fluffy, marshmallowy and sugared candies on my store shelves…hmmm…bunnies or chicks?  Both! Read More »

Article By Kevin L. DeWitt

Maybe we are feeling overwhelmed, or feel bad because we’re not doing well with our goals.  From time to time, we all get a little down, maybe even a little depressed.  There are many reasons for feeling down.

Feeling a little depressed can interfere with achieving our relationships and goals.  We know we should be doing something, but we just don’t feel like doing anything. This can last for a long time if you don’t head it off as soon as possible. 

Take action.  Here are some ways to pick yourself up when you’re feeling down:

Make a list.  Sometimes we are depressed simply because we are overwhelmed with all the things we have to do that we haven’t gotten around to doing. So all the “stuff” that’s in our head can overwhelm us.  Start simply by picking up a piece of paper and a pen, and making a list of the most pressing things you have to do.  

Sometimes it’s work stuff, sometimes it’s stuff around the house that’s bothering us, sometimes it’s goal tasks, or a combination of these and more.  Simply making a list can be a relief … you’re getting things under control.  You can see, right in front of you, what you need to do, and that alone can pick up your mood. Read More »

“If I am open to the gifts that lie in the present moment, I can move forward with peace…”

Article By Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

I had been looking forward to this day for months.

For many people, March 20th probably didn’t mean very much, but for me, it was a cause for celebration. It was the First Day of Spring and I was determined to celebrate.  We got the children out into the sunshine and planted our sunflowers. Earlier that week, I had bought hot dogs to roast over the tiny fire pit in our backyard.  I knew that this celebration wouldn’t end the cold weather, but that it would remind us of the fact that spring was here, no matter how we felt on the inside.

Change is inevitable.  Life always moves forward.  Many people welcome change, no matter how it may appear.  Others dislike change for reasons that are individual as they are.  But what I have noticed is those who welcome change seem to be much more content and at peace than those who do not. Read More »