Lotto Hope

Lately, I've noticed that the 50 plus generation is exuberating a lotto hope. Recently, while patronizing my neighborhood convenience store, I observed an older gentleman feverishly searching his pocket for change. Having gathered enough, he triumphantly placed his findings on the counter and instructed the cashier to 'give me one lotto ticket.' There were others to follow, including myself. And as we each stood there selecting our scratcher or having our numbers scanned, I began to wonder 'is this our (baby boomers) only hope for the future--lotto hope?" What about the dreams and visions we once had? What about the skills we have mastered through a half century of experiences? What about our passions? Are they dead? Has all hope in ourselves depleted? Sure, our hope is temporarily lifted when we purchase a lotto ticket--but more often than not, it is dashed once the scratching of the ticket is done, or the numbers are called. Can't we put hope in ourselves once again? Can't we reflect back on that deeply buried dream and begin thinking about it's possibility? Why not? I say it has more of a chance in producing fruit than an inanimate lotto ticket. Begin your resurrecting thoughts today. Write that thing down--and begin thinking about how it might happen. Stay with our blog site to get ideas on how this time you can fulfill your destiny.

Three Step Guide to Manifying Purpose

When choosing a group you'd like to join, often times, it is one in which you closely identify. One that has the same values or belief system. So it is when I joined Crossover Ministries Church in Los Angeles, Reverend Ralph Bassard, Pastor. His spiritual core belief is the same as mine--each of us was created with divine passion and a purpose to fulfill. And until you begin to live in the true essence of your being, ever lasting joy escapes you. My sentiments exactly. And because share this undying belief, our message is often the same. Such as the one he recently ministered on living by faith and encouraging one to go for the gold inside of them. He focused on three points and so inspired I was that I decided to share them with you--and then put my own spin on them as it relates to us boomertarians.

1. Learn to be unreasonable: Often times, at our age, we chose to make only what we deem as reasonable decisions. Deep inside of us, we still harbor the same dream that we did in early years. Now we tell ourselves, "I'm too old...I should have done this when I was younger." And so rationalize ourselves into pain, misery and mediocrity. But I'm in agreement with Pastor Ralph, learn to be unreasonable. Reenergize your dream, then put on your armour of faith and begin to walk the line toward the thing you truly desire.

2. Be open to a new way: Now this is the one that may tend to stagnate you. The world appears to be moving so fast with new technologies becoming old the instant they are introduced. The dream you had years ago may be the same but how you manifest and grow it could be different. Look at who's doing something similar to what it is you envision and how they are doing it. Then learn to do it--adding your own unique ideas. It would be wise to make an appointment with a SCORE counselor, specializing in your area of interest, to learn all the latest techniques.

3. Ask for help: This is a big one. We are often too intimidated to ask for help, or we simply don't know who to ask. This is the time to become still, to go within and seek guidance. Once you become very clear about what it is that you want--help will come. You must learn to ask. For now, your job is to prepare so when the help comes, you will be ready.

For more on Crossover Ministries go to http://www.blogger.com/www.crossoverministries,net

What Happens to a Dream Deferred?

A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore...and run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over...like syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

To answer the famed poet's question, I think a dream deferred would explode. It can explode inwardly, outwardly or both. Let's take a second to talk about each category.

Inwardly - Do you remember the feeling you had when you were just itching to tell someone something. You could hardly contain yourself, could you? You felt you had to get it out, or you would explode. The inner workings of a dream aching for a shaking is quite similar. It's eager to get out...to express itself...to see how far it can go. But for some reason, we suppress it, not allowing it to fully take root. Still, it's there, festering. And soon, it can explode...perhaps in a subtle kind of way. Many see their dream coming alive in their children, and often times, push them to become something they weren't meant to be. There are those parents who blame the fact that they had children as a motive for not realizing there dream. Whatever the excuse, dreams unrealized can lead to an unfulfilled life, harboring feelings of shame, bitterness and resentment--which we all know is not good for the psyche.

