27 Jan 2010
“I have to say, that your book, Making Sweet Lemonade, was the most uplifting and realistic account of growth & development, spiritual and maturity, that I’ve read.” ——– S. Stover (North Carolina)
Purchase your autographed copy of “Making Sweet Lemonade” at www.enheartpublishing.com
Pat J. Schulz
Visionary Officer & Founder
20 Jan 2010
19 Jan 2010
Entering a New Year, many attempt to set New Year’s resolutions. Eighty
percent of those resolutions will include some type of weight loss program. Only 20% will see the results of those goals. Even fewer set financial goals, and many don’t stick with them. Some are in the spring of their lives: going to college, in preparation for a spring graduation, or newlyweds anticipating a new family. Others may be in the summer of their lives with high rising careers and plenty of cash flow. Now many baby-boomers are in the fall of their lives preparing for retirement and empty nesting. Perhaps you are are approaching the winter season, where dollars really need to stretch. Regardless of the season, a personal credit review is always in order. Once you are able to assess your current credit health situation, set a plan and stick to it. Here are some basic premises toremind you of where to start with your credit health check up.
What is Credit?
Money available through borrowing. It gives us the ability to purchase goods and services now and pay for
them later. Credit worthiness reflects the lender’s view of your ability to make payments. The most common
location to attain credit is through financial institutions with credit cards or loans.
What is a Credit History?
A record of how you manage your credit accounts, including credit card or store charge card accounts and
loans. It affects your ability to secure credit in the future, to be approved for loans, even to secure apartments
and jobs! Your credit history is reflected on a credit report, which is like a “financial report card” that lenders
can view when determining whether you are a good candidate for a loan.
Why is it important?
Your credit history reflected on your credit report is the most telling information that lenders, landlords and
employers have when they are determining whether you are likely to pay debts and be responsible with money.
Get your Credit Report for Free! The Fair Credit Reporting Act enables you to get these credit reports for free!
Free reports are also issued for other reasons, If you are unemployed or receiving public assistance, when you
apply for a job or for credit.
The best ways to gain and maintain good credit: Attain a copy of your credit report from all three credit
bureaus every year. The three credit reporting agencies are:
Experian: (888) 397-3742; http://www.experian.com
Equifax: (800) 685-1111; http://www.equifax.com
Trans Union: (800) 916-8800; http://www.tuc.com
Always check Credit Report for errors. There are only three credit reporting agencies in the country
responsible for all credit bearing accounts. Not only are they bound to make mistakes; they are bound to miss errors that indicate identity theft.
Manage credit card accounts by using only one or two credit card accounts and lock up the rest. Don’t close unused accounts. Unused credit limits support your credit score.
Always pay more than the minimum balance on credit cards each month. Credit card companies often mislead customers to believe that they only need to pay the monthly minimum on their cards. If you do, you might be in good standing with them, but at high interest rates, it will take you decades to pay off your debt.
———-”The borrower is servant to the lender.” Prov. 22:7 ————-
Pat J. Schulz is an Business Consultant, Professional Trainer & Owner of ENHEART Publishing - www.enheartpublishing.com To schedule workshops for your organization contact: 704 649 4313
P. Schulz currently facilitates Economic Literacy Classes
for Blue Ridge Community Action, a partner of the N.C. Community Action Association
18 Jan 2010
In this segment, I would like to introduce a commentary from a reader who happens to be a Hospice Chaplain, Dr. Steve Butler. In dealing with death, dying and grief on a regular basis, Dr. Butler knows the importance of a human emotion we call hope. He is an encourager to the discouraged. He is a comforter to those in mourning.
Butler knows the meaning of loss, in all its many forms. He connects to Making Sweet Lemonade, because those who experience loss must also learn the art of adaptation.
