The Little Blue... P' P' P' Powerhouse!

I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can!

One of my favorite childhood bedtime stories, (and there were tons of 'em!) was The Little Engine that Could.

Seeing the cover here, really takes me back to a hot summer night at Ten 'Oh Three, South Hickory in Ottawa, Kansas... With the attic fan moving cool air through my bedroom after a late evening bath... Hair still wet, tucked under a sheet in my smurf-print underwear and a metallic-glitter-print Dukes of Hazzard T-shirt reading one of these great Golden Books :)

Anyway, the story is about a happy little train who's broken down, but has an important payload that must make it to the other side of the mountain. There are lots of stuffed animal toys and dolls and red-cheeked apples for all the little girls and boys :)

They were in desperate need of another engine to help them out.

The few different trains who came along at first had their own reasons to pass by, until finally the little blue engine showed up and decided to give it a shot.

The main quote from this little story still resonates today as a great lesson.

You can do incredible things when you tell yourself "I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"

When I bring up all this financial stuff... And openly talk about being Debt Free, using the simple solid financial principals taught by Dave Ramsey and many others... What are your first thoughts?

Are you like the Shiny New Engine?

"I am a passenger engine! I have all the shininess and cushy comforts of brand-new-ness. My financial ways have brought me this slick stuff. It costs a lot. I am in debt, but I have good credit and I can make my payments. So I am not interested in working my way up and over the debt-free mountain." 

Or are you like the Big Strong Engine?

"I am a freight engine. I have important sophisticated ways of handling things! I have a strong income and I do things my way. I can pull heavy loads and make big things happen. I do not need to bother with these little ideas. I am too powerful to need to be up and over the debt-free mountain!"

Or are you like the Old Tired Engine?

"I am tired. I have had such a long and strenuous journey. I am rusty and need a break. "I cannot, I cannot, I cannot see myself chugging up and over the debt-free mountain." 

Or maybe, just maybe, you are just like the Little Blue Engine!

"I am not the strongest, or the biggest. I have never attempted something like this before. I do see how important it is to get to the other side of that debt-free mountain! I want to see what life is like over there!"

So determinedly you start say to yourself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"

Getting off to a slow start is okay, because by having true belief that "You Can"... Then reaching the top is possible and the Ride down the Other Side... will be Breathtaking!!!

Remember that the whole point of this story is to help the little girls and boys? Yes, our journey to debt-freedom may bring unprecedented joy to us... but think of all the good things we can do for the little ones in our life, when we have not a payment in the world and we just want to give and spread God's love!

If you've got that Little Blue Engine inside of you, then I am your biggest fan! I know what it's like to make that journey myself, and I'll cheer you on in any way I can. I believe you can do it, and I hope you do too!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Pain and Understanding - Thanks Morgan for 16.5 great years!

Playing God...

For years now, we have joked and talked about my old dog Morgan. The energizer bunny of the canine world; this shaggy black Shepard/Collie mix has been through it all. In her 16.5 years she's had both front legs broken, fought in tons of scraps and battles, then even got run over by me in my own driveway a year and a half ago.

She refused to give up.

She kept on going and going and going. In the last year or so, even with one eye blind and a busted up partially working body, she kept going...

Until today.

Today was just like any other day for Morgan - she was in her favorite cool spot on the garage floor, she stumbled to get a drink, stumbled back and pretty much was just chillin.

Little did she know that I had already planned for "her time" to come before Memorial Day Weekend. Sure the past week had it's extra struggles for her, but not much more than any other... so how did I know it was time?

I had prepared myself and I had prayed and today around noon, I felt at peace enough to load her up one last time and take her to town....

I was choking myself up in the hour or so before I left. I felt like it was somehow unfair for me to decide the moment that was right... I was hoping it would happen naturally before now, so I could avoid the responsibility of it... I knew that her fate was up to me and I was just praying that I was making the right choice for her.

Then one of those "God Thoughts" popped into my head while I was contemplating things out in the back yard...

Morgan is old. Really old for her breed. She's in terrible health. She is in obvious daily pain. This choice for me to let her go is actually easy when you look at it like that... It's the right thing to do.

