Recycling Bottles for Money - I remember when...

Today I was at the grocery store when I looked at a man who was carefully putting his bottles into a machine so he could get some money for them.

As I was watching him, it reminded me of THOSE days. The days when I would take cans and recycle them for money. It seems so long ago.

I knew what poverty was all about. I knew about living from day to day with what you had. I knew how it felt to wonder where the next meal would and how I would feed my children.

I remember those days when I gathered enough cans to fill my car up with gas. I was so pleased with myself.

Yes - I remember those very tough days.

The man looked into my eyes as if to say “I have to do this.” I wanted to say to him that I knew what it felt like but I didn’t.

At that moment I became soooooooooooo GRATEFUL for my present life. I have a roof over my head. I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can afford the basics because I can. I don’t have to worry if the car I’m driving will last more than a week. I don’t have to worry about where the money is coming because it is.

I am so lucky! Life has been magical I’m GRATEFUL beyond words.

I don’t know how all this happened but I do believe in Magic.

I believe that I had to experience poverty in order to fully understand what others go through on a daily basis.

I am very GRATEFUL that the Universe had carried me through those awful and very tough years.

I made it! I now only made it I'm beyond that. A thriving business of my own, a husband who loves me, three beautiful children and five wonderful grandchildren.

So - what about you?

Have you experienced poverty?

What kept you going?

Did you ever feel like giving up?

What kept you going?

What Magic have you experienced?

Write me and tell me your story.

Good night my friend,

Karin Janin,

author of "Magic of Intention," Creative Life Coach

Founder of The Orphan Connection a non-profit organization http://www.karinjanin.com

A lesson on being UNSTUCK!

Today started off very frustrating. I had my day planned and, of course, nothing (and I mean nothing) was going the way I planned it.

I was running late for everything. By the time I got back home I was more than angry. On top of that - it's been snowing more than usual in upstate New York and I'm a Texas gal that just isn't used to this much snow.

So I drove down my long driveway thinking about how I'll walk my dog, take a bath, call a few people on my list and everything will be fine.

WRONG!

My driveway is very, very long. It's beautiful in the summertime but not during winter. Snow is piled all around so it's tricky driving my SUV and turning it around with all that snow.

So, in my very hurried attitude I naturally got stuck and stuck and more stuck in the snow.

I got out - slammed the door and ranted.

Then I stopped and looked at my situation and started laughing. This is so symbolic of my life- A FEELING OF BEING STUCK!

I've been spending this month as a month to re-evaluate my life - where am I going? what am I doing? what will work? what should I let go of? etc.

And then THIS!
I was unbelievably stuck in the snow. Don't get me wrong - the snow is absolutely beautiful but it's not fun when you get an SUV stuck in it.

So I grabbed the shovel and started banging on the hard areas of the snow. All around the tires and the surrounding area.

I banged and banged and banged. I was breaking the ice. All the while thinking to myself - OK - Universe - "I know I'm stuck - help me get unstuck!" I kept talking to God, Universe, All Knowing and thinking to myself "I want to get unstuck in all areas of my life that are symbolically stuck"!

Nothing was happening. My car just stayed stuck and I kept ranting and raving about wanting to be unstuck.

I'd walk away and give up and then I'd look at the tires of my car and think -" I can do this. I KNOW I CAN GET THIS CAR GOING AGAIN AND GET IT UNSTUCK. " I knew I had to get another perspective on the situation.

My husband called and I naturally went on and on about being stuck. His solution was to call a tow truck. I kept saying to him "this is symbolic of my life and I have to take care of it." He, on the other hand, thought I was nuts.

But I knew in my heart there was reason for this. I was able to get the car out of the driveway earlier - so why couldn't I do it again?

I thought to myself: I'M NOT GIVING UP!

I broke the big pieces of snow around the tires - moving the snow out of the way.

On my final attempt to get the car going I thought to myself "as I'm getting in, I need to be calm and breathe in gently."

What I really needed to do was approach the situation differently.

So I did - I gently stepped on the accelerator to move the car forward, little by little - inch by inch. I treated the car with respect and not anger. I'd go forward a little, turn the wheel and then put it in reverse. I kept doing that and guess what? Within minutes I was UNSTUCK!

It felt so good because I DID IT!

My husband called later and I told him that I was no longer stuck - that I handled it. That it was a lesson for me to learn about how to deal with being stuck in different areas of my life.

The Universe will bring you lessons at a level you can handle to help you move forward.

I am truly grateful for this lesson and for being able to handle it on my own.

In fact, I'm very proud of myself!

So don't beat yourself up with life's "stuck moments."

Look at how you have handled it in the past and try something different!

If I can do this - so can you!

---

Here's an exercise:
Write down:

I am stuck in____________________________________________________________
(take one stuck "thing" at a time)

My reaction has always been ____________________________________________________________

My new approach is ____________________________________________________________

Send me a note on how you did with this short exercise!

Before I close I want to share my new piece of jewelry with you... It's called: Sedona Speaks - Read the story of how this came about... I am only now sharing this with the world.

---

Have a great month!
Cheers to you and everyone else.
Karin Janin
Author of "Magic of Intention"
Creative Life Coach
Etc.

Remembering when I lost a contest...

The other day one of my husband's daughter stopped by for a brief visit. Before she and her boyfriend left to go back to their home which is out of state, I grabbed as much as I could from the refrigerator so they would have some food when they arrived at their place. The night before I made a huge pot of soup and even gave them the slow cooker which contained the soup.

My husband jokingly said to me "You're dangerous when you like someone." I didn't think about his comment until today.

It triggered something that happened to me as a child. You see, I've always been that way.

I remember a swimming contest I was in while living with my new adopted American family in Caracas, Venezuela. The purpose was to win the contest. But, even at that young age, that was not my purpose. I don't think I understood what "winning a contest" meant. Although, I did want to please my parents.

Someone said START and I did with all my friends. I was doing well - way ahead of everyone. My parents were cheering me on. And then, I made one fatal mistake. I turned and saw my good friend struggling to catch up. I went to help her and, as a result, I lost the contest.

My mother was very upset and scolded me for doing that. My father, on the other hand, was very proud of me. Now that I'm "all grown up" I can see that I won more than a silly prize.

I believe we are here to help others in any way we can. Not to enable them but when there is a need, then step up to the plate.

So, my friends, how many times have you stepped up to the plate? Have you been rewarded or scolded?

The New Year is fast coming. How about making a resolution to help those who need help - big or small. No fanfare necessary, just be yourself and you'll feel good about it.

Remember Karma...

May you have a BLESSED NEW YEAR.

Stay warm and stay tuned. I'm starting a new online Radio Show that will be called Sedona Speaks. You'll hear more soon.

Take care, be well, be happy, find something to laugh at
Karin Janin, Author of Magic of Intention: Know Your Intention, Design Your Future

P.S. It's not to late to grab some unique gifts. Go to "my store" and you'll be surprised!