This is a special week. For many it will be a time of celebrating a wonderful year of opportunity and blessings. For many others it is a time of uncertainty or loss. For all of us it can be a time of reflection and sharing. I trust it will be a rich time for you, in things that go beyond job security and bank accounts.
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We've got some special Thanksgiving packages ready for you or to help someone needing encouragement. From now until Thanksgiving, we will give you a full 30% off the price of our Thanksgiving specials! Just type in the coupon code THANKS08 and start your Christmas shopping now! Thanksgiving Specials
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Be sure to check out the success story by Alix Caffey about using the "AND principle." You'll be inspired. 48Days.com. And then on the left hand sidebar you'll see Karla Pankow with her new friend. Karla is also sharing about the beginning of her "Hope Heals" organization to help more little friends like this. Congratulations to both of these guys!! I'm continually blown away by the amazing things you readers are doing to live out your calling and purpose in meaningful ways.
If you have an incredible success story about 48 Days or are truly fulfilling your passion in one of the seven areas of your life, be sure to submit it on our main page--here's your chance to get your week of fame on our front page!
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"None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy."
USA Today reports that companies across the country are slashing bonuses, severance packages and pay raises. 40% of surveyed companies plan to reduce the amount allotted for raises in 09 and 62% say they will be giving smaller bonuses than last year. The number of companies holding holiday parties is the lowest in reportable history. American Express just canceled its annual year-end bash. Companies that normally avoid any layoffs are now compiling lists of who will be let go. Last Friday Focus on the Family announced they are eliminating 202 jobs, the biggest layoff in their history.
Now here's the unexpected twist. Many charities are seeing an increase in generosity. In Seattle, Boeing Co. employees tripled their cash donations this year to Northwest Harvest, operator of Washington's largest food bank. And every week, Northwest Harvest spokeswoman Claire Acey says, companies are calling to say their employees have decided to skip their holiday party and buy food for the hungry instead. History shows that the stock market has a relatively small impact on charitable giving. World Vision is predicting that 2008 could actually be a better-than-usual Christmas for the nation's charitable organizations.
Justin Greeves, VP of Harris Interactive (a giving tracking organization) says that "in a year when people are having trouble meeting basic needs, giving by individuals usually increases." Companies decide that instead of a lavish party, they'll help those in need. Families decide that instead of more electronic toys, they'll group their funds and give a charitable gift to another family where perhaps there has been a job loss.
It appears that if we have too much, we become greedy and hoarders. If we are struggling ourselves, we seem to be more willing to share what little we do have. Maybe this will be a good year after all.
Yes, even when times are tough we all want to experience the joy of giving. This is the time of year to make all those careful choices about the perfect gift. Knowing that even as we struggle, we can give something that has more than a temporary value in changing or improving another life.
Here are just a few of Joanne's and my favorites:
Heifer International Being an old farm kid I love the process here. Give a heifer to a family in poverty. They agree to give the first offspring to another needy family. You gift will expand forever.
World Vision Here too you can have the pleasure of giving a unique gift - no xBoxes here. For $35 you can give a set of tools to a family with the education to grow their own garden.
KEZA This is the organization headed up by my son, Jared, in Kigali, Rwanda. Women with little future are now making these beautiful necklaces, restoring their personal dignity and providing a reasonable income for themselves and their children. Your $40 will get you a gift with a meaning, and help a woman escape poverty.
Of course there are plenty of local options. Joanne and I always sponsor the Christmas dinner for a pod (approx 750) of women at the local prison for women - and then go spend the evening sharing with them. We'll be there on December 1st this year. You can help in that event or give to many local causes. Or you can just identify a family or person in need right in your neighborhood. Maybe someone needs a car repaired or the electric bill paid. Be creative in your giving this year!
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Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
Each week I create a new online radio podcast — that you can hear in iTunes or at the 48 Days Online Radio Show link below.
This current economic unrest has a lot of people looking for more creative ideas for income generation. Recognize that often a "crisis" acts as a stimulator to wake up childhood dreams or the things that we have been waiting our whole lives to do anyway. Accept the "opportunity."
How can my fiancé find the top quality employers as a preschool teacher that will compensate her for her skills, talents, degree, and professionalism?
I have spent the past 20 years in the World of Information Technology but my real passion lies in music. Is it possible for someone like myself, in their early 50's, to pursue such a dream?
How do I launch a magazine?
I own a small bookstore, we sell used books. It is not a moneymaker, but it would be much better if I could own my own building instead of paying rent. I have looked at SBA and Grant opportunities - not great. Any ideas?
I'm sure you've been asked this a million times, but what if you have no passions, or simply just too tired to care anymore? I have a business but I'm running it alone (with occasional help from family).I just go day to day......
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If you have a question, just click on the 48 Days Online Radio link below and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
That's the same place you can listen to this week's broadcast immediately - no downloading - no wait.
Got a Big Idea? 48Days.net is our newest project - and wow, are you all responding! People just like you, with ideas and energy, are joining this "idea network" to share and grow together. You‘ll see groups have already formed on speaking, writing, sales, parenting, and inventing. If you have an interest and don't see it here, you can start your own group. There's no charge - it's just one more benefit of being part of the 48 Days family.
********************************************** 212ºConnection
If you'd like to be a group where you can get inspiration for taking your ideas to a whole new level - check out our 212ºConnection. Every day new people are becoming part of the exciting group - sharing ideas and gaining momentum. You can read all about it here - and see the growing number who are turning their ideas into time freedom and income. 212ºConnection
********************************************** Want Dan's direction?
Many of you are asking about my personal coaching. Yes, I still work with 2-3 people a month. And yes, we get a lot of requests. I screen each request and either contact you myself - or refer you to a matching coach in our network. We have many fee options available - what you see here is just mine. If you want to review the process and give me some basic information I'll be honored to evaluate it and give you some feedback. Just go to Personal Coaching and get started.
********************************************** Chuck Bowen - Financial & Business Coaching Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Chuck serves as President of our 212 Connection and oversees the business side of that part of our business. Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching now!
Start 2009 with the right direction!
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.
~Edward Sandford Martin
Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.
~J. Robert Moskin
Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.
~Theodore Roosevelt
It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.
~W.J. Cameron
We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
~Author Unknown
Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Chuck serves as President of our 212 Connection and oversees the business side of that part of our business. 
Start 2009 with the right direction!
