2026 Week #3 - Weekly Goal Sharing! (Monday 01/12/25 - Sunday 01/18/26)
I welcome anyone to commit to a goal here today.
But importantly, talk about getting it done..... or why it didn't happen yet.
To praise each other for our efforts and wins.
While supporting each other through trials and setbacks.
And to continue trying and not give up.
Remember:
Every Goal should be considered "Worthy".
Never belittle your achievements and be proud of yourself for your daily accomplishments!
Whether they be Complex or Simple.
Getting out of bed is a good day..... Good job I say!
Share your goals today, for support and encouragement.
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Do Your Best and Get Your rest.
Things are usually much harder then we think. Do your best. Be kind to yourself and Be kind to others.
@SoulfullyAButterfly @mytwistedsoul @KristenHR @Enthenia @reservedOwl321 @Tinywhisper11 @peachThinker662 @CyclingThroughLife @decisiveBranch2794 @IchooseLife79
@energeticSkies3610 @anonyTortoise3336 @spicyavocado3788 @neatBlueberry5213 @AmyK1234 @ivoryLakeuk @MusokeHere @seashell145 @uzi82 @fearlessWriter78 @Kait
And Any Others. If you want to be added/removed to/from the tag list, let me know. 😃
Sometimes we don't know the solutions and can't find the answers.
Sometimes it's just GOOD to ramble on, complain and not be judged.
Especially amongst friends, who try to understand. 💖🤗
@IsayUncle
@Amanda84
Thank You Amanda.... A weekly burst of sunshine.
I hope you have a good day too, in addition to an amazing week🌞
I am starting a new online business, I am hoping by mid-week. This is a massive goal, but I feel confident, not like it's too easy, but in a oh nice a challenge. Even if it takes a whole week to set up that's totally acceptable. I would like to start sending emails by next monday.
@HealingWithin111
I'm truly excited for you. I like how you realize it's a massive goal because it probaly been something you've been wanting to do, And now you're ready to do it. At the same time you feel and know that it's not going to be too easy.
Good luck on this positive challenge! Stay at it and give it all you got.
If you don't mind revealing, What are you marketing?
Thanks @Isayuncle for the kind words! I am starting an online community publication to help local businesses, the bigger picture is that this publication I am going to help interested people with blogs, SEO, Google business profile optimization, etc. it's the same method I've used countless other times, give people a free online publication profile, and drive the people who sign up or upgrade into paid profiles as my warm and hot leads. Lmk if you'd like more clarification.
@HealingWithin111
You're welcome, I think I forgot to come back and reply to this.
It sounds like you got a good plan, good foundation, some valuable experience. That's all wonderful wonderful.
I hope your new business did well this week and of course continues to do so. 👍
Thanks @isayuncle it's been more challenging than I thought, but it's okay. It's something new I am learning and so I am watching all the how to videos. I've done directories just not this way. I'm thinking by end of weekend at this point.
@HealingWithin111
What's that saying, If it's not challenging, it's not worth doing..... NOT!..... Can't something just be easier sometimes?😒.
But like you said, "That's OK".... You got this. Some extra videos and some extra learning. It'll be worth it.
I had a goal to live everyday with pleasure, or set good goals with pleasurable steps so if the goal is not achieved, I make sure I felt pleasure during the steps. I succeeded in that goal and lived almost more than 200 days in daily pleasure, just doing the activities I love: music either composing or learning covers, doing scientific research either experiemental, or observational, or literature, directing in the theatre, and doing psychotherapy as I'm a psychologist. I could achieve great milestones and learn a lot of skills, but all what really matters for me is that I still have the balanced mindset: doing the activity for pleasure, not for a goal to happen then ask for pleasure to come.
After all that talk 😄 let me share a few achievements I made today:
1) composed and recorded a new theme song for my novella, and created media content for its video.
2) researcher for a concept on my research paper and constructed on it
3) managed my appetite until now.
4) shared helpful content online so people take benefit
Thanks!
Omg you're a writer too?
Not a professional one though 😄
@soothingLove6591
3) "managed my appetite until now."
