The economic recession is over (so they say). Now it’s up to us to end the emotional recession and start autumn with a new attitude. What are YOU grateful for?
Southern California has become the country’s punching bag when it comes to writing stories about just how bad the economy is. Maybe it all started because we have such great weather and we haven’t had a significant earthquake (one that gets your relatives calling to see if you’re OK) in a while. During January, February and March, the weather on the right coast and in the middle of the country can be downright inclement. Coming out to California to witness our pain gave reporters from elsewhere an opportunity to enjoy some better weather and Disneyland without such long lines.
Now, the media keeps coming back to check in on us. How sweeeet! (Pronounced swe-e-e-e-t) I don’t mean to complain but for some reporters there is only one kind of story: the awful, sad story. Or at least, there is only one way to tell it.
There is no question that times have been tough. My sister lives in Mexico City and they are still trying to recover from the swine flu debacle. No one in the family got the flu, but her business was shut down during the scare and it’s just getting sort-of back to normal now. But, in theory, things are getting better. And, if you’ve been watching, there’s a good chance that your 401K has improved A LOT since March.
As I mentioned before, I have been learning how to invest. One of the things that I do regularly to try and understand what is really going on in the economy is watch some of the CNBC after-market coverage. It has taught me a basic truth. For everyone who tells you that the world is coming to an end, there is someone else who will tell you that things are great and getting better every day… and vice versa. It really is true that for economists there are always two hands. On the one hand… but on the other hand…
What this has taught me is that reality really is in the eye of the beholder. Each of these economists can build a very nice case for why things are awful or why they are great. It is up to the viewer to decide which is real. As I said in Monday’s post, “We choose how we feel about where we are and what is going on… Reality really is relative.”
With that in mind, BouncebackCafe.com would like to help you create a reality which serves you. “Gratitude, the emotion of thankfulness and joy in response to receiving a gift, is one of the essential ingredients for living a good life,” according to Todd Kashdan, Associate Professor of Psychology at George Mason University. So let’s take some time to focus on what we are grateful for. I’m starting the list right here.
- My dog, of course
- Air conditioning – it’s been soooo hot
- The heat – I love the desert, I just want to be able to go back into the AC when I’m too hot
- My car, while filthy, works well (knock wood)
- Good books – my latest are:
- Non-fiction: The Talent Code; My Stroke of Insight
- Fiction: Plum Spooky (Boy, did I laugh! I made so much noise that the dog came into check on me.)
- Free long distance (Skype) lets me talk to my sister in Mexico for hours while paying practically nothing
- My health – generally good
- Hair dye – I will NOT go gray, YET!
- My doggie friends – meaning dogs AND their people
- My birth family
- My adoptive families – my ex in-laws, my former mentor, etc.
- My faith
- My book club
- Living in the good ol’ US of A
- Chocolate
- New things to learn and the ability to learn them
- XM Radio – I started it several years ago and it lets me listen to arcane things like musicals – Oklahoma, Chicago, Curtains, The Color Purple
- The Internet, without which we would miss so many opportunities
- The ability to be of service
- Recorded books from the public library
This list is just some of what makes me feel grateful. What are you grateful for? Add a comment or send me an email at PattiAnn@BouncebackCafe.com The economic recession is OVER!!! Now it’s up to us to end the emotional recession and start fall with a new attitude.
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