Life is short

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   michelemacwritesposted 10 years ago

   Having lost many loved ones and seeing another battle with cancer I wanted to remind my Hubpages friends to enjoy life..... Make amends...... Give priority to relationships rather than the pursuit of material gain. 
   
   Take this Challenge then share......
   
   Call a long lost loved one today or
   Make amends with someone or
   Do an act of kindness.
   
   Life is short !!
   
   Michele

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      Stacie Lposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Life IS short and thanks for reminding us. Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of forging ahead and getting things and forget people should come first.

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      ologsinquitoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That is so true. Yes, thank you for reminding us of that.

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         michelemacwritesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         You are welcome Stacie and Ologsinquito. I often have to remind myself !

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      Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Beautiful.

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      dutchman1951posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      so very true words, so true
      
      Dutchman1951

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   earnerposted 10 years ago

   I'd love to do those things, but I haven't even left the house for about 2 months (except minimal basic food shopping) because my income's dropped.
   
   It takes money to enjoy life.
   
   There's no fun in sitting on the kerb on the street staring at passing cars.

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      ologsinquitoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      earner, I am sorry this is a difficult time for you. I sincerely hope things turn around.

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         earnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         So do I ... else I might have to get one of those strange things, called a 'job'.  But, having done this full-time for 7 years I fear that (especially at my age) my inability to confidently explain at interviews why I've not had a 'job' will make them nervous of choosing me.... so I don't think that's even possible to do.
         
         Or, I could just give away all my domains and sign over all my accounts and hubs..... and sign on.  Unemployment benefit would be a doubling of income right now

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            paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I have just enough money to live on. And not a penny more. I hope the Bubblews thing works out for me. I'm consistently making $2 a day there. An extra $50+ a month would sure be nice. First redemption request will be happening soon. All the posts I'm seeing about un-honored redemptions has made me nervous as hell.

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               Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Hang in there PS. <3

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               earnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I'm awaiting my 2nd redemption - and while I am waiting I am "going easy" there..... so income's slowed although I expect to be pressing my 3rd redemption button Wed/Thu next week.  So I am at one per week - I am not a successful bubbler by any means.  Just writing stuff that comes into my head, without research or optimisation or anything.
               
               Just bubbling along in a lazy way to "see what happens", without investing my life in it. 
               
               At the end of the day, i've already had one payment - which is a payment I'd have never got if I hadn't tried.... so that makes it a winner.

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                  paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Bubblews will probably be 99% of my online activity this weekend.

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            HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Earner, if your income has dropped so drastically perhaps you could make a claim for working tax credits? There's absolutely no reason, that I can see, why you shouldn't be able to do this.

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               earnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Shame ......  it's a generational thing.
               I'd feel a failure - and, no doubt, the forms are massive and scarey.
               
               I also don't see why the taxpayer should subsidise me sitting on my 4rse, staring out of the window for inspiration ......

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                  HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't know about the forms, I just thought it might be a better alternative to claiming unemployment benefits and giving away your domains.
                  
                  If you're working, you're not sitting on your ar$e, you're working towards independence. Surely that is the better option than taking more from the taxpayer in unemployment benefits?

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      michelemacwritesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So sad that things aren't working out well for you.  You are a great writer and I am certain that your creative ability will turn things around !  Keep your head up my friend.

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   A1anposted 10 years ago

   Sound advice & words of wisdom, Michele, thanks for sharing. @Earner, hope your circumstances improve dramatically soon, and a sense of financial security envelops your existence--hang in there.

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   WriteAngledposted 10 years ago

   "Shame ......  it's a generational thing.
   I'd feel a failure"
   
   Earner, feel proud of your attitude.
   
   I went through poverty earlier in my life, because I had a mortgage in the early 1990s when interest rates were through the roof and also had two small daughters to feed and clothe. I used to ration my asthma medication and try to "breathe through" attacks, because I could not afford the UK prescription fee. For several years, I relied on charity shops to clothe me. I worked a full-time job, and then I came home and moonlighted until the early hours after my daughters had gone to bed.
   
   Nevertheless, I did not dream of giving up and going on benefits. I fought and survived, and then after another divorce I fought and survived again. Now I am content. I am not rich, but my house is my own, and I am proud that apart from my student grant (in the 1970s when these were automatic), I have never  asked for a penny in benefits. Finally, I have enough to do what I want in life.
   
   Maybe some will not understand this, but it was a matter of honour for me to find my own way out of my problems.

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   WriteAngledposted 10 years ago

   Doesn't tax credit only apply if you are on lots of other benefits, Hollie? 
   
   In my difficult days (1992-1996) there was nothing available to me, because I dared to hold down a job, despite the fact that over two thirds of my income was going to pay the mortgage and there was very little left over for food and other essentials.

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      HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not sure WA. When I failed miserably in the labour market, I claimed tax credits for six months when I first became self-employed. The only other benefit I received was child benefit- so I'm not sure you have to be claiming other benefits- although, possibly now, because things have changed so much. I claimed in 2007, so things could be completely different . I also had two dependents which may have helped with eligibility.
      
      TBH, it was a lifeline for me, I would never have been able to establish myself as a freelancer without that little bit of support. I though it might help earner through a difficult time, until he/she can obtain more paying work/clients.

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         Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the reminder, michelemacwrites,
         Last night I found out an old friend is in a diabetic coma. He knew he had diabetes, continued to drink, but then seemed to pull himself together. The last time I saw him, a few months ago, he looked so well. Apparently something happened to set him back, and neighbors think he was in the coma for as long as 2 days before anyone found him. Even though he was breathing, I can't imagine how much oxygen got to his brain. His parents have flown to the hospital in South Jersey, they are here from Maine. So they don't really know our group of friends here. We aren't getting much info, as friend visits don't seem to coincide with the times his parents are there, he's in ICU. He's only in his 40's, and has a beautiful 8 yr. old son. He is divorced from the child's Mom, who never seemed too on the ball. So I feel sad, for my friend, and for the child, who likely grow up without a father. If you can, send some healing light his way, his name is Brian.

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   earnerposted 10 years ago

   I am happy to report that my circumstances are changing .... the new "B" site .... is yielding.  Instant money too, which helps to support me while I work out Plan B.

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      mary615posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      earner, I'm sorry you are having financial problems.  My house of 35 years is now in foreclosure cause I can no longer make the payments.  I wrote a Hub about my problem.  My income here has dropped a lot, and I am now on Bubblews trying to make a little $.  I'm Mary615 over there, what is your user name?  I'm too new to get a redemption, but I'm hoping.  I sure could use the $.  Good luck to you.

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         earnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I am already connected to you.  I'll leave you a cryptic comment there so you know it's me.

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