3 Hot Tips to Building Effective Relationships

Let's face it, relationships take work! It doesn't matter the kind of relationship...work, family, love...if they're going to be successful, we have to work! Wonderful relationships can provide security, be long lasting, and withstand trials.

Here are a few tips to help you work on those important relationships in your life:

OPENLY EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS

Effective and efficient relationships require open expression on the part of all concerned. You have to express your feelings and positions on all matters pertinent on the relationship. It is not a good practice to just assume that the other party understands your needs.

RESPECT IS THE FOUNDATION

Respect is the key to relationship. You show respect by listening, understanding the other person's concerns, and acknowledging their efforts. Efficient relationships cannot exist in an environment where people form quick judgements based on unfounded facts and prejudice. Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting your self and others.

BE DIRECT

Another important practice is to directly talk to your loved one, co-worker, child, etc. to settle differences. Doing so will help you both work towards a win-win solution. This can be achieved when at least one of you acknowledges the importance of the relationship. Remember, when you fail to express whatever is on your mind, it can get in the way of building an effective relationship.

Relationships are important to everyone. Everyone is connected, very much like the saying "No man is an island."

"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"

Dr. Angela

Seed Money, Part 1

For years, I've been searching for something I could do online to make some extra money. I have practically every program hyped up to "make millions on online," etc. You get my drift; right?

Anyway, I concluded that most of the problem was mental. The programs worked fine, but I had all kinds of mental blocks keeping me from succeeding. So, I did the only thing any self-respecting self-help blogger would do...I found a book on the subject! Someone once told me "leaders are readers"; I believed it!

The book I found, and the one I want to share with you over my next few blogs, is Seed Money In Action by Dr. Jon Speller and Kathleen Shedaker. As spiritually oriented person, I found this book an eye-opener. For starters, it addresses the guilt some people feel when they expect, want, or need money. For too long people have misquoted the Bible and said that money is evil. Money is not evil; it's just paper! My background would suggest that if I sowed a seed, expecting a harvest, somehow I was "using God." Speller and Shedaker point out on page 13:

"It is very important in order for you to practice Seed Money Principles successfully that you first erase the concept that giving and receiving is 'using God.' You must give in order to receive, but you must also receive in order to give. It is a cycle of Good, no way 'using God', but obeying God's laws."

After this revelation, I put the seed money principles in action last Friday (10/20), and I sowed $200 into someone's life. I consciously created a cycle for good. The next day I did what I thought was a pro-bono seminar for a local church. But guess what? The conference hosts decided to "bless" me with a $200 cash gift! WOW! It hadn't even been 24 hours!

I have to tell you, guys, I'm very excited; because I know--without a doubt--that when practiced correctly Seed Money principles work! I found a great program to help me to continue creating cycles of good and I invite you to join me.

Make Room

The thought of "making room" has been playing around in my head all day. What does that really mean?

Well, it's a proven fact that if your hand is balled up in a fist nothing can get in it; by the same token, nothing can come out of it either. To receive in that balled up hand you first have to open up or make room for whatever it is you stand to receive.

Making room, from a spiritual standpoint, means:

• Cleaning out the negative nooks and crannies in our thought life because thoughts become things.
• Replacing and repairing those negative mind posts with positive energy because our worlds are nothing more than manifested thoughts given positive or negative energy.
• Having faith that God wants to give to you that which you desire; He just needs you to let go of the old so that He can bring in the new.
  

This is a huge leap for many of us, because we often become so stuck in our comfort zone we inadvertently turn it into a complacent zone. We are afraid of the unknown and petrified to be, do, or have more than those in our immediate circle because we don't want to be different. The problem with all of that is this: we end up living lives far beneath our potential.

I want a newer car. I've prayed about it, meditated on it, visualized it, and given it to God. Or at least I thought I had until this morning when I felt impressed to sell my car! In other words, make room!

What do you want in your life that you currently don't have? Are you willing to unclentch your fist? Will you make room?

"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"

Dr. Angela