Another Gorgeous Sunset over the Pacific

Most of us probably have some sort of investment plan for our money but do we have a plan for our most valuable asset of all – our health? I’m constantly amazed at how most of us can find time to put in extra hours for our employers, follow the stock market, and fret over whether or not our money is growing yet we don’t have time to chop up fresh vegetables for a salad. Perhaps if we started to invest just as much if not more time in our well being, many other areas of our lives would fall into place.

Think of it this way. Is excessive monetary wealth worth it if we are overweight, undernourished, depressed, and can’t move very well? For me feeling good is where it’s at. I’m not averse to having lots of money but no thank you if my health has to suffer! I can’t control what the markets do or whether or not the dollar is strong. What I can control is the quality of food I eat, how much I exercise, and to a certain extent who and what I allow into my life and how it affects my peace of mind.

I find it fun to take some of the same advice for investing your money and apply it to investing in your health. When investing money you want to get the best bang for your buck and investing in your health is no different.

Write down your investment goals. When you invest your money, you usually have a goal in mind like building an emergency fund or saving money to take a trip abroad. Take the same concept for your health and come up with two-three very clear goals. For example, my goals are:

• Feeling light in my body and light in my mind.
•  Keep my weight under control and my body strong and flexible as I age.

 Keep it simple and don’t over-extend yourself. Like everything in life, simplicity rocks! Don’t over-complicate matters and come up with complex plans and goals. If I wanted to invest some of my money, I wouldn’t start off trading the foreign currency markets (Forex) because I would have no earthy idea what I was doing. I might be able to work up to that with some education and practice but in the beginning investing in some simple stocks might be easier for me. When setting health goals, I would not be very successful if I aimed for eating only fruits and vegetable that I personally grew myself and hiking ten miles in the Santa Monica Mountains every single day. These goals would be next to impossible for me because first of all I’m a horrible gardener and a ten mile hike each day would leave me little time for anything else. Set goals you can reach right away and then work your way up to more advanced ones.

 Choose your investments. Now it’s time to choose what we want to invest in. As mentioned above, we want to keep it simple so we succeed and more importantly so we reap the benefits of our efforts. I choose to invest in the following:

• A thirty -sixty minute walk each day. It’s doable for my schedule and I live in a neighborhood that’s conducive for walking plus I live just a few miles away from a terrific state park with a wonderful hiking trail.
• A 90 minute yoga class 4-5 days a week as well as a home practice on the days I can’t make it to class.
• Spending time in the kitchen. It would be easier to order in each night or buy food that was already prepared at the grocery store but I’m spending more and more of my time these days in the kitchen. I may not be making everything from scratch but I try to do so as much as possible.
• I’ve cut back (although not completely) on keeping up with politics and current events and am focusing more on listening to and reading materials that inspire me spiritually. Right now I’m into the works of Arnold Patent. His teachings really resonate with me and make me feel empowered.

Be a long term investor. Most get rich quick schemes turn out to be disasters or worse yet require actions that are illegal or immoral. Slow and steady wins the game. Invest in your health for the long term. Although you will most likely start seeing results right away remember that good investments build on each other. Then comes the fun part-Watch your investments grow!

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Kitties who are ok with change as long as it doesn't disrupt their naps

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn

It’s been several months since I have posted on this blog. What was meant to be only a few weeks break suddenly turned into a whole month, then two months, and before I knew it almost 4 months had passed. As human consciousness moves forwards and speeds up maybe time is doing the same thing? Who knows? It’s fun to contemplate though.

Once again my life is on a new path and once again I have no idea where it will take me. I do know I will now have time to write more. Other than that, I don’t know what’s in store, which is exciting and scary at the same time.

I like the unknown. I’ve learned to embrace it. Change is actually something I now look forward to because change is going to happen no matter what. Change is the only thing in life that’s guaranteed. Change is inevitable. Change keeps us on our toes and moves us forward and opens our mind to all kinds of exciting possibilities.

I’ve learned to see change as a gift and as a form of wealth. Can you imagine a life that was stagnated and boring? Would any of us really want a life that was predictable? We might say we would but deep in our hearts we know that we crave excitement and adventure and change gives us just that. Sometimes things happen that are not quite what we would have bargained for in the first place but as time marches on we make sense of why things happened the way they did and we realize we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Most of do resist change. It’s human nature but consider the following:

Change keeps you open minded and flexible.

Change keeps life exciting.

 Change moves society forward even if there are those that are kicking and screaming the entire way.