Awwwww, hope u didn't do too bad. You got a lot of good stuff done though. Sometimes that makes a need to eat and take a break, I feel like I deserve it. (wondering if same for you?)
But that was a real nice uplifting post. Great outlook and Glad you got all that stuff done.
Yes. My appetite is a long story of management and handling but yes, sometimes I believe eating is a good choice to be in a better wellbeing. Thanks for your comment!
@soothingLove6591
Your welcome. I resonated with the eating after/doing a clump of tasks.
Good eating, is a good choice. I also have an ongoing long story of management. I hate to sound like a cliche, but it definitely is a lifestyle choice...... BUT, DANG it's hard sometimes, to, not think, "I deserve a treat". Stay Diligent. 🍎
Thanks for your comments and posts too. 😊
Sure eating is a good treatment sometimes. You are welcome! Always glad to share here!
I need to focus on my tax test. I was able to get through the first 7 of 9 exercises, so 2 to go.
@reservedOwl321
Woo Whoo ONE - TWO and ur through... You can do it! 😃
Tysm
Finally got done with number 8! One problem to go!
@reservedOwl321
Good job, That one was a little tough, huh? You got it though. That's great! 😃
This tax stuff is hard, but it doesn't help that I have been so busy. Work has been really busy and my daughter's school has been calling and emailing me regularly.
@reservedOwl321
Obligatory distractions cannot be helped..... (Work, Plus kids) and you still did it. 
Onward & Upward 
Ty for the supportive comments!
@reservedOwl321
YW... Is ur daughter ok? (if not too personal)😐 I picked up on that school stuff.
She really struggles with anxiety at school. But thank goodness the school is not calling home and sending her home as much this year as the middle school did last year. Last year she missed so much school that it is causing her learning difficulties. She just can't learn on her own. It's so hard to communicate with the school because each time she has a problem they have us talk to a different principal or person? Everyone keeps telling me I need to advocate for her, but it's so difficult. We have help though. Who would have thought it would be so difficult with a 15-year-old!
@reservedOwl321
I figured it might be something like that. I drove a school bus for a couple years and I know how kids really have a hard time sometimes. Many with no parents that care, or adoptees kinda lost.
It's really good your daughter has you. It's hard to say how things will work out in the long run, but she has a much better chance with you in her corner.
I know its hard on you, but it's good that you're there. It sounds like you got a little extra help too so that's really good.
Time to go finish those tax tests. you got it!
@IsayUncle Well I finished my tax test last night! I still have to get the answers checked and entered. Waiting on the instructor.
@reservedOwl321
Good deal! and now for the wait, u confident?
I'm falling way behind on everything.... in a 3 week rut and can't fight my way out. Maybe tomorrow. 😣
@IsayUncle Maybe it is the post holiday rush. You had a break and are having trouble getting back into it. I’m sorry you are behind. I know how you feel. I think I bit off more than I can chew for the next year!
I saw from your post that you used to drive a school bus. That must have been fun and eye opening, not to mention challenging at times! Kids are a blessing but can also be very trying and challenging. I say I am thankful for my kids even when they are difficult! I bet you have some interesting stories! Maybe that is something we can chat about later.
Anyhow I will see you in next weeks chat, but hang in there! You got this!
Sort of posted an update on the other week. Not really sure what the goal should be aside from not getting overwhelmed and to stay on top of things. Right now feeling tired although I've been up for a while and even had a protein snack and some yoghurt. The carbohydrate and sugar contents were fairly low but I can get sleepy without eating anything. Happened to me Saturday. That's why I got the laundry started late. Got on the floor to be near the dog who was resting after her time outside and I was trying to play a word search game and just fell asleep. What's annoying about that is it takes me so long to restart.
@Enthenia
@Enthenia OOPS .. on 1st post.
Not getting overwhelmed is a constant battle. Luckily we have numerous weapons and tools out there to help, not only to overcome overwhelming but also to conquer the day once in a while.
If you fall asleep sometimes like that, That's a mechanism for dealing with being overwhelmed. I'm really sorry you lost your place in your game though.
