OUCH! I talked to another place with my diagnostic code in hand and told them of the Ford estimate (Big Mistake).  This place sent me to another place and here is where the nightmare begins.  I went to this place Fri. afternoon after picking up my son from his program.   He is Autistic and does not do well with change, or having to stay somewhere with nothing to do.   This Mechanics shop informed me that it would take an hour to perform the diagnostics.    

 I asked if I could come in the following day, Sat. at opening, so that there would be time to finish the work as I have only one car and need it for the up-coming week.   I went prepared to wait for an hour, thinking that if there were extensive work to be done I would take my son to the movies across the street.   I got there a little  after opening with my son who had books to read.   We sat patiently for one hour reading books.     

The mechanic came in and brought me a spreadsheet of diagnostic problems that could cost up to $765.00 for repairs.  However, the manager said a smoke diagnostic test needed to be performed to fill the compression with smoke to determine where the leakage of compression was occurring which was causing the (running lean on O94 code).  He asked me if I would come back in one hour after he had performed this second diagnostic test.   I walked with my son for an hour visiting a coffee house for a snack and coffee, and then off to Michael’s, then to a bakery thrift shop (my son likes to look at food on shelves).  The whole hour my Son repeated…what we were supposed to be doing insistently; O.C.D. is very typical with Autism; and I continued to inform him as to why we were not able, at that point, but that when the work was done we could.    

 I walked about three miles today, and after one hour and fifteen minutes returned to find out the results of the additional diagnostic.   The manager met me and said that he had not started the second diagnostic and that I needed to wait for another hour.   Because my son is Autistic, it gets very difficult to continue to disappoint him.  I said to the Manager, why did you tell me to come back in an hour then if you were not going to do the test in that time frame?  I was not yelling, I just asked an honest question in my disappointment.     At this point he became upset and said, “BS! You’re calling me a liar, if you don’t want to wait then have someone else do the work!” Yelling….   He knew he had me over a barrel, as he had observed my son’s activity, and also understood that I did not have anyone that could pick us up.   I replied, “No, I’m not calling you a liar…I’m just saying that if you were not going to do the work in the time you specified for me, you should not have told me to wait…   Then he said, “I’m not going to do the work! pull her car out!”   I told him I could not believe that he would turn down a cash customer that was prepared to drop $600.00 cash…I asked to speak with the owner of the company and he would not let me…    

On my way home I spotted another Mechanics shop within walking distance to my home.   I drove in with my diagnostic in hand and explained all of the work the prev. shop had said I needed and about how they continued to delay performance; getting disrespectful towards me when I questioned their business practice.     I was encouraged when this shop seemed to understand how wrongly I had been treated.   Guess what?  They performed their diagnostic and found that I was running lean because my fuel filter was clogged, needed replacement; and also I needed a fuel injector cleaning due to fuel running through a dirty fuel filter.  Interestingly enough, I had paid for a new fuel filter about two months ago at another Mechanics Shop. The work was performed, including diagnostics within two and one half hours, costing me $142.00!     It seems today that people in many businesses just don’t care about honest business practices….I guess woman are seen as ignorant and venerable by so many Mechanic Shops.   This is the way of business today in a world that is contrary to performing honest business practices in integrity, and most importantly, while respecting the customer….This is the Anti-Civilization.   These dishonest business types create an Un-Civilized atmosphere in our society today.   I felt so up-set with myself for being, “Once Again, angered and frustrated with today’s dishonest society, the Anti-Civilization.”   I am always disappointed when someone takes advantage of me because it goes back to that time in my life when the world made me believe I was not good enough; and that I deserved what I got.”    

There is a happy ending here though, after the work was performed by an honest Mechanic Shop, with an Honest Business Owner, we each saw the value of what we were bringing to the table.   He gave me good work at a very good price; without trying to over charge, and cheat me, and; I also found out that he wanted his mechanics’ to wear shirts with his company logo on them.   So guess what?   We viewed my T-Shirt website, I showed him my art and designing abilities and he emailed me his logo asking me to insert a car on a road to it and turn it into company T-Shirts.    