What about God's choice to let people go?

This week started out with a vicious tornado ripping through Joplin, Missouri. It took the lives of at least 122 people. Sure the houses and things are gone. The replaceable things. But the people and families that will never see each other... well, that is pain that stays with us forever.

I think of other times that God has taken people out of this physical world. Like my Dad drowning when I was four years old. Or my cousin Megan, who left my heart shattered... Or my good buddy Derrick, such a young and vibrant newlywed dynamite blast of a guy to be around... These are just a few of the spectacular people I am privileged to have known, loved and lost over the years...

How hard do you think it hurts God to know that somehow, someway, in terms that are Impossible for us to understand, he's done the right thing?

He loves us. He's taken us on as his responsibility. He's created us and this world. But, his ways of thinking are not like ours...


Isaiah 55:8 (New International Version)

 ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.

So just like me today, when I was holding Morgan's head and petting her coarse black fur for the last time, I do think that God knows the right thing to do.

I have not always thought that. Plenty of people I know have experienced my sadness, rage and terror in these tragic moments. I may not always be able to understand from now forward either... But, in this moment, when I had my tiny version of playing God, I did.

I do know that if we let him, he'll lovingly hold us and care for us in these painful times of loss and transition.

I feel that God's Grace and presence has been shown this week with the absolute outpouring of support, love, donations and assistance to the Joplin area. If you have loved ones down there, then prayers are continuing for you and your family. This human loving connection is now showing it's amazing abilities, and awesome it is.

I hope this meandering off of the financial topics for this week is okay with you. I thank every reader of this blog that I have a place to share my "God Thoughts" and all my other crazy ones too. Please share yours with me. I would love to hear them :)

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Old TV & Old Financial Advice = Which one has Snazzier Pants?

"Come and knock on our door... We'll be waiting for you... sumpthin'  sumpthin'... Three's Company Too!"

Jack Tripper taught me a valuable financial lesson this week!

My TV watching here in Princeton, Kansas is limited to what comes in for free on my antenna. Usually I get to choose from the main networks, a couple local re-run channels and of course my favorite PBS!!

Anyway, just this week I noticed that Antenna TV is now showing up on 4-2 and it has old TV shows from my youth, Yahtzee!!

I think it was Tuesday when I got sucked into a classic episode of Three's Company. The gimmick for this show's hijinks and shenanigans was a brand new to 1981(ish) term called "Computer Dating".

Jack heard about "Computer Dating" from a couple who'd met each other through "Computer Dating". Then of course, after some wise cracks, he was set up with his own blind "Computer Date". He used a fake name and personal info, only to find that his roommate Janet was his "Computer Match". They had a laugh and in the end all was back to wacky-normal in the Three's Company Apartment :)

Anyway, the point here is that watching this show now, and hearing them discuss "Computer Dating" and showing a manilla-colored card that must've been some kind of printout, was awkward and funny.

Times have changed and we now know that they were on to something that did eventually take-off... BUT...

Technology, pop-culture and our current version "new and hip" certainly cycles and changes and sometimes seems ridiculous in retrospect... just like the "Computer Date" that Jack and Janet ended up on :)

There are some things in our world that don't cycle and change and seem ridiculous in retrospect.

The solid financial principal of "The borrower is slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7) is ancient, biblical and pretty much agreed upon by the majority of the world's great thinkers...

hmm... so if they've been saying the same thing for a couple thousand years and it still rings true today? Well then, I'll take that as proof of true wisdom!

I can tell you from the perspective of someone who has come out of the land of debt and now live free of it, I couldn't agree more about this concept.

When we owe, Off to work we must go. Without debt in our lives, we open up a world of options to ourselves. 

Start your journey out of slavery and into freedom today. It is worth every step you will take. I promise!

You're chances of looking foolish (like Jack Tripper) on this journey are high. Most of our society is still listening to the marketing and recommendations of lenders and people that want to sell you "the good life" for 90 days same as cash, or 0% interest or a store credit card with lots of discounts and "incentives" attached.

