Weekend Wonders --- Days 11 and 12

Days 11 and 12

Spoke this weekend with a friend who has recently moved to southern CA. She has met some incredible people who have mentored her in starting a gallery. She has a long-time artist friend, and knew that for years she would like to display his work. She had her opening and it was good. A few weeks ago, she featured another talented artist. It also was well-attended. She's also had a Bed and Breakfast in the past and may have another in the future.

I've spoken with her before about the business, but her computer has died and she hasn't replaced it. She's had me take the lead for other projects when it comes to the Internet and the computer. This visit, I really wanted to let her know about the Business Partnership Program, and how she could gain an added revenue stream by introducing her new business contacts to the program. We'll keep in touch and check in again after the new year, and after she gets another computer. They are going to be moving back to our town then, too. YEAH.

Saturday was a day of cleansing and organizing. Amazing what a clean desk can do for your soul. Will still be working toward perfecting a good system of tracking contacts, follow-ups and growing the Big Z team.

Saturday also brought with it our first snow. A huge Arctic Front has brought a big freeze and snow to the West Coast. The coldest since 1990.

Waking up Sunday to a brilliant white wonderland was lovely. The day brought with it some sun and it felt like a perfect winter day to nest. Sun always makes the day brighter (no pun intended!) Made some lentil soup, and a cake to surprise Big Z with when he arrived home while listening to the recently posted evening calls from 2 weeks ago. When he got here, there was a still a few rays of daylight and so he took advantage to it by getting the sled out and playing in the freezing cold snow for about 10 minutes.

The calls were great, and I found some information in them that I'm glad that I didn't miss. How good it is to catch the calls live. It's challenging to catch them both in a busy day. So, having the calls recorded and accessible is very, very helpful. If we had i-pods, why I can guarantee we'd have them downloaded to the little gadgets to listen to over and over again!

Christmas cards were also a part of our afternoon. Years have gone by with my good intention to mail Christmas cards to friends and family, but for some reason, those wonderful messages never get delivered via USPS; instead they are sent through time and space on loving thoughts and prayers. Typically, before we know it, mid- December is here and we're flyin' or drivin' south for the holiday (this year we were going to stay put since I just made the trip, saving it instead for warmer weather and Spring Break!). No, not this year for those cards. They aren't staying in their boxes another minute. We have SUCCESS! Most, if not All, will receive a cheerful holiday message from us. We'll do our best.

Lastly, we've been preparing for our impending trip to California for my step-Father's services this Friday. We're going to stay through Christmas Day. We're going to be navigating the storms and make our way south during a window that's supposed to occur this week, likely Tuesday.

I struggle with the disappointment of knowing that our efforts in growing Big Z's business during our personal boot camp will need to be set aside during this necessary time with family. I realize, though, that it's not an end, just a pause to our efforts . . . A pause that life will always insert into our lives.

This gives a chance to tell you of one reason WHY it is important to grow a business to the point that it provides income even when you're not able to devote time to growing it. That's called R-E-S-I-D-U-A-L I-N-C-O-M-E. We love being able to help others in our lives. When people have day jobs, the amount they are able to help is diminished in certain ways. They are not able to help a mom who needs to have surgery and has no one to watch their kids. They aren't able to help friends and family with odd tasks and jobs. It's not easy to take time away from work to go support a loved one who is ailing. It's not easy to just leave your job to take a trip like we are taking--- a service for a loved one and an extended stay for the holiday. It's not easy to help care for pets of friends who have to go out of town. It's not easy to volunteer at your school if the teacher is ill. It's not easy to work for the your school and their fundraisers. It's not easy to raise your kids while getting quality time. It's more difficult to help your friends with landscaping projects. This doesn't even count all the community efforts that need support daily. Ultimately, it boils down to TIME FREEDOM, to FINANCIAL FREEDOM (at least financial comfort), and to FAMILY FREEDOM.

This is one of our WHYs for having a business from home. We want freedom and wealth, and to know that we can do what we want and have to do at a moment's notice, without wondering how it will be paid for and whether we'd lose our job by taking time off, or wondering if our kids will have more affection with their day-sitters than you, etc.

Jobs are good. They serve a purpose, yes. As another Boot Camper said, j.o.b. stands for "just over broke." I've heard that before. We want a Life, not just being a slave to the clock. All of us deserve Life. And in this economy, we also deserve Security . . . something that a lot of j.o.b.s. are not providing right now.

Take action for your future. Find a way to grow your possibility of Life well-lived and enjoyed:

Visit http://www.bigzgivesbig.com/ and sign up as a World Changer. Utilize the gift of the $300 fuel rebate when you sign up! And earn your rebates for shopping in your own mall! Or, purchase an American Express Gift Card and shop locally. Make a difference in your life. Pay yourself first by claiming your rebates. You'll be glad you did.