Perfect timing on this article! I just had this conversation with my sister because of whatever BS he is going to spout on Thursday. Don't give away your hope, your enjoyment of what today brings. Stay strong in body and mind!
Great advice on the savings, we are in the process of doing all of that right now!
Thursday will bring whatever Thursday brings. It always does. But...t doesn't get to reach back and take TODAY from you; not unless you hand it over.
Sounds like you and your sister already figured that out on your own.
And...I love that you're ALREADY working through the list. That's the part most people SKIP...they read it, they nod, they mean to get to it. You're actually picking UP the phone!
Stay strong in body and mind. That's the entire thing right there.
Great article. Saving money is always good. Saving your future is even better. "Refuse to surrender tomorrow" is a great way of saying to live in the present. Good work Jack! We need to do both.
Both. Always BOTH. Take care of the practical things...the bills...the calls...the hour with the bank statement. That's how you build a life you can actually stand on.
And...then REFUSE to hand tomorrow over to ANYBODY.
One makes you stronger. The other...makes sure you're STILL HERE... to use it.
I'm wavering in that place between dedication and despair.
The article you wrote yesterday and today are potent reminders of actions to rededicate and incremental steps to move out of despair.
This phase of time is similar to addiction recovery. I've got a list taped to my phone of alternatives to doom scrolling. Because, trying to end a non-life affirming behavior requires a replacement life affirming behavior.
D J P...that line..."trying to end a non-life affirming behavior requires a replacement life affirming behavior"... is one of the truest things anyone has said in these comments.
You can't just stop doom scrolling. The hand still reaches for the phone. You have to give it somewhere else to GO.
Yoga. Walk. Clean. Taped where you'll actually SEE it.
That's not a small thing. That's a SYSTEM. And systems...are what carry people through the stretches when willpower...runs OUT.
Wavering between dedication and despair isn't failure...by the way. It's what staying in the fight ACTUALLY feels like from the inside. Nobody who's still here is doing it without the wavering.
Thank you for sharing your list. Somebody reading this...is going to make their own BECAUSE of it!
Patty...that line came out of me almost by accident...and it's turned out to be the one people keep coming back to.
Because...it takes the pressure off. You don't HAVE to feel hopeful. Some mornings...you won't. You just have to DECIDE...that today's effort STILL counts...and then go do the NEXT thing.
For years now, when something comes up that I really don't want to do...and my kids or my wife are around to hear it...I say it out loud:
"Man...this sucks. BUT I LIKE IT!" and then I immediately DO it. I Always say that last part with a grin and a twinkle in my eye.
It started with the neurological pain after my traumatic brain injury while I was in the Navy. The kind that had me on the verge of suicidal thoughts more than once. When it peaked, I'd shout it:
"F*CK this hurts...BUT I LIKE IT!"
In the near future...I'll write a full article on the psychology and neurological aspects of this..and why it probably saved my life....and...how it can be applied to the less pleasing aspects of life.
Never giving up isn't a personality trait. It's a CHOICE you make again and again.
Thanks for sharing this, Jack. You found a way to persevere through many challenges. It's an important life lesson your kids are learning when they watch you, as well.
Well you were right. I found two what I thought were canceled subscriptions. They're now for sure canceled, and I'm up an annualized $340. Not too shabby! Thanks!
My entire live has always been "Hopes and Dreams". I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know it's a new day and anything can happen! I'm a Cinderella story and look at how that ended for her, each day brings hope. Smile and believe in your heart "Dreams do come true"!!!!
Perfect timing on this article! I just had this conversation with my sister because of whatever BS he is going to spout on Thursday. Don't give away your hope, your enjoyment of what today brings. Stay strong in body and mind!
Great advice on the savings, we are in the process of doing all of that right now!
Kristine...This is exactly it.
Thursday will bring whatever Thursday brings. It always does. But...t doesn't get to reach back and take TODAY from you; not unless you hand it over.
Sounds like you and your sister already figured that out on your own.
And...I love that you're ALREADY working through the list. That's the part most people SKIP...they read it, they nod, they mean to get to it. You're actually picking UP the phone!
Stay strong in body and mind. That's the entire thing right there.
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thank you! For each tomorrow, and stemming far, far beyond for all of us, may hope and gratitude continue to grace our lives magnificently!
#HoldFast
Judy...beautifully said.
Hope and gratitude...two things NOBODY can take from you. They have to be surrendered.
So...DON'T.
Thank you for being here!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Hope IS a decision!
DON'T give your tomorrow away!
EXCELLENT advice, Jack!
Sky Blue...that's it. That's the whole damn thing.
It isn't a feeling that "shows up" when things look good. It's something you DECIDE...on the mornings when NOTHING looks good at all.
And then...you decide it again the NEXT day.
Thank you for reading all the way to the end. You're exactly the kind of person I write that part for!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Excellent recommendation, Jack. Every little bit that can be saved certainly helps. Thank you!