Outwardly - I've often heard people who commit horrendous crimes, even murder, proclaim "I felt like superman, or God. "And I want to shout "It is because you have the super natural power of God inside of you." It was ordained in each of us at birth. And if one has not yet learned to channel it in a positive direction, or more importantly, our true purpose--it could explode violently.

Exploding (both within and without): It all begins within and it is the thoughts and actions that determines the with out.

What is a dream deferred? What is happening to you?

Think about this...

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin

4 Tips On Improving Your Credit Score

Flash the news reads on all the headlines that the Credit Crunch is here and you don’t know what to do. Credit card interest rates skyrocket, homes are being foreclosed and interest rates seem to flatten. The Stock Market is tanking and you have lost allot, but now is the time to be smarter, to work harder, and gain information that you once were too busy to worry about. My name is Angela S. Bessard and I am the CEO of Conquer Credit. I love helping my customers win in their credit decisions that will eventually impact their financial choices and investments. Today I want to give you some tips to help you keep your fico score high, your options many and your mind clear with the knowledge of the credit industry.

Here are my 4 Secrets to your Credit Today:

Manage your credit to prevent costly errors and to minimize identity theft. It is important that you set up an account with an online company that you can have access to whenever you would like to check your credit score or just review your history. I recommend, http://www.creditreport.com/ The reason this is a recommendation is so that you are always prepared for a purchase, can monitor any errors that may occur and the obvious protection against ID theft.

Lacking revolving credit history (your credit cards only) can cost you on an average of 20-80 points relating to your fico score number or average score. The national average is to have at least 2 -3 credit cards. If you don’t have any credit cards, it is hard for banks and financial institutions to see what kind of history you have created, and better yet how you have leveraged your cash position when it comes to borrowing. If you are lacking “revolving credit history”, please obtain a minimum of two secured cards and use the 80/20 method of payment for at least six months straight. For more information on revolving and secured credit cards logon to http://www.bankrate.com/

Correct errors and derogatory accounts. A negative credit history can keep you paying high interest rates on everything. The financial industry is looking for an average score of 700 or better now a day. If you have a credit score under 680 it is time for you to look into some resources to help you increase your score and get rid of any negative factors and accounts. You can repair your credit history yourself if you are not willing to make a financial investment, I would recommend going to http://www.creditdoctor.com/ to purchase a do it yourself kit. Please note that repairing your credit is not easy and with some cases will require professional help. For more information on our firm visit http://www.conquercredit.com/

Medical bills and collections – collections can cause your fico score to plummet. If you are ever sent a bill in the mail by a collection agency and you do not agree with the bill you must do the following:

Send the collection agency a certified return receipt letter, indicating that you do not recognize what the bill is concerning and you would like proof that you in fact owe the bill. You must indicate in the letter that you are sending this letter to them to make sure that they do not report anything to your credit report. Once and if they prove that this bill is indeed valid you will agree to make payments.

Never dispute and not pay an outstanding collection. If you do the interest can cost sometimes 3 times what the original debt was and not to mention your fico score will be compromised. Principle should always be thrown out the door in these type of situations.

So there we have it my friends. Until next time remember your credit is an investment tool to build wealth, Happy New Year!

Angela Setters Bessard

Contact Us

Email: mypassionandpurpose@yahoo.com

Free/Small Fee Business Startup Resources

There are many FREE or small fee resources that can help you in starting or expanding your new venture. Here, I list a few:

SCORE - Free business mentoring, one-on-one consultation, community/online workshops, and much more. For more information contact web site http://www.score.org/

Chamber of Commerce - Contact your local Chamber of Commerce for business related issues: legislation, business start up resources, networking opportunities, membership and more.

Business Incubators - Business incubators are designed to help launch a new business or expand an existing one. They provide support services and offer classes in such basic fundamentals as niche marketing, financial planning, developing your mission statement and creating a business plan. For more information contact web site http://www.nbia.org/

Community Centers - Community centers often provide free business start up workshops. Contact your local center for any possible workshops in your area.