Two Lists

I was just reading this wonderful article on my obsession lately, the recession. It was talking about doing a flip flop in your thinking. Taking the negative of forced furloughs or being laid off and turning the situation into a positive. I have to admit, this was a stretch for me. I mean really, I get laid off and I'm supposed to be happy about it. But then I read the last paragraph. It suggested we make two lists one that lets all our worry come out, shows us our ruminations about this economic situation and gets it off our chest. The second list is a list of all our blessings in life, what we hold most near and dear to our hearts. Go ahead, take a few minutes to do this. I'll wait.

Do you have your two lists? I found that it was really easy to write these lists. I'm worried about paying the bills, never getting work again, being on government subsidies. I'm absolutely thankful for my God, my Husband, the friends I have, the family who supports me no matter what I try, the church I go to, the laughter and joy surrounding me, health to run marathons. Now would I trade anything on my thankful list to take away my worry list. Absolutely NOT! These are the joy in my life, the most important things to me. I can't imagine saying see you Robb, I need to have a job. That is insanity.

So as I go through a little bump in the road, I realize that I am blessed. I have so much more than money could ever buy and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I hope this exercise gives you a moment of pause, something to say thank you for as you are stressing out. A list that you should post where you can see it. When stress hits, a simple thank you prayer for the blessings will get you back on track.

God Bless.