Trials are Breeding Grounds for Elevating One's Self Spiritually

Before you pity someone who appears to be going through much trial, consider thinking about what you can learn through someone else's storm.

When one is under pressure, sometimes the mind is clouded with much confusion and chaos, but other times ideas come--many ideas that seem promising especially when money is an issue.

I have learned that blessings are readily available to us when we are willing to give of ourselves without expecting reimbursement.  What might one give to a business, a school, an organization, church, and other places that might increase traffic, revenue, better programs, and more without dropping a single dollar in the lap of yet another someone who just might be looking for a little more than that?  An idea that not only helps what is on the surface, but renews what is deep within.

With many trials over my years, I have recognized that although mind and body were at times weakened, spirituality stayed strong.  It propelled me to think higher, to take the distractions of trial off myself, and look beyond my circumstances.

I am grateful for the relatives, individuals, and businesses who have encouraged me to stick some things out when I was very much ready to say, "Goodbye."  I know that an Almighty God moves in His time and not our own.  Will there be loses on life's journey even with an Awesome God standing in front of us?  Of course, because God is only going to give us what he knows we can handle be it right or wrong from a societal point of view.  Not every relationship is a blessed one, not every child is destined for greatness, not every location is a good place to live, not every job is a good one...God knows what is best--that is if we are willing to seek a Higher Power to help us!

As I viewed the many homeless people who lay on the streets of downtown Los Angeles and under bridges along the freeways, I heard in the spirit, "Many of the poor had quit life just before they received their blessings."  They experience life curses due to things like:  rejection, fear, illegal activities, and more.  God had at one time sent messengers to his children along the way to help, but to no avail.

I recall those who were once homeless give testimonies at churches I had attended.  They used their trials as opportunities to build their faith.  These people are inspirations because they show all what God can do when a person has nothing, yet still has the willingness to want something out of life no matter what the issues.

Take a moment to invite the Holy Ghost power of Jesus Christ into your life then watch what happens!

Nicholl McGuire

3 Places on the Web for Videos/Audio I Like...Howcast, YouTube, Blog Talk Radio

When talking with people about a wide variety of subjects, I find myself referring them to the following websites including my own blogs and videos.  You might find these useful depending on your needs.

1.  Howcast - great place to learn how to do things visually.  Very professional videos and easy to understand.  Each video tells you what you need in advance.

2.  YouTube - in addition to silly entertainment, they have good audiobooks and documentaries that the public has uploaded including my very own life experience channel:  nmenterprise7 

3.  Blog Talk Radio - insightful podcasts, music programs.  Here are a couple by friends of mine, one about marriage and the other with gospel music and interviews.

Motherhood Books: When Mothers Cry by Nicholl McGuire

Mean partners + naive mates = Physical Violence...Someone is being Abuse...

On the Move Again...

Time to re-locate!  Preparing to move again across America to sunny So-Cal.  As always, keep me in prayer those of you who know me.  I am very happy with our family's latest decision.  Here we go!

Check out past photos of our So-Cal experiences.  Walking and riding around Los Angeles County and yes, we saw a deer near a busy neighborhood with little undisturbed land, that's why it was so surprising!

The Work has Begun on Yet Another Site...

I didn't anticipate recording audio and video related to my spiritual experiences, the Bible, and societal observations of the saved and unsaved for literally years now.  But after being around sincere believers in Christ for a time while visiting loved ones in Pittsburgh back in 2009, I felt spiritually charged and I haven't come down, I seem to be elevating for every trial I go through both on and offline.

What is it about a faith that makes one feel like he or she is on top of the world one minute and down in the mirk and mire the next?  How does a belief in a Creator you can't relate to, like human beings, make you want to do some things differently in your life?  I needed a place to lay my thoughts down like one lays his or head.  Sometimes audio and video just can't capture those little things that hit home.  There is work in reading--the kind of work that auditory and visual learners need in order to come up higher in their personal walks with Jesus.

So I am working on a project that shares thoughts about walking with the world renowned Holy One that many confuse with the god of this world, Satan/Lucifer, so I've heard in the spiritual realm.    In the future, I will share the link on this site God willing.  But for now, sisters and brothers who are strong in your faith and participating in similar Kingdom business, be in prayer for my family and I.

God bless.

Nicholl

Self-published Author Writing/Editing for Others

This is something that I have never stopped doing, writing for others.  Whether my name appears in the by-line or I am a ghost writer for someone who needs Internet content or desires to write a book, I love writing so I keep doing it. 

My focus these days has been on providing relationship content and journaling for family.  However, the beginning of the new year will slow down immensely for me, so I have my eyes open for future partnerships.

