Financial Challenge: "Love of the Green"

Happy Valentine's Day...a day to over indulge on sweets, buy expensive gifts and fall in love!  I love this day! This morning I was presented with my gifts--a coffee mug with a stuffed animal and a heart-shaped baking pan.  Well, marriage does have it perks.  Today's challenge is different regarding your finances...usually we are focused on saving-today we will be spending....

Today's Challenge: Spend about $5 on someone not in your family or a significant other and get them a little gift.  Or buy 5 $1 box of chocolates from your local dollar store and give them away.  

Part of your being a good steward of your finances is remembering to also be a GIVER.  Not everyone loves Valentine's Day like me--for some it's a sad day when they feel unappreciated or unloved. Be a giver today and use your finances--your love of the green to extend some love to someone else!

Challenge Issued!

Happy Valentine's Day--BetterU!

SmarterU Challenge #44: Catch UP Book Lovers

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, 

another’s voice, another’s soul.”  

Joyce Carol Oates

 Today is our educational challenge day and as I've said before Readers are Leaders. You should be about Chapters 9-10 depending on how long your Book of Choice is...today let's try to finish. 

Today's Challenge: Read for 30 minutes and see how far you...try to finish the book by Sunday. 

Challenge Issued!

Let's Get A Physical...Physical...

Today's challenge will be tough...probably one of the toughest to follow thru on...because it will involve getting truly honest about your own physical condition. We go thru life and and think we are ok...even when I was 50 pounds heavier I thought I was ok-but looking back I just wasn't being honest with myself.

I was stealing minutes or even years from the precious life I'd been given to live for Jesus, my amazing husband and my kids...my eating habits were horrible yet I justified every morsel of fat I consumed--I was busy, stress, ice cream is family time. You name it I could justify every sweet treat.

Staring in the mirror I became disgusted at what I saw....when the largest size of pants I'd ever wore started getting to tight I realized I had to stop this vicious cycle and be a Healthier Me for those I loved.  You have to start somewhere--start with the Doctor!

Today's Challenge: Get an HONEST PHYSICAL.  Call your doctor today and make an appointment.

Not your yearly visit because you have to go to refill medications.  Schedule blood work, check your cholesterol, get a real assessment of your weight, etc. GET REAL with yourself and Get Healthy.

If finances are an issue...look up health fairs-they'll do a ton of the items FREE.

Challenge Issued!

Spiritual Challenge (#42): Choose Today!

It's tough explaining to some people why Sunday events that interfere with church are out....this year our son started wrestling and there were several 'beginner tournaments' on Sundays that would have been great for him to be involved in...but it's a no for us.

Our first Sunday priority is attending church and worshiping.  Unless someone is sick we are there--not when the doors open we are usually racing in the door 5 minutes before Sunday School starts but we are there. We make church participation a top priority for our family.

The bible says in Joshua 24..."But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." 

Today's Challenge:  Choose today whom you will serve. Read Joshua 24.

What is getting in the way of your Sunday worship? Why are you letting it? GOD gave you the very breath you breathe-Snuggle time, rain, sporting events, etc. these aren't reasons to skip church. Choose today whom you will serve.

Challenge Issued!

Family Challenge: It 's More than Just A Card!

This afternoon with my oldest two children we've done Valentine's cards for their different classes at school. Wow! It requires more work and patience that I ever anticipated. I just want to grab the pen and finish them in 10 minutes but what would I be teaching them-Nothing!

They are learning letters, how to count, how to make make choices and that all thier friends deserved to be treated special. Valentine's Day is Thursday...what will you do to show your family they are special?

Today's Challenge: Make a Valentine for someone in your family! If you don't have the supplies at home...design it today and then implement this week by Wednesday.

Be Creative...think outside the box-maybe you would prefer to make a Valentine Video and send it to someone. Make a traditional card with amazing artwork, write a poem. What would challenge you?

Challenge Issued!

Organizational Challenge: The Dreaded To Do's

Last week we made a list of the "Dreaded To Do's"...the 5 items we didn't want to do...and then the BetterU jumped in and did #1 on the list.

If you haven't made your list of the 5 projects you've put off forever-make the list then number them in order with the worst one first. Tackle them one by one!

Today's Challenge: Knock off #2!

Yes it's not fun but the difference it will make! You got this...Be a BetterU a more OrganizedU!

Challenge Issued!

Relationship Challenge: Encouragement!

Relationships can be hard work...and honestly some relationship you have you shouldn't...either they are destructive or not healthy for you.  I will say that most relationships--this includes:  friendships, marriages, family, dating, work, etc--these all are important. Some are more important than others but overall they all add value to your life in some way.

Today I want us to encourage the random friend. Almost everyone who participates in the daily challenges has a Facebook or Twitter Account. If not you've got a pen and paper, so you can still make this challenge happen.

Today's Challenge:  Encourage a random relationship.  Find a great quote or picture and post it on your Facebook page, Tweet It or Write it Down and put on your friends/husband/child/family member's desk or frig, etc. I think you get the picture.  

Today when people think of you--Let them be encouraged! Be an inspiration to others!

Challenge Issued!

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.