I hope you have a good week.
@IsayUncle it's okay. It was a word search one so it was simple to pick it up again. It's a tedious one though. I have to reach the next animal but the more levels you go, the longer it takes. I'm on level 256 but I have to advance from frog to whatever's after frog and I'm only at 55%.
At least the ads aren't intrusive although I still don't like the ones where you can't mute or when you do mute, you can't play music.
But, if I can get to the end in the allotted time (less than a month), I will have made about a hundred on it. Have to go back and do the other games too. Still have earnings I can get on a couple of them.
@Enthenia
Hop to it, then! LOL 😁. U can doit.
@IsayUncle I'm at 84% now. It's looking like I'll get to the next stage when I hit level 300. That's still a ways away.
@Enthenia
Oh Man, You are so close..... get it -get it -get it -get it ! 
@IsayUncle I got it. Earned a dollar something. If I do another hundred or so levels, I'll get another dollar.
Today I got an email about the withdrawal from my old job. Apparently I am still considered an employee even though my position was eliminated. I have been on "leave" (4+ years!) and I cannot request a withdrawal.
If one's position get eliminated and is told that the employer would save your information should you decide to apply for a different position, wouldn't one assume that one no longer has a job there? I have had no communication from this employer since that random email months after I found a job elsewhere.
I have two bills paid off but still need to do rent for this month. I was not expecting this curveball. I have no idea what to do now. I don't want to owe people more money. I think I'm at my credit limit anyway.
@Enthenia
What The Heck..... ???? Just that sentence alone deciding to apply for a different position indicates that you do not have a position If your position was eliminated.
All right, if you have time refresh my memory.
What exactly were you trying to withdraw from your old company. Why did you expect that you had money that you could withdraw from old job.
I guess what I'm asking is what entitled you to any money from your old job?
How was all that supposed to work?
@IsayUncle It was my retirement account. I kept getting emails about the automatic rebalances and so I decided to look at it. I had over a thousand dollars in it. I looked at the withdrawal options and saw that I could withdraw from the account if I had left the company.
Naturally, I thought I had left the company since I was working elsewhere and had had absolutely no communication from my previous employer since 2021. I mean, why would I reach out to them after they told me I no longer had a position with them? And that was two months after they opened up again post Covid. If they had wanted me, wouldn't they have let me know? So, since I needed about a thousand, I started the withdrawal request which got denied on the 29th of December since a termination date could not be found. I called the retirement company back and they reissued the request and would look into the matter. A couple of days ago, I received an email from someone in Employee Relations (fancy name for HR) (which was the first correspondance I have had from them since 2021) stating that I was still considered an employee and my request could not be granted. I have been on leave this entire time. Leave for 4 years? Also, if I wanted to resign, I need to do so via a formally written letter.
I have sent inquiries to a couple of employment soliciters where I am to see if I can get any assistance. I really don't see how any of this is my fault.
In the meantime, I still owe what I owe and I don't know where I'm going to get the money from...
@Enthenia
soSo if you're still an employee is that someplace that you would wanna go back to work to to get away from where you're at? Probably not I'm guessing.
If not, are you gonna take the steps to formally quit so you can collect your retirement down the road?
I know it don't help you now and that was a big blow to your expectations. I don't think anyone in the world would have thought that you were still employed after all of that. I mean that just doesn't even make any sense. But if that's what they're saying I guess the money is still yours right?
It sure doesn't help matters now
@IsayUncle well I asked the question in a legal forum that I've used years ago. The girl from my department that was sent home when I did moved to another state. I wonder if she's still employed as well.
Yes, none of this makes sense. I have had no contributions to the account for years because I have had no earnings from them. Yet I'm still an employee...
Yet my current employer was ready to fire me when they thought I was a no call, no show when I actually had jury duty...
@Enthenia
So what's your next move to claim your money?
@IsayUncle I'm waiting for a legal response. I mean, had I been aware that I was still employed, I never would have gone through all that I've gone through where I'm at now. And my account would have had more interest incurred.
