“Who cares about spiritual”,you say. Well, maybe you are right about that. I know for the majority of my life, I didn’t care. As I suspect, a big chunk of people fit in this category. Most of us are just to pre-occupied dealing with the everyday challenges of life, to get all hot and bothered with “mankind’s growth”. Right ?To my surprise, this article turned out to be one of my most popular featured on my site. I guess their is interest in the spiritual.I imagine mankind, from day 1, like when the ape realized his “consciousness” or when Adam woke up from his nap, in the Garden of Eden, depending on your frame of thought.This business of how to face the horrible acts of nature and survive? The normal logical approach to those problems “way back then” was to get on your knees and plead your case before the gods of nature. Now that’s getting spiritual.As the human being development increased, so did his vision of his god. Slowly but surely, his god become closer to his image. I suppose this is only natural. In brief, we went from primal religions to world religions. The spiritual world really went to work!As civilization became more developed so did out outlook on God, religion, and the spiritual. At least this is what the world celebrated author Huston Smith, in his book, the World Religions, states. For what it is worth, Huston Smith is one of my heroes. This guy borders on pure genius, in my opinion.Yes, their our several leaders in the Christian Community that are attempting to modernize, secularize, personalize, and or relate their tenents to helping people manage successfully the stress and strain of living in the United States in the 21st Century.These Christian leaders speak of a loving and caring God who wants us to enjoy life and prosper. Some of them are pretty good at it. As evidence by their fantastic wealthy and successful lives. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this.That is, as long as there is no selfish exploitation going on. Millions of their followers are donating large sums of their earnings to these Religious Leaders. Apparently, the U.S Government is investigating some of these religious leaders for potential financial schemes. It will be interesting to see how this investigations turns out.Personally speaking, I like Joel Osteen. He doesn’t throw the “Give me your money” right in your face. He is not as blatant about it. And, most importantly, he seems sincere in presentations.I went forty years without going inside a church. This guy is largely responsible for me “returning” to church. I like his down to earth, less sanctimonious approach. He likes to put the spiritual in the natural world.Apparently, a lot of other people do also, He has the most successful following in Houston, Texas. I listen to his Sunday TV program occasionally.From the practical standpoint, the question raised is, does religion help mankind in the 21st Century cope with living? As a believer in positive thinking, I think it does. The sure act of the power of belief and what it can do for people is mind boggling.I am talking about the miraculous workings of the Sub Conscious Mind. You think I am kidding? Just look at the “placebo phenomenon”. People will take pills believing they have healing power. When, in fact, these pills have no healing elements in them. But, the people taking these pills don’t know this. They think they are the “real Mc Coy”.What happens next? Bang! Under careful observation, these folks report they are feeling better, for what ever ailed them. How’s that grab you?Oh yeah. It’s all in the mind. As Joel Osteen has pointed out, when you get into this God thing, you are getting into the “Supernatural”. So, I figure, who cares about dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s. If it works, use it. Get out there and “get some”. Start making your life happen and count for something now! Use the spiritual. Embrace it and “work it” for your positive benefit.I realize the “purists” won’t like this. I don’t blame them. “I are one too”. Or, at least I used to be a big bad idealist. I will tell you the truth. One of my most life affirming and enlightening experiences was when I went through three major surgical operations during the last twenty four months!I can honestly say, I am no longer the uptight confused guy I once was. My close calls and little dance with the Grim Reaper cured me of all of that stuff.They had me dead and buried eighteen months ago with cancer and pneumonia. I left the hospital after eighteen days twenty five pounds lighter and ten tons “smarter”. Like I love life now and I will take it in any shape or fashion I can get it. Well, not quite. Almost though.In summary, this spiritual stuff could be one big joke. It could be a myth or fairy tale. Nobody has come back from the dead that can prove it. On second thought, there are a few traditions, that do make those claims. But nobody, that I know of, where the scientific community has some proof, is recorded or exists.On the other hand, there is no denying the positive effects that life affirming religious belief has on people. So, the question is, if it works, why not use it? I am referring to making your life better. Making living easier.There seem to be some Generic Core Values in the major World Religions. What’s wrong with loving your neighbor as yourself? What’s wrong with the Golden Rule-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Believe me, these kind of thoughts really energize the supernatural. Believe it, what goes around, does come around. Why not work it, and make it work for you?I like the Instructions about controlling ones anger and general emotional control. You get a lot of this in the Old Testament. Being a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, I am interested in most things that favor self mastery. Hoorah for Bruce Lee. Incidentally, Mr. Lee was quite big on the Spiritual.Most societies in the world are quite competitive. Making a good living is not easy for most of us. So, if you can get an “Edge up” on life, why not do it? Dealing with the natural course of events in life can be challenging to say the least.If you can get the Supernatural working with you, regardless of the fashion, why not? You can call it whatever you want. Call it God, Spiritual, Laws of the Universe, call it Macaroni if it makes you feel better.But anyway, do yourself a favor and just call it. You will fall off your chair when you find out how easy spiritual involvement is. And, most importantly, what fun it is. Cheers.
