chin up

One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful. --- Sigmund Freud

For even the most optimistic of people, long-term financial insecurity, like that occurring during a recession, can be emotionally draining. And no doubt it is frustrating to apply for jobs and never receive replies from companies, to juggle limited funds month after month, to have to postpone trips and plans for the house, the kids, the future.

But one does have a choice: to either let the stress drag you down OR to let the stress be a positive motivator. After trying both approaches, I can definitively say, the latter option has worked best for me and my family. Every morning, I remind myself to take one day at a time. I ask myself, "Do we have everything we need TODAY?" Almost always the answer is yes, and when it is not, making sure that we do becomes my first priority.

When insecurity begins creeping into the psyche, I have learned to no longer sit and worry---it has become a call to action. I contact my clients to book new projects. I scan the job boards that post work in my field and send out resumes, even if we have enough work to cover our expenses at the moment. I turn that negative energy into positive energy, and almost always a new project seemingly "falls into my lap" a few days later.

This week I urge you to try the same. Start the week by doing just one positive action to improve the quality of your life, to bring you closer to a life goal, whether it be getting a job, getting a better job, eating more healthily, making more time for yourself. Just one positive thing today. And then do the same tomorrow. And the next day. Don't be surprised if the dark days seem a little brighter. :-)

Painting is The Waterlily Pond: Green Harmony by Claude Monet.