Category Archives: You Don’t Need

“You Don’t Need…” (4)

17 Monday Jan 2022

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Do we like the new “YDN” image? I like it. I think.

You Don’t Need… Money to be happy

That trusty old saying, we’ve heard all our lives. “Money cannot buy happiness.” According to an article I found by googling “Money can’t buy happiness”, the saying itself means that true happiness comes from within.

Happiness itself is an intangible thing. Its not something that you can call 1-800-Happiness and, after 30 easy payments of $49.95 own it, placing it on your mantel in a place of great honor, right next to your kid’s plastic trophy they received for passing kindergarten.

Honestly it was a plastic medal on a red, white and blue string that said, “WINNER” but The Kid was super proud of it for like two whole weeks.

Until it disappeared. Its here somewhere. I think. But it was more or less CoviGarten so they all deserved it.

Yes, Happiness is not something you can purchase for any amount of money, and finding it within yourself, or even outside yourself is important. Especially in the times we are living in right now, we need to find ways to be happy, and it can be difficult.

But… having money can sure help.

Not where you thought I was going with this, huh? I do indeed like to surprise people. The article I mentioned above, while having several valid points, also mentions so many things THAT REQUIRE MONEY.

For example, the author says that, “On the other hand, when you look at photos of trips you have taken, nature that inspired you, family and friends, and people who captured your heart in different ways, it probably fills you with a sense of joy.” Almost every single thing in that sentence has required money. Right down to the photos you look at. Yes, FreePrints.com exists (Not sponsored but I’m open lol) but you still gotta pay shipping bro.

Another point the author makes is that, yes, things cost money, but if you budget right then you can afford it.

What.

Seriously dude. I can remember multiple times in my adult life where after I paid my bills I had less that $5 in my bank account. And this was pre-automatic savings deposit. This was also pre-student loan pay off. But also pre-multiple credit card payments (credit cards are bad, umkay).

I know people personally who are barely making ends meet. They worry on a daily basis about money. And having just a little bit more would make everything about their lives so much easier.

Doing What You Love

CAN make you happy. But even THAT can cost money.

For example: My current pipe dream is to have my own creator space. Not just any creator space. I want a large building where I can have all my crafting, creating, and making supplies. Also, a storefront where I can sell my creations. But I want to have space so other likeminded people can have their own creator space. I even know what kind of building would be perfect.

But every ounce of that dream would cost money. And I don’t make enough at my current place of employment to even consider the idea.

We won’t even talk about the movie theater (blog post coming soon: That Time I Wanted to Buy a Movie Theater).

There are valid free roads to happiness.

Things that make me happy that cost absolutely nothing are:

  • My Kid saying “I Love You”
  • My Kid having a great day
  • Making people laugh
  • This blog, for some reason.
  • Mandatory Family Time.

Valid reasons why having money can make someone happy

  • Bills would be paid (especially those credit cards)
  • House would be fixed (have a mentioned my leaky roof?)
  • The check engine light on my truck could be addressed (still tempted to shove it off a cliff)
  • That vacation we planned could still be taken AND new beds and mattresses.

The Polls

Over on the group I created, dedicated to CrashLanding related non-sense, and on twitter I post polls. I love polls. I asked, simply, “Can money buy happiness.” The response was overwhelming that the public believes that yes, money can buy happiness.

Yes, it was only four people, and twitter generally ignores me, BUT STILL. VALID.

In conclusion

The truth is everyone is different. Different things make us happy. One person might be perfectly content in sharing in quiet family time. Someone else might be happy to take a long solitary walk. I would be thrilled with a good night’s sleep. It might change someone else’s entire outlook on life if they got enough money to pay off all their debt so they didn’t have to worry.

Find whatever makes you happy and do it.

Except murder. Don’t do that.

Thanks for Reading.

-C

More “You Don’t Need…”

“You don’t need…” (2)

08 Saturday May 2021

Posted by in Family, Holidays, Motherhood, Non-Fiction, You Don’t Need

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Episode Two

To Be a Perfect Mom

Because they don’t exist.

You Just Need to be a Good One

In order to be a good mom, you need to love your kids, care for them, provide for their needs, and show them you care. Understand they they have their limits just as you have yours.