 Change brings learning and growth opportunities.

 Change is anti status-quo which is great because the status-quo is super boring anyway.

 Change is a gold mine for ambitious people because they will use the opportunity to create something fabulous.

Here’s to change! Bring it on because it’s coming anyway!

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

David and Me on our Wedding Day in Studio City, CA

A while back I was interested in the stock market and various other investment opportunities. Then one day it occurred to me that I had better things to do with my time. Bottom line, investing money bores me. I don’t have the patience for it which I know is probably too bad given we live in such a money oriented society.

My brother used to work in finance and he balanced all my retirement accounts. He was damned good at it too and I rode through some fairly rough times without losing  much money. Then he got sick of the whole industry and quit. He now works on an organic farm.

The other day I got a 401K statement from a previous job and it had lost $3,000 in the last quarter. To be honest, I can’t bother with worrying too much about it. Yes, I should probably move some things around but would it really matter? There’s so much in these retirement accounts that are not transparent and I don’t really trust the system.

I then got to thinking about all the investments I had made that have turned out great. Investments that may not mean anything to Wall Street but that have certainly made my life richer.

Getting married:

I’ve always been a pretty independent person and I used to wonder if I would ever marry at all. Then I met David. From the moment I first laid eyes on him I was smitten and still am to this day.  Being with him has been a wonderfully enchanting journey.  Yes, there have been some rocky moments but for the most part we are very compatible. I have a lover and a great friend in my husband. By teaming up together we have been able to pool our resources and have a lifestyle that we might not be able to afford on our own. He supports me in anything I want to do and loves me for who I am.

Investing in relationships is a lot of hard work but the pay-off of having a special companion to stand by you through thick and thin is another “well worth” it investment to me. David is my best friend and I look forward to growing old with him.  Being intimate with another person teaches you much about yourself and the world around you. It’s also fun to share your life with someone especially if it’s the right person. I realize some people either can’t or choose not to marry. I feel that any committed relationship between two consenting adults is legitimate whether they have a piece of legal government paper or not.

My Pets:

Pet companions are time consuming and expensive but I can’t imagine life without them. Every animal I’ve been lucky enough to have in my life has enriched my time on this earth in so many ways. Animals live in the moment and they love you no matter what. They don’t care what you look like or how successful you are. They appreciate the simple things like belly rubs, treats, and sunshine.

I’m pretty sure there’s a heaven and I know all those sweet souls that have passed away already will meet me on the other side one day. I can’t wait! But for now they still are with me because they live forever in my heart.

Practicing Yoga

Back in the nineties I stared doing yoga. I started out with flow and ashtanga and eventually found my way to Iyengar yoga. I go to a class almost every day as well as practicing on my own. Yoga takes up a lot of my time but the investment has been oh so worth it. I feel great and I don’t get as depressed as I used to get in my 20’s. Back pain is barely non-existent for me even though all the women on my mother’s side of the family have historically suffered from back problems. Not me! Knock on wood! And not my mother either. She started doing yoga and Pilates almost 15 years ago and her back pain eventually went away.

When you get down to it, yoga is mainly about self study and I have learned so much about myself since I started this ancient practice.  I enjoy the people in my classes and I am much more accepting of how I look and the whole aging process in general. I’m glad I invested in yoga. About 10 years ago I was thinking of going to law school but I didn’t know how I would be able to work full time, attend classes at night, and practice yoga the way I wanted. Yoga won out and law school lost. Yoga is an investment in my health and well being and what could be more important than that?

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

Waterfall in Los Angeles

My job working for an animal welfare organization takes me to South Los Angeles (South LA) quite a bit. For those unfamiliar with the makeup of the Los Angeles area, South LA is the area formerly known as South Central. The socioeconomic status ranges from impoverished to middle-class with a disproportionate number of people living in poverty. Many are unemployed or are losing their homes because they can’t pay the rent. Too often my job puts me in contact with those who in addition to trying to take care of themselves are also struggling to feed and care for their pets.

A girlfriend of mine recently turned up her nose when she found out how much time I spent in South LA. She made one of the “ugh” sounds and I could immediately tell this was not the topic of conversation she had in mind for us that day. She immediately changed the subject to where she was going to vacation next. I don’t think my friend is uncaring but she simply doesn’t want to think about people who are in financial dire straits. Maybe it hits too close to home for some people and by ignoring other’s suffering they don’t have to venture out of their comfort zone.

