I'm back and It's so nice to be home chatting with all my loyal subscribers. I'm all recharged and ready to get back on my grind. It's funny, a few years ago when I was still slaving away for the Man, coming back home from vacation was so hard. But oh how times have changed when you're self employed. This brings me to today's random thought.
Appreciation
Last week my vacation to Puerto Rico was a lot of fun. My hotel was wonderful and I had some great time with my family. I spent most of the time by the pool or beach watching my daughter play ("Bee" being Silly,"Bee" Getting Ready to Jump In) and my wife ogling young men that obviously spend a lot of time working out. (I need to get my work out game up. lol) In any event, as I did this I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and all my blessings.
You see my wife and I are avid travelers. So vacations to islands weren't something new. We always made it a point to go away because we felt it was so important to our relationship. But when we both worked for The Man, vacations were even more bitter sweet because of all the time we spent slaving away to make others rich. I recall the days of planning vacations around "The Man's" schedule.
But once we got the man's "permission" to take time for ourselves and finally reached our destination, it was always worth it. I recall my wife would head to the beach dragging me a long. I know what you're thinking. Why would she need to drag you? Well, I'm totally not a beach person. One, I have a year round tan and two, the sand and seaguls shooting deuces on you like bombs aren't my idea of fun. But I digress. I would begrudgingly go to the beach, rent an expensive ass umbrella and just sit in the sand and watch the waves go by. It was actually very enjoyable when properly equipped. lol
But I clearly remember there was one vacation where I told my wife the following. "I promise that one day we're going to do this whenever we want. We won't need to beg for days off or dread having to go back home to work. One day we'll be able to visit any island we want at the drop of a dime."
Fast forward to present day and here I am sitting in the living room of my hotel suite over looking a pool and beach. I had to smile and be reminded of that little promise made a few years ago. I was just so thankful to know that we do live that life now. I was so overwhelmed with a feeling of appreciation, I felt compelled to say a little pray and thank God that he put a little dream in my heart and helped me make it happen.
The reason I mention this story to you is not because I want to brag. I tell it because I'm just a regular guy like you that made this life happen with a lot of work, blessings, support and a bit of luck. I'm no different than any of you. If I can achieve my dreams than obviously any of you can too if you want it bad enough and work towards it. Even before I got to this point, one thing I believe that helped me tremendously along the way was a great sense of appreciation.
I learned to be happy with every milestone in my life whether it was finding another way to make 1 dollar online or just finding a parking spot right near the entrance of a packed mall. I discovered that as I appreciated every little victory or blessing in my life, more of it would come. Too often we're all looking for a home run. But not enough of us are appreciating the fact that you're in the game.
So even if you're not taking fancy vacations YET, look at the other accomplishments in your life regardless of how small they are and appreciate them. I don't care how small or insignificant they may seem to everyone else. It doesn't matter. You appreciate them and magnify them in your mind. I promise you by doing this and applying hard work, you'll eventually reach your dreams as well.
Hope this makes sense. If not maybe some job leads below will. lol
Tuesday 4/20/2010
– Proof Reader/Grammar Corrections
– Editor
Wednesday 4/21/2010
– English/Spanish Bilingual Customer Service Representative
– Executive Assistant/Coordinator
– Professional Editor – Finance Book
Thursday 4/22/2010
– Customer Service Reservations and Services Specialist
– Bloggers
Recommended Instant Work At Home Opportunities
Work At Home With Amazon.com (Data Entry, Typing, etc)
More Job Leads
HomeJobStop.com (Membership based site)
I am glad you had such a nice trip, beautiful picture by the way! While you were away I have been working hard getting my website more organized as well as working on many gpt and ptc websites. I was looking through my stats for my website and was amazed when I learned that some of my visits have actually been coming from search engines! On top of that half of them had clicked on at least one of my referral links! And a couple signed up! It’s amazing the thrill I get out of such a little thing! I am starting to learn a little bit about SEO and things of that nature slowly but surely and it looks like it may pay off. I also made a couple orders of business cards and postcards, etc to get the word out the old fashioned way a bit as well. I am seriously thinking about taking the affiliate marketing courses in the near future. I can not thank you enough for all of your wonderful information here. I have received payments from quite a few gpt and ptc sites now! Nothing huge yet, but I am just getting started!
Thanks Tiffany.
Sounds like you’re making progress slowly and surely. Going offline is also a good idea. When I first started my sites I did some offline advertising as well and it does help a bit. But ideally
you want to get your online marketing skills up so visitors are coming automatically from more of your SEO and advertising efforts. But you’re doing very well. Most importantly you’re appreciating your victories and that was the point of this week’s post.
Hi Eddy,
This is wonderful. Your vacation was more than a vacation, it was one of those amazing revelations that come and show the why of the journey, and the how.
Even in a world that is so rattled by chains that people so willingly put on when they are in part so dependant on the man, dreams are possible.
Even in a world where so much yelling and fussing over the economy and where its at and how much is being lost in the way of jobs and employed people, dreams are possible and there is work that exists.
This is the gift you brought back from your vactaion for all of us who are walking and working tord our own dreams.
Thank you for our wonderful gift.
Wendy
Denise,
Thank you. I feel very fortunate to be where I am and more importantly being able to appreciate all my blessings. Too often people don’t appreciate their blessings until their close to their death beds or something really negative happens.
