Jody Heckenlively

Just before the door was shut on 2008, my husband Guy and I reached a goal to become Branch Managers with United First Financial.  Actually,  Santa came early in 2008 and gifted us three days before Christmas.

Becoming Branch Manager is a marker of achievement in several ways.  It indicates that we have assisted others in finding the fastest way to become debt free, and it indicates we’ve  built a wonderful team of agents who too are helping others become debt free.  To be able to provide hope in the midst of these economic times is great work! Becoming a United First Financial Branch Manager is also an indicator of not giving up in the face of adversity.  It’s easy and thrilling to show a client how to flow their money differently to become debt free when their minds are open to a new way of looking at things.  But when minds are closed, so are doors!  To continue on, looking for the ones who are seeking what we offer was the path upon which we chose to stay…most of the time.  And that is the path that led us to where we find ourselves at the blossoming of 2009.

So, what’s next?  As Branch Managers we take on the mantle of leadership.  Of creativity, training, support and growth of our team.  Our goal now is to assist our teammates in becoming Branch Managers.  And we will continue to seek new teammates, as our cause is a worthy one.  Helping clients step into greater awareness of what is possible for them with a few small changes in their financial lives brings them a welcome feeling of relief and hope.   We will continue to focus in the direction of a positive shift in our nation’s economy…one family at a time.

If ever I’m feeling a lack of abundance all I need to do is think about dog hair.  Our yellow lab, Roxie, is a shedder.  She provides us with a never ending supply of dog hair.  After vacuuming the rugs and floors I brush her, just to try to get ahead of the game.  The amount of hair that comes off her and into the brush could make another dog!

Why am I blogging about dog hair?  Well…the last time I brushed Roxie I got to thinking that dog hair comes from the same source as everything else.  And if I know that dog hair is unlimited, then it’s probably true that there are lots of other things that are unlimited too.  Like ants, for example.  Or flies.  And here are a few more: sand, leaves, grass clippings, pens, salt, junk mail, advertisements, and rocks.  And how about these: wishes, blessings, love, humor, smiles, visions, friendship, opportunities, ideas, creativity, wisdom, growth, breakthroughs, stars, dreams, music and art.

Is this then also true for physical and financial well-being, or are these arenas somehow governed by a different source?  Hmmm…something to think about as I brush Roxie, and learn to appreciate dog hair.

I am a member of a Ladies Book Club - well,  that’s what we call ourselves, but it’s not really what we are.  We don’t read books and gather to discuss them like most book clubs.  We are actually an art group and we make pass-along books.  There are 13 of us and this is how it goes: The first month each artist decorates her own cover of a 12 page water color spiral bound tablet.  By the last week of the month we mail it to the next person on the list, and we in turn receive one from someone else.  So each month, I have a page (two sided) to do.  There aren’t any restrictions; any media and any subject goes.  We’re just at month two of our second year.  This picture is one I did last year.  I can’t show you any current creations as we gather after 13 months for a grand finale where we present our books to one another.  It’s all oohs and ahs when we finally get to see what others have created for us.

Yesterday was art day.  After a productive and  creative time something wonderful happened.  I received a phone call from a potential client who I had been waiting to hear from for quite awhile.  The red light turned back to green as the conversation  reopened.  So what does that tell me?

Sometimes I can get my best work done when I step away from my work and nurture my being.  Art nurtures me and gets me reconnected to that place of creativity where all things are possible.

A friend of mine recently mentioned a medical condition she was suffering from called Srojens Disease.  I remembered that I had once known someone with this condition who benefited greatly from taking undenatured whey protein.  I wanted to contact my old acquaintance to see what protocol she had followed so I could pass the information along.  The only trouble was, I couldn’t remember the name of my old friend.  Sad, but true!  I tried going through old address books, I even did a google search, thinking that perhaps she had made an entry on a srojen’s blog.  No luck. I finally gave up.

A few days later I was in my morning meditation and clearly received the message to call a certain someone I hadn’t spoken to in many months.  Being one to act upon my inner promptings as often as possible, I called that certain someone.  She is quite the talker (I hope she doesn’t read this!) and so I listened to all the news of her family.  And the weather.  I listened and listened some more.  I really wasn’t sure why I had been moved to call her based on everything she had talked about so far.  Then the conversation moved to the topic of signatures at the end of emails and how people use them to promote their business.  And then she says, “You know who I got an email from the other day ?  D….S……”  And do you know what?  That is the name of the person I was trying to remember.  An amazing coincidence?  I sure think so.  The moral of the story?  Keep listening to my inner voice!