I'll take the Real Good Life, and continue to be debt-free, thanks anyways. If you want to shut down the TV, pick up a book and get some old-school wisdom, let me know. I'll be glad to point you in the right direction!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Burn Books! Get Wealthy!

Book It! I really wish I would get a personal pan pizza for every book I read this summer… You think the Pizza Hut crew will notice that I’m over the age of 6?

Back in December I wrote about reading. Since then; reading I’ve been. Burning (through) books is an awesome way to change your future for the better!

Here is an update/quick review of the titles I’ve enjoyed over the last 5 months – I would love to loan you a copy if you are interested. Otherwise, get online and buy you some books!

Tribes – Seth Godin

            Seth gets it, then gives to you straight. He is THE marketing authority. Tribes are it. I wouldn’t trade my True North Blog Readers Tribe, Camp CarpCo or RumRunners tribe for anything! Proves his point that we are built to connect with others and move toward a common goal. I love that.

A Philosopher’s Notes – Brian Johnson

            What an awesome job Brian has done in creating an optimal life for himself and others. Reading this book is fun, easy and dynamite powerful. The best of the great philosophers, served up as inspirational appetizers. Bravo Brian!

The 4-Hour Body – Timothy Ferriss

            Big ‘Ol Book that’s great to have around. I dropped 20 lbs in 4 weeks and have a new way to look at my eating habits. Made great sense to me… Eat Plants and Animals, Lose Fat and Feel Good J

Purple Cow – Seth Godin

            I remember ideas poppin’ late into the night after reading Purple Cow. Absolutely the truth about what inspires us and gets our attention in this distraction-zone called life. Be unique or be overlooked. Emphasize your differences, and wave your “You” flag proudly!

The Art of NonConformity – Chris Guillebeau

            I sat in a my toasty garage, by the fire, mid-week during a February blizzard and read this book about living an alternatative lifestyle. The monkeys and firehose example hit very close to home for me. Needless to say, it was a fitting and fun read, that did more to validate than instruct my own journey of Non-Conformity J

In the Grip of Grace – Max Lucado

            Like a thirsty man needs a cold pitcher of ice water, I needed this book. Explaining that we all deserve Grace and it’s ours if we ask for it, I was lighter in the heart after letting the ideas in this book resonate. Thanks be to God!

The Power of Who – Bob Beaudine

            I love it when people who don’t have to; share their success secrets with me. Mr. Beaudine has truly found the essence of our human connectedness and its importance. A Must read!

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson

            The actions we fear, the moments that scare us: they’re the ONLY ones in which we grow and gain… Very cool book. I was/am inspired to continue to be a Lion Chaser. Thanks Mark!

NIV Study Bible

            This is my first Bible that I’ve bought as an adult. I have really enjoyed having it around and referencing it often. I was new to the idea of a Study Bible, and I’m glad Pastor Tim recommended it. It really fills out the scripture and makes the Word easy to enjoy!

The Noticer – Andy Andrews

            Very inspiring, fun read and covers the gamut of ‘perception change’ as a way to deal with life’s problems… Would Recommend to everyone. I read it in 3 days I think? Good One.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High - Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler

            This is the most practical book for learning techniques to step up and deal with tough situations between the important people in your life. The STATE Principal is worth the price of the book. I think the mastery of the tools they discuss can take anyone, anywhere in life, they want to go: because, it takes People to make that happen. Dealing with people is the one skill we can all use every day!

Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

            Okay, I really-really wish I would have read this one a few years ago. MUST-READ for anyone to wants to break out of the Rat Race. Chapter after chapter is like Ding, Ding, Ding, Duh!! A new paradigm in understanding serious wealth and how to create it, is explained in simple words and pictures. Even after my whole journey out of debt, jump to self-employment and total immersion in self-discovery… My mind was blown by this book!

