Hello, friends! I hope you've had a wonderful week. There are a couple of things I want to talk about today: fully relaxing and technical issues.

Now that I've been in Greece for almost two months, I'm working hard on releasing stress and remembering how to fully relax. I have a tendency to go-go-go and frankly, while it's brought me some success, it's also taken a toll. Never being able to fully relax is exhausting.

Now, more than ever, we need the ability to let go of our stress and to focus on things that help us to feel lighter. We need to be able to let go of our expectations and just be, allowing things to unfold as they do sometimes and taking it in stride, even embracing it.

Here's an example.

I wanted to visit the Ancient Agora here in Athens. My first attempt went by the wayside when I arrived after finishing work at about 2 pm. Then I learned it closed at 3, which was surprising, as most sites here are open later. I knew I'd want to explore for longer so I decided to come back the following day.

I got most of my work done the night before, and got a car so I could show up the next morning before 10 am. I planned on buying a Koulori from a stand - that's a ring of bread with sesame seeds or cheese or some other tasty seasoning and they run about a buck.

Of course, then the car dropped me at the Northern gate, which is no longer open. Aaaaahhhh...

The Type A part of my personality began to die inside a little bit. I felt the stress began to creep up my spine and then I made a huge effort to stop it. I looked around at this beautiful, quaint street I had landed on and decided to sit in the cafe and order a full breakfast to start the day. I got an omelet filled with feta and covered with sausage on top, and a delicious latte. I forced myself to eat slowly...to slow down completely. I had plenty of time. I soaked in the peace of that little street while I savored my food, then took my time wandering down and around to the entrance that was open.

I ended up having a wonderful time and walking more than I have since I first tore a ligament in my ankle - almost 3 miles!

The day did me so much good. Nothing bad happened when my plans were changed. I have no need of a rigid schedule so why am I holding myself to one?

Yesterday I spent the entire day reading fiction and it was delightful. Taking a step back is truly essential and I highly recommend it to all of us.

You may have tried to access the website this past week and run into technical difficulties. We're having issues with our server and the fix is quite costly. I'm working hard on new products to help us cover the cost of the upgrade. Unfortunately this also means our monthly expenses will be going up by hundreds monthly.

We're looking at a variety of ways to make this work, from removing some of the older content to adding a subscription option. My goal, as always, is to keep our content free, but we're quickly getting to the point where that may not be possible.

Had we not been demonetized by one arbiter of truth for our opinions and blacklisted by another, we wouldn't be facing this financial catastrophe. The stated goals of groups like GDI (Global Disinformation Indes) is to disrupt and demonetize websites like mine. I've fought them for years now and watched my income plummet. I will continue to fight to provide this information. I ask you to continue to help by purchasing our products on SelfRelianceandSurvival.com, our paperback books on Amazon, and supporting us on Patreon. Every penny helps us battle the censors.

And for the next question: my tech expert doesn't know why our server load has suddenly skyrocketed, which is what is requiring the upgrade. Things that make you go hmmm...

Anyway, please be patient over the next few weeks and if you can't get onto the site, wait for a bit and come back later. 🙂 We are working hard for you!

Check out my newest paperback book!!!

What to Eat When You're Broke is now available on Amazon and we're racing up the charts! You can help us become a number one new release by grabbing your copy this weekend. I've got the book listed just above cost to make it easier!

***** ALSO: 5-star reviews help us out immensely in the algorithms. If you feel I've earned it, please PLEASE leave me a good review. ******

Saving money in the kitchen doesn’t have to be dull and depressing. These frugal ideas, paired with the right attitude (and a sense of humor), will level up your menu!

Bon Appe-Cheap!

Let me tell you a story about a man who has been gardening his ENTIRE life.

His journey began before he could even walk, when his parents took him out into their garden with them. Once he could walk, he started grazing on fresh garden produce and couldn't get enough of the outdoors!

But it all started with those early seeds, the seeds his parents planted that grew into Jason's love for God's creation, enjoyment of working with his hands, and appreciation for the thought and effort that goes into growing food.

As a father himself, today he does a similar work with his own children, working to pass the legacy of gardening and self-production to another generation. All of his children are out in the garden now, and they love helping him grow food…just like he helped his own parents so many years ago.

Which brings me to an interesting point…

How will YOU continue passing on your knowledge and skills to future generations?

How will you ensure your own children understand your passion for independence and old-fashioned ingenuity?

Well, gardening as a family is one of the best ways to do it!

And plus, you'll be providing food for your family at the same time, a huge plus during skyrocketing inflation.

So get some seeds, and plant them with your kids, and teach them about what matters most in life (inside and outside the garden).

That's where I'd like to finish the story I started earlier.

Remember Jason, the man who grew up in the garden? Well, several years ago, he already involved his kids in the garden. But he was looking for something bigger, maybe a small cottage industry that would give his children an opportunity to work together with him in a family business, to plant seeds in their lives like his parents planted in his?

And then one winter, he had an epiphany.

They loved heirloom seeds and vegetables, so why not start an heirloom seed business?

That's how Seeds for Generations began!

Today, his family business sells 100% heirloom and non-GMO vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, along with gardening books, T-shirts, planning tools, and more.

Their mission?

To pass their love for heirloom seeds and gardening onto others and expand the circle of people reconnecting with the land and growing more of their own food.

That's why if you're just starting your gardening adventure this year, or you already have seedlings growing now, you should also consider supporting this family effort.

Because Jason's celebrating 48 years in the garden this year, they're currently holding a Big Birthday Sale where you can enjoy gardening goodies for less.

Will you please support the mission of this family business here?<INSERT AFFILIATE LINK

I love Seeds for Generations' mission: to encourage people to plant more seeds, grow more food, and generate more life and productivity in a consumer economy that's coming apart at the seams.

So will you please consider getting some heirloom seeds from Seeds for Generations this spring, to plant in your own children's lives and help support the seeds Jason is planted in his family?

Or at least purchase a gift certificate (10% off!) to give the gift of seeds to someone you love, while also supporting their rebuilding efforts after their shop fire destroyed everything in January?

Get your seeds today and help plant hope for generations to come!