Divine Discovery

 

Leaves jaywalking across the street; only to hide from one another against the soul of a passerby.  

The raindrops race to their divine destination delivering a droplet of hope to smallest of seed.
A rumbling avalanche chases it's echo. A storm grumbles & complains as it is asked to leave that corner of the sky.

The leaves clap their hands & the meadows bow low.
It is the goodnight kiss of nature.
Trees submit to the calmness from within their branches
as the storm subsides.
The evening sun gives one last look upon the edge of the sky
as she slips out for a night on the town.

              The night's sky is dressed in her black dress that 

glistens with wonderment.
All eyes are upon her as she makes her entranceway to
 midnight's grandest ballroom.

 Nature has tucked her youth under the blanket of restfulness. 
           The sun silently enters through morning's open door
              then gently folds back the cover from another day.

Meanwhile the leaves are waiting for another breeze
               to escort them across a path.
The rain is preparing for another new life to begin.
                                                                                                                        The trees have stretched their arms;
                   the meadow awaits for her turn to
                                                      embrace the wind. 

Your invitation to eternal life is now.
Look upon the grandeur of God's gift alive in His creation.

Behold, the Prince of Peace will return to escort His Bride home.
Will you attend?  Are you aware of His message in all of Nature?
He loves you.
The festivities begin the moment you accept His personal invite.  RSVP         Eternity awaits.....

The Size Of Love

How big is your love?
How much value do you weigh towards the affections of your heart?
Is there a way to measure the value of true love that is unconditionally given? It’s true, when that love first enters your heart, you will never be the same.

I am a nature lover. I like the antics of little squirrels, chipmunks, you know- those who scamper across the ground in pursuit of happiness & maybe a little dinner.

And then there are the home pets…the puppies, kittens, bunnies & the like. Their nuzzlings of affection when snuggling against their very own human surely wiggles its way into the human hearts with very little effort.

When you need to experience the tenderness and the sensitivity of a heart, take a walk in the park, or embrace your pet in your arms. Be still. Watch the reaction they have to the attention you give. Whether you are an observer of their life or the shoulder they rest their head upon, you will discover unconditional affection.

How do you measure that? I don’t know. All I know is it’s a valuable shared visit of time to be respected, embraced & folded in to a beautiful page in your book of living. Enjoy.

In Sightful

"When you think you are losing sight of what is important in your life,

 it is ok to look inward to the hidden areas of your heart first.

 After all, that may have been the very first thing you lost sight of...you.

Search for the missing pieces of what makes you complete; happy.

Gather these attributes of character, welcome them back,

then introduce you to you...then to others.

            

   Being comfortable with yourself is important &

              it helps others to be the same.”

What You Don't Know - The Profit of The AGEncies....

Today’s Private Duty In-Home Senior Care Industry is truly Big Bucks for the AGEncy Owner, but makes little to no cents for the one providing the actual care. YOU have the means to make a difference in this. What you know now will help you later.

Need someone to watch over your aging loved one while you are otherwise busy? Senior Home Care is big business making millions for the owners of the agencies in your area.  Some people see this as a new MLM hidden under the blanket of a family of ‘franchises’. 

So, before you run to the phone to employ a dedicated hardworking caregiver who will only make miniscule funds (approximately 36% or $9 of the $25 you are charged by the Agency) to care for your family, you owe it to yourself to read this. Making a living is alright in the world of business. Yet many owners push & shove their way to the top of their company status quo by being experts in taking advantage of employee’s skills to make a buck & discarding them once the gig is up. Often the same is true that the company & the owner begin seeing the client as a number (often a dollar sign attached). How do they sleep at night with this sham lurking beneath their bank covers?

Yes, you are paying for the owner’s one of many multimillion dollar estates, a tricked out RV, new Beemer, & another exotic vacation cruise for their entire family.  The staff members that are hired to run the office find themselves at the revolving door of termination once the truth is uncovered & ethics are questioned. While owners have no tolerance for objections once greed has overtaken the reason for doing what they do, the truth always comes out eventually.

When you elect to hire someone directly (without an agency) to be there for your loved one you are able to pay a fair wage for their services.  An Agency will only pay the caregiver minimum. The difference is when you hire via an agency; you are making one person, the owner of the agency- very, very RICH.

If you have read this far and this is of interest to you, be aware that for every hour you are billed for a care giver, the owner of the agency you have contracted personally pockets approximately $11 of that $25. That is absurd.
 