It’s easy to live in a bubble and forget that so many people in our own cities are struggling to afford the bare bone basics. While the more affluent sit around and whine about their real estate or 401Ks going down in value, there are people who don’t even have a place to live. Taking the time to listen to those who are in desperate economic situations gives us more compassion. The poor are suddenly not a statistic or stereotype. They are not those lazy people who just need to “pull themselves up by their boot straps” that certain American politicians would have you believe. Most of these people don’t even have a set of bootstraps to use to begin to pull themselves up. Meeting people who have fallen on desperate times due to a job loss or health issue quickly remind me that that “There but for the grace of God go I”.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ivonne many months ago when she contacted Stray Cat Alliance for cat food and help with finding a place for her cats. Her situation has put many things in perspective for me. Yes, there are the obvious things that I’m reminded of such as having a roof over my head, plenty to eat, and the ability to pay a ridiculously expensive power bill that keep going up each month. However, I have also discovered that no matter what our situations we can still reach inside ourselves and find abundance. Ivonne has very little monetarily and she is disabled yet she still has joy in her heart and the will to keep going. She loves her cats dearly and feels they make her life rich. There is a short video about her at the end of this post that I think you will find touching. Despite all she has been through she still keeps forging ahead and there is not one grain of bitterness in her.

Ivonne always thanks me when I bring her cat food. She was especially appreciate lately when I told her a foster had been found for two of her cats and that a few leads had come up to possibly assist with finding homes for her others. But the truth is I should thank her. It’s easy to talk a good game when the going is good and I’m the first to admit my life is privileged in so many ways.

I don’t have an easy answer as to what to do to address the horrendous amount of poverty going on in our world today. Obviously our politicians and business leaders don’t either or worse yet too many of them simply don’t care. But too many of the general citizenry do not care either. I think many people think that by shutting these people out they will simply go away. But their numbers are growing and they are becoming harder to ignore. It’s going to take a massive change in the consciousness of us all to address this problem and an understanding that whether we like it or not we are all inter-connected and it is simply not acceptable for anyone to be left behind.

(If you’d like to read more about living simply and changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book which is available in paperback or Kindle: REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

The Beautiful Marshmallow

When I tally up my assets, money is never at the top of my list. My asset list includes my health, relationships, experiences, and of course the magnificently inspirational animals I’ve had the good fortune to share my life with.

Back in March, my husband rescued a bunny from the UCLA campus. She was a precious little white fluffy cotton ball. We can only guess that some idiot abandoned her on campus because she was found frightened, alone, and under a bush surrounded by a big pile of rabbit pellets. When he brought her home, we immediately fell in love. Any plans to adopt her out quickly went by the wayside.

I’ve had lots of dogs and cats over the years but never a bunny. What an adventure she was! We named her Marshmallow. She hopped around and would playfully terrorize the cats. Speed the turtle welcomed her as well. They loved her and she loved them. Everyone got along perfectly.

There was so much to learn about her. What kinds of foods a bunny eats, how delicate they are, and how they like to play were just a few of the wonderful things we learned about the wonderful world of rabbits.

Six weeks into our rabbit adventure, our beloved bunny suddenly passed away. One evening her appetite diminished and we immediately took her to the vet. The vet who we normally saw was unavailable so we ended up seeing a vet who wasn’t really a bunny expert even though he claimed to be. Unfortunately she was horribly diagnosed. A necropsy later showed she died of complications of pneumonia. We were with her as she took her final breaths and her little tiny soul ascended into heaven to take her place with the angels.

Every time an animal companion passes away, a huge hole is left in my heart. Sometimes the pain is so intense that I don’t’ know if I will ever feel whole again. But time is the best medicine. Time has a way of healing us even if we never completely heal; time makes it a little easier to deal with your loss.

The past few weeks have felt empty to me. Our little Marshmallow is now our spirit bunny. I miss seeing her beautiful white fur and luminous pink eyes. I miss petting her soft fur and the way she tickled my toes. I know she is still with us in spirit but I miss her physical presence.

It’s been hard to do much the last couple of weeks including blogging on this site. Sometimes you just have to take a break and heal and not put pressure on yourself to do all those things you think you should be doing. Sometimes you just need to mourn and reflect.

When her ashes were returned to us, the Rainbow Bridge poem was included. I love this poem. I’m sure you have read it before but I think it’s worth sharing again. It’s good to be reminded that we will one day be reunited with all those animals who have made our lives so fabulously wealthy.

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth; it is called the rainbow bridge, because of its many colors. Just this side of the rainbow bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.

So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring. Then this one suddenly runs from the group.