If you are an individual or business in need of a writer to supply online or offline content, feel free to email me at nichollmcguire@gmail.com.  Also check my Work Experience page on this site and visit Linked In (I was recently married so I am Nicholl Lewis at that site.)

I look forward to a bright and prosperous future for all my connections!  Thanks for stopping by my page!

Nicholl McGuire

Tyus Ties Family Book

For those who didn't know, I completed the Tyus family book with zero issues spring of 2013!  Very happy with the outcome.  Everyone involved was forthcoming with information, obtained some great photos, and I was able to complete the whole project within a month.  When everyone works together, everything comes together--much appreciated!

My grandfather was Allen Tyus originally from Alabama, but relocated to Pennsylvania during a time of heavy segregation.  He had a bit of mystery about himself, so I started digging and found out that he had his mother's maiden name, but that his father's last name was Pyers.  Although this book is not available for public view, relatives are welcome to contact me if they are interested in purchasing it. 

Anyway, it was a great project, I thought I would have stopped doing family memoirs after the Growing Up McGuire book, but good things happen to those who wait!  If you are interested in talking about your family project, feel free to comment or send email to: nichollmcguire@yahoo.com

Peterson Family Stories

Another family book worth mentioning to those who are related to me.  I have been working on this project on and off during 2013.  I have interviewed relatives and collected various information about them. 

Peterson is the last name of my grandmother.  She was born in a family of 20.  Her father was Arthur Peterson and mother Mamie Littles of Alabama.  My motivation for putting this book together was after years of listening to the good, bad and ugly concerning this family, I thought, "Why keep the stories and life lessons to myself?"  Thus, another book has been created to pass on to my children.  To be quite honest, I just don't want any kissing cousins!  If you are interested in someone heading your family tree project, for the right price, we can talk!  See my blog pages to find out more about who I am and what I do to help individuals and businesses.  Thanks for stopping by!

Hardcover with Image Wrap Books

I posted this video for those who have purchased books from me in the past.  When I send links out, you have options of what type of book you would want to purchase from me.  The representative at Blurb, featured in this video, explains in detail what Hardcover Image Wraps look like.  This way you can get an idea of what you want before it arrives.  Thanks as always for your support!  Below are links to my books on Blurb.  (Please note: family books are not available for public viewing, you will have to contact me if you are a relative in order to review.  As always, I have a limit to how long I am making family related books available.)  Click the links below: 

Poetry

Floral Beauty on A Dead End

Spiritual Poems by Nicholl

Journals

My Business Plan

What Can I Say About My Job?

My Prayer and Fasting Journal

Check out others on site by clicking here, thanks for stopping by!

Nicholl shares recordings on VoiceBase.com

With so many recordings, sometimes there isn't enough time to organize them, create something interesting with them, or even distribute them, so I needed a place to back up some of my work and then share as needed.  Voicebase provided me with such a place.  You can find some of my spiritual recordings there, feel free to listen while you surf the Internet:

God Helps Us to Become Better People

Forgiveness

God Opens Our Eyes to Errors

Hagar and Sarah

From Virtual to Reality...

One day you are going to meet some of these people you see online and when you do you will be either impressed, disappointed or eager to make friends.  For me, I had butterflies in my stomach seeing some people I hadn't seen in years offline, were online and vice versa.  At times I was excited, other times not-so much, funny how memories not only show up in your mind, but those negative feelings tend to accompany them as well. 

 

If you would like to connect with me, Nicholl McGuire, feel free to connect with me:

 

http://nmcguire7.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-Friends-for-Antisocial-People

Nicholl's Video of Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh 2013, Youtube

 

Traveling through the Pittsburgh area brought back some childhood memories this past summer.  Enjoy video!

 

Check out more videos by Nicholl at http://www.youtube.com/nmenterprise7

Nicholl is in Columbus GA sharing books - Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate and Laboring to Love Myself

October is domestic violence awareness month.  Nicholl has been writing and talking about her books, Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate and Laboring to Love Myself.  She is available for speaking engagements in the Columbus, Georgia area this month.  If you are interested in more information about this author and poet, click on the pages on this site and also send inquiries to her personal email: nickymcguire1@yahoo.com

Been Facebook Free for Over a Year--YEAH!

Someone not that long ago was looking for me on Facebook.  I laughed, so glad to be free of it.  It forced her to have to look me up in other places, "Wow!" she said.  "I didn't know you were involved with so much...do you think you can help me with..."  There are plenty of sites besides Facebook--support them!

More Tidbits about Working from Home

Increase Your Social Presence

There is the person you are offline and then there is the person you are online or maybe you are simply the same both on and off. But whoever you are, you have got to promote your product and service in such a way that people can connect with you in a personal way depending on what you are selling.

