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6 Decision Making Tips for Busy Families

Six simple decision making tips for busy families.

Caring for a home and family can be difficult. Mothers and caregivers and their busy families bide for time. Decisions are made daily that affect the lives of others.

Simple tasks often cause stress and keep us overwhelmed.

One week I planned to clean our carpet. I reasoned I could make time to do it. The next week, I considered a carpet cleaner, then talked myself out of spending the money. Each time that I made a decision, then changed my mind, it made my work and stress pile up!

Have you been there? You make a decision only to change your mind? The work never gets done and you are worn out from struggling with unfinished projects.

I put into practice some techniques that work and followed through on my decisions. I’m praying you will apply these decision making tips to at least one issue you face.

#1 Honestly identify the problem. My underlying problem was not the dirty carpet. My problem was lack of time and energy. My schedule would not change in the near future.

#2 Make a list of possible alternatives. I could rent a machine and do it; call in friends to help; leave it go awhile longer; or buy bigger throw rugs (kidding!) Ask others for advice.

#3 Be informed before hiring someone for a project. Check them out; get the best deal possible for your household.

#4 Evaluate the consequences of each action. For me, hiring the work done would mean a tighter budget for the next few weeks. I could find ways to curb my spending.

#5 Determine which choice is the very best for you and your family. Considering the needs of your entire family when making a decision is always best. Truth is, your stress affects the entire household. (Click here for more on getting help from the family.)

#6 Act on your decision as soon as possible. When I finally determined what to do, I immediately called the cleaner and made the appointment. This is so important. Acting on your decision will develop your skill in this area.

What small things tend to pull you down, cause stress?

A dirty carpet may not be a big deal compared to the decisions you have to make. What small things tend to pull you down, cause stress? If you can eliminate some of them, your more difficult challenges will become easier; I promise!

I’m smiling as I remember the peace of making a decision and sticking to it.

Yes, my clean floors were beautiful, the house smelled fresh, and I was motivated to clean a little more. I actually created a schedule for my stressors, one small project at a time.

There will always be good pros and cons in decision making. From experience in the School of Hard Knocks I can tell you, life goes much easier if you can make a clear decision and stick to it. You will richly improve your life and the lives of others as you build confidence.

Hugs,

Read my article on four tips to get help around the home; click here. And let me hear your decision making ideas.

Celebrate Fall with Quick Easy Salad or Dip

Celebrate fall’s arrival with fresh ingredients for quick easy salad.

Tomatoes, peppers and onions are in good supply right now. Add a few canned goods and a fantastic dressing for people-pleasing dish.

There are a lot of variations to this quick easy salad recipe; adjust the ingredients to your families taste and to the fresh veggies available. A good option for the black-eyed peas is garbanzo beans as the peas are not as firm as I prefer for a salad.

Must include: tomatoes, black beans, frozen sweet corn, and chopped fresh cilantro. Also a must is the dressing with lime juice and red wine vinegar.

For variety: add avocado or black olives or jalapeno peppers. With this basic quick easy salad recipe, the variations are endless!

Basic recipe:

1 15oz can black beans – rinsed and drained

1 15oz can black-eyed peas – rinsed and drained

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes – cherry tomatoes work well

1 green bell pepper – seeded and finely chopped

½ cup red onion – diced (I use 1 cup)

2 cups frozen sweet corn – thawed (add frozen if not serving immediately)

½ cup Cilantro – finely chopped

Dressing:

2/3 cup olive oil

4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the basic recipe in large bowl. Hint: frozen sweet corn can be added unthawed if not served right away.

2. Combine all dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.

3. Whisk dressing and pour over other ingredients and stir well.

4. Keep refrigerated; stir well before serving. This recipe will keep fresh for several days; stir often for best enjoyment.

Not only is this a very good, nutritional salad, but it makes a great dip for tortilla chips.

Enjoy, and let me hear of your variations.

For another quick easy salad idea, click here https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/that-good-salad

God’s Beautiful Bouquet from Burdens and Brokenness

Only God can create a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness.

The beautiful bouquet pictured here is actually three broken, dying plants. My life has been like that of late.

The first, a huge basket which once overflowed with colorful plants. My life was the same–every where I looked was joy and laughter and hope.

The second, a beautiful red geranium used to hang on the front porch, gaily swinging in the breeze. The plant, as did I, eagerly greeted passersby and visitors alike.

Thirdly, a perky yellow mandevilla stretched her way up a post, reaching toward the sky as if praising the Creator with every new bloom. My life, too, was full of activity and joy and color. Then came a little bump; then another, then another. Each little brokenness kept me from tending to daily chores. Without care, the plants began to wither and die.

Stress and busyness kept me occupied. No time to sit on the porch or water flowers. The withered geranium was taken down. Likewise, the mandevilla, with no water and no cords to climb, finally began to retreat.

Does your life feel that way? Stressed, strained, overwhelmed? I can tell you for a fact: God wants to build a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness.

One day it was as if God said, “that’s enough crying! Trust Me!” Only a little dusty miller and other greenery had survived in the big basket. I plopped my frazzled geranium right in the middle of those struggling plants.

Then I moved enough dirt and roots in the geranium to squeeze in the mandevilla-still in its temporary pot. Carefully I picked off all the dead blooms and stems and began watering. God did the rest!

What old dead stuff are you hanging on to. Can you do a little weeding, even a little bit?

What is there you need to give to God? Let God build a beautiful bouquet from burdens and brokenness in your life.

My circumstances have not changed. In fact, they are worse than ever from a human perspective. Deadlines loom, water leaks and broken phones and other things still need fixed. Loved ones are in hopeless situations and I can’t be there to help.

But I know … I KNOW … Who makes bouquets from burdens and brokenness. He gives me peace, comfort, and direction. He will do that for you as well. Ask Him. Trust Him.

Hugs,

It’s a great time for my free e-book with 32 two-ingredient recipes and tips for the busy homemaker. Tell a friend to sign up here