It doesn't help the situation now and legal events can take a lot of time. I spoke with a dog owner who works for another resort and he agreed that it was weird. Leave for four and a half years? He said there should have been an inquiry or something about if I planned on coming back or not. I had nothing.
If I didn't need the money, I never would have found out that I was still an employee at my old job.
@Enthenia
yeYeah it sounds like a devious loophole where they eliminate your position but don't legally dismiss you so that you cannot claim benefits.
And then if you say that you quit because they eliminated your position then they're not required to support your departure.
I hope you can get a lawyer and reclaim four and a half years of benefits that they deceived you out of. Just on the grounds of deceptive practices because that's what it sounds like they did. I believe they did this on purpose and it is not their first rodeo.
I don't know anything about legal procedures. I would argue that I had four and a half years of employee benefits whatever those were if they're saying I was still an employee for 4 1/2 years.
@Enthenia I ASKED GOOGLE AI. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE GROUNDS FOR A LAWSUIT ON A COUPLE LEVELS. I THINK ONLY A GOOD LAWYER SHOULD GUIDE YOU, BUT THE RESPONSE HERE IS ENCOURAGING.
Query 1
If a company eliminates my position but does not specifically fire me and keep me on the books as an employee beyond my knowledge So I go work for somebody else for 4 and 1/2 years.
After trying to claim my retirement from them, they say they can't process it because I am still an employee.
This situation, where a company eliminates a role but keeps the individual listed as an active employee for years, often stems from an administrative error or "ghosting" the termination process. In 2026, this creates a conflict between your actual status (you ceased performing work for them 4.5 years ago) and your documented status (which they claim is active).
Immediate Legal Implications
ERISA Violations: Most private-sector retirement plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Under ERISA, plan fiduciaries have a duty to provide accurate information and process benefit claims fairly. Denying a claim based on inaccurate employment records may constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
Constructive Termination: Even if the company did not formally fire you, the elimination of your position and cessation of pay constitutes "constructive" termination or a reduction in force (RIF). Legally, you are a former employee, regardless of their internal clerical errors.
Record Negligence: Maintaining an employee "on the books" for 4.5 years after their job was eliminated suggests negligence in company records, which can be used to challenge their refusal to process your benefits.
Steps to Resolve the Claim
File a Formal Claim: If you haven't already, submit a written claim for benefits to the Plan Administrator (not just an HR representative). ERISA requires plans to have a formal grievance and appeals process for denied benefits.
Provide Proof of Separation: Submit documentation showing when your work actually ended, such as a final paycheck, a "position eliminated" letter (if you have one), or tax records (W-2s) from your subsequent employer showing you moved on.
Demand a "Full and Fair Review": If they deny the claim because you are "still an employee," you have the right to a "full and fair review" under Department of Labor regulations.
Contact the Department of Labor (DOL): The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigates ERISA violations. In 2026, the EBSA has prioritized investigating benefit distribution errors and "criminal abuse of contributory plans".
Finding Professional Help
ERISA Attorney: These cases involve complex federal laws. You may need an attorney specializing in employee benefits or ERISA to file a federal lawsuit if administrative appeals fail.
State Labor Board: While ERISA is federal, your state's Department of Labor may also assist if the company is misreporting employment status to avoid other obligations.
Disclaimer: I am an AI, not an attorney. This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Consult a licensed legal professional in your jurisdiction for guidance on your specific case.
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
Query 2
Would I also be able to use this opportunity to get get damages for four and a half years of missed opportunities or benefits that was not supplied to me as if I were an employee for four and a half years
In 2026, the possibility of claiming damages for "missed opportunities or benefits" depends largely on the nature of the error and the laws governing your specific benefit plan.
1. Potential for Recovering Missed Benefits
If you were technically listed as an active employee, you may be able to claim specific benefits you were entitled to but did not receive during those 4.5 years:
Unpaid Contributions: Under ERISA, if you were eligible for employer-funded retirement contributions (like a 401(k) match or pension credits) but were excluded due to an administrative error, the employer may be required to make "corrective contributions" to put you in the position you would have been in if the mistake hadn't occurred.
