Change – Is NOT Possible

I recently posted a topic or topics and some where in there I talked about change and sometimes the need for us to make the change which at times can be really difficult. But as I read through it and the thing s I am going through now I not only at a personal level by a professional level…”Change” is many times not possible. We can change certain things, but many things that go on everyday in our lives…even little things…sometimes cannot be changed.

Now, when you think about it…sometimes we hope for the best and try to change things, well those that we can or we try, but when it comes down to it…if you look back at some of those things you supposedly changed…they some how crept back and you are right back to square one. So, maybe it is noticeable or maybe not…but look around you and there is a good possibility that something you might have worked on changing…could be right back in your life.

Now, I am not trying to be negative here ok…don’t take my post the wrong way…but I wanted to point something out about what I noticed around me…not only personally but professionally. Even at work things that people have meetings on or committees that work through a project, process or whatever it may be…something to improve the bottom line for the company or business…well…I noticed that those 6 months of meetings and possibly tens of thousands of dollars spent on the committee…you know time and salaries of the individuals involved…pretty much seem to be written off. Because the issues or processes ends right back to where it started from…the work that was done…is for nothing.

And that doesn’t go only for work process and projects, etc. it happens in our life, with relationships, raising kids, love, etc…things such as New Year resolutions may get started but end up right back on our shoulders. What I am trying to say about this is that we try and make changes we would like to see done, but it seems that in most cases our efforts and or work seems to be for nothing. So why would anyone of us put ourselves through those kinds of regimens? Couldn’t we just avoid the work or loss of money and time and simply continue with what we were trying to change…because when you think about it…most of won’t make the necessary change unless something horrible happens…because it is then that we make the change because of a loss of a love one or a drastic injury to ourselves…maybe loosing you job and house…will bring about changes in how you control your finances…whatever it maybe …it all comes down to making the change whether it be by your own means or because of a drastic event in your / our lives.

My Perspective:
It’s tough to give my perspective because I could simply say why bother making change…why not wait until something drastically or huge event causes you to make the change without your opinion. Because if you try it just because you want to…it seems never to pan out…or for many of us…it does not pan out or it comes right back. Or you can go ahead and attempt a New Years resolutions and hope that in 6 months or year it doesn’t come back…if that is the case then good luck.

Thanks for reading till next time Latino man signing off.

Opportunities Left Behind –

You know the other I was watching the stock market and of course some of the Metals and I was looking at our dreaded Oil commodity. If you look back a few years ago, say 2009, at the beginning of the year of 2009 Crude Oil was trading $36 - $46, give and take. Now, since them I am sure you see it and have felt it; prices have reached $115 or so. Imagine if you could have enter the Crude Oil stock back in the beginning of 2009, well you can do numbers from 35’s to 100’s…not a bad investment and more importantly a return on your investment.

The thing is that this was the case with many stocks and other investment vehicles. If you had money to invest and I know many of us did not, but if you did you could have been in a better position at the moment. I thought about it and yah if I would have taken the step to maybe take out a little from my 401K, and invested in one of the nice stocks or other vehicle, then I could have been in a better position.

I understand that it is HIGHLY recommended that you never take out of your 401K, but statistically as many times as individuals change jobs, most individuals never put it into a CD, IRA or something, instead the  money usually goes towards supporting the time that they did not have a job. So, why not while you know you have a steady job, take some out and invest. You end up paying your self back through your paychecks and with interest paid back to you….I know many don’t agree, but I am only stating an option…not the best option. I know what if you get laid off, you have to pay the loan back immediately or you will need to pay taxes on what you took out. I am only suggesting to do it, if you are confident that you will have the job at least until the loan is paid. Maybe set the payment plan to 2 years…thinking that maybe you’ll still have the job in 2 years…depending…I guess to each individuals circumstance.

But if you have been with a company for 5+ years and you are a valuable team member, then why not take some out and invest in something. Yah, I know it is water under the bridge the opportunity has left us, but maybe if we look closely at the market, another one will present itself. You know what I don’t know, I am thinking probably out-loud and something I wished I would have done, who knows…I see all these possibilities, they seems to always repeat themselves and we end up passing it by, or maybe I simply do, the thing is can’t let the next one go by and I am confident that there will be another opportunity.

Anyhow, I do appreciate you stopping by and reading my babbling, I share my ideas and thoughts only as an optional purposes, when they are good ideas I say so, if they are risky then I say again…simply use my babbling as another bit of information to go on. Remember we all need to keep our ears open and eyes peeled, because opportunities are all around us, we just need o learn to listen, but most importantly make sure it’s a legitimate opportunity and good investment.