The stories in Making Sweet Lemonade are a medley of adaptations, from touching death, to the author’s (my) own near death experiences. I invite you read Dr. Butler’s commentary:
Dr. Butler’s Article:
“When life brings you lemons, make lemonade” is a saying that has been around for a few generations now. And the question of“How to do that?” is often the topic of books and lectures. Usually the answers take the form of either a pre-packaged mix in which the reader takes their experiences and adds in the author’s package – and ‘presto’ – lemonade. The alternative is to provide a recipe gleaned from the experience of the author, but inviting the reader to adapt, modify to taste, and make personal the recipe to fit the unique lemons, that is the experiences of the reader into their very own lemonade. Happily, “Making Sweet Lemonade” falls into the latter category.
Ms. Schulz bravely shares the “lemons” of her life with us, as well as the constant adaptations of her recipe. As a clergy person, I am grateful that she sees the grace of God as one of her fundamental and unchanging ingredients. “Making Sweet Lemonade” is ultimately a book about life; complex, full of hurt, yet full of hope, God-given life. The book is a treasure which, along with the author, I hold dear.” —– Dr. Steve Butler
Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care
Dr. Butler’s newest book WE DO REMEMBER YOU is now available @ www.alexandrasrose.net
See more original articles written by Pat J. Schulz at http://familyempowermentmodel.brighterplanet.org/
Q: How do you know if your life purpose is being fulfilled? If you are in purpose? If the risk was worth the chance? If you’re in it alone? Or if an impact is really happening?
A: When you write a book believing its content is intended to inspire, lift, and motivate with hope for a better day, even in the midst of the most unbearable, seemingly unreasonable circumstances … and you have an unlikely encounter with a stranger who you happen upon again on a frigid, December night toting his all belongings to McDonalds for nightly shelter, and he says to you (even with a smile), “I’m Making Sweet Lemonade.” Then, you know your courage has not been in vain.
A2: … And then put faith-courage into action and help a brother !
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Pat J. Schulz is the Visionary Officer & Founder of ENHEART Publishing.
ENHEART’s mission is to “Bridge Dreams” by producing customized books & products that Motivate, Educate and Inspire. Contact us atinfo@enheartpublishing.com / www.enheartpublishing.com / www.twitter.com/ENHEART
Q: I understand this book is written in a child’s voice? How does it capture the adult audience?
A: The majority of the reading audience is adults. In the introduction I reference how little ones grow up to become adults. How will they accept the truth of their being?
I’ve encountered more adults (who have connected with this book) than I can count (male & female), who live with the pain of not knowing who their mothers or fathers are. These are professional men and women who have persevered to make their own way in life. Some found out later in life and were deceived by one of their parents in the early years, some never knew. Some may have been adopted, or have experienced other scenarios. I’ve met these men and women sitting next to me on an airplane, at social events, or MSL discussion debriefs. One man called me from another country crying on my shoulder with more pain than he could bear, to discover the woman he always knew to be his aunt, was actually his mother. This encounter was actually the 2nd catalyst for writing the book. God was revealing to me there is a hidden audience of people suffering silently.
— Countless stories, letters, emails have been sent in describing connections to their faith walk, pathways to success and liberty, etc.
So, even though the first 2/3 of the book is written from a child’s voice, the last 1/3 is an adult analysis, and adults connect with their own child voice that has been repressed for so many years.
*
Q: You describe segments of trauma on varied continuums. What if a potential reader has not experienced trauma, how would they relate? Why should they read Making Sweet Lemonade?
A: Awesome question, so glad you asked! Secondary to a message of healing, the next higher calling is to encourage readers to become advocates. I’ve had people call me aside after conferences and say, “You know, I read your book, and just had to say, your story made me so grateful for the life I’ve had. It inspired me to give back, and stop complaining. I realize my bad day, dealing with traffic, or whatever is really nothing in the big picture.”
This is an example of our higher message: To encourage people to “get in where they fit in”, and begin to take a part in making the world a better place. Get out of your box, your apartment, your home and take up a cause.
*
Q: On the sweet side of Lemonade, the main character in the story has quite a personality. Some readers say she had them laughing, crying, moved them to anger and empathy. What do you want audiences to know about her?
A: She is gleaning wisdom and knowledge along the way, and invites the reader to take a window view into her world. In most cases, the reader is walking the path right beside her.