You’re not a bad mom if you want some quiet time to yourself. And you’re not a good mom just because you don’t ask for that time, or you prefer not to have it.

But you also need to take good care of yourself in order to take good care of your kids. If you’re not in a good place physically, mentally, emotionally, you might have a difficult time caring for someone else. Especially when they might be able to see that.

Children are intuitive. They know things. They sense things. My kid knows when I’m depressed. She’s especially loving on those days. I check myself before I problems affect her or our relationship.

There is no such thing as the perfect mom, but I’ve met and experienced some pretty darn good ones. Well all have our flaws. But that doesn’t mean we don’t try our best.

Happy Mother’s Day to all my mommas. New Moms, old moms. Moms that are biological, moms that aren’t. Step moms, bonus moms. Adoptive, Mom-in-laws. The aunts and grandmas who are raising someone’s babies. There are all kinds of moms. Out there. And I know someone thinks you’re a good one, even if you don’t think you are sometimes.

-c

“You Don’t Need…” (3)

15 Saturday Aug 2020

Posted by in Non-Fiction, Opinion Piece, Truth, You Don’t Need

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Life lessons from someone who tried to be a teacher.

… to be a Christian to be a good person.

You just need to BE. A. GOOD. PERSON.

“You’re really nice. You must be a Christian.”

Some lady I was nice to at work once.

Your Image Isn’t JUST What You Show People

Someone the other day shared this image on Facebook. I commented with: “And sometimes very good people are covered in tattoos and go to church.
Every body is different every person is different and every heart is different.”

Your appearance does not define you. Your religion does not define you. Someone who had been baptized or saved can still do bad things.

It is your words, and how you say them, your actions, and how you take them. And your heart and how you use it.

If it’s not already obvious, I am legitimately NOT a Christian. I’m not an unbeliever either. I’m a not sure what to believer 🤷‍♀️. I’ve struggled with what to believe for many years and especially so after my mother’s passing.

Good People Aren’t Just Christians.

My mom was a good person. One of the best people I’ve ever met. I’m not just being partial. She was kind to everyone she met, she loved when she didn’t receive love in return. She helped raise half a county. She raised her own four children to be loving dependable and responsible.

She was not a “Christian”. Though she was never saved and didn’t attend church, she still had her own beliefs. One of the big ones was “treat others the way you want to be treated.” Also: “be good to your mom” 😉.

At her funeral, the preacher, a man who’d known my mother since he was little, did nothing but preach that she would want you to go to church and be saved. He said nothing about her going to a better place. She was a good person. But she wouldn’t be going to heaven.

I have not given my soul to Jesus. But I like to think I’m a good person. And I know people who identify as Christian who aren’t good people.

But Christians Can Be Good People

While I know some Christians who are “bad” people, I do know some who are good people, kind people. I’m not being judgmental or characterizing all Christians as bad people. Being Christian doesn’t make you good or bad.

I’ve always thought that a person who had faith as strong and unshakable as I’ve seen some people have must be strong and determined. It is admirable, giving yourself so fully to something such as faith.

How to Be a Good Person

  • Do good things: volunteer, donate to charity, feed the needy or homeless.
  • Be kind: use a positive attitude with others, let people know when you appreciate them.
  • Avoid: violence, hate, judgement.
  • And, you know, don’t MURDER people 🤷‍♀️

Basically, treat others the way you’d want to be treated, do not judge others by their outward appearance, but by their character and heart. Let others know you care for or respect them. Do good things with yourself and for others. The list goes on. But a person doesn’t have to be a Christian (or believe in God) to be a good person.

In Conclusion

You don’t have to be a Christian to be a good person. You just have to be a good person! But if having faith gives you wings, then fly, friend.

Thanks for Reading

-c

Updates

21 Saturday Mar 2020

Posted by in coming soon, News, Official Announcement, Truth, You Don’t Need

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Over the last several months (off and on for years really) I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve been A: carrying a lot of extra weight—and I don’t just mean physical, and B: been hoping for something that just isn’t going to happen. So I’m making changes.