Till next time, Latino Man signing off, “Be Safe, Be Adventurers”.

Life Changing Decisions

So the time comes when you have to make probably one of the most difficult decisions you need to make. Millions of people through out the world do it, something in your life that could be a tremendous life changing experience. And the worst part is when innocent people are caught in the middle of these decisions. Whether it can be a life threatening decision, job change decision, relationship decision whatever is thrown on you. The thing is, I think that some of these life changing experience are for the better and as individuals I believe we have the knowledge and set of mind to make it through them; of course there are plenty of support groups out there for everything from death in the family, domestic violence, divorce, alcoholism, gambling, the list goes on. But with that said, if you have a life changing decision, there is help and we can usually make it through those decisions.

Anyways, history has shown that you are not the only one in whatever position you are in…in other words you are not alone, millions of people have gone through or going through what you are experiencing. Yah you can say that maybe we don’t understand what you are going through, and yah each case can be a (little) different, but the outcomes are always the same to someone else that has already gone through it. Take for instance a divorce. You either divorce on a good basis or a bad basis. You either both agree on the terms, or you both fight like wild animals in court trying to take the other for what ever they can…so two outcomes...that’s it. How you get there may be different for each marriage or relationship. Some people go through years of abuse, some are married for 20-30 years and just end up getting divorced, financial stress, intimate stress and so on. The trip to the divorce might be different, but the outcome is always the same.

Now, one thing that I have noticed more and more these days, because of the economy, that people that are getting divorce are doing so with a little twist. Now, this is not for everyone but the way it is happening for some couples is; if they have decided on a divorce, the couple agrees to a living arrangement in the interim, because of financial hardships that come with divorces. It also saves money between the couple so they do not complete the process, until the financial arrangements can be justified for them to live in separate housing. Once the time comes they can complete the divorce settlement and move forward with their lives. Now, some of these agreed living arrangements might be awkward, but the couples live their lives as though they are roommates, they each go about their lives with some of the couples actually dating. Yet the respect to not bring other boyfriends or girlfriends to the house holds. Yah, it’s not the best arrangement, but times change and adjust to whatever life is throwing at them, so even though this might have been frowned upon 10 years ago, it has become the norm. You can find articles on the internet on couples that live this way and it amazing to see, but of course eventually the day does come when they each take different housing.

But the thing I was trying to say is that millions of people have gone though or going through what ever you are going through…someone out there does understand and there are support groups to help you through these decision or experiences. So maybe it’s time to move on and do what needs to be done, yah ok…there maybe other individuals involved, maybe children, but I am pretty certain that everyone involved will be better off with the decision and time heals, communication opens doors and you are not alone…support groups are out there. So take the next step with confidence, assurance that you will be a happier person, the people around you will be happier and you life will return back to you with some kind of relief, or weight lifted off your shoulders.

You know I am probably writing all this because of me…ok yah I am…maybe I need to put these thoughts down on paper. I live in and out of my current housing…mostly out this last month…but yah I have been told to simply leave and that I am making things harder. But I am in one of those situations where it’s not all about me or her, or even the kids….it’s about doing it correctly and mostly ease into it. The economy is not helping out at all…looking for a rental is not cheap, considering the deposit, first months rent, electricity, phone, water, internet, etc. and not to mention the essential things in living such as a couch, a bed, plates etc…it all ads up and trying to do it while maintaining a house, and those expenses…it can over take your plans. Yah I could run out and let the courts work it out, but then that would affect too many people in the wrong way. And maybe that’s why I am writing this…to simply let me know that the time has come and that I seriously know I am not alone out there…others have gone through it and many more are going through it right now…so…how about we all together take that first step into that life experience changing “Decision”, whatever it maybe…we can all get through it. You know though I do have to say that they stinks…these decisions…that obviously change your life…wow.

My Perspective: Life always throws things at you, the outcome is always the same in whatever situation you are in, the road might be different getting there, but just like many have gone through them and made it…so can you or me for that matter. Just remember things, do, happen for a reason…make the best of it…we as humans have a desire to be happy, successful and survive, we can do it…I know so…just look back in history of mankind and look at your friends, cousins, family…it’s everywhere…it’s your time….it’s my time.

Good luck and stand strong, thanks for reading…till next time…Latino Man signing off.