To help clarify, here’s a little math:
Average example: An Agency has 300 clients at a required minimum of 24 hrs of service per week x $25/hr for approximately 52 weeks...
Less franchise fees of $5 per billable hour.
The care giver makes $9 before taxes (no benefits are provided). The owner is making a sweet: $80,000 take home a week? Yes you read that correctly!!! (only 300 clients...)
You will pay $31,200 a year for 24 hrs of care a week (although you probably will discover an alternative to this expense of $2600/mo)
Remember- the following is based from only 24 hrs care/wk.

$31,200 per year x 300 clients = $9,360,000 INCOME
$20,000 lease for office / mo x 12 = $240,000/yr
$50,000 salary for each of the 10 office staff = $500,000
*More accurate salaries range in the mid $30s.

$1,800,000 paid to the Franchise ($5 per hr billed)= $1,800,000
$11,232 / yr paid to each of the 300 Care Givers ($9/hr x 24 x52) = $3,369,600
(An additional $100,000 for miscellaneous expenses)

Drum Roll (be sure you are sitting down less you fall over).

With only 300 clients a week...imagine the numbers increasing-
Agency Income: $9,360,000 annually
Total overhead: $6,010,000 annually
Total owner profit: $3,350,000 annually
Care Giver hourly: $11,232 - $15,000 (24-31 hrs/wk) no benefits.

I remember when I was a privately hired care giver, as a 1099, I was making the fee which would have been paid the agency. In addition to this opportunity, I have also worked as a business & marketing manager on the inside of this industry for agencies. I know first hand the game of scrambling to grab another customer to provide 'a service'  (Check the oil please) I have assisted the owner(s) to become millionaires & have watched egos & arrogance swell with each dollar bill added to the bankroll. With little to no respect for the well being of those in their employ *short lived at that....the areas of big business BS that is shadowed by the sweet, caring --facade.

When you hire someone to provide the actual CARE for your family member compensate them fairly. The agency is not doing anything that you yourself could do. Knowledge is powerful & rewarding. Your loved one need not pay more than needed. Negotiate. Think about it- it’s personal to the caregiver...its profit for the owner- plain & simple.  

BEFORE the need arises, do your research. Find a genuine caregiver who meets your qualifications. They need to support their family; themselves....You can then be part of their solution as they become part of yours.

<Although the billable fees & amounts may vary per agency-the above is an example, the truth of the matter is still accurate. You can control the quality & the cost of care>

RESOURCES:

http://education.yahoo.net/articles/hot_careers_hiring_now_2.htm?kid=1O130

 

Career #4: Home Health and Personal Care Aides

Do you enjoy helping people or caring for elderly family members? You may want to steer your natural compassion toward a career as a home health or personal care aide, a field that is heating up across the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, home health and personal care aides help older adults or people who are chronically ill, disabled, or cognitively impaired execute day-to-day activities like bathing or light housekeeping.

Hot Factors: The Department of Labor says employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow by a staggering 70 percent from 2010 to 2020, resulting in a total increase of 1.3 million professionals.

Why such impressive growth? There is a huge cohort of baby boomers reaching the age of care, says Shatkin. Plus, he says, the preceding generation is already well into that age.

Shatkin also identifies a shift in how elderly care is performed today. "The practice has been to move toward caring for people at home as much as possible, partly to contain health care costs and partly because the outcomes are better when people are in their familiar environment," he says.

Next step: Click Here to Find the Right Patient Care and Therapy Program.

Education Requirements: If you're interested in pursuing a career as a home health or personal care aide, here's some great news: According to the Department, there are no formal education requirements for this profession. However, most aides have a high school diploma and those working in home health or hospice agencies must have "formal training and pass a standardized test."

Misplaced Moments of a Lifetime

Remember the good ole days?

When the activities of the youth were limited to one after school event,& vacations were to the local state park to take in the sights. Even the thrill of staying in a motel was an event in itself as we stopped the travels in mid-afternoon so we could spend family time in the pool. Then we would dress for dinner at the Howard Johnsons buffet.

These days have been overshadowed by the glitz & rah-rah of expectation & never being satisfied with the simple things of living. As we grow older, we reflect back on these times. Often we are not happy with the transitions. We see our lives moving too fast & time invested in the life of another has diminished, if not almost nonexistent. We place our loved ones, who are now no longer independent, in the care of a stranger or in a home that is not their own.

Then we rarely visit or call. We are too busy. When we invite time to be the enemy we fall victim to the theft of memories we cannot hold on to. We cast blame on the government, the schools, & even the church whether they are a part of the issue or not. Could it be that we are too busy to notice where the blame really is hiding? Take a look in the mirror.

