The Daily Wake Up Micro Podcast

Personal Finance isn't taught in many schools across our country so we sat down as a family last night teaching the kids how to create a personal budget. Since they don't have debt, we taught them to start with the mindset of living on only 70% of their earnings.  The 70% mark came after the first 10% was allocated to tithes/donations, second 10% allocated to savings, and the third 10% designated to investing. The remaining 70% is used for living expenses. 

How do you budget or teach your kids to budget?  

Diversity is a word often used in today's culture. What does the word actually mean though? I like how Queensborough Community College described diversity. 

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

I imagine Queensborough Community College does not align with my beliefs on sexual orientation, gender, religious and political beliefs however, we do agree on one thing. 

Respect each other even through our differences.  

This week has been exhausting with a large video project, straining my back, and getting mocked by a 20 something year old hoopster. What does one do when feeling exhausted? One makes poor decisions that is what one does. For me, my poor decision was falling in love with what used to be enjoyable.  A frozen burrito from the gas station or 7-eleven called "The Bomb" and a bag of Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Creme potato chips. 

Last night, after working until 7pm, I hobbled downstairs to cook up my delicious steak . . . only the steak wasn't there. Frustrated, and feeling sorry for myself, I thought back to the days of enjoying The Bomb burrito and Ruffles potato chips so I slowly got in my car. Drove to the local 7-eleven only to realize I forgot my wallet (the Lord was there for me only I didn't see it). My frustration grew and I rushed home and grabbed my wallet. I was determined to throw down The Bomb burrito after an exhausting week. 

By the time I arrived home the potato chips were almost gone. I put the burrito in the micro and pressed start. Every thirty seconds I turned the burrito over as I fantasized about the good 'ol days. 

Finally, the burrito was done. I snuck a bite as I took it out from the plastic wrapper and onto the plate. 

"OW!" I exclaimed as I tried to get the hot beans off the roof of my mouth. Too late. There is a blister the size of a nickel in my mouth. 

As I ate the rest of the burrito, I thought to myself, "why am I eating this garbage? This isn't what it used to be like." 

Exactly. Fantasizing about the "good 'ol days" is never fulfilled when you try to go back. Actually, nothing in reality ever compares to our fantasizes does it?   

Being proud of the work you've done is different than having pride. When you are proud of something the emphasis is on the something and not you. When you have pride, the emphasis is on you and that's a dangerous place to be. 

This morning I share a bit from today's devotional where Gideon followed God's instruction of downsizing an army before battle so everyone would know the victory was because of God and not what Gideon did.

Just started my 25th book this year and it isn't giving me a return on the time I'm investing in reading the book. As tempting as it is to stop reading, I'm going to finish it because you learn a lot about yourself when you finish a book that is underwhelming. 

This can apply to other aspects of life as well. Do you finish what you started when you realize it's not what you thought it was? If it's a project with a definite end in sight, I would say stick with it. 

You can often hear me say, "do what you do because that's what you do." This came up recently as one of the students in the class I was giving my talk to asked, "how many followers do you have on TikTok?" 

I said, "I don't know and I don't care." They laughed and we talked about the importance of understanding why we do what we do. I record short, inspirational messages on TikTok because that is what I enjoy doing. If it can help one person (including myself) that's good enough for me to invest my time into it. 

Since "Ignore the Score" is one of the cheat codes to life I give the students, this was a great way to share with them what that means in their world. Number of followers is a scoreboard they need to ignore when they are doing something they enjoy doing - especially something creative like art. 

The final action plan step of the Youth Mental Health First Aid is to Encourage Self-Help or Support. 

Today's action plan step from the Youth Mental Health First Aid is E - Encourage appropriate professional help. What is appropriate professional help? Listen in to find out.  This one is really good, no fool'n

The third step in the ALGEE Action Plan by Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is "G" for Give reassurance and information 

When someone is experiencing a mental health episode there is an action plan that the organization, Youth Mental Health First Aid USA has put together: 

Asses for risk of suicide or harm

Listen non judgmentally  

Give reassurance and information 

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help and other support strategies

In today's micropodcast we discuss "L" - Listen non judgmentally