“If you always give you will always have.”—

It may come as a surprise that for many years after I remarried we lived very poor. We lived in a old single wide trailer and drove a car provided by my in-laws. They are the best in-laws ever!!! One reason we lived in the small trailer was because we didn’t make very much money and we believed if we put every bit of money we had into a business venture that one day we would be able to afford anything we wanted. I have to say we tried many different business ventures that didn’t make it. For years I thought we were crazy for trying. Cursed even.LOL I even went back to school for a while so I could become a nurse. It was soon apparent I was too afraid of needles and cried easily when anyone got hurt. Obviously this wasn’t the path God had planned for me.

So since I never went to college or thought I was very smart I had to return to what I could do and that was cleaning houses for people and trying to start a business that would succeed. Well after 8 years of many attempts and failures my husband and I finally started a successful business which led us to a second business. Both of these have been very successful, www.lipnotes.com and www.bigkahunanative.com

Then to make life sweeter and richer God brought Scentsy wickless candles into my life a year ago. I have never had more joy than I have had working my Scentsy business making friends with incredible people. Scentsy has also caused me to grow personally and the financial rewards have been great. So what does all of this have to do with today’s quote. Really it’s a little background into me and my life.

See I have always enjoyed picking up little gifts or cards that remind me of people I know and love. Of course this always cost money and at the same time I didn’t have a lot of money. So about nine years ago I decided in January that I was going to save my money and not buy things for my friends and family. I have to say that was not a fun year. In fact I think it was also one of our most difficult years financially speaking. By the time January came rolling around again I decided to go back to what brought me joy, GIVING. So when I found a sign the other day that said: “If you always give you will always have.” I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was true. Not only have my husband and I been tremendously blessed financially we have been greatly blessed with happiness and friends.

So I challenge you as you face this New Year especially in these difficult economic times that you will continue to give. Give even more than you have in the past and see what happens to your heart and in your life. I also challenge you to read this article on giving. It was written by an economist who wanted to prove that giving makes you poorer not richer like all successful entrepreneurs say. To read the article go to: http://marriottschool.byu.edu/marriottmag/winter08/features/speeches1.cfm

Email me what you think. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on giving.