In any event, I think you’ve hit it on the head. Do something you love and the money will follow. It’s funny how we fail to follow the advice we give others, right? I’m glad you have realized that’s what you should be doing. It’s wonderful you’ve landed on something that does make you happy because it’s very important. Too often we end up in jobs because of circumstances and not because we love it. By the time we realize this isn’t what we want to do it’s too late. So I applaud you and your move.
Retirement should be a time for enjoyment. So it looks like you’re on the right path. Congratulations!
I’m just happy I could provide you some inspiration and options.
In any event, I’ll reach out to you if I do need a weekend getaway. Road trips can be fun. lol
By the way, since you would like to make money with photo’s I would encourage you to look into the following sites that pay for photos:
http://www.istockphoto.com/sell-stock-photos.php
http://us.fotolia.com/Info/Contributors
http://www.fotolibra.com/en-us/
Just wanted to give you another option. It’s what I do. lol
Kuulei,
Aloha! First and foremost I’m sorry to hear about your lost. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I would have never imagined that hopping around from island to island would be such a big production especially for residents. You would think they would make that easy for you. Hopefully it works itself out.
By the way, I’ve been to the various islands in Hawaii and it is truly a paradise on earth. I don’t say this lightly because I’ve visited many pretty islands. But Hawaii stands out in my mind for the natural beauty of the land and people. It’s definitely a wonderful place. If the cost of living was more reasonable, it would be damn near perfect. lol But I’m one to talk considering how expensive it is to live in NY.
In any event, I hope that you will work towards your goals of traveling. I don’t like bucket list. People tend to only move towards them when they’re about to die. Instead, have a here and now list. Things that you plan to do while you have many good years ahead of you! So make it happen!
Iris,
Thanks for the kind words! We definitely had a great time as you can tell by the pictures. In any event, I hope that you will continue to visit my site and look forward to your continued support. By the way, if you’re not already a subscriber, please feel free to do so by visiting the following page:
http://www.workathomenoscams.com/subscribe Take care and thanks again!
Ms Edrena,
I second that. lol
Wendy,
I always look forward to hearing from you because you always inspire us all with your wonderful words. Today is no different. Thanks for the awe inspiring feedback as usual. You always leave me with something to ponder! So thank you!
Eddy: A-M-E-N ! ! !
Hi Eddy,
Really enjoyed your post, very inspiring and encouraging. You have a beautiful daughter and I know you and your wife really enjoy the time you have to spend with them and especially on such an exotic vacation. I look forward to reading your posts, they contain very good information for us who want to be our own bosses and have a level of success which makes us comfortable. Thanks!
Happy Aloha Friday Eddy,
I love vacations! Who doesn’t right? I have a “bucket list” on places I would like to travel to and I have resolved in my mind that I will get there some day and that gives me hope.
In a recent passing of an aunt over on the Big Island (I live on Maui), I have been trying to make arrangements to get my mother and I over there for the services. Making inter-island travel arrangements isn’t as easy as it should be but alas, in reading your post, I have renewed hope that I will try and make this work for my mom and I, even though it’s note quite a vacation that we would want 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!
Good morning Eddy,
What a wonderful and inspirational post. It is so good to see a nice young family not only work towards achieving their dreams but to be thankful for them along the way. It’s not always how things go. May God continue to bless you.
Your post was very timely. I’ve been thinking about writing to you since that post you put up asking your subscribers what they have been doing about being entrepreneurial and are they using your ideas and suggestions.
I know you like feedback but since I really have not put a lot of effort into making money online through your suggestions, I have not had much to contribute. However, I have been a loyal follower of your blog for a long time. Heck, I’m even one of the money winners from a few years ago.
Anyway, since I am and have been employed for the past 35 years, I didn’t feel compelled to do some of the jobs you’ve listed. Things are changing. This year I plan on retiring. The thought has always been in my mind, but I’ve spent the past few years trying to decide what to do with myself after I’ve finished this career. I’ve spent the last 35 years being a wife, mother and good government employee. Well, it’s all done now. My babies are all grown up, most are finished with their undergraduate education and all are on their own. It’s my time.
I have always had a passion for photography and traveling. I’ve always known this but it took me many years of playing on the internet trying out different money making opportunities and never quite feeling like I’ve found something I’d want to continue after a few years. I’ve done Ameriplan, I’ve done SMC (which is a life time membership which I will use ) and a host of other things. I’ve tried Google ads and affiliate marketing, but none of them did anything for me.
So, as I’ve told my children, do something you love and the money will follow. I’m taking that mantra for myself. I’ve spent the last year learning the details of travel business and I am now a Travel Consultant. While I am still the family vacation planner and official photographer, I will work this business for my own enjoyment. I’ll have the opportunity to take pictures and to do it from wherever I want. When I am old and gray and am drooling in my cup, I’ll have my images to remind me of the places I have been and the things I have done.
I can go on and on, but I just wanted to thank you for the continued inspiration you give to me and your readers. I may not do the things you have worked so hard to bring to us, but I do appreciate the choices given, watching you grow and the positive things you bring to your family and your site.
Good luck and maybe I’ll see you in my travels. My specialization (or niche) will be senior travel (because I’m getting there) and accessible travel (because I might be that too). But we are less than 100 miles apart and NY is a beautiful state. Think about some weekend getaways. Do you need a personal Travel Consultant?
Denise