This is a short episode just to give you a life update. I haven't published any new episodes lately because I recently got engaged, and I am currently planning a wedding and preparing to move out of state after I get married. I will be taking a hiatus from the podcast indefinitely. When I do come back, the show will be bigger and better. Feel free to go back and listen to any of the 40 episodes I have published to date. I have episodes about relationships, finances, mental health, physical healt...
Feb 27, 2022•3 min
Welcome to the fortieth episode of The Waiting Ruem podcast. What a milestone! Thank you all for your support, feedback, questions, and involvement. Join me as I talk to a guest, April Shields, about learning to trust God in those unplanned seasons of life. Sometimes when life is changing, you do not know where things are going - you are just a passenger along for the ride. Learning to trust God is easier said than done, but it is possible. Remember that you are not in control and never were. Go...
Jan 30, 2022•18 min
What are you going to do differently this year than you've done in years past? Oftentimes, we have an area or two in our lives that we know we need to change, but we never follow through. Let this year be different. Don't do the same thing you have always done and expect a different result. Areas you can grow/change this year: Relationally – Are there any relationships your need to work on? Do you need to work on establishing boundaries? Do you need to improve your communication with those aroun...
Jan 23, 2022•17 min
What is generosity? It is showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected. Generosity is a topic that many people don't talk about, even though it plays a significant part in our lives. Numerous articles talk about how to make money, how to earn more, how to increase wealth, and how to become rich. However, it's also important to understand that giving some of that away - sharing some of that, will help us emotionally, mentally, socially, a...
Jan 16, 2022•11 min
Money can be a source of comfort for many people, but it is also a source of discomfort for others. Understanding your 'Why' and setting specific goals will help you gear your mind towards putting money aside over time. Successfully saving money requires consistency, discipline, and sacrifice, but it is achievable. Importance of saving: Saving can give you freedom Saving provides financial security to a certain extent Saving means you can take calculated risks Saving prepares you for the future:...
Jan 09, 2022•15 min
I will be taking a two-week hiatus, so you can use this time to catch up on any episodes you might have missed. Please be safe this holiday season and enjoy the most important things in life; friends and family. Don’t forget to celebrate the reason for this season: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - who was the greatest gift to mankind. Be on the lookout for the next episode, airing in the new year, on January 9th; where we will continue our money talk. Be safe and until then, take ...
Dec 26, 2021•1 min
Lifestyle creep occurs when increased income leads to increased discretionary spending. It’s the temptation to start spending more on luxuries as your disposable income increases. The goal is to not fall into this trap and keep your expenses as they were and save the extra income for emergencies, life savings, or big purchases in the future. Areas you might experience lifestyle creep: Your social life Your wardrobe Your commute Travel and vacation Household comforts Entertainment How to avoid li...
Dec 19, 2021•14 min
Budgeting tells your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. It ensures you always have enough money for the things you need. Budgeting also improves your financial health, which can, directly and indirectly, improve your mental, spiritual, and physical health as well. How do you create a budget? Use a spreadsheet, ledger, or notebook Write down all your sources of income Write all your expenses (house, car, debt, groceries, gas, etc.) Subtract your expenses from your income If you...
Dec 12, 2021•12 min
How we spend our money is significantly influenced by our personalities. There are five major financial types: Big Spenders, Savers, Shoppers, Debtors, and Investors. It's possible to change your money personality, but it's going to require time and effort. Ways to improve your money personality: Commit to financial stability Educate yourself - read personal finance books Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses - stop focusing on what others have Make goals – write them down Be grateful for what...
Dec 05, 2021•17 min
Money is not the solution to every problem. And that there are some things you can't buy with money – happiness, love, time, purpose, health, true friendship, confidence, trust, respect, etc. However, how much or how little money we have does affect our overall well-being, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Ways can you improve your financial health: Budget Spend less than you earn Pay bills, debts on time Start saving Giving/donations Recommended book: Get Good with Money by Ti...