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated………….

Japanese Garden in Nikko

Western Culture is obsessed with ownership. George W. Bush talked about the Ownership Society as if it was some kind of holy concept that would save us all. However, he can’t take all the blame because all he did was mirror the consciousness of where the majority of people were at the time. Many were happy to be given the red light to chase the so called “American Dream” of ownership at any cost. We incurred too much debt and became slaves to our jobs so we could afford those goodies that we were told would make us happier.

Anyone who brought up community or sharing was pounced upon by those who worshiped greed as their god. You were quickly labeled a socialist, a communist, too idealistic or simply out of touch with the realities of human nature and there was no room for discussion. Case closed. We were encouraged to buy buy buy and go into debt debt debt. A lot of people got rich rich rich because we followed like naive cattle being led to slaughter.

The road of materialism is a dead end. What did it bring us? Is anyone any happier because of what they own? I mean really? Are we? We became out of balance and forgot about the concept of sharing. Human beings need each other and we are meant to share. We are social animals and the only way out of our current mess is to take care of each other and realize we are all in this together. There is no economic philosophy that will save us. There is no tax policy that will suddenly make everything right again. Our mind sets must change.

Jesus said you will be judged by how you treat the least amongst you. So many in the corporate and political power structures love to talk about Jesus and how they follow his teachings. I would ask those people; do you think that he is proud of how we treat each other? Do you think he would condone old people going without medical care and poor children going hungry? Was this his message? The Jesus I know about said nothing about Capitalism, tax cuts for the wealthiest or making excessive profits by grossly exploiting human labor and the environment. I also have a feeling that he would be none too pleased about the military industrial complex. The Jesus I know stressed sharing and taking care of each other.

How do we start to share again? How we do we create a world where everyone is fed, clothed, educated, and has access to health-care? We can’t wait for the politicians or business leaders or we will be waiting a damned long time. Life in the future is going to change and planning for it as if it is going to stay the same is pretty much impossible. The system is broken and it’s time to build something new.

Instead of a society that focuses on competition and individualism how about community and collaboration? This whole idea of sharing makes some people really nervous. They are worried that they will get left behind. They wonder will I get mine. Will someone take advantage of me? Will I end up being the giver and never the receiver? Don’t buy into the fear. Instead buy into the possibilities.

Start now by sharing what you already have with your friends and neighbors. You can start small if you are still unsure. Lend a book or a dvd or give it away if you no longer need it. Maybe a neighbor’s vacuum cleaner is broken and they could use yours if they can’t afford to replace their old one. You may find out that there are several other appliances that you can share with others. Ask around the next time you need something and see if someone is willing to share. Become more involved with your community. Go to a town hall or neighborhood association meeting. Volunteer for a cause you believe in.

You don’t need me to give you a laundry list of ways you can share. You know what to do. You know how to share. You were taught how to share when you were younger but unfortunately those teachings did not follow us into adulthood. We became fearful and brainwashed. We became afraid that if we did not look out for number one we would be left behind.

We can build a sharing society if we really are committed. Everyone wins when we share because everyone feels taken care of and part of something that is larger than ourselves. We are really hardwired for helping each other but we have forgotten this. Don’t believe me? Try it.

Experiment and make your life more about sharing instead of the constant pursuit of what only serves you. Then ask yourself how sharing makes you feel? How does it feel when others share with you? Seneca, the mid 1st century Roman philosopher said, “There is no delight in owning anything unshared.” Many centuries later these words still ring true.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

The Place I Call Home

After a rainy and unseasonably cool winter, springtime is finally in the air in Southern California. This time of year makes me want to clean, toss out the unnecessary, and create as lovely of a home environment as I possibly can for my husband and me and our small petting zoo!

Our homes are sacred places. They serve as a haven from a busy chaotic world and it’s up to us to make them as inviting as possible. Investing in our home pays off big time. We don’t have to spend money to do this. Time, energy, and creativity will do just fine.

I believe that our homes should make us feel peaceful and serene. They should serve as a place that allows us to rejuvenate and enjoy ourselves. Below are some simple and practical things that I’m doing to maximize the healing potential of my home.

Creating space:

I’m on a mission to create as much space as possible. Having empty spaces in our homes is easy on the eyes and it leaves room for possibilities. Not the possibility of buying more useless junk but the possibility of creating something new. I feel more creative when I have space around me and my mind is more open and compassionate.