I love this….We, through our respect for each other, were able to offer additional value to each of our companies, and in that way continue to grow.   This is what happens when honest people work together for the benefit of all.   This is how the civilization of the civilized in the universe of honest service providers will prevail.    I just hope that at some point, I can find a Mechanic within the Neothink® Society; or perhaps, I have already found my future Neothink® Mechanics Shop….   Thank you, Elaine Ray is The Undefeated Life (at least in this outcome)…

How you use your time matters more to your budget than you might imagine.  If you aren’t happy at work:  switch-it-up by using your time wisely to learn a new skill, or, start assuming responsibilities from a co-worker.  You might think, “Why would I want to take on someone’s work load, especially from a lazy co-worker?”   The answer is for self-gain.  First, you gain personal knowledge about something new, second you can gain the respect of your boss, third you gain pride from a job well done, fourth you gain personal happiness, and fifth you gain self-love as you discover how capable you are.  

Do you cringe at the word budget?   Is it out-of-fear of seeing how little you might have in-the-way-of time or money, or, that you might see you are wasteful?  Perhaps you will see how much you have, and, you will feel guilt and sorrow for the less fortunate.  Do some have less because they use their time less wisely?  The nitty-gritty details should be observed in all aspects of your life.  Don’t count on someone else to plan nor provide for you.  How you spend your time has more to do with your success, happiness, and love in life than you might imagine.  Busy work keeps you from realizing how much you lose, and, it also can keep you from gaining more in life.  Be mindful of your time. 

I challenge you to first start budgeting your time to your physical tasks in your work routine, then, give it a whirl in your leisure time.  Once you see how you can use extra time to learn something to help you prosper, I challenge you to understand your financial picture to get out of debt and plan for that sunny day!

Do you sometimes wonder who makes these “sound business decisions” we hear of?  Is it really the business, government or some other ruler?  Do you feel like a 2^nd class citizen?  Do you want to go back to 2^nd grade to borrow a ruler to see how it measures up?

 If you found a political party that is operating like a profitable business would you vote for it?  Would you be interested in learning more about business in politics?  If so, visit http://tvpnc.org/platform to see how you can benefit.  No more social security to rely on, when you retire, learn how to plan to get ahead, find out how you can measure up and rule your own life.  

Are you ready to make a sound business decision?

 It is just as easy to go to work with an attitude of “I love work!” as it is “I can’t stand my job!”  It is up to you to use your conscious mind and have a willingness to DIRECT your own energy and effort where it matters… towards YOU!  Do you want to EARN more than you do now?  Attitude might have something to do with the DESIRED results.  You can quit creating chaos and create cash-olla!

 When you go to work ask your BOSS how you can help make the Company grow.  You may be surprised to learn your boss isn’t thinking about it; or you may get DIRECTED to the “TOP DOG”. You might feel a bit awkward at first, like a “Fish out of water”, but you are already “Treading water” with some “Sharks on Your Back”, so what can you LOSE?  Many bosses are happy to give up work so they can play!  So what?  You are LEARNING their job!  Following me?

 As you create new “Pockets of Knowledge” you soon feel exhilarated, and the burden of “just going to WORK” will be lost.  You will be building a strong foundation for yourself, and the Company you now CREATE for. Wow! You are more powerful than you thought.  You might feel like a toddler again learning “New Stuff’ and feeling like “Smarty Pants” all the TIME!

 Energy and Effort towards “Nothing New” nets a ZERO, a burden, so to speak!  Energy and Effort towards creating “New Life” brings Exhilaration!  People join groups to find “Something Missing”, but, do they honestly find the harmony they are looking for with self, world, and universe?  Or do they still FEEL the burden, day after day, along with GUILT for feeling that way?  

 End that search! Accept and use the GIFT, of the conscious mind.  DIRECT your energy and effort to CREATE Happiness, Love, and, Pride.  Then, you can experience the PEACE that passes all understanding.  Could it be the VALUE of “Human Life” is to find personal PEACE while creating value?  Further, who would hurt another when inner-peace exists?

 PEACE!

As I have traveled the world I have seen the grand casinos in Monaco and the extreme poverty in Kenya. As I look at the devistation in Haiti I am reminded of the Philippines and hurrican Katrina. I lived in the Philippines for 3 years and the building construction looks almost identical to the ruins in Haiti. I lost a rental house in Katrina that was a few blocks away from my daughters house. The devastation in St Bernard Parish and the 9th ward affected all the buildings.