To learn more about Pat J. Schulz, go to www.enheartpublishing.com
ENHEART Publishing
P.O. Box 620086, Charlotte, NC 28262
25 Sep 2009
Q: What does the title Making Sweet Lemonade represent?
A: “Making Sweet Lemonade” represents resiliency and an enduring resolve to make the best of whatever life brings your way.
*
Q: What inspired you to write Making Sweet Lemonade?
A: I’ve had a number of potentially fatal occurrences over the years. In 2004, I faced another one with diagnosis of a rare health condition, requiring emergency surgery. As I say in the story, “God spared my life for the nth time.” Acknowledging without any doubt, that God ‘s favor was upon me, I praised God for life. In that moment of rejoice, the spirit of the Lord, came upon me and spoke, “It’s not for you, it’s for others.” The embodiment of that mandate is Making Sweet Lemonade.
*
Q: Is this a true story, or fiction?
A: MSL is about accepting truth, living truth, and being authentic. It is a true story.
Ye shall know the truth and truth shall set you free. (John 8:32)
*
Q: Many authors of memoirs state the exercise was cathartic. Did you find liberation in writing this story?
A: The word I would use is “peace”. I felt at peace with my history, and the events that make up that history. However, there is one chapter in particular that was highly emotional and cathartic for me – this is the chapter that describes my mother’s death in detail. I’d repressed that day, until I sat down to write the chapter – which actually preceded the book as an entity.
*
Q: What has been the public’s response to Making Sweet Lemonade? Tell us about audiences who are benefitting from your story.
A: My youngest reader is a mature 11 year old, and oldest is 90. Readership spans every economic echelon, culture, race and both sexes. Because it is a humanistic story, with a humanistic message, I am pleasantly surprised to find there are no limits placed on the reading audience. Families are sharing the book among members, and even reading it with one another.
*
To learn more about Pat J. Schulz, go to www.enheartpublishing.com
04 Sep 2009
Steve Butler is an ENHEART Publishing client, and chaplain at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, NC where he has worked since 2003. Steve is a native of Chicago and has been a campus minister in Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. He is also a former college chaplain & soccer coach. Most importantly, Steve is husband to Martha for over 30 years; dad to Catherine, Elizabeth, and Mark; and grandfather to Jamie, Raelin, Meagan, and Logan in addition to Alexandra. Steve loves golf and working on his family tree.
Bibliography:
“We Are Known as Christ’s Disciples” grade 1-3 curriculum for the Discipleship Alive! series (United Church Press:2001)
“A Letter From Heaven” (Authorhouse:2008)
to buy this book go to: http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=48954
“We Do Remember You” (ENHEART:2009)
To buy this book go to: www.enheartpublishing.com
30 Jul 2009
Pat J. Schulz © July 29, 2009
“The untimely death of musical genius Michael Jackson has most certainly had us all contemplating the meaning of life, and how will we live our lives going forward with the understanding that tomorrow is not promised. Will we be kinder to and wiser with our bodies? Will we take time for introspection - as Michael’s song, Man in the Mirror, suggests “if you’re gonna make the world a better place, then look at yourself and make a change.”
These are some of the lessons I learned as a child, and are shared in Making Sweet Lemonade. Oddly, it seems those lessons were easier to live out as a child. Life was not as complicated, although when you read the story you may perceive it to be - but it was not. Living in today’s world is exponentially more complicated. There are more people and personalities to contend with. Children learn their environments, and they adapt. The beauty of children is they truly are the resilient ones.”
I encourage you to mail order your autographed copy of the socio-inspirational memoir, that is truly transforming lives, and consider this gift for a dear friend. ENHEART Publishing is committed to partnering with Foundations and individuals to provide personalized copies of Making Sweet Lemonade to youth aging out of orphanages, to domestic violence programs, adult personal development programs, and other agencies advocating for children and families.
Copyright June 30, 2009 - All Rights Reserved. Pat J. Schulz
Making Sweet Lemonade is a highly recommended book for educators, parents and particularly mental health professionals as a resource to clients. It offers one the ability to address fears, joy and pain with a spiritual component. Each page is filled with inspiration. You won't want to put it down. For your copy click on the book above.