I think I may have left out a few odds and ends, but this list pretty accurate…

Now, amazon.com and half.com have been shipping to me regularly lately. Here are the upcoming titles, I can’t wait to dive into…

The Power of Ted – David Emerald; Linchpin – Seth Godin; The Traveler’s Gift – Andy Andrews; The Final Summit – Andy Andrews; How to Write a Sentence – Stanley Fish; Essential Writings – Ralph Waldo Emerson; Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl; The Thank You Economy – Gary Vaynerchuck; Unless it Moves the Human Heart – Roger Rosenblat; Love is the Killer App – Tim Sanders; Today We Are Rich – Tim Sanders;  Permission Marketing – Seth Godin;  Love and Respect – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

My December post shined a light on the power of reading, but I left out an important idea. I was speaking about Non-Fiction and instructional/inspirational reads… What we are putting into our minds is what we will become. So… choose your reading carefully. Just because it’s in a book doesn’t mean it’s good for your brain!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Miracle Mind-Gro!

Growing Things is on my mind!

I was blessed this afternoon to have my Grandparents... and I mean "Grand" in the fullest sense of the word, give my backyard garden some Love today! We planted peppers, tomatoes & cucumbers, yum!

Bill and Carol Smell are my Mom's parents. They've been lovingly tending the "garden of me" since before I was born... For all their love and hard work, I've grown wild and unruly at times. Hopefully, lately, I am becoming more of the plant they can be proud of!

Anyway, I love 'em like crazy. I'm also proud that they read this blog every week!

So,  speaking of Growing...

Did you know that what you focus your mind on Grows?

That is right. It is a Universal Law.

Where your mind, Your thoughts, Your focus is...

is where your future is.

What you think about grows.

Is your mind on your debt? Do you think about the "lack of money" to do the things you want to do?

Your debt, Your lack... it's growing!

If your mind is on thankfulness of what you do have... If it's on the awesome potential of your financial future... If it's on the plenty that you've been provided...

Your "what you do have", your "awesome potential" and your "plenty"... is growing!

Make sure you're growing something that you want more of... And if you're not?

Change your mind!

This is really true, really powerful; works in every area of life and really is something that I work on every day.

The more you practice, the better you get, so give it a shot. Think and Grow Rich! (psst, read this book, it is AWESOME!)

Till next week, I'll be thinking powerful thoughts for you!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Boat-Sitters & Water-Walkers

Don't most Bible stories just sound crazy! Really!

I've been mowing through books with a newly sharpened blade lately. One of them is a 171 page work that expands on a Lion Chasing warrior from the Bible named Benaiah. It's titled "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." by Mark Batterson and I highly recommend it!

(As some of you may have noticed, my Spiritual growth, like the garden out back of my house, has taken strong root and has now begun to sprout vibrant green shoots!)

This same book also relates a small passage about Peter and Jesus that I want to share with you today. This passage also explains why most of America is living paycheck-to-paycheck in generally poor financial health...

I am now quoting from 'In a Pit with a Lion'...

"Sink or Sit


Peter gets a bum rap. Peter is the only disciple who denied Christ three times, but he was the only one who got close enough to Jesus to get caught. Peter is the disciple who impulsively cut off Malchus' ear when the lynch mob came to arrest Jesus, but he was the only one who came to Jesus' defense. And he is the disciple who sinks in the Sea of Galilee, but he was also the only disciple who walked on water.
It's so easy to criticize Peter from the comfortable confines of the boat.
I think there are two kinds of people in the world: creators and criticizers. There are people who get out of the boat and walk on water. And there are people who sit in the boat and criticize water walkers."...

At 3 in the morning, in the middle of the sea, out of 12 disciples in the boat who saw Jesus out on the water, who they thought was a ghost - Peter got up, jumped ship and walked toward Christ. He doubted Jesus once out on the waves and the wind. He even started to sink, but then was saved by the Son of Man.

How do we relate this to money? Well metaphors and me is friends, ya know!

Why do we hear complaints that Most of the wealth in America is held by the very few? Why does it seem unfair that the smaller percentage enjoy all the money, while most of us struggle along?

Are we really prepared for this answer?

As it has been for all time: Only one out of 12 are willing to get out of the boat. Only 1 out of 12 are willing to do what the others won't do. 1 out of 12 take the chance to try the unthinkable!

