Is Your Life In the Dumper?

Depending on age and location, current times may be the most difficult you’ve ever seen. I have a good friend who works high-end retail on commission. Could you imagine working the hours dealing with the stress of retail the 2 weeks before Christmas, usually her most profitable of the year, for less than $400 total pay?

I know some of you have much deeper pain yet. Layoffs, increased work loads, stress overload, plummeting sales, and mounting bills all increase family tension and strain relationships.

So, how do we deal with the extraordinary hardships that go on in times like these? Take care of yourself first. It isn’t selfish either, but smart. It will mean digging deeply for strength and doing what is really difficult. My retail friend is going to work with a smile and positive attitude. How? Choices! Difficult? Absolutely! Possible? Only with the right mindset.

You also will have choices that will be the difference makers. Starting with accepting what is. See, I told you it would be tough. You can’t change what has happened no matter how unfair. Maybe life “should be” different according to your way of thinking, and you’re probably right, but it still doesn’t change anything. Move into acceptance

Once you accept your life as it is, then forgive those who hurt you. They are not after you personally, just trying to survive in a world where the game has changed. They may not be very smart about it, but that will be their problem. Forgiveness is principally for you. You can’t dump your hurt and anger without first forgiving. Do it for you and for them. (Learn more http://thepracticaldisciple.blogspot.com/2009/01/wipe-2008-dust-off-of-your-feet.html

The only way to move ahead and provide yourself the best opportunities possible is to do so with the most positive and uplifting attitude possible. Get your past out of your way. Dump the anger for good and don’t drag it into your future. The only person it hurts is you and why pay more of a price than you already are.

You can only think about one major theme at a time. You can choose to think on all that is wrong in your life and the misery you are experiencing. Or, you can accept life, forgive, and focus on what opportunities, as small as they might be, that the world is offering you. Focus on what can be, not on what isn’t. Focus on what is good already. Count your blessings every single day and you’ll experience internal and external benefits.

These steps are all very difficult and won’t be accomplished in one try. Don’t give up. Becoming sincerely positive in this negative world is what can and will set you apart from your competition, heal your past, and create your future.