Is it easy to maneuver around in your home? Allow energy to flow smoothly throughout your living spaces by making sure you can comfortable walk throughout your home without bumping into furniture or other random objects. Keeping the centers of your rooms as empty as possible is a great way to accomplish this type of fluidity.

Getting rid of toxic household cleansers:

The average household has way too many toxic cleansers exposing us to harmful fumes and God knows what else! There’s enough pollution in the city where I live without having to create more of it in my home.

I recently purchased a simple non-toxic liquid cleanser. It works for the kitchen, bathroom, and any other miscellaneous cleaning needs that pop up. A simple window cleaner does the trick for my glass surfaces and mirrors. I’m also finding that baking soda and vinegar can be very effective as well and I plan to experiment more with these types of simple ingredients.

I still have a few cleansers in my house that I’m not thrilled about such as a mildew cleanser but I’m working on getting rid of them. My goal is to have all my cleansers of the non-toxic variety.

Spring Cleaning:

Spring is the perfect time to do some deep cleaning. Cleaning doesn’t cost you anything but time and the payoff is enormous. We feel better when our homes are clean. Our homes look better, smell better and feel better.

How long has it been since you’ve cleaned your oven or the inside of your refrigerator? Wash your cabinets. Take out all your dishes and food so you can make everything spic n span. While you’re at it throw out any expired food or dishes that are chipped.

Consider cleaning the vents in your home and dusting those hard to reach places such as overhead light fixtures. Dust your pictures and bookshelves. The list of things to clean is endless!

Incorporate nature in your surroundings:

Instead of a bunch of knickknacks that take up space and require dusting, why not adorn your home with something from nature? Plants, fresh cut flowers, rocks, and shells bring a little bit of the outdoors inside.

Don’t forget natural lighting. This is the best nature has to offer. Open up your window coverings and let as much natural light in as possible. Natural light lifts our spirits and keeps us from getting depressed.

Create your own home sanctuary:

A space to call our own is important especially if we live with other people. This space can be a room or a small corner of a room. I personally prefer my front porch. I love to go and sit out on my front steps and enjoy my garden. Sometimes I just sit and do nothing in particular. I use this time to think, write, enjoy the silence, and sometimes do absolutely nothing.

If you’ve never claimed a space for you own, don’t waste another moment. Find a place in your home that you can go to when you want to be alone and get away from it all and make this place as special as possible.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

This past week has been tough in many ways. The tragedy in Japan is heartbreaking and my heart feels heavy when I think of those who are suffering. I was just there in the fall so I feel a special connection to their land and people.

I also worry about those in the Middle East who are fighting for democracy and all those around the globe who are exploited by those who only have power and unchecked greed on their agenda. Too many wars plague the planet. There’s too much famine. There’s too much inequality and too much fear.

Feeling generally depressed today about the state of affairs in the world, I set my intention on finding something to think about that nourished my soul instead of depleting it. I needed to be reminded of something inspirational, something that celebrated the positive part of humanity. Something that gave me hope and reminded me that quite possibly the world will one day take a giant leap and our consciousness will wake up and remember we are all in this together. I then started to think about Peace Pilgrim and what an inspiration her life was and continues to be.

I first read about Peace Pilgrim back in the 90s. She was an exceptional lady who from 1953 to 1981 walked more than 25,000 miles all across North America on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to “remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.”

Her only possessions were the clothes she wore and the few items she carried in the pockets of her blue tunic which read “Peace Pilgrim” on the front and “25,000 Miles on foot for peace” on the back. How’s that for a minimalist? I don’t know if I could downsize to that extent!  She carried no money, no organization sponsored her, and she never asked for food or shelter. She waited until it was offered to her.

Peace is a form of wealth, probably one of its greatest forms. All around the globe, people continue to fight for inner and outer peace. People like Peace Pilgrim remind us that this most  joyous form of wealth is still available to us but it does take some soul searching and willingness to go inside ourselves.

Peace Pilgrim said:

“In order for the world to become peaceful, people must become more peaceful. Among mature people war would not be a problem – it would be impossible. In their immaturity people want, at the same time, peace and the things which make war. However, people can mature just as children grow up. Yes, our institutions and our leaders reflect our immaturity, but as we mature we will elect better leaders and set up better institutions. It always comes back to the thing so many of us wish to avoid: working to improve ourselves.”

We may not all be able to drop everything in our lives and start walking across our countries as a statement for peace but we can make our lives a testament towards peace. We can work on maturing and improving ourselves. The world is in transition right now and each of us can make a difference. Let’s keep peace at the forefront of our minds and not give into fear.