Qualified Nonelective Contributions (QNEC): Employers often use QNECs to rectify "missed deferral opportunities," compensating for tax benefits you lost because you couldn't contribute to your plan.
Insurance Benefits: If you incurred out-of-pocket medical costs that would have been covered by the company's health plan during that time, you might have a claim for reimbursement, though this is legally complex when you had other coverage.
2. Claiming "Missed Opportunity" Damages
Claiming general damages for vague "missed opportunities" (such as career growth or potential salary you might have earned) is significantly more difficult:
ERISA Limits: ERISA generally does not allow for punitive damages or damages for "pain and suffering". Remedies are usually limited to the specific "benefits due" under the terms of the plan.
Promissory Fraud/Negligence: You would typically need to prove the company acted with intent to deceive or gross negligence. In 2026, some state laws (like those in California) allow for "actual damages" in specific employment disputes, but these usually require a breach of contract or a clear legal violation beyond a clerical record-keeping error.
At-Will Employment: Because most U.S. employment is "at-will," companies can generally eliminate positions without providing future "opportunity" damages, provided they aren't discriminating or retaliating.
3. Strategic Recommendations
Focus on Fiduciary Duty: Argue that the employer breached their fiduciary duty under ERISA by providing inaccurate status information that prevented you from accessing your benefits.
Check for "Unjust Enrichment": In some jurisdictions, you can argue the company was "unjustly enriched" by keeping you on the books to meet certain headcount or insurance requirements while not paying you.
Request an Audit of Records: Demand a full accounting of your "active" status records. If they paid premiums or taxes on your behalf while you weren't working, that is powerful evidence they considered you an employee and thus owe you the associated benefits.
Legal Consultation is Essential:
(Just pay them from any receved claims... Not out of pocket.)
Because this involves 4.5 years of potential back-contributions and complex federal regulations (ERISA), you should consult an employment attorney specializing in ERISA litigation to determine if a lawsuit for "lost benefits" is viable in your state.
Disclaimer: I am an AI, not an attorney. This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Consult a licensed legal professional in your jurisdiction for guidance on your specific case.
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
(My thoughts on the matter)
I think If you copy and print these guidelines and bring it to a lawyer's office, you could gain some pretty good benefits if everything is as it seems.
Because there are so many conclusions it's obvious that companies do this on purpose and are often held account for them.
@IsayUncle Interesting. I haven't read all of it but I will. I received an answer on the question that I posted on a legal site and the lawyer said the issue wasn't even close to a legal issue. Makes me wonder how long she has been practicing law based on what you found...
Submitted a form to the state labor board and reached out to a ERISA attorney in my state. It can take up to four months for a decision from the state labor board. Not overly helpful...
@Enthenia
It could be extremely helpful later on. Of course these legal matters take months everyone knows that. If it's not "Overly" helpful at all, maybe it's better not to even pursue it. It may not be worth your time. It may not even be worth their time. I apologize if my suggestion got your hopes up. I guess hope is a strong word here.
And you're welcome, I'm glad I found a possibility for you. But maybe it's not as much of a possibility as I thought so it might be better not to waste anytime on it. I'm sorry it's not overly helpful, I thought it was Going to be helpful at least, but probably not.
@IsayUncle I just meant in regards to my situation now. There are a lot of questions though. Like, why wasn't I made aware of this sooner? I would not think to check if I was still employed after I was told that my position was gone. I have had no tax information or really any information from them since 2020 (for taxes) and that single email in 2021. I did get the occasional rebalance emails from my retirement account but I didn't think anything of it.
And, co-workers and acquaintences can't understand why I was on their list of employees for so long without even being in the building and no one questioned it. People can be placed on leave but even those on FMLA have to recertify every year. I only know this because when I was trying to look for work over ten years ago, I was looking into a position at my grocery store across the street. There was an inventory position that a girl had and she only worked a few days then did FMLA. She always went back to work before her leave expired so she wouldn't lose the position then work a few days and then go on leave again.
But in my case, I have sat on their books for over four years and no one questioned it. It should have come up in an audit and if it did, it was ignored.