Nov 28, 2021•17 min
At this point, you've made past the intentional friendship (noted those red, yellow, and green flags) - you've had a successful intentional dating phase now you're ready to seal the deal. How do you know you are ready for engagement? Well, you've both dated for a while. You both have sought advice from wise counsel. You have discussed the future. You have both chosen to discuss and resolve challenging issues. You have prayed and come to a place of peace. You have chosen to grow personally and to...
Nov 21, 2021•14 min
How do you know if you're ready for intentional dating? Well, have you prayed? Do you have an accountability partner? How is your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual financial health? Have you healed from past relationships? Have you considered your children (if applicable)? In this episode, I talk about what intentional dating looks like. Intentionally dating causes you to grow in intimacy in all areas: Spiritually - you are equally yoked, believing God has brought you together Emotional...
Nov 14, 2021•18 min
Loneliness is something we all deal with in different seasons of life. Whether or not you are in a relationship, you will battle loneliness at some point in your life. To overcome loneliness, you need to take your eyes off yourself and look at the big picture. When you are so consumed by loneliness, that can result in self-pity, entitlement, then sin. The only person who can cure loneliness is our Creator. If you try to fill the void with anything else, you'll come up short. What you can do when...
Nov 07, 2021•18 min
Suppose you made it through the intentional friendship stage. You have mostly green flags, very few yellow flags, and no red flags, and now you are ready to move on to the next stage: intentional dating. In this episode, I’ll be talking about what dating is because we live in a culture that seems to be confused regarding dating because of the false impression propagated by Hollywood and popular culture. Dating IS: Allowing you to learn more about each other at a deeper level Building commitment ...
Oct 31, 2021•16 min
Suppose you made it through the intentional friendship stage. You have mostly green flags, very few yellow flags, and no red flags, and now you are ready to move on to the next stage: intentional dating. In this episode, I’ll be talking about what dating is not because we live in a culture that seems to be confused regarding dating because of the false impression propagated by Hollywood and popular culture. Dating IS NOT: A time to start a dating relationship hoping you become friends About havi...
Oct 24, 2021•19 min
Green flags are what we want to find as we get to know someone. If you are in an intentional friendship that has mostly green flags, hardly any yellow flags, and no red flags, then you might be ready to move to the next stage - intentional dating. Here's what green flags look like: Their relationship with God comes first, and it is the guiding force of every area in their life Respects your boundaries Courteous and kind, even to the server Asks questions to clarify your intent rather than assumi...
Oct 17, 2021•15 min
Yellow flags are not necessarily deal-breakers, meaning you don't need to stop your intentional friendship. However, they are cautionary and should be prayed through and considered. Ask for more information when clarity is needed. It is important to discuss yellow flags during the intentional friendship phase; before you commit to a more serious relationship. Under the right circumstances, yellow flags can be turned green. Yellow flags to look for in a relationship: Political differences Inconsi...
Oct 10, 2021•19 min
Would you recognize a relationship red flag if it smacked you in the face? Red flags are the character issues or behaviors that are incompatible with who you are - these are dealbreakers that you learn about someone, which reveal that you would not be able to have a healthy relationship with them. It is important to discuss red flags during the intentional friendship phase; before you commit to a more serious relationship. Under the right circumstances, red flags can be turned green. Red flags t...
Oct 03, 2021•24 min
What is an intentional friendship? It is the time between a simple friendship and a dating relationship with someone you think might be 'the one.' It is also a place where you agree to get to know each other better, where you spend consistent time together regularly so you can ask deeper and detailed questions that go beyond general friendship. Then at some point in time, you can decide to intentionally date or to remain just friends. Benefits of an intentional friendship: There is a lower risk ...
Sep 26, 2021•17 min
In this episode, I'll be addressing the age-old question, Can men and women be just friends? Yes! Healthy male and female relationships can thrive without romantic pretense. Healthy communication and boundaries are crucial for this type of relationship to thrive. Jesus showed us with his life that it is possible to be just friends with the opposite sex. Here are some reasons why we need opposite-sex friendships: You learn about the other gender – how will communicate with your future spouse if y...
