Krazy Kinda Blessings

Today on my way to my pre-op appointment, I saw our neighborhood’s “crazy” lady hitching a ride. I pulled over and as she jumped in my car, I asked her where she was going. I figured she was going to the church up the block, but as it turned out, she needed to go to the next town over. She looked in sheer appreciation and thanked me for stopping. She kept on telling me how nice I was and that she was blessed to live in a community that helped her. I could not understand everything she said—English was clearly not her first language. Of course, I felt stopping and picking her up was a small token I could do for my many blessings. As she ranted on, talked in tongues and counseled me, it dawned on me—this could have been my mother. My mother just may have been considered the “crazy” lady in our neighborhood the last three years of her life. My mom turned her life over the God and did things that others could consider slightly touch (OK, some of it was)—she threw all our “worldly” possessions like our TV, chandeliers and other things out in the front yard one day. She talked in tongues and had an enormous amount of energy when spreading the Word to others. We prayed at least 2 hours a day and fasted at least once a week (compared to her 15 days or so out the month). Ultimately, while turning her life over to God was a good thing, dying from excessive fasting to death (in particular dehydration) was a sign of extreme behavior. But her little bit a crazy was minute compared to what she gave this world.

My secret is that I never seen (this woman) as a crazy lady. Yes she is over the top and excessive and shows signs that there is something quite not right. But in all honesty … I “the person” in everyone meet. Besides, just because she might be a bit touched does not take away from the fact that what she gives back may indeed supersede the oddity. While we talked I appreciated her praying over me and telling me not to claim illness. While I am not going to take heed to her call for me to throw out my pills – she did give me GREAT advice. In the midst of the speaking in tongues and over the top statements was an important message that SHE was sent to deliver. She told me to focus on goodness. She told me that doctors want us to feel good and when I go to the doctor tell him that I feel great. In other words, tell him the positive and not just the negative. She said that God will bless doctors and they will get their money but most of them want us to feel good. She also told me that my money was meant to spend on my bills, tithing, adding prosperity to the world and enjoying my family—not for doctors. When we reached her destination, she took a moment and said the Lord’s Prayer with me. I appreciated that. It is so funny how being at peace with yourself makes you comfortable in the presence of others—no matter how different they are.

I guess what was reinforced to me is that EVERYBODY has something to say. I was nervous going to my appointment and then God send me a little bit of crazy that made my day. I thank God that I believe that EVERYONE has something to add. We are all a little odd in our own way. I never seen my mom has the “crazy” lady and today I got to sit and get a piece of her today while realizing that she had a persona that may have been deemed “slightly touched” at times. That was MY blessing for my good deed. Would my mom have remained extreme with her actions? I don’t know – but Lord knows it would not matter to me—I would be happy to have her here. This encounter also served as a checkup—it let me see how much I have grown the past few years—for that, I am thankful. Amidst a little bit a crazy, I received a whole lotta blessings!

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How the 2010 HIRE Act Affects Your Business

What is it?

It is a new piece of legislation signed into law by President Obama in March 2010. The law primarily does two things:

(1) It provides employers exemption from paying the 6.2% employer social security tax for new employees hired between February 3 and December 30, 2010.

(2) It provides employers with a tax credit up to $1,000 or 6.2% of the new employee’s wage (whichever is less) for workers hired after February 3, 2010, provided that they hire for a minimum of 52 consecutive weeks.

What are the rules and guidelines for the new law?

Social Security Tax Exemption

• The new employee must have worked 40 hours or less, 60 days before employment. This means that if you quit one job to start working at another, you do not qualify. The bill is aimed to help the unemployed.
• The tax relief applies only to wages up to $106,800. If someone earns more than $106,800, only the first $106,800 will be exempt from the social security tax.
• Employers cannot fire a worker to replace him or her with someone who qualifies for the tax break.

Tax Credit

• The new employee must sign an affidavit that he or she has not worked anywhere else for more than 40 hours 60 days prior to being hired.
• Employers cannot fire a worker to replace them with someone who qualifies for the tax break.
• The employee’s wages during the last 26 weeks must be at least 80% of what the employee made for the first 26 weeks.
• The employer cannot certify for tax credit under the HIRE Act and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)[1] —employers must choose one or the other.

How does a small business benefit from the law?

The HIRE Act was signed into law to help accelerate recovery from the recession by offering employers incentives in hopes that it reduces our unemployment rate. Employers would see a reduction in payroll expenses.

Conclusion

There are government incentives available to encourage entrepreneurs to start and maintain businesses. The unemployment level has a direct correlation with small business success—approximately 50% of private sector employment comes from small businesses. Being aware of government initiatives may prove beneficial for your business—understanding government legislation is important to you minding your business effectively.

Additional Information

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3200

http://www.doleta.gov/business/Incentives/opptax/

About The Author

Jowanna Parris-Daley owns and operates jowanna inc™, a small business consulting company that offers services including business plan writing, e-consulting, website design and technology services for startup businesses.

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[1] The WOTC is a bill that offers tax credits to employers if they hire individuals from disadvantaged groups (as defined by the law).