When I sold Avon, I got many sales because I made myself available to the public. I introduced myself through word of mouth, fliers and other traditional forms of advertising. Rather than just sell a product, you are selling yourself! What is it about you that makes you different? If I am seated in your presence, what am I going to come away with that is memorable and will make me want to get to know more of you?

Sometimes I used my mother side, my wife side, my "back in the day" side, etc. depending on the day, time, season, connection to sell a product or service for not only myself, but those I worked for too.

My biggest sales came from those who could connect with me. You have to ask yourself, "Who am I online when I am at this forum, hub page, social networking site, etc.?" People can help you determine that based on how many page views, likes, comments and more you are receiving for your best work, experience, stories, etc. Find out who you are and the rest will follow!
Start by increasing your social presence.

Learn more here.

Writing from Home and Getting Paid is Legitimate

I have personally wrote from home and received extra cash to pay some small bills since 2007. I was skeptical at first, but realized very quickly there was potential to make money writing from home if I stuck with it.
I started searching the Internet looking for paid writing gigs. I visited forums, blogs and other places where people either sang praises about certain companies or cursed about them.
So start with forums, then type in your keywords in search engines and then visit some writers' blogs for further insight.

Learn more about my writing experiences and resources on this blog, Nicholl McGuire.

Helpful Resources

How to Make Money From Your Business Clutter | Entrepreneur.com

Business START-UP-GUIDE

Get Money for your Business or Idea | How Make Money, Start Business, & Live Best Life

 8 ways to boost your income now- MSN Money

My Experience Returning to Online Selling Using eBay and Amazon back in 2012

I wanted to start back to making some additional money using auction sites like eBay and an online market place like Amazon selling various consumer electronics. Since I had years of prior experience utilizing these avenues in the past, I thought that it would be good for me to return to roots that were familiar. But the game had changed a great deal over the years, and it was actually becoming harder to make some serious cash to pay off bills (notice I didn’t say make a payment on a bill!) So I decided to share some of my experiences selling electronics online.

I opened accounts with both Amazon and eBay. What I didn’t do that I had done in the past was use my personal name to build a business. I wanted to keep personal me from business me and that is why I went with this plan. However, what I didn’t do was create a separate email that wasn’t in my name for PayPal purposes and I encourage anyone who wants to sell online to do this. Also, you will want to do business from a business address and not your home address. Although you may think no one will ever come to visit since many buyers are out of town, that doesn’t mean that they won’t. I read a story where a buyer sent the police to a seller’s home when his merchandise hadn’t been received! A bit extreme, but he got his merchandise without another delay! So your seller, email, and PayPal account should not have your personal name, but a business name and your mailing address should be for business purposes.

The next thing I noticed, was that the fees had also changed significantly to sell items. I took note of the fee changes at both sites and read up on policies to ensure that I wouldn’t be short any cash or have to deal with any violations in the future when I started selling. I also took the time to read what other sellers’ experiences had been in the forums. I quickly learned that many were disgruntled about the fees and that if I planned on selling an item under $10 and hoped to make a decent profit – it wouldn’t happen!

I also checked with the post office on getting boxes, I searched for sales on bubble envelopes, tape, labels, and other office supplies since I knew what types of things I would be selling, and I also checked around the house for anything I could start selling to get me reacquainted with the whole process again and to build up my positive feedback. Since I didn’t have much I would be selling from home, I didn’t bother with accepting those offers that came into the mail for a free postal scale and the convenience of shipping from home. I reasoned that I could use the exercise and a nice walk pushing my granny cart or a stroller with my boxes down the street--that would be good enough!
One of the problems I experienced with selling on eBay was buyer responses. Although they were often positive, there was one or two who may have had higher expectations of what the product should have looked like.

Now a couple of my Amazon issues were damage during the shipping process. So what I did to fix those issues was buy a better digital camera, took more photos of the products in various angles and learned more about using video to help with my sales. I think video is exceptional since a buyer can’t argue with you about whether or not an electronic worked prior to shipping, how it works, the way the item was packaged, or anything else that they can clearly see in the video. When it came to this issue about a product being damaged during shipping, I found that unless you encourage the buyer to pay for insurance, you will be refunding the money out of your pocket. Since Amazon doesn’t have this option, you have no choice but to refund them the money. I also found that if buyers had any remorse about the item, if it didn’t work, they wanted an exchange, or some other problem occurs, if you don’t accommodate them no matter if you suspect they are lying, they can file a claim against you and Amazon will keep you out of business and hold up your money until it is resolved.