(If you’d like to read more about changing the way you think about wealth please consider reading my book REDEFINING THE MEANING OF WEALTH: DISCOVERING PROSPERITY AND FORTUNE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.)

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. ~Alfred A. Montapert

The animal companions I share my life with are some of the greatest forms of wealth in my life. I’ve read some simple living  commentary that say animals complicate your life. Well so be it then! It’s a form of complication, I wholeheartedly welcome.

Yes, there are mornings I am woken up at 3am because my cats have decided they want to have a wrestling match on the bed or Hunter has decided he wants to knock over the alarm clock just for kicks. Every time my husband and I travel, I have to make arrangements for their care. I’ve never had a single pet help out with any housework or bring in one cent to the family kitty (no pun intended). But you know what? I wouldn’t trade the rewards I receive for anything in the world! You animal lovers out there know exactly what I mean, right?

I mention my animal friends from time to time on this blog and occasionally post pictures of them. Today I share all of them with you in the pictures below. They are my little luxuries, my simple pleasures, and I’m honored they share their lives with me!

My three cat companions hard at work

Hunter-My big plush Maine Coon Kitty

Shiloh-My Precious Classic Tabby

Rorschach The Tiny Titan of Terror Resting up for whatever is on his agenda next

Speed the Goddess Terrapin

The three outdoor ladies: Georgie, Misty, and Popcorn

The hummingbird on my front porch tending to her nest

I recently saw the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps on DVD. Oliver Stone does a superb job in presenting an inside look at how Wall Street works and the personalities of the top players who make up this world. When his first film Wall Street came out in the late 80s, a whole generation of investors must have been inspired by the movie’s famous quote “Greed is good” given the way many banks and investment firms ended up practically destroying our economy.

This time around however, the quote that takes center stage is a far cry from anything having to do with the relentless pursuit of money at any cost. The main character, Gordon Gekko, has supposedly evolved a bit. After serving 23 years in jail for a very serious Securities and Exchange Commission violation, he is now singing a different tune and states, “If there’s one thing I learned in prison, it’s that money is not the prime commodity in our lives…time is.”

I like this quote. I like it a lot. In the last several years I have become a big believer in just how valuable time is in our fast paced chaotic modern world. There are many forms of wealth that have nothing to do with money or material possessions and time is definitely one of those. While our capitalistic culture continues to bombard us with messages of how we need more material possessions in order to be happy, let’s flip that message around and replace it with time.

One can have all the money in the world but if you don’t have time to live life, then what good is all that money? Many of us though can’t seem to find enough time in our day to spend time with those we love or do the things that nurture our souls. What to do, huh? Baby steps are one way to reclaim this priceless asset. Start out by finding one hour a day that belongs completely to you to do whatever it is that suits your fancy.

Get clear on what you want more time for and you will find it easier to motivate yourself to find that extra hour. I love yoga and it’s important for me to find the time to take a class each day or practice on my own. Yoga makes me feel better and it replenishes me spiritually. Knowing these rewards await me, I’m more apt to find the extra time each day even if it means something else gets pushed to the backburner.

Turn off the TV. Unless spending more time in front of the boob tube is one of your life’s main ambitions, I can’t stress how important this is if you want more time in your life. Watching TV can be a major time killer if you’re not careful. Not being a cable subscriber has been one of the best decisions my husband I have ever made. We save money and time. That extra time is put towards being together more and participating in the activities we enjoy doing.

Get up an hour earlier. I’m not going to lie to you and say I’m up at the crack of dawn every morning raring to go. Like a lot of people, I find it hard to drag myself out of bed each day but I make myself do it. Very seldom do I sleep past 7am because if I allow myself to do so then I run the risk of never getting up. I love the time I spend with myself first thing in the morning. I brew a cup of coffee, feed the cats and take a few seconds to walk out on my front porch and breathe in the morning air.

Downsize your expectations. We can only do so much and not everything we do has to be perfect. Perhaps your house may not be as clean as you like or not every item on your “to do” list will always get done. By cutting yourself some slack and lowering your standards a bit, you can free up some time to do something more exciting.

Learn to say no to those things you don’t want to do. We don’t have to accept every social invitation, volunteer for every event that comes our way, or constantly be available to people who suck the life out of us. Use discretion in how you spend your free time and don’t over commit. Saying no takes practice but freeing up your schedule by giving yourself more time is oh so worth it. Time is definitely a prime commodity but Wall Street doesn’t sell it. You have to create it for yourself.