The economy, the recession, job loss, no money it can feel like the sky is falling. In many ways what we’ve known growing up is gone. But there is one thing that we have now that we didn’t have before, opportunity, and for many of us a determination to survive we didn’t know we had.

Think about it.

Now with the invention and mass release of the internet we can go to college much easier than we could before. We can work from home, raise a family and go to school, all things which were not available before.

There is a lot of good things still to come I believe.

One thing this recession has done for many of us, me included is to make me think of the things which are really important in my life.

Let me take a quick step back, in the few years before the recession I was working hard, spending time with family when I could, going to college, making career moves, life changes i.e. marriage, moving etc.

Yes things were stressful, but pretty good overall.

Then… when my husband and I decided that the best thing for his career would be for us to move from Chicago to Southern California in the Summer of 2008, right I the middle of the recession, we had little idea what we were in for.

• We lost over $10,000 in the move, driving a U-haul, towing our car across country during the highest gas hike I’d ever known really took a financial toll on us.
• We moved from a very nice luxury apartment in Chicago to an apartment of the same size and our rent increased over 500 dollars in a bad area, gratefully we found a place six months later in a much nicer area.
• I had moved with my job, but the ‘organization’ was the most disorganized here. Without too many details, I was bounced around between two locations, the pressure was increased both in the job requirements (mandatory overtime, while the tools necessary to do the job were taken away) and the psychological stress (learned just how badly I react when I’m threatened & yelled at frequently by a very demanding, mean, uncaring boss). My health took a downward spiral, I found myself sick frequently, including several infections, I couldn’t sleep I was so anxious over the stress. The organization even had trouble paying me what they promised they would.
• My husband and I started a business with a couple of partners and in the end they back stabbed us and took our identity, and cost us a good deal of money

There is much more but you get the picture…

Sometimes I felt like I couldn’t handle everything, but my husband and I decided to take a look at what we have and chose to be thankful. It was not easy! It was definitely a conscious choice, we decided to look to see what other opportunities we have, and to work toward those and to say a prayer for those who’ve hurt us. That’s not easy either, not by a long shot. But after a while some of the stress started to dissipate.

We still have a lot to work through, but I’m discovering just how valuable close friends, family and a good sense of humor are. They literally are a lifesaver!! These are gifts to peace of mind. I have to practice this everyday, but the result is worth it.

There are so many opportunities that we can take advantage of when you’re feeling down take a moment and find one thing to be thankful for.  It can change your whole perspective.

Here’s what we’ve decided to do

1. Look for things to be thankful for
2. Find things that make us laugh
3. Look for new opportunities to grow, college, business opportunities, etc.
4. Find ways to help others, we’ve volunteered for causes we believe in like the Army Yellow Ribbon event.

The Yellow Ribbon Event is a program to help soldiers and their families acclimate to being back with their families. Focusing on helping others who’ve had a tough time, lost loved ones and seen war show us even more what we have to be thankful for. If you know someone in the Army who’s returning from over seas support them through the Yellow Ribbon Event, http://www.arfp.org/skins/ARFP/display.aspx?mode=user&ModuleId=8cde2e88-3052-448c-893d-d0b4b14b31c4&action=display_page&ObjectID=63471a43-ff2c-45b9-9f84-4160041b15b4 Here’s where you can get more information.

So let’s look up, there is much to look forward to, we have more going for us than at any time in the past, take a look at this blog posting by BetsyAnne of the Non Traditional Student blog. http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2010/03/why-today-is-so-exciting-for.html She helps us to really look around us at the opportunities we do have.

The Recession has helped me in ways I never thought it would.

Another way I find encouragement is to read about others who have gone through something tough. I love stories with a positive ending or an ending where the individual had had a life change but is still working through a tough time.

What gift has the recession given you? I’d love to hear your story…

Here is a great book that will lift your spirits and help you discover your own encouragement through this recession. Make the recession do something positive for you.

Take a second to check this out…

Please share this with anyone who needs encouragement, Digg, Re-tweet, and grab a copy of your free thank you gift.Together we’ll be stronger.

Sophie

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