Do Your Kids Understand Money?

What do your kids think about money? Have you ever taken the time to ask them? See what they say to the following questions:

1. Where does money come from?
2. How much money is enough to be happy?
3. How do you make more money? Is it easy or hard?

Their answers to these questions may surprise you. It may be a wake up call to you that your kids may need additional tools to understand the purpose of money in their lives, the emotional charge they place on money and how to manage it.

I have discovered a wonderful little website that actually showcases new and innovative digital products that help teach kids about money. Check it out at www.MoneyKidz.com.

Just think of the impact it will have to teach your kids how to create, manage and use money as they grow up, instead of waiting until they are heavy into credit card debt or moving back home. Why not teach them now, instead of when it is too late???

The Blind Side

They say that art imitates real life. But when life imitates art – that is an accomplishment to be noted. The real life story of Michael Oher has been captured on film in the new movie, The Blind Side. But the artistry woven between the characters is no imitation – it’s the real thing.

Although not strongly emphasized, the motivation for Leigh Anne Tuohy (played exquisitely by Sandra Boullock) is based on Christian principles. Her strong love for God places her in many awkward situations that most people would avoid in their worst nightmares. But Leigh Anne has a bigger vision – to be the kind of person who sees others in a Godly way. And Michael Oher, the poor, homeless kid with a nose for football, is the grateful recipient of Leigh Anne’s mission.

The Blind Side is a compelling story of love, respect…and well, blindness. There are many shades of blindness, just as there are many shades of people and issues. What you chose to remain blind to says a lot about you and your accepted values. It also speaks volumes about where you stand on your Christian journey.

This movie will make you think about your “blind sides,” those areas in your life where you just accept the pervading sentiment without questioning whether it is the right thing to do. Like walking by a homeless man without giving him a smile or any kind of acknowledgment. Or ignoring a person because they have different color skin than yours. It could be as simple as turning away from your child because you let anxiety over money control your life.

What are your blind sides? Have you taken the time to see them and decide if you agree with them? Or have you been complacent, not wanting to be bothered?

Go see The Blind Side. Then shine the light of truth on the ignored corners of your soul. You just might discover that your blindness was hiding something beautiful – a life that is artfully lived.

See the Lion in the Mirror

In your moments of quiet time, do you ever get the feeling that there is a being of immense power within you? Do you ever feel a twinge of regret because you have lead a small life, when you know in your authentic core that you could have done so much more?

It's time to wake up the lion in the mirror!

There are as many paths to that goal as there are human hearts beating. There are also so many choices of teachers, mentors, gurus, etc. that it can make your mind spin. So what is a new born adventurer to do?

Listen to your inner lion.

I know that sounds weird, but stay with me for a minute. By "inner lion" I mean your authentic self, that voice inside you that knows what is best for you. Not your over-active, analytical mind; not your too-sensitive, too-fearful ego, but your Higher Self. The part of you that is directly connected to God.

Imagine a lion resting under a tree on the Serengeti. He knows exactly who he is, what his job on earth is and what he has to accomplish. He is at peace with his world, because he understands intuitively that he is an integral part of that world. He never questions or doubts himself and never, never, never applies the harsh spotlight of criticism or judgment to himself or others. He simply is what God made him to be - a magnificent creature.

You have a sleeping lion inside of you - waiting patiently for you to discover him. How do you do that? Here is a simple but profound exercise you can practice daily.

Take ten minutes every morning in a quiet place where you can practice deep breathing, be still and listen. Tune out the distractions, worries and fears that consume you and tune into the quiet, peaceful tranquility where your Higher Self is waiting. Just for you.

Then see what happens!

It might really surprise you what you learn from these brief moments in solitude. If you are still enough, you will hear your Higher Self. Not in fearful or anxious words like the mind or ego uses. Your Higher Self has an entirely new language of unconditional love, total acceptance, absolute joy and never-ending peace.

Keep a daily journal or diary of what you discover. Do this for 30 days, then read back over what you have learned. You will be amazed at the changes in yourself and in your perspective.

I promise you - if you do your ten minutes a day for 30 days, your sleeping lion will wake up. Or at least will open one eye!