Affordable Health Care – A Dream Or Reality?
Do you really have an idea how essential affordable health care is for every American citizen? Affordable health care ensures appropriate medical care facilities so as to keep the future of progeny secured beforehand. Nothing comes easy as it seems to be and affordable health care is too distant a dream. Most of the medical treatments are just not in consonance with the size of an average American’s pocket. In such dire conditions what one needs is an affordable health care which entitles you to have secured back up whenever your family requires proper medical attention.Even if you seek a simple body diagnosis, then do not expect best health care because the cost would drain half of your month’s salary. What would be the case if you have to undergo some major medical treatment, you will end up taking medical loans which will be a liability on your children in future. Spare yourself from such atrocities of medical expenses and resort to an effective affordable health plan which takes cares you health.In such conditions it becomes essential to find out ways for best health services. Instead of waiting for expenses slashing down to ground you can opt for following steps* Prescription drugs are indeed effective ones but you can ask chemist to provide you a cheaper alternative for the same prescribed medicine. Do not fret; cheap prices have nothing to do with the quality of drug. It’s just that few brands have high cost and some others offer the same stuff in lesser prices offering you an efficient health care service.* If you are really looking for an alternative, you can buy over-the-counter drugs as well. These are cheaper and the difference lies just in their packaging and pricing.* Almost every town has a medical school. Go to medical schools as they offer affordable health care that would not step up your budget.* If you seek routine check up, then instead of trundling to a hospital you could simply wait for next community health fair. Doctors, nurses, and technicians are experts and can provide required health care service in an efficient manner.* If you really looking for alternative, try avoiding weekend stay in hospitals as much as possible. Since on weekends most of the medical institutions are closed and ones that are open demands hefty fees. So, Monday would be a far better option for an affordable health care.* One of the best way to ensure best health services is to check for affordable health insurance plan which would cover your all medical expenses. Make sure you apply in-person to have clear idea of what is at stake.* Lastly, affordable health services can be acquired if you will scrutinize your medical bill for hidden charges rather paying it immediately. Medical bills are mostly in the form of codes, figures, and accounting which none except medical practitioners can decipher. It should be your motive so better tally the invoice with what all services you have received, negotiate on charges incurred, and bargain enough. This is up to you to turn your expensive treatment into an affordable health care
Commercial Hard Money Loan Scenarios
A commercial hard money loan is a non-conventional commercial real estate loan that is not made by a traditional bank. This type of commercial financing has been in use for over 50 years. Such loans usually have a first lien on commercial property. If a loan has a secondary lien, it is known as mezzanine financing.Three Business Mortgage Loan ChoicesThere are three financing options for most commercial real estate scenarios: traditional banks, intermediate lenders and hard money lenders. The primary rationale for a small business considering a commercial hard money loan is that traditional or intermediate commercial financing options are not viable.In those situations where traditional banks and intermediate lenders both say “No,” it then makes good business sense to explore under what terms an alternative commercial loan might be available. Many viable small business projects can be funded only via a hard money lender. Before accepting “No” from the traditional banks and intermediate lenders as the “Final Answer,” a prudent small business borrower should determine if another lender will say “Yes.”Commercial hard money loans are typically completed more quickly than a traditional commercial loan. Compared to traditional bank business loans, this alternative financing will generally involve a higher interest rate (prevailing range of prime rate plus 4-8 percent for typical scenarios), higher fees and shorter-term financing (one to three years). However, because many of these loans offer interest only terms, the payments can be lower than a fully-amortized loan with a lower interest rate.Funding ScenariosThree common commercial financing scenarios using alternative loans are described below.Scenario # 1: Low Credit ScoresMost traditional commercial loans have very strict standards for acceptable credit scores by the guarantors for a commercial real estate loan. Alternative loans are more flexible and low credit scores are often acceptable.Scenario # 2: Need to Obtain Commercial Financing QuicklyTraditional business financing will normally require several months to complete. A hard money loan can be obtained within a few days in some situations. This difference will be critical if commercial financing is required within a short time frame.Scenario # 3: Special Small Business Situations Not Easily Understood by Traditional Banks and Intermediate Lenders
Foreclosure
Bankruptcy
Special Purpose Properties
Tax Liens
Business Losses
Negative Net Worth
Less than one year in business
Environmental Requirements
For each of the three scenarios described above, an alternative source for a commercial loan will involve shorter-term financing, higher fees and higher interest rates than a commercial mortgage from a traditional bank or an intermediate lender. However, the critical point which must not be overlooked is that for most situations covered by the three scenarios, commercial financing would be declined by either traditional banks or intermediate lenders. It is under these circumstances that a hard money loan becomes a practical and viable solution for many small business owners.What If the Bank Says No?The primary rationale for business borrowers to consider other sources for funding is the lack of alternative funding strategies. In most cases hard money loans can be viewed as “Plan B.” However, if “Plan A” is to obtain a conventional bank mortgage and the bank says “No,” then “Plan B” must be reviewed and considered by commercial borrowers.