Thriving vs. Striving in This Economy

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Barack Obama

Are You Thriving or Striving Right Now?

Everywhere we turn each day, there's more negative news about the financial markets, the job market, increasing crime rates and mounting stress levels. It's the bulk of what is being discussed when you pick up a paper or turn on the TV news. And it seems that almost every conversation centers around these topics too. It's no wonder that conditions are so chaotic!

We talk about the economy as though it is something nebulous "out there". What we fail to realize is that we are the economy. If we want the economy to improve then we are the ones to make it happen. And there's one incredibly simple thing that each of us can do, right now, that will make a dramatic improvement in our personal lives and ultimately the economy. What is it? It's expressing gratitude for what you already have; it's seeing the abundance all around you instead of focusing on what's lacking. If you've read my newsletters in the past, you've heard me say "that what you focus on is what expands." If you want more abundance in your life and a more prosperous economy, then be grateful for where it already exists. Do you live in a democracy, have a loving family and supportive friends, a comfortable place to live, food to eat, clean water, transportation, plenty of clothes, electricity, good health or ease of access to hospitals and medicine? Then you have much for which to be grateful. I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the picture.

If you are caught up in all the negative press, spend time angrily rehashing it with others or being worried about the future, then you are contributing to the very thing you do not want - more bad news! Each time you complain about what's happening, (or participate with others in doing so), it's like hitting the "rewind" button for whatever strife you've just been though! So stop rewinding! Instead, start thriving and moving forward again with thoughts and words of gratitude. Create a daily mantra for yourself such as: "Thank you for overflowing abundance in all areas of my life!"

As Melody Beattie says: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

People who express daily gratitude are happier, more content, calmer, and more at peace - even in this recession. They naturally have greater opportunities and abundance because it's where they place their focus. I challenge you to make a list, right now, of at least 25 things for which you are grateful. Do it! Just as you might read the newspaper each morning, make it part of your daily routine to read your gratitude list and add to it. Become the change you seek and watch your list grow!

With Much Gratitude,
Vicki Miller, CUCG, PCC

p.s. I would love to read what's on your list if you want to email it to me!