However, I was able to change the bank information for my investment account and I was able to sell some holdings. I didn't have much but between that and what I've earned on the apps, I can at least get a few groceries and a bus pass because mine expires Sunday. And my main account isn't as bad as I thought it was. I have a lot of refused transactions which I will have to pay but at least the balance isn't as bad as I'd thought.
I was able to talk to someone from the labor board. I need to first submit a request for personnel records (specifically a history of wages) but she said she's never encountered anything like my situation before which I guess is why no one in a legal capacity has offered to assist. I just get redirections.
The only thing is, I have to wait 10 days for my previous (?) employer to furnish the data I requested then I can submit a claim with the labor board. This pushes everything back to the end of this month and I need the funds for this month's rent, next month's rent, groceries, pet food, and I need to pay all the missed transactions that I thought I'd get paid with the deposit from the retirement account.
And then there's other little things that are wearing out which will eventually need to be replaced like shoes and clothing...
There is a song whose title I don't know and I can't remember who the artist is. It's in my thousand or so songs on my mobile but I don't feel particularly motivated to search for it and I really need to get back to my spreadsheets. Anyways, one line is "Life isn't easy". I don't think I've ever had an easy time of it at least, not since I was five or six.
@Enthenia
Yea, I get it.
There's probably a million songs on the concept that life ain't easy. It's such a common human condition. As a matter of fact, if you think of the reality of it, life being easy for anyone is an extreme rarity and misnomer. There may be a few people on this planet that figure it out but for the rest of us it is freaking tough!
But you're a tough cookie and you got this. It would just be so nice if you could get that money and make it easier for 1 second just one second. I get it. Just try to be grateful, if and when you get any money from this situation, even if it is not easy.
Giving thanks or being thankful on a regular basis does something to our brains that makes life a little bit easier. I don't know if it makes it easier but it makes it feel easier for, some reason it's kind of weird. I guess maybe it's living in, more; of a state of grace, then a state of agony.
@IsayUncle I don't know about having anything. I didn't eat last night and fell asleep to where it was too late to eat. Probably from not really eating during the day. I transferred what I could to my secondary bank account. Only $65 was available for transfer. The rest should be ready by tomorrow. Still trying to level up on the games so I can earn more money and consequently move more. One has a waiting period so I can't move the funds as quickly as I'd like.
It's also not a boatload of cash so it's' not really going to make any difference on my bills. But, maybe I can get the some extra healthy snacks so I don't feel sleepy or ravenous or confused during the day. Of course, that could be from something else. I'm debating if I want to see if I can go to my doctor the same day I have my dental appointment next month. All any physician tells me is that I need to exercise more. Good advice, but not extremely helpful. Also, not really sure how I can exercise more. I walk a mile to the bust stop five days a week. I play with the dog in the morning and evening and on weekends we're out at least 4x a day (while it's still cool). I go outside during my lunch at work as well but that's just to get away from the office for a bit.
Of course, if I was still at the property that apparently I should be at, I wouldn't be able to go outside. They have an indoor garden of sorts upstairs (it's a resort) but that would involve way more walking and I'd have to come back through an official checkpoint. I can just round the courner and step outside where I'm at now. A coworker asked if I could go back would I? I don't know. There's more traffic around the employee entrance now with the extra attractions around the resort. I haven't been there for nearly five years. I don't know who's there and I couldn't work in my old department because my position doesn't exist. I knew people in other sections--just to say hi to but that was it. Even if I could go back, I could wind up in a situation worse than where I'm at currently. Not in love with where I'm at now but at least the trip home isn't too bad even with road construction.
Of course, if I ever got money ahead (which would be a miracle), I might consider relocating elsewhere but right now that's speculation.
Oh and I also have the apartment office calling me (among others). Most likely wanting to know when I'll pay them...
The only good thing (maybe) that's happened today is they brough in bakery stuff so I was able to have a breakfast sandwich and I took something else for lunch. Carb content, sodium content, and probably sugar content of them are most likely too high for me but if I don't eat something, my head hurts. If I do eat stuff I shouldn't, I get really tired. But I can get that way without eating anything...