The Empowerment Plan

It started out as a project for a college class. Instructed to design and make something that would fill a need, Veronica Scott walked into a homeless shelter to go to a direct source. She spoke with homeless people and asked them what they needed most. Most became anger by the the question, however, a few sat down and tossed some ideas. And that was when Veronica went home to work in her basement and design a coat that would keep warmth, keep out rain, and be able to expand into a sleeping bag. While researching the company I found the creator had been invited to do a Ted Talk! And as you know I love Ted Talks! For such a young person she has been able to do so much.

Max's Story  how The Empowerment Plan succeeded in changing lives.Here is an article about a woman who was finally released from prison and how Veronica's project did more than just keep one person warm. Veronica's open heart has not only created a coat that is functional but has actually succeeded in giving people lives back. With a steady job, a person can have a place to live and food in their belly.

Most of us see a homeless person and the street and judge them for their actions that led them there. This judgement is leads nowhere. Not only does it keep people on the streets but it shows us who we really are, selfish and small minded. We can't see past our noses. Understandable that we all have issues as well, but hearing Veronica's Empowerment Plan and how it creates jobs as well as helps the homeless, I can't help but be in awe of her natural brain process. Of course if you watch the video that introduced me to this fantastic idea, you'll see that everything just happened by chance. Even so, the idea and the process fascinates me. My hope is one day to meet Veronica in person and help in some small way. After all a leader who can be so young and so selfless is someone I wish to be near.

The Empowerment Plan for more information, this is their direct site.

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As always thank you for reading and I hope this motivated you to do something or create something for someone in need. If you know someone who could use a Empowerment Coat, please look up and see if it can be delivered to your area and I will pay for half of it. I love this idea and would like to spread this project worldwide.

Have a Sweeter Day than Yesterday 

Patience (Fur Babies?)

So my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for almost 2 years now. I'm terrified and would rather he had the baby, but I'm told it doesn't work that way, bummer. There are several reasons why I am afraid, the pain, the future lack of sleep, and the expenses all sound so overwhelming. But after we had this huge talk of God will make it happen and we can handle anything together nothing has happened. In the meantime my husband is a rather bad habit and rescuing animals and bringing them home. At one time we had 4 cats and 2 dogs. Since we moved here we now have 3 male cats and one dog. Three out of the four were found.

Sasha: A beagle mix who was found in a nearby local park was wondering around the park for several days before my husband finally broke down and brought her home. He was still living with his parents at the time and they were not happy. But who could say not the face! She is lazy, snuggly, and extremely loud.

Japetto: Bought from the shelter as a kitten. The only animal we paid for. My husband loves cats and has always had a cat growing up, Japetto was his birthday present. He is grey and adorable. Has so much pride and sneaky habits. One thing that he just can't stop is chewing on charger cables. We buy 2-3 phone chargers a year.

Rusty: On Thanksgiving day my husband kept saying he heard a cat mewing outside. Sure enough an orange kitten was hiding under our porch. He was wild and and terrified of my husband. Took 3 hours to catch him and he bit my husband. For 2 years he was the scared cat that would hide all day long. He never came out unless he was hungry. Since we moved, which was even more traumatic for him, he has opened up a little. He will let us pick him up, snuggle for a little, and sometimes he will sleep near our bed, but hardly ever with us.

Bonkers: Found in the city, he was dangerously thin, scabby, and crazy cuddly. He acclimated with the other cats really well, pretty much ignored them and slept all day. He is lazy, needy, demands snuggling and once in a while he meows loudly until someone holds him or plays with him.

Even though we have been trying for a child I feel like we have 4 already. They all have their strange habits. We spoil them in different ways. We yell at them differently (ex: you say his name sternly and he panics, Japetto you have to yell and chase him, he will continue you do whatever he wants til you get up and got after him). Their personalities are completely different and we would do anything for them. Recently Sasha was diagnosed with cancer, roughly $4,000 dollars later she is walking and thinks she can jump and run.

I guess my positive thought for this week is that sometimes you may be happy and right where you need to be even though you think you want something more. Maybe there is something else we haven't gone through, that God thinks we need more time. Or maybe we are meant to adopt a lonely child who needs our patience. Either way positive thought to meditate on is Patience. Now I'm not saying give up. As a couple trying to add another to the family we haven't given up. But whatever is supposed to happen will happen. In the meantime we can love our Fur Children and plan for other possibilities. So don't stop attempting to reach your dreams. Instead plan, research, and find the path you are supposed to follow.

Have Sweeter Day than Yesterday. 

Be Kind

Here we go! Positive thought of the week!


Going through my twitter I came across this article on Daily Cup of Yoga . The article opens with a quote from Aldous Huxley who was a famous author of novels, articles and Hollywood screenplays. He was asked at a lecture he was giving, "what is the most effective technique for transforming their life?" After all his years of research his answer was, "just be a little kinder."

I love that! The article goes on to say there are 3 ways that kindness changes your health and your own growth as a person.

1) Kindness Heals - being a positive person is healthy! When you are angry and hold grudges, you are putting a lot of effort into that festering feeling. You let those dark feelings build up and they continue to hold you down. When you learn to forgive and let go, your body also lets go of tension. Have you ever been angry at your boss for something and every day you came into work your stomach or head hurt immediately? Nothing those days went right? Everything you heard irritated you? Your stomach will eventually make you more than sick, maybe you'll end up with an ulcer. Stop letting things get to you. Once you learn to let things go your body will relax as well. Remember that everyone is human just like you.

2) Successful People are Kind - the article mentions that success isn't always about money. Success is different for different people. But those who have gone though miserable times and overcame them want to share that wealth of positivity and victory. The only example I can think of right now is an alcoholic who lost everything and through years of work staying sober, keeping a job, building relationships they lost, and having pride in what they of gained now see others who are struggling and want reach out to coach and be that person's sponsor. You can be a sponsor to someone. It's called being a mentor. Finding those who want to be where you are. Maybe you're financially sound or you've lost weight. That is success, Congratulations! There are those around you who are not where you are, they are struggling. Help those who need you in their life and see the greatness that will spread around you.

3)  Kindness Brings Meaning to Our Lives - it's true! By changing your every daily attitude, you'll be healthier. Mind and body. Then with your mind clear, you make decisions that are thought out and move you forward. Then you reach a mile stone in your life that shows you, you can do anything you set your mind to! After reaching one goal, your on to the next and someone near you is struggling and you take them along for the ride. They learn from you and your mistakes, your challenges, and your victories. They reach a goal of theirs and they help someone who is around them. You may never be on television for your great deeds, but you will continue to grow as a person. And in turn you will see those around you grow. Those who don't always get along will see you different. They might not like you, but they will respect your drive, passion, and positive thinking.

So the positive thought for this week is to be nice to others, which will end up being a healthy choice that is pretty good to yourself. Don't let dark thoughts fester and keep you back from your potential. Be nice to those who you don't think deserve it as well as those who desperately need it. Once you start change your actions, those around you will see the difference and things will start to happen you never imagined.  

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Have a Sweeter Day Than Yesterday