OK, that doesn't seem right...

So I was given the heads up on the following article from @SusanJones on Twitter http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Liberals+free+change+anti+proposal/3394377/story.html

Now I'm back to my original rant on the HST Extinguishment Act and general apathy of people when it comes to politics.

First off, we live in a democracy. Democracy by definition is "government by the people" so why are we not ensuring that the politicians who get elected are doing what we want? Better yet, why are we all not voting to ensure that the leaders we ALL want in power are the ones that get elected?

I am all for less taxes because I don't think that our government is being all that responsible with our money but is there more that could be done to kill HST than JUST the HST Extinguishment Act? Personally I think there is. I think if we start calling for more transparency on where are current tax dollars are going and making a stink about where money could be more wisely spent HST Extinguishment Act may have a better chance of surviving, or even getting to, a legislative debate.

Now I'm not political science major. I am a paralegal that has seen all too many times how legislation is ineffective; how our system is flawed; and how people are apathetic to calling for change when needed. However, it doesn't seem right that when I waste my money I have to suffer but when the government wastes my money they don't suffer, they don't pay the consequences it's the taxpayers that pay for their lack of fiscal responsibility.

UGH!

Four day?! It's been four days since I last blogged? Wow, I thought I was getting better at this whole daily blogging thing. Guess not.

I've never been that good at keeping a daily routine other than the basic eat, sleep and work. Now that I have a toddler I put more effort into it but that doesn't always work either. Take last night for instance - Drive-In Movie night at the mall. Obviously the movie started later than my toddler's bedtime but as a single mom I had one of two choices - skip the movie or let my boy sleep in his carseat (something he is more than happy to do). I opted for #2.

Today I am exhausted and my toddler unphased. Why on earth did I stay up late? Oh yeah, it was fun. Today, not so much. Woke to toddler insisting at the top of his lungs to be let out of his bedroom (when will he learn to play with toys in the morning?) before the coffee, that I actually set the night before, started brewing. Oy wey!

At least I have time to blog...hopefully I don't fall asleep at my desk. All in all seeing a young John Cusack in "Say Anything" was a lot of fun.

Power of Positive Thinking

Years ago Oprah put out this challenge to keep a positive thought journal for a year and see how your life improves by the end of that year. Simple thing - write down three positives from the day. Seemed like a good idea so I tried it. Couldn't do it everyday, not really good at routine, nor keeping a journal. What I did do is when sad I would focus on the positive and try to think of the three positives for that day to cheer myself up. It worked. Not only did it work, but I have fewer sad days and generally look for the positive in any crappy situation.

Now for those that don't know me, I am a single mom who works part-time as a paralegal and has fibromyalgia. Big challenges. Sometimes very difficult to stay positive. Especially when it comes to money.

There never is much money in my home but I live a simple life and am on a constant hunt to do things cheaper. Lately I have come to terms with the fact that this is more than "tough times" but this is the new lifestyle for my son and I. Ever since that moment where I became zen with my poverty I have been blessed left, right and center.

When I was down to my last $10 I found $20 in a baby carrier. When I was getting close to running out of money an item I listed on usedvictoria.com sold. When my stroller was going to cost me $35 to fix and not really to my satisfaction I was given and even better stroller for free.

Now as a Christian I don't believe this is coincidence. This is Jehovah Jireh my Provider. I am a strong believer in the fact that God will provide for my needs. Now that I am focusing on my needs, rather than wants, being responsible with my money and trusting God to provide where the paycheque doesn't stretch quite far enough life is just plan happier.

My challenge to anyone reading this is - what three positives happened for you today?