Although some have declared the Great Recession officially over, for those who are still struggling, who are still without jobs, this declaration does little to ease the worry or make the rent or mortgage easier to pay. Regularly we need to remind ourselves to take one day at a time, that we are not to blame, that we still have a reason---and a right---to seek joy and happiness even during difficult economic times.Which is why Dr. Robert Holden's article here is a must-read for anyone who has been affected by the current recession (and who hasn't!) and who is seeking to turn this time of financial uncertainty into a positive life lesson. I can say from personal experience that the rough times that affected my family during the dot.com bust of the late 1990s and the subsequent soul-searching we did then have helped us immensely to cope during the Great Recession. We were forced to examine what were the priorities in our lives; we also redefined what a happy and successful life meant for us, not for society in general or marketing executives or our neighbors or anyone else, but US.
Dr. Holden refers to this in the article under "The Real More" and "The Reality Check" sections. Other points he highlights include taking responsibility for your finances, making time for the important relationships in your life, taking stock of your blessings, scheduling time for having fun and self-care (which you still need and deserve whether you're a full-time employee or a full-time homecarer or a full-time job seeker), maintaining a positive attitude (as much as possible) and keeping the faith, and remembering to invest in yourself and others. For example, I have signed up for free courses at Creative Techs, who provide educational online webinars on subjects like Photoshop, creating iPhone apps, watercolor, and photography lighting. And did I mention they're FREE?!! :-D
Now I am off to spend the rest of this glorious day with some of my most precious blessings, my family. The husband has made a huge pot of leek and potato soup that smells amazing and is perfect for a chilly Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the rest of YOUR weekend! :-)