My point is that these disaster hit all of the folks in that area regardless of economic status. My daughter and her husband drove away before the hurricane hit. I had enough wealth that I was able to give them a safe place to live until things could work out (which was several months). Also because of my wealth I was up to date on my insurance payments and so even though my renter lost almost everything when I finally got reimbursed I was able to clear all debts on the property and give my rentor a check to cover most of the losses.

Now seeing the devastation in Haiti I say it is important to share your wealth regularly. I don’t run around handing out hundred dollar bills although I know there is a group of entrepeneurs that are. I donate to homeless shelters and foodbanks typically when they are low on supplies. Most people donate a few cans of food around Thanksgiving but ask yourself, “Don’t these people need food in July too?” The answer is of course yes!

Getting to Haiti. I am very happy to know that the Friday before the earthquake I donated blood. While I don’t know if my blood actually went to Haiti I take great comfort in that it was there and could easily have been one of the first pints on the scene. I will also donate money for the rebuilding process.

My final point is this, there is a two part thought to achieve the magic.

1. To help others in times of trouble makes you feel wonderful!
2. To know that you can do this without being a burden on others because of your financial status is truly one of the keys to being wealthy and successful!

What an exhilarating time to be alive! We are truly fortunate as we start off this new decade because we have access to value creations that help us as we endeavor to live the life that we are meant to live.

Being a part of the Information Age and owning a computer with access to the Internet has taken my personal journey to an exciting level. Globally we have valuable resources valuable to us literally at our fingertips and conveniently within the comfort of our individual homes. Facebook, Twitter, Radio Internet, Skype, web cams, ebooks, Google, Yahoo, You-Tube, Neothink Essence, IPhones… I am looking forward to the exciting value creations technology will bring to us in this decade!

Linda Mokeme

 I believe that instead of asking for more government agencies and workers we should be freeing the companies to have their own quality control. Technology could soar if there were less control and more honesty delivered to the People.  Research and Development should fall in the hands of the people, not a controlling governmental agency. The problem stems from over-regulating, not under-regulating.  

In theory, governmental regulation of our lives sounds good.  But, is it?  One can look back to the railroad industry to see one of the earliest abuses of government power and greed.  Few realize that James J. Hill, a very generous man was building railroads on his own and competing with the government funded railroads.  Railroads were an important piece to the puzzle for development of all the resources to build a healthy and wealthy nation.  The people could be transported to unsettled areas to develop our natural resources to further the development of this once strong country.  Mr. Hill, built railroads in the northern part of America.  He competed with the southern railroads, and was increasing the standard of living for many families (perhaps your own), until the government and some wealthy elite people, decided he should be stopped.    They did just that.  A man who had sparked the logging, mining, farming, communities’ growth in the West was shut-down.  He even had hopes for bringing our cotton to Asia, and was moving into the shipping industry. 

Who funds the salaries of government workers?  The people.  Who would fund the research and development of research and development if it was being done on a company by company basis?  The actual companies.    We have seen the government, whose role is to protect the people, become one of power and control, not protection

My first comment is that in a country of 330 Million you will find a few hard luck stories that are the exception to my thought however this is being written to the masses!

Let me start off by dispelling a myth that certain people portray to make you feel bad. There are only a few wealthy people in America and they don’t pay their fair share. There are a few people in America who are super wealthy. Some are very public figures like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Donald Trump to name a few. Notice I called these folks super wealthy. Let’s be honest the amount of taxes they pay in a year are more than most of us will make in a lifetime!

So let’s get to you and me. Have you ever really thought about what constitutes a wealthy person? Now I mentor a lot of people and I haven’t really come across anyone that can define wealth, until I heard a rich man’s seminar recently. Simply defined the crossover point from poor to wealthy occurs when your assets are larger than your debts. That’s it!

So to find out if you are wealthy or not, simply look at eveything you own or are in the process of paying off. I suggest you start figuring out your debt first.

What are the balances on your credit cards, loans, and mortgage(s). Total them up and this is what you owe. Next step is to figure out your Net Assets. Total up the value of your bank accounts, your house (if you have one), your retirement funds (IRA’s, CD’s, 401K’s), and any other items you could resell (vehicles, precious medals, art etc…).

Now comes the best part subtract the debt from the Net assets and you will know where you stand!

1. If you are worth more than you owe, congratulations, you are wealthy!
2. If you owe more than you are worth, congratulations, you now know how much you need to become wealthy!

Once again the magic happens when you are one dollar over in worth versus debt.

In the next segment I will talk more about the magic!