Let’s face it…April 15th is not exactly one of our favorite date’s on
\nthe calendar. In fact, it can be downright stressful and turn an
\notherwise good day into little more than a grouchy irritation to be
\ngotten done with as quickly as possible. Even Albert Einstein said (on
\nfiling his taxes), “this is too difficult for a mathematician. It
\ntakes a philosopher.” Somehow, knowing that even Einstein struggled on
\nApril 15th should help us all feel a little more at ease. Perhaps he’s
\nright, maybe we should approach tax time a little more philosophically
\nand spiritually.<\/p>\n
So, here’s my Ten Tips for improving your April 15th:<\/p>\n
1. Begin your day by counting your blessings for being an American. In
\nspite of what you may owe the IRS, you still live in one of the best
\ncountries in the world and have more personal freedom than over half the
\nworld’s citizens.<\/p>\n
2. Have gratitude for the shower you are about to take that comes from
\nmunicipal water that you pay taxes for. It’s hot, it’s clean and for now
\nanyway, it’s plentiful.<\/p>\n
3. If you have children that you have to get ready to go to school,
\npause for a moment as you pack their lunch, and remember, your tax
\ndollars help to pay for their public education. Yes, we could be doing a
\nbetter job, but it’s a blessing nonetheless that not everyone in the
\nworld is entitled to.<\/p>\n
4. As you drive to work today on paved roads and freeways, remember to
\nhave a moment of gratitude for these roads that your tax dollars help to
\nprovide. Believe me, one trip to India and you’ll never see a paved road
\nthe same again!<\/p>\n
5. As you sit to fill out your tax forms, make a list of all the things
\nthat you are grateful for in your life. Take a moment to feel the heat
\nthat warms your home and notice the electricity that lights the table or
\ndesk that you’re working at. Life is good in many ways that we fail to
\nnotice.<\/p>\n
6. If you owe money to the IRS, think about how the tax dollars you’re
\nabout to pay contribute to the world you live in. Yes, I think it’s safe
\nto say most of us would like to see our tax dollars used more wisely
\nbut…they do help to make the things we value continue to exist. If you
\nhave to write a check to the IRS, write “thank you” in the comment section.<\/p>\n
7. If you are receiving a refund, think about how this money will be spent to improve your life or those around you. How
\nwill you use this money to stimulate your life or the economy? Create an
\nintention to make good use of this tax refund.<\/p>\n
8. Before you send in your tax return, say a prayer for your family and
\nfor our government that we will all learn to be more thoughtful and wise
\nabout our personal and financial resources, that this recession will end
\nsoon, that the unemployed will find jobs, and that this great country
\nwill rise to be prosperous and whole once again.<\/p>\n
9. If you don’t have the money and owe the IRS, send in an extension
\nwith a thank you note for the good work they’re doing and ask them to
\nset up a payment plan for you.<\/p>\n
10. And last but not least, if the whole experience is just too
\noverwhelming and you can’t quite pull it off by April 15th, file an
\nextension and give yourself another six months. Take a deep breath and
\nremember…it’s only taxes, it’s not your life and tomorrow Scarlett, is
\nanother day.<\/p>\n
Peace and Blessings!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Let’s face it…April 15th is not exactly one of our favorite date’s on the calendar. In fact, it can be downright stressful and turn an otherwise good day into little more than a grouchy irritation to be gotten done with as quickly as possible. Even Albert Einstein said (on filing his taxes), “this is too…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":351,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,17,8,11,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-events","category-financial-crisis","category-financial-healing-prayers","category-healing-debt","category-money-prayers"],"yoast_head":"\n