TimE...thank you for reading.
You're right...it's rarely one BIG thing. It's a little here, a little there...month after month. That's how it adds up.
The best part...is you only have to make the calls ONCE. Then...the savings keep showing up on their own.
Let me know what you find. I'd love to hear how it goes!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Good ideas all!
Roberta...thank you. Truly.
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thanks Jack Good Advice..
Much appreciated, Teri.
Always glad to see you here!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thanks for the great reminder about checking your Financials! I have been meaning to do that for a while. I needed the push.
"Don't give away your tomorrow!"
#HoldFast
Robert...You're welcome.
That's usually how it goes...we all know we should. It just never quite makes it to the top of the list.
So consider this the push. Set the timer. One hour.
You'll almost CERTAINLY find something. Almost everyone does.
And don't give away your tomorrow. You've got it!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Great article. Saving money is always good. Saving your future is even better. "Refuse to surrender tomorrow" is a great way of saying to live in the present. Good work Jack! We need to do both.
Gary Nelson...you put that better than I did.
Both. Always BOTH. Take care of the practical things...the bills...the calls...the hour with the bank statement. That's how you build a life you can actually stand on.
And...then REFUSE to hand tomorrow over to ANYBODY.
One makes you stronger. The other...makes sure you're STILL HERE... to use it.
Thank you for reading, Gary!
#HoldFast
-Jack
I'm wavering in that place between dedication and despair.
The article you wrote yesterday and today are potent reminders of actions to rededicate and incremental steps to move out of despair.
This phase of time is similar to addiction recovery. I've got a list taped to my phone of alternatives to doom scrolling. Because, trying to end a non-life affirming behavior requires a replacement life affirming behavior.
My list for an example to others;
Yoga
Walk
Clean
Much appreciation for the reminder, Jack.
D J P...that line..."trying to end a non-life affirming behavior requires a replacement life affirming behavior"... is one of the truest things anyone has said in these comments.
You can't just stop doom scrolling. The hand still reaches for the phone. You have to give it somewhere else to GO.
Yoga. Walk. Clean. Taped where you'll actually SEE it.
That's not a small thing. That's a SYSTEM. And systems...are what carry people through the stretches when willpower...runs OUT.
Wavering between dedication and despair isn't failure...by the way. It's what staying in the fight ACTUALLY feels like from the inside. Nobody who's still here is doing it without the wavering.
Thank you for sharing your list. Somebody reading this...is going to make their own BECAUSE of it!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Great advice and reminder Jack! Thanks!
Sue...YOU...are welcome!
#HoldFast
-Jack
I appreciate the money saving tips. I also suggest calling your credit card companies & asking what the lowest fixed interest rate they can offer you.
You're most welcome, Lori.
That is a great suggestion. You just demonstrated just how important the comments section really is!
#HoldFast
-Jack
This piece is a gift. Thank you.
Libby...that's kind of you to say. Thank you.
I'm glad you're here!
#HoldFast
-Jack
"Hope is a decision". This really resonated with me. Thank you, Jack. I'm like you and will never give up!
Patty...that line came out of me almost by accident...and it's turned out to be the one people keep coming back to.
Because...it takes the pressure off. You don't HAVE to feel hopeful. Some mornings...you won't. You just have to DECIDE...that today's effort STILL counts...and then go do the NEXT thing.
For years now, when something comes up that I really don't want to do...and my kids or my wife are around to hear it...I say it out loud:
"Man...this sucks. BUT I LIKE IT!" and then I immediately DO it. I Always say that last part with a grin and a twinkle in my eye.
It started with the neurological pain after my traumatic brain injury while I was in the Navy. The kind that had me on the verge of suicidal thoughts more than once. When it peaked, I'd shout it:
"F*CK this hurts...BUT I LIKE IT!"
In the near future...I'll write a full article on the psychology and neurological aspects of this..and why it probably saved my life....and...how it can be applied to the less pleasing aspects of life.
Never giving up isn't a personality trait. It's a CHOICE you make again and again.
Glad you're in it with me!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thanks for sharing this, Jack. You found a way to persevere through many challenges. It's an important life lesson your kids are learning when they watch you, as well.
You’re smart. 😉
Rae...occasionally. On the days I've had enough coffee. 😉
I can ALWAYS count on you being here and commenting! Thank you.
#HoldFast
-Jack
HA! And sometimes my big mouth can boost another. 😉 Holdin’ ~Rae
Well you were right. I found two what I thought were canceled subscriptions. They're now for sure canceled, and I'm up an annualized $340. Not too shabby! Thanks!
My entire live has always been "Hopes and Dreams". I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know it's a new day and anything can happen! I'm a Cinderella story and look at how that ended for her, each day brings hope. Smile and believe in your heart "Dreams do come true"!!!!