Let’s propose a challenge. Make three appointments to keep for one month; each week no matter what. Make a date with the people in your life that matter the most: one with yourself, one with your spouse or best friend, & one with your parents and children if you are a parent. Rearrange your priorities for a month. Say no to intruding interruptions of your sleep, relaxation, recreation, & quiet times. Turn off the TV, the computer, & stop playing with the phone, apps, & texting. For this time - Just STOP the unnecessary distractions in your Life. Interesting how the word 'NO' is becoming less spoken to children, young adults, and even to ourselves when wanting (not needing) the most recent 'toy' whether it be electronics, or automotive.

We have placed ourselves outside our 'comfort' zone & grown numb to our self imposed debt, disrespect, & delusion of what we can afford physically, financially, emotionally, & economically. “Life was simpler when we were children.” Each generation states that fact as they mature & become dishearten by the following generations. We either ‘remember when’ or we will ‘regret then’. Think about it.

When I was a youth, a box of crayons & building blocks were our iPod. Two cans & a string were our cell phones. It was a soapbox derby that was our car & listening to bedtime stories, our wide screen imagination.

I am blessed to have been a participant in the era I grew up in. Imagine the inner thoughts & memories that your parents who are in their 60-90s must cherish. They have seen so very much. I am blessed to have a strong family & values.

God knows the heart & in my heart are moments of gratitude. We need never take anyone or anything for granted. Memories are to be cherished...not misplaced or replaced. Start today to create your memories of 'remember when' Yes,regret is a choice.

Bling-You Can't Take It With You.

This is part of an article that includes some pretty flashy & fancy photos I discovered online. With some liberty in edits, I hope you see the glitter of truth & humor in the simplicity & sincerity of this blog post.

Heaven, when portrayed by the artists of canvas with its streets of gold, still has the best Bling of all time. Yet, look at some of the Bling Things the rich have found as treasures that are not laid up in heaven. When you go, this stays. Let's hope & pray this FACT is remembered & heeded before the final curtain time. In the meantime, enjoy! When people have money, they look for ways and means to spend it. That is, after all, the entire purpose of having a wallet that is bursting at its seams with a fat wad of currency or flaunting a platinum, titanium or uranium credit card that has an obscene credit limit on it. When people have too much money, they generally tend to splurge it on outrageous commodities that most of us would only regard with incredulity.

Forget about questions like “why, in the world would you want to buy that?” or “what on earth were they thinking?” or even “why would they want to waste all that money?” Concentrate only on one fact – they can and therefore they will. Let’s find out how the insanely rich spend their money. You are going to love this…or maybe not!

Never again will the world take the ordinary pencil for granted for it has been lifted to the level of extraordinary 'The 24K Gold Pencil' by Korean designer Daisung Kim. These very special pencils have a thin layer of 24k gold plating on them when they come to you in a very jazzy box shaped like gold bars. Yes, very creative I must say! Next time you want to scribble a figure with several zeros in it on your check book, lay aside your fancy pens and flash this golden pencil. If you are really happy with the bank’s customer service, you could even give away pencil shavings as a tip. Better still save them up for a rainy day and cash them in when you run out of the gold in your vault! Gotta Go?? How about trying The Golden Loo for Your Poo?

The rich even go to the toilet in style! For them nothing less than a golden pot would do to receive their bodily waste and drain it to the murky lower world in panache! After all, what poop can boast of such a see-off?

Brainchild of Hong Kong-based jeweler Hang Fung Gold Technology, this royal loo is made from 24k solid gold and weighs well over a metric tonne. It’s even found a place for itself in the Guiness Book of World record as the most expensive toilet in the world. But, of course! AND Finally----When it is time to "GO" for the Final Journey...The Gold Coffin (Not going to get you in to Heaven, but you will be seen leaving the main stage in style)

It seems the rich prefer to set themselves apart even in death. Not content with the modest and regular arrangements for their final resting place, they sought out something more glamorous and ritzy – like this 24k gold coffin designed by Art Funeral, Italy. Having made a debut last year in a show for “Billionaires only” this $400,000 coffin comes with, believe it or not, a built in cell phone! (seriously folks...some people just have no idea about the after-life)

In the event they get a bit too restless on the other side of the world and wish to call up and chat with their loved ones here, perhaps? Ah, the mysterious ways in which the rich and dead work. Yeah,can you imagine some of those 'crys for water while having what they thought would be one hellava time with the parties ~ of pain?' Oh people....

When you 'turn your eyes upon Jesus & look full in His wonderful face. The things of earth will grow strangely dim...in the Light of His Glory & Grace.'

