A Late Start - Spirituality Month



Dont, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when
you say that you don't need me.

I've been a little frustrated with my productivity lately. February ended up being a very high-maintenance month. Cooking every meal was time consuming. I listened to my book every chance I got. It's over now, and it was great! Comes very highly recommended. Along with all that, I've had a decent amount of schoolwork to keep me busy in addition to a fun little bug I seem to have contracted. Which means I get a lot less done that I would like each night! Still on the agenda for "money month" is finishing my tablecloth and setting up my etsy store. I can't wait, but I want to do it right! I'd like to have more than only a couple of items to start out with. On the money month note, I'm also planning on getting my car on the market soon. And all the while, trying not to get too frustrated with the fact that I have to spend 40+ hours of valuable Year o' No Regrets time at the office every week.
Onto Spirituality Month. I have a pretty open mind when it comes to spirituality, but I think that I've shut it out altogether for the most part in the past few years because of some negative feelings toward the churches I've attended. I'm not looking to get into a religious debate here, simply to flesh out my thoughts and feelings and desires when it comes to the spiritual side of my life and developing it further.

Less is More Time, Money, and Clarity

It's officially "No Spend" month. I'm going to make myself relay here everything I buy. Last night at Brookshires I got one bag each of rice, black beans, and lentils (1.50 a pop). I made soup so I will have something to eat the next couple of days... turned out fairly well. I threw in a can of corn, diced tomatoes, a cup each of brown rice, (rinsed) black beans, and lentils. Maybe a little much, I'll probably cut it to 3/4 cup of each next time. It's pretty thick! But so filling. I seasoned it with italian seasoning, garlic, chicken bouillon, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and chili powder. An eclectic mix, to be sure, but it's savory and yummy. Besides being super nutritious.

One more thing - I had two dollars left in my wallet. So when the Super Bowl squares came around, well. I partook. Wow, only day two and I'm screwing up! I figured that little bit of cash shouldn't count, especially because, originally, my plan was to convert my birthday and Christmas money to cash and have that available to spend, which I decided against. I'm glad I did, because I realized that not thinking about things to buy has freed my mind. When I get $10 off coupons in the mail, I normally hem and haw, feeling bad about the money I could save on things I might need, or gifts I could buy. Last night I checked the mail and brought one in - I took one look at it and chucked it. It was empowering!

February: Money Month

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:10

Money often costs too much. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Time is more value than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time. - Jim Rohn

Money is like most anything else in this world - it can be used for good, or it can be used for evil. I've heard people try to say that the Bible says money is the root of all evil - but that's not correct. It says that the love of money is the root of all evil. I think that another way to say that is that the love of power is the root of all evil. Why would someone love money? Money is nothing but a tool. The only value of money is what it can do. It's a means, not an end.

I'm not perfect when it comes to money. I'm even less perfect when it comes to discipline, which is why I dedicated January to it, and discipline affects money to a substantial degree. But money is definitely a toughie. How much is enough? Is there ever too much? How much should you spend on yourself, and how much should you spend on others? Is it ethical to live comfortably when others don't, through no fault of their own? The more you make, the more you could donate, right? So then should you attempt to make as much as possible? This is such a personal issue and I know that everyone will come to their own different conclusion, but I think it's an important issue to examine your own feelings and motivations toward.

Beading and Brewing

Dun dun dun.... I was not early to work yesterday. Actually, I was right on time, but that doesn't count for my spreadsheet. I planned to aim for 5 minutes early so that maybe I can develop a habit of being on time. I am shooting for 100% attainment on all my goals every day so that I can hit or exceed the 90% mark. I don't really expect perfection, but that doesn't mean I can't aim for it.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars.
-  Les Brown

Fiscal Dilemma

In anticipation of February (Money month), I am thinking about things I could do that I enjoy and also make some extra money. I need to cut back in some areas, but I also really, really enjoy giving gifts, doing little craft days with my godchildren, and being able to go lunch and other places with my friends. Instead of cutting back on these activities, some of my most favorite things in the world, which consume too much of my disposable income, I want to increase the income.

I had thought about getting a part-time job, and I would, but school needs to be priority right now, and I think I would kill myself working or doing school any more than I do already. Since I already got rid of my cable back in October, and since I'd also like to start reading more, I'm thinking about crafting and listening to audio books. It seems like a productive thing to do that would be fun, educational, and give me the chance to sell some things on etsy. I made a tablecloth for my Christmas table this year, and it inspired me to make one for every day.

I plan to use a simply patterned fabric as a base, then applique fleur de lis or other pretty shapes on in a more ornate fabric, and bead through the shapes for some pop. It got me to wondering whether this is a common project (I figured it was), so I researched etsy both to check out the competition and get inspiration. Let me just say, there was N O T H I NG. Nothing that I would put on my table. They were all either farm fresh, cheesy, lacey or downright boring and doubtfully handmade. No wonder I've never bothered with a tablecloth! I'll admit there was one cute quilted-type tablecloth (still, not what I had in mind), but it was $120 dollars (quite a bit more than I'm planning on selling mine for, but hey, I'd take it), and the seller had never sold one. There was nothing there for a modern girl.

This first attempt may not turn out perfectly, and in fact, after looking at some of the amazing fabric on etsy, mine that I bought from Hancock looks pathetic. But hopefully, my design will jazz it up. There are some other things I've thought about making, including a baby mobile out of my little paper bird designs. For now, while I'm out of school til the 17th, I'm going to work on this tablecloth for the next few free nights. I haven't invested in a sewing machine yet, so that means a lot of needlework, but I enjoy it and it's fun for me to see something I made completely by hand. Don't worry, I'm sure a machine will be purchased soon enough. I'm not completely stubborn, just about 75%.