It is overall better to have your own website; therefore, you can create your own policies and have access to your money so that you can help other customers. But for newbies, get your feet wet, working with an existing company.

I noticed that you can’t market your own website using these sites unless you place something about your business in the packages that you sent out. This is a key opportunity for you to grow your business and gain repeat business--use Amazon and eBay like they use you! Create professional flyers and business cards in advance and include them in anything going out of your products, services, causes, etc.

Using promotions like "buy one get one" or giveaways doesn’t work well especially on Amazon, because if you have a dissatisfied customer he or she may say something to cause others to not want to participate in your promotion so keeping those special deals separate from your Amazon or eBay business is much better. This way your disgruntled customer will not sabotage your efforts to obtain more business.

Also, feedback can make or break your business especially if you don’t defend your actions. I never allowed anyone to say something on my site without an explanation. I also was careful to have my policies clearly outlined prior to posting my products. So if you don’t accept returns on used electronics say so. If you have a 10-14 business day window when it comes to handling complaints then make that known. I didn’t hide what my policies were and I didn’t change them in the midst of a controversy for my own selfish gain either.

I would definitely recommend an assistant when your business seems to be picking up. Someone should handle the customer service emails while someone else handles the trips to the post office. What you don’t want is one person trying to do it all, because your frustration can easily be communicated in your emails to your customers. You also don’t want to start this business with no emergency money in your account. For instance, let’s say that you have to refund a customer, exchange a product, and purchase additional items which all of these things happened to me all at the same time, mind you! If you don’t have any money put away from these kinds of unexpected issues, it can set your business back, so be prepared for those sudden surprises!

Lastly, be sure you know how to determine your profit for tax purposes. You may realize that after you do the math on the fees, the supplies, and the product itself that there is no profit left over, if so then you'll want to cut your losses early and try another product to sell. It is very easy to get so many orders in for something that you lose sight of your credits and debits. I remember one product I sold I was able to make a decent profit the first day I posted it, but by the next day I was losing money! That happens so often on the Internet, because just when you think that you have a great product to sell someone else is posting it for dollars cheaper than you!

To your success!

Nicholl McGuire

Useful Tips on Working from Home

Think about journaling each day what it is that you do when working from home.  I find that keeping notes and resources near my computer in a neat space keeps me on task.  I avoid spending much time doing other things when I see what needs to be done right in front of me (ie. talking on the phone, surfing the Internet...)

 

Home Business Reviews

I needed to keep track of all my research when searching for home business opportunities, so I created a site sometime ago that has information for anyone who would like to learn more about a variety of home businesses.

I am not one of those people who like to look for just one business opportunity, but I like to see many all at once. When I created my blog, I joined with others to bring my readers some of the best reviews on the web about some old businesses you may already know about and some new ones that you may have never heard of.

I can tell you that there are far too many businesses selling health and beauty products, but I learned that the reason for this is they work. They are saleable. Women drive the market when it comes to buying cosmetics and health-related products.

Home Income Study on Twitter - a site I maintain. @homeincomestudy

Twitter site provides interesting tid-bits of information as it relates to the home business industry as well as some fun things offered periodically from our partner sites!  Feel free to follow us today!

Believers

We stand.
We hope.
We dream.
We create.
We love.
We sacrifice.
We cry.
We scream.
We fight....
for what we lost,
the love, peace, trust, money, and dreams.
They tell us we can't, we won't,
but we will!
Whether we walk on our own
or carried in death our spirit always lives.


Nicholl McGuire
Watch inspirational videos at http://www.youtube.com/nmenterprise7
Read more poems at http://spiritualpoemsbynicholl.blogspot.com

Nicholl preparing for domestic violence awareness month coming up in October

Nicholl shares thoughtful commentary on Godtube

If you haven't stopped by Godtube, take a moment to check out videos there.  Nicholl  periodically uploads videos sharing her personal experiences with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ on that site too.

Enjoy!

Enemy Attack on a Spiritual Gift from virtualassistant on GodTube.

Don't have a study bible? Get one...Study with Nicholl http://bit.ly/J0wyop

Nicholl is the author of the following books:

Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic https://www.createspace.com/3437273
When Mothers Cry https://www.createspace.com/3393499
Laboring to Love Myself https://www.createspace.com/3401526
Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate https://www.createspace.com/3332346
Floral Beauty on a Dead End Street http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/904839
Spiritual Poems By Nicholl http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3113926

Great Gift World - Electronics for sharp minds

Nicholl has been affiliated with Amazon for awhile now.  She has put together a site with specially selected electronics for those of you who need items for those digital cameras, iphones, camcorders, printers, computers/laptops and more.  See here: http://bit.ly/yONZCH