Attention Passengers of Life !

As we make our approach to the location of your divine destiny, we ask that you place your Faith in its upright position. The Pilot has turned on the sign for you to “Fasten your belt of Belief.” Our anticipated arrival to your Gate of Grace is Ephesians 3:20. The Angels of Heavenly Landings want to remind you: Your life travel plans were designed for you especially by God, the Creator of the Heavenly Salvation PrAIR Lines, as He continues to share His very best with you.

Enjoy your visit to 'Today's Opportunities' that ever popular travel location here in the City of Now. We trust that during your brief visit to this life, you will continue to ‘Soar in Spirit & Be a Blessing' in all you say & do.

As a reminder, please leave all excess emotional baggage of your past or any shadow of self-doubt & we will gladly discard it for you. Should you be unaware of how to secure your spiritual direction after your visit to Now, we would encourage you to refer to one of our most recognized travel guide's of HIS-tory, John. He has provided an easy to understand review of the resurrection of Christ on the worded map - Chapter 3: 16.

This information is found by accessing the GPS in your Bible (God's Powerful Spirit). Enjoy your day...your life & as only He can...God Bless You. Stay tuned for further life changing & exciting moments. This has been a ‘God's Only Son Paid All’ public announcement.

Knock Knock...Who's There?

It’s dinner time & you have just sat down to dine with your family when there is a knock on the front door.

Frustration flies through you for a brief moment as your family time has been rudely interrupted by the unknown owner of such persistence. Yet, you answer the door finding someone you do not know requesting that you sign a petition for their beliefs & cause. This may be for an elected official, a charity, or a project in the educational or community environment. They are asking for your 'help'. Your eyes glance to and fro on the page as you take the pen, and sign the line indicating your support. Do you really know what you supported with your signature? Or did you just do this to dismiss the person from your doorstep to rejoin your family? I'm certain the answer has been yes to both on many occassion.

Let’s look at our petitions. According to the scripture & the dictionary- Prayers are petitions. With these we gather support by asking others to pray for us or with us for someone or thing. Pray without ceasing. Let your requests & petitions be known to the Living God. Do you share your prayers, your desires for achieving something in your life with others, your struggles, challenges, and successes of praise by enlisting their support? Are you a ‘childhood verse’ prayer? Do you mutter or do you talk to God as you would your best friend…matter of fact like. Prayer is like a tug of war game.

Praying without ceasing is having the rope constantly taunt with effort, energy, & determination. The other side also has the similar plan. Their goal is to keep you from believing that your prayers are even being heard by the Father. Who wants to be pulled in the mud by not holding tightly to their faith? Not I & surely, you feel likewise. So, when you bow your head before a meal or whisper a silent prayer, recognize the power your words of petition have within them. You are speaking to the Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all, the never ending always existing best Friend who wants the very best for you. GOD.

Take your petition to others, share your heart, your goals, & get their support. Likewise, be a support to others in their prayers. Elect to select the option & opportunity to knock on the door & then trust it will be open unto you. Knock Knock..Who's there? Ask another question... Yubw8n 2 share your faith regarding the power of prayer!

R U Soulfully deFEETed?

“One of the first things on record after a baby is born is the footprint, the sole of the feet. Often even a name has not been decided yet when this one of a kind ‘mark’ is made. The feet help to identify the life from the beginning. Likewise, at the end of a life, another identification tag is often placed upon the toe of the foot.From the beginning, our feet are a foundation for the future destinations. Walk with me for a while...

From the starting line of any race, the toes of feet are aligned against the starting point. Standing on the edge of a cliff usually implies that you have your feet and toes directly at the point of no return. The feet are identified with motion,placement,and ultimately direction. Without feet one’s impaired mobility will result in a flawed stride. Even though the soles of the feet(and palms of the hand) are the toughest areas of skin on the human body, even when this area is injured, the pain is felt throughout the entire body.
Think about your body this way. The lowest area is the sole of your feet. The furtherest areas on either side are the hands. And the highest point, the top of your head.

These were some of the areas on the body of Christ that were wounded upon Calvary’s tree for our Salvation.
It is wise to respect the part of your person that literally supports all your weight when you take a stand. When you stump your toe or twist your ankle you know it will hurt. And should you cut the skin of your feet, the healing may take time. This area is under the pressure unfortunately felt by the wound; a constant reminder of error.