1. I’ve had more than one Facebook page, dedicated to different aspects of my creative outlets, and none of the got the attention I hoped, becoming a burden to maintain and a waste of time. So several weeks ago, I “unpublished” two of them, and am now focusing exclusively on Crash Landing. I’ve updated it’s look and theme, as well as my other social media. Check it out for some interesting goings-on.

2. I’m planning a monthly/weekly features, including “You Don’t Need” Monday’s (see what I did there?) and Spotlight Sunday’s where I’ll shine a light on other creators who just wanna share with the world, like me. Non-Fiction Friday will be where I discuss what’s happening in the world and how I’m feeling. #covid19anyone?

3. I have a YouTube channel, where I hope to share some interesting stuff, if I can get over my embarrassment. I mean, I have a GoPro, might as well use it. 🤷‍♀️

There’s more I’m sure I’m not remembering, but I’m trying to both simplify my life, and put myself out there for the world. I miss being creative, I love sharing that with others, and, I mean. I put all this work into some of this stuff. I might as well use it.

I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and trying to enjoy the #hermitlife. I am however in retail as a day job, so I can’t “self-quarantine”, no matter how badly I want too!

Always, thanks for reading! -c

You Don’t Need… (1)

06 Thursday Feb 2020

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Facebook (and Social Media)

Hello and welcome to article (episode, chapter, part? Still working on it) one of “You Don’t Need…” advice, life “hacks”, tips, and anecdotes from the world’s least qualified person.

Sometimes I pick up my phone with the intention of doing something completely different and my fingertip automatically goes to Facebook. I think in Facebook posts. I wake up in the mornings thinking about how to word that dream I just had in order to better catch a reader’s attention.

Okay that last bit might actually be a writer thing. But still. My life seems to revolve around posting, liking, commenting, refreshing, scrolling, and watching on Facebook. I have other social media accounts. But none quite so used as Facebook.

And unless you’re an “influencer” or someone who legitimately makes a living off of social media–this includes YouTubers and “inspirational” people–you don’t need Facebook.

In the current political climate, the recent pandemic fears, and other societal topics and issues swirling around the internet these days, Facebook has become a way for people to share and therefor (either intentionally or not) offend, pander, and cause fear.

Not to mention the numerous scams and outdated articles.

What was once a place to connect with old and new friends, reach out to family, and share interests via things like groups, has become what some might say is an unhealthy place.

You don’t need Facebook. You can keep in touch with people with phone calls, letter writing, greeting cards, getting together in person, smoke signals, carrier pigeons…

While Facebook is a great way to keep in touch, with all the stuff there we don’t want to see, our abilities to communicate get clouded. Just like commercials turning a 60 minute time slot into 40 minutes of actual show, a timeline filled with politics, fraud, hate, and “like if you love Jesus, ignore if you love the devil” (a personal favorite #sarcasm), makes catching up or keeping up an annoyingly frustrating process.

And yes, I’ve shared my share of recipe videos, news articles and Stop ClickBait posts, and sure, “Meme up, Scotty.” But for me, Facebook is slowly becoming more annoying.

You don’t need Facebook. But that’s just my opinion. You don’t have to listen.

-C

PS: Speaking if Facebook, check me out here!

“You Don’t Need…”

03 Monday Feb 2020

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Made with the VanillaPen app

One night, several weeks ago, I had a weird dream. I’m not even sure it was a dream. I just remember waking up thinking “You don’t need puppies or kittens s or even fish. You just need more family time.” And it somehow became an idea for a self-help/advice/life tips book.

It made me laugh, and made others laugh, which will always make me wanna do something. The idea has never left my head and I keep thinking of what I’d put in it.

It’d be semi-helpful, partly sarcastic, equal parts hilarious and sincere, and 100% unqualified (except I’ve been alive 35 years) type of advice, life tips, life hacks, and bits of memoir and biography.

I really like the idea of helping people, of making them laugh and think and wonder about things. I’m also wondering about the format I would put it in. Should I blog it, and have my tips and life advice here for everyone immediately? Or write it out and put it in book form?

Blog would be free. Book I would have to charge. And I’ve recently learned that no one wants to buy my stuff, for charity or not. So what should I do?

-c