There are lots of areas of life this lesson belongs to, but one for sure is on this financial blog.

Most of society has beliefs about how money works; what's important to spend our dollars on. Our majority has a group mentality that we've learned from each other, corporations, advertising and the news; about safety, stability and "stuff-itis". We even look up to the 'normal' folks around us who 'seem' to have it all... well, my friends, Most of society is broke and sitting in the boat, criticizing the water-walkers!

My point would never be that broke people are bad people, or that boat-sitters are less than water-walkers... but, for me, I know the joy that freedom from debt and taking that risk can bring you. I also know, that I'm not any more special than anyone else. Debt freedom is possible for anyone. We are ALL special and deserve the best!!

So, when you hear about the weird financial ideas of:

• Setting up a monthly budget committee meeting
•  Using an envelope with cash at the store
• Cutting back on extras and beginning to pay down your debts
• Putting serious cash into Investments for your future
• and even, Never Borrowing Money Again!

Ask yourself, if these are the types of crazy things that only someone who would jump out of a boat in the middle of lake would do...

If so... For me... I can tell you what I would do... Go For It!!


Create your fantastic financial future today. It is possible for you, and it is worth it. Ask yourself if you are one of the water-walkers, or if you are still a boat-sitter??

Since this blog has a very small unique readership...  I like to believe that We are all Water-Walkers! Let me know how your journey to financial freedom is going. I have no supernatural power, but I love you more than you know. I DO want to see you dancing on the debt-free waves with me soon!

And... to reinforce what I've alluded to already... NONE of this is possible without our Creator and Savior, so Give Thanks!!

Take Care Till Next Week!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134

http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

No Fish here, Just Poles and Love!

So I'm late again this week... I can't call it writers block, how about a brain explosion! :)

Really back on the rails this week with work, website volunteering and lots of time spent listening to Philosopher's Notes online...

I was Very lucky to receive a scholarship to this website in which, teacher, Brian Johnson, boils down the essence of the greatest philosophical and enlightening works of literature from the ancient to the cutting-edge. Perfect afternoon listening material to pump your spirit up!

Every PN on the website is mind-blowing, but one this week really rocked me. And, stopped me dead in my tracks...

It all started with the concept of converting from the DDT (dreaded drama triangle) to TED (the empowerment dynamic) triangle, as explained in The Power of TED, by David Emerald.

I won't go into all the detail here, but the main Boom-Shocka-Lacka to my Bird-Brain was this:

We need to avoid the mindset of a "Rescuer" and instead become a true "Coach"... WELL, why dontcha just paint my cheeks pink!!

Ya' know... divine timing is perfection...

I had to internalize this concept and really take a hard look. I know for certain that my passion and energy to spread the fundamentals of financial fitness are born from my desire to help others... Does that "help" word sometimes grow into the thought of Rescue?? Well, at times, I'm sure it has.

The problem with Rescue is that the inner perception is that others are not capable of helping themselves and therefore require someone else to step in.

Never in my mind did I use this exact vocabulary, but it's nonetheless too close to true.

Okay, so now I realize that I've been "thinkin' backwards" (as usual!) about the way to truly help people. I can now begin the process to do something about it.

A true "Coach" understands that each person has the strength and ability as Creators to design their own successes or failures. They have a full respect for the ability of those they want to help, to do it all by themselves. They can guide or encourage or be available for consult but are not soley responsible for the sinking or the swimming of the concerned party... it is up to them.

Now, this week's blog may be nothing more than a journal-entry to myself - or - maybe, a shared experience to those I share with - or - truly, you can be assured that: This Guy, is Always learning and growing and is interested in doing the best job, I am capable of doing, to help You, reach Your Goals.

So, another journey begins. To be conscious of my mindset as a Challenger not a Persecutor, a Creator not a Victim and especially a True Coach and not a Rescuer!

I love learning new things and I'm certain with every new pair of "idea glasses" that I get to look through, the visions I see are more spectacular than ever... For Me, and For You!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

True North Financial Fitness Coaching

aaron@truenorthffc.com

785-218-6134http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with?  You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!