Sep 19, 2021•24 min
God wrote the rules of science, so wouldn't it make sense to read His Word in order to get the answers we need? Religion and science are not at odds, as many claim - in fact, true science is rooted in the truths of the word of God. There is no other book in any of the world's religions that contains scientific truth like the Bible. Here are 6 scientific facts found in the Bible: The earth is round The water cycle Life in the blood Hygiene Quarantining the sick Oceanography Recommended Book: Unde...
Sep 12, 2021•15 min
There are so many places to go, things to do, and people to meet. Yet we keep doing the same thing day in and day out, year in and year out. Traveling challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. You'll learn a lot about yourself and other people when you go places you typically wouldn't visit. Here are some travel tips: Use common sense and street smarts Learn common phrases in that language Use a local guide Stop comparing Have an open mind Recommended Book: Around the World in 80 Days by J...
Sep 05, 2021•20 min
Episode 20 marks a huge milestone for me. If you had ever told me that I would ever have a podcast, I would have laughed and laughed some more, yet here I am twenty episodes deep. Thank you, listeners, for all your love and support! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a dream they've been sitting on instead of going out there. This is also my first guest episode. Join the conversation as I talk to my best friend, April Shields, a professional photographer, about stepping in faith and dreaming ...
Aug 29, 2021•27 min
What is it about changing habits that we find so difficult? As powerful as the human brain is, it is also quite lazy. It will take the path of least resistance when given the opportunity. That is why we get stuck in habits and routines because that's less work for the brain. Our habits are controlled by what is called The Habit Loop: Cue/Reminder – Routine – Reward. To change your habit, you will need to change the routine and trigger a different reward. Ten ways to break a habit: Identify your ...
Aug 22, 2021•17 min
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is significant because it helps you relate to people. It is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. EQ is more important than IQ because we interact with people more on a social level than intellectual. Here are five ways to improve your EQ: Responding instead of reacting to conflict Empathize with others Utilize active list...
Aug 15, 2021•15 min
Why do we find it so difficult to express ourselves? I've heard it said that we have two ears and one mouth; we need to listen twice as much as we speak – if only we would put that into practice more. All of our relationships would benefit if we deliberately put more effort into becoming better communicators, whether it's verbal, non-verbal, written, or active listening. Here are 10 Ways to become a better communicator: Listen more, speak less Read body language Be in the moment Ask questions Li...
Aug 08, 2021•19 min
Sometimes the most well-meaning people say things to ingles that seem nice on the surface but end being more hurtful than helpful. These words repeated time after time become so ingrained that it's easy to start believing them. Here are some com common myths about singleness God will bring you a spouse when you are ready Getting married will fix your dysfunctional relationship Your soul-mate is out there - you need to find them Your biological clock is ticking You'll start to enjoy life or only ...
Aug 01, 2021•19 min
Sometimes it is tempting to compromise and settle for what seems to be the next available option, especially when you've been single for a long time. However, this compromise never turns out to be what you expected. Being unequally yoked in a relationship has more consequences than what meets the eye. This compromise can affect your relationship with God, personal growth, future, and destiny. Read: Sacred Search by Gary Thomas I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me vi...
Jul 25, 2021•19 min
Nobody likes waiting, especially if you're waiting for something you really want, like a significant other. Sometimes the best we can do is focus on what we do have (that is, time, money, friends, independence, etc.) instead of what we don't have (that is, a relationship). Listen as I talk about how you can grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and physically during the season of waiting. Because waiting well is what matters. Recommended Book: Intentional Relationships for Singles by Dan H...
Jul 18, 2021•17 min
Mind your manners! Where has common courtesy and decency gone? We need to treat others as we would like to be treated. Listen to 20 things you need to know to be a decent human being; because who wants to put people off with bad manners? Recommended Book: Etiquette book by Emily Post I'd love to hear your feedback, comments, or questions! Contact me via: Email: thewaitingruem@gmail.com Instagram: @thewaitingruem Website: The Waiting Ruem Podcast...
Jul 11, 2021•18 min
