I am sure you have experienced a time in your life when you were hurt by someone. You probably said to yourself, Never again will I let that person take advantage of me. Did you make up your mind that you were not going down that road again? You were strengthened by that experience which made you develop an attitude of certainty. No matter what the future held, you were never going to go through that situation again.
On the other hand, has there ever been a moment in your life when you made a halfhearted decision? You may have sincerely wanted to change, but you did not commit 100% to the process. When times got tough, you turned back to that bad habit because it was easier. You see, we all feel safe with all things familiar.
Out of these two examples, what stood out for you? Do you see how changes were easier to make when pain was mixed into the equation? Decide today that your current situation is painful enough for change. Believe it or not, change can happen in a second, leading you to future success. Things may take a little time to manifest, but good results will soon follow your new actions.
I love it when Quaneshala tells me the story of how we first met from her perspective. It seems as though she has told me the story a thousand times, but I still love to hear her tell it. I love to hear her speak of falling in love with me. I can just think of her words and become rejuvenated with the chemistry I share with her.
We also play a game called “Three Reasons Why….” You can fill in the space with whatever your heart desires. Some examples can be three reasons why you married me, love me, or chose to spend the rest of your life with me. We spend 5 – 15 minutes twice a month on this exercise. I may say that I love her thoughtfulness, then I will explain what I mean by that statement. I may also mention the fact that I love how she gets up every morning and prays with me. This exercise helps us two ways. One, it lets my wife know how I feel about some of the things she does for me. Secondly, it also reinforces positive behavior by encouraging and inspiring her to keep doing what makes me happy.
One time after doing this exercise with Quaneshala, I spent an entire week experiencing joy and overwhelming excitement. She told me that she looked up to me and that I was her hero. I was so floored by her comment because I often wondered what she really thought of me. I knew she loved me of course, but I desired to know her deepest emotions about me and about her thoughts concerning our relationship together. I try so hard to be the man of her dreams. I was unsure if I was meeting the mark I had set for myself until she revealed to me her innermost feelings. When she spoke those words, I knew all of the sacrifices I have made to please her have been worth it.
Please remember, whether you realize it or not, there is life and death in the power of the tongue. Ask yourself this question. Are you giving or taking life with the power of your words? If Quaneshala’s words were able to change my emotions for an entire week, what effect do you think you could have on your mate by speaking positive words to them? You don’t have to try to figure out the right thing to say. Start by simply encouraging them in some area where they may be struggling. Today, say something nice to them about them. You will soon develop a habit of speaking positive words. Small rocks make big ripples. Quaneshala made a lasting impression in my life that day. I no longer have to guess whether or not I’m her hero. I know I am because she spoke the words.
I read a story in the news about a company that threw away its employee’s paperwork. The paperwork was not shredded; it was thrown into an outside trash bin. This paperwork contained confidential information (e.g. Social Security numbers, birthdays). Someone, thank God, noticed the information and reported it before the garbage was scheduled for pickup. This is a classic example of how carelessness can cause so many people to have their identity stolen through no fault of their own. According to the FBI, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Over 2 million people have had their identities compromised in a data breach since 2005. One in five families has been a victim. It has recently been discovered that babies are now the target of ID Theft. NBC’s Jeff Rossen reported that thieves are stealing the Social Security numbers of babies and raking up massive debt without discovery until many years later.
Victims of Identity theft spend countless hours trying to undo the damage to their credit. This can be a nightmare if you are trying to straighten it out by yourself. Due to this alarming problem, I recommend investing in Identity Theft insurance. Pick a company that offers prevention services, full-managed victim recovery, and reimbursement assistance for the expenses you incur. If you ever become a victim of identity theft, you are not going to want to spend countless hours trying to restore your identity. Let the identity protection company spend the time clearing up your record for you. They have trained professionals that handle fraud cases on a regular basis and most likely will complete it faster than if you were handling this matter yourself.
One Sunday morning while at church, the Pastor told everyone to imagine what it would feel like if God paid off their biggest debt. Quaneshala looked at me, shrugged her shoulders, and said, “Oh, the light bill.” I wish you could have seen the expression on her face. It was like the spirit of freedom was overshadowing her. How amazing is that? We only have to worry about earning enough money to pay our utility bills. That’s a kind of freedom I cannot describe.
This was a special moment for me because we had just paid off our house a few weeks prior. We did it after being married for only two years. It’s amazing how our friends thought we were crazy when they learned of our simplistic lifestyle. They once considered us to be extremely frugal, even “cheap.” Now they are amazed at our accomplishments. The best part about it is that the victory came a month before my thirty-second birthday. We went on vacation and celebrated for two weeks. The sacrifices we made in order to pay off our home were well worth it.
People constantly ask me what it feels like to have my home paid in full. I simply say, “It’s like living a dream.” We have been able to do so many amazing things since becoming debt-free. I am astonished when I think about the decisions I postponed because of my bondage to debt. I literally held myself back from making life-changing decisions such as pursuing my dream of becoming a Financial Life Coach, author, and speaker. Now, however, living debt-free has released a freedom inside of me that words cannot describe.
I believe that this way of life is for everyone. If you would have asked me five years ago whether I thought this style of life was possible, I would have answered in the negative. That negative view has been changed. I know that anything is possible to those who believe. The fact that I obtained financial freedom is the main reason we launched our company, Financial Counseling from The Heart of a Teacher. Our mission is to give others HOPE in a better future and the COURAGE to make that future a reality.
If you are ready to get rid of the shackles that bind you and keep you debt ridden, keep reading this book with a prepared heart, an open mind, and with an excited spirit. Our plan is a tried and proven one. You, too, can step into a life of abundance and blessings. If you accepted this challenge and work this plan, please write and let us know about your journey. We’d love to know how this book has impacted your life. Your testimonials fuel the fire that burns inside of our hearts. It’s a fire that desires to see everyone delivered from financial bondage. You are the reason we give our all to this ministry.
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