What's Your Cause to Make It Better?

Calling all followers.... no I mean leaders of the MIB Cause. We have an exciting new publication coming this fall that is designed to rally people and their life passions to MAKE IT BETTER! All of us have something to give, somthing to share, something to contribute. This is your chance to get involved to Make It Better. Send us your cause, your idea, your game plan or solution to MAKE IT BETTER to mib@thebigbeaver.com

Watch for the new MIB Cause coming September 1st, 2009.

A Better Life for Your Children

This has often been a sticky point in our society. Parents claim to have the interests of their children at heart, but dig a little deeper and I'm not sure this is really the case. To make a difference is not only to get what you want that makes YOUR life easier to live, but taking a stand to Make It Better (MIB) for more people than just ourselves. I find it difficult to believe parents are genuine when it comes to fighting for their children. To what extent are you willing to take up your cause to Make It Better? Are you willing to give up your place in society, the things you have come to measure your sense of worth or even you pride so to instill the strength and courage of your children to truly live a life that is greater than the one we have enjoyed for so many years. What will it take to push your button?

A True Test For Mankind

A Canadian rock singer, Larry (aka Lawrence) Gowan sang about it best; "You're a strange animal I've got to follow." Man (including the ladies) is truly a strange animal. Is there hope for you? Us? You bet. I wish life was like a simple flower. What a relieve that would be. Heck, I wish every one's life was like a box of chocolates. But I'll stop right there as I'm starting to get a craving for something sweet. Now back to my point. Since the economic fallout, we continue to test people's will power, our ability to trust and our faith. With all that has gone on in the world and the many foolish things we continue to do, it's become extremely different for many of us to stay positive, to show hope or to believe in our system of life, our governments, our leaders and in institutions of influence and authority. I'm often reminded of that little white mouse in his open air loft with his one wheel exercise room he/she calls "The Cage." On those days he's inspired to go the distance with hopes of finding greener pastures, a new look or even somewhere different, our little mouse friend hops on his wheel and begins running like a silly "Mother F-----" Please tell me the mouse isn't trying to get exercise or that his inner Doctor is telling him he needs to work on his cardio... When he's in high gear, he truly believes he's going somewhere, that he's on track, that if he runs fast enough and long enough that he'll get to a new destination. A destination made for a King Mouse with unlimited cheese, plenty of ladies and with all the luxuries uphoria has to offer. Unfortunately, we both know how this story ends. The mouse never finds his oasis nor does he even get to somewhere new, different or even better for that matter. Like the mouse, I often think we have put ourselves on the same wheel. An it would seem we've become so consumed by our little lives, we can no longer stop, think and act on what we need to do to "Make It Better." Now I'm not foolish enough to say that we could just drop everything we need to do to survive, but I am saying we could take a little more time to change our ways, to make a difference, to speak out or up? to engage? to take action? to truly improve our state and the lives of everyone around us. Then why don't we? Why do we not take a change, take the risk, or even believe that we have the power and the "WILL" to make that difference? In a time when we as individuals and as a race, have the best chance to organize, to change, to improve or to make it better with the use of powerful tools such as the Internet, mass communication and mobility, that we continue to demonstrate inaction to change, to fix or even rescue our sorry state? It's as if we are mentally paralyzed without the ability or the will to actually stop what we are doing and say enough is enough. Hey now, relax. I'm not advocating violence, but rather action, will power and doing what's right to "Make It Better." Start with your own life, your family, your community and as the improvements start to pore in, look for the next opportunity to Make It Better. Man, we are at a fork in the road in our lives and in our existence. I truly hope we can realize what a difference we can make if we "shift" our way of thinking, change our path and take up the torch for our own cause that has been, like the little white mouse, getting us all worked up and going no where fast.

School Needs a Lesson in Financial Management

Can someone tell me why schools are not teaching our children about personal finance. We seem to be teaching them plenty of useless information that is uninspiring and in many cases irrelevant as seen through the eyes of our students. Teaching kids math skills is one thing, but we are talking about planting the seeds that will pay dividends for the rest of theirs lives. As it goes, our students graduate from High School and many, no most, no all have no personal financial management skills, knowledge or understanding of how to balance a cheque book let alone prepare a personal budget. Afterwards, we then send them off into the real world or College or University to learn on the job. When it comes to personal finance and money management, this is something that shouldn't be learned on the job. To MAKE IT BETTER, we need to introduce personal finance and money management curriculum so we can provide students with the tools, the skills and the ability to properly management and care for their personal finances properly. How about introducing mortgage selection and rate calculations, investing and financial markets training, loan and credit card applications or even simple money management? Is it any wonder why people experience so much stress, financial uncertainty and confusion when it comes to managing their personal finances? Not surprising. Let's Make It Better by starting early to give our students the understanding and the ability to make sound financial decisions in life. MIB.... Make It Better!