No matter where we go today, we are constantly being reminded of the current economic climate. We turn on the T.V. and hear about it, get in the car and someone on the radio is talking about it (often pointing fingers), friends and family members are even struggling. Although we have no control over the current economic status of this country, we can control they way we chose to think about it.
Appreciate the simple things. It is possible that we needed a wake up call—something to get our attention and snap us out of it. Maybe this newfound freedom from spending more, more, more is an opportunity to strengthen relationships both within our families and with friends. Now we think twice about going out to dinner, or taking vacations. I see this as an opportunity. Besides, having healthy dinners at home is not so bad. Encourage the family to make dinner together once a week. Invite friends over for dinner instead of going out. It is often more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone (especially when children are involved). Visit relatives.
Everybody has bad days. Victoria Moran, author of Living a Charmed Life, says, “it’s almost as if we’ve been told life is supposed to be perfect all the time, and something is wrong with us if it isn’t. That’s not true!” She uses an example of getting a nail in your tire. Just being a nice, careful driver doesn’t prevent you from running over a nail; it just happened. Losing a job doesn’t mean that you deserved it or that you are a bad person. Everyone has bad days—what separates us is how we chose to deal with them. Victoria Moran believes that living a charmed life is your birthright and that we should stick close to what makes us come alive. What makes you come alive?
What would our grandparents do? Children of the Great Depression knew hard times. The poverty, food rations, illnesses didn’t stop them from living life to its fullest. They continued to love their friends and families, they danced, sang and probably had stronger character than many of us today. Instead of waiting for a handout, they continued to push through the tough times always hoping, wishing, dreaming of something better. Our grandparents knew how to grow food, build and repair things, how to be self-sufficient. Maybe this is a good time for us to learn some of these things. If you have recently lost a job and have extra time, maybe now is your opportunity to learn something new. Where a door closes, a window opens.