Let’s look at how our spiritual feet are similar to our natural feet.
When you walk in faith, you prayerfully tread upon your enemies. These enemies may be areas of weakness or people who wound your spirit.
When you walk in the natural and something is present that may harm you, you tread upon it by placing it under your feet. Or you elect to turn and walk away from the person or the temptation that is in your path for these are not necessary.
The toughest areas of your spiritual feet are also the softest part of your soul. This area not only withstands temperature but temptation and terrain as well.

We adorn our feet with extravagant and often expensive foot wear. Even though our selections may not always be the healthiest options in upholding our body as we walk, we continue to accessorize our feet with the shoes we like even though...
Remember ~ as you walk barefoot, your sole to the dirt of the earth, you are open to injury. Likewise, if you walk barefoot with your ‘soul’ to this earth, you are more likely to stumble and fall.

Secure 'the Light of the Word' to the feet of your faith and walk the path in your life that God has ordained just for you.

Prayerfully, place your best foot forward. When you walk with Christ, you will never walk alone in defeat!” Ask yourself...Yubw8n?

Successfully Failing?

“"Successfully Failing?"
"Successful" is a title worn proudly by few. Many wear it without earning it. And some wear out trying to achieve it. Failure is not a way of life but a fact of life. No one becomes a failure by their actions or attitudes but comes through a time of failing by renewing their mind and perceptions.

Attaching a title of "Failure" to another person is branding someone without a basis for our judgmental ignorance.

To be a successful failure is to understand that your options abound to improve in any and all things. To be branded a "Success" is to many a self embraced title worn undeservingly. For it is the successful person in the stage of becoming more than they are that is often unaware of the progress they have made as they arrive at their level of success.”

Take the step towards 'becoming more'...Yubw8n?

"~FAITHless DOUBT 2 BeLIEve"

Faithlessness is a narrow focus on the 'lie' which is what people see in wanting to 'BeLIEve'.

In the search for the truth, we crowd our thoughts with technology’s never ending noise. The constant attachment to communication has stripped us of our silent thoughts, dreams,& ideas. Instead we hold prisoner our moments of relaxation to a vacation, a rare undisturbed time in nature, & within the last moment prior to slumber as we drift off to a few hours of aloneness.

Do we dare listen to our inner voice as it whispers it's desire for silence?
In that shadow of stillness, who will we find?
Are we too busy doing to just Be?
It would appear that this is true & weighs heavily on how we balance our beliefs...in everything!

Faith added with more time would surely prove beneficial if only we knew how to stop. In this world everyone wants to be the leader because we have no one who is willing to be a follower.

For one to follow their heart, a love,& even their God, they must submit their way. This so called ‘following’ has become out of fashion.

Often this position is seen as demeaning in status quo, or qualified as second place in the race for success. Your view of this volley determines your own personal position in life.

Faith less doubt is the soul's song of victory. Release all doubt less it become the knife that cuts your soul and leaves you to bleed regret.

Take the opportunities to be alone with your thoughts, your dreams, yourself. These moments will strengthen you, enlighten you, and revive you.

Never be in such a hurry to lead that you miss the privilege to follow your heart~

Have FAITH ~ It is the LESSon learned ~ Yubw8n?

Decisions, Do-Overs & Destiny

THIS IS~
but a brief documentation of & in time. From the moment you started reading this – many things & people have changed. Most likely a life was created & a life ended. In the well-known ‘dash’ between your birth & your departure from this realm, what difference have you made in the lives you touch? What difference has been made within you? In the end, the difference God has made in & through you will matter.

Ask yourself…Have you set an example of excellence in the experiences you have had or in those you have created? When others hear your name, do they have positive pictures in their mind’s eye of you & your integrity?

What will you sow, reap, & harvest from your life? The ‘values’ & talents you have are treasures that have been entrusted to you. How wisely have you invested them in the life of another? What matters to you-money & material gain or moments & memories that are more precious than gold?

Take a brief moment in time & reflect on where you stand in eternal priorities. Rest assured, there are no do-overs. There will always be graves of regrets covered with the soil of sorrow. Earthly tears are shed for the loss of the physical man, yet the heavens weep for the loss of the spirit of the man who arrogantly stood upon his own feet in defiance rather than humbly stand at the feet of Jesus & accept His Gift of Salvation & Eternal Life with Him.

Yes, THIS IS~ the end of the beginning of the last paragraph. THIS IS~ parallel to the end of a life. There is a period…no comma…no next page.
The next chapter is yours to acknowledge & accept. How many lives have come & gone since you started reading this sentence? - One day- yours will be one of them. Answer this - if THIS IS~ the last sentence you ever read~Do you know where you will live for all Time? If not, Yubw8n?