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Thanks For Spring

Monday, March 16th, 2009 by Alyice

This is winter in South Dakota. Very beautiful to look at and fun to visit. But to live in this for five to six months out of the year—that can be a bit too much!

These are the beautiful birds that flew home—letting me know that spring is just around the corner!

And this morning, as I was painting in my studio, I heard a flock of geese fly overhead. Yes, spring is upon us and I couldn’t be happier. I love everything about spring: new life, pastel colors, freshly cut grass, the smell of flowers, the amazing aromas that come from cooking outdoors, the chirping of birds early in the morning, and the ability to go outside without layers upon layers of clothing!

So today, I shout unto the world, “Thank you Mother Earth for Spring!”

Give thanks…

Posted in It's Gratitude, Dude!, SD Transplant | 2 Comments »

Thanks For The Job

Monday, March 9th, 2009 by Alyice

When my husband’s hours got cut to part-time back in January and his health insurance was changed to an $8,000 family deductible, I was devastated. My husband, however, was grateful he still had a job in an economy where jobs are scarce. Personally, I couldn’t see being grateful to a company who laid off employees and cut back hours only to turn around and hire a president and a few other upper management positions. It was like a slap in the face. It was as if the owner had laid off x number of people and cut benefits in order to pay for the new salaries. Shortly thereafter, the existing employees were asked to complete twice as much work in half the time.

I wanted my husband to look for a new job because quite frankly, in the workforce he can command double the hourly rate that I can command. Yet, my husband was determined to stick it out. He liked his job, he had respect for the owner and wanted to believe that the decisions made were for the betterment of the company as a whole, and he liked and got along well with his co-workers. On top of that, he was (is) good at his job.

Fast forward a few months.

My magazine/publishing business has nearly plummeted thanks to the economy and I’m struggling to get my art business off ground floor. If it weren’t for my freelance writing business, I’d be beside myself with worry. Add to that, the fact that in our area alone, several companies have folded leaving hundreds—if not thousands—of employees without work. Nearly half the businesses here are cutting back on hours or laying off employees. We have a ratio of 700 applicants to 1 single job. Many applicants are asking for both part-time and full-time work and are willing to work 2 and 3 part-time jobs just to make ends meet.

Needless to say, I am now grateful that my husband has his job—despite the poor health insurance and the fewer hours. And I am grateful that he had the foresight to appreciate what he had (has) when I couldn’t; especially since a good attitude on the job is vital in this economy!

In an economy filled with uncertainty and loss, it’s easy to get caught up in the negatives, to get caught up in the worrying, to stress about the future, and to feel angry about losing everything you’ve worked so hard for. Believe me, I know. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. And I’m here to tell you that a negative, “woe is me” attitude does not help the situation—in fact, it makes matters worse.

I’m ashamed to admit it but I’ve had to work really hard to keep a “stiff upper lip” and hold my head up high during these troubling times. There have been days that it has taken every ounce of my being to look at my life and see something positive—to find peace in the storm.

I am sure that my seasonal depression has contributed to this, but still…I’m used to everything working itself out as long as I, or my husband, work hard and put our faith in the right place. Unfortunately, in times like these, hard work and faith isn’t always enough—some things are simply beyond our control.

So today, I’m working really hard at not letting the circumstances of our economy drown me in a sea of despair. I am choosing to see the possibilities—no matter how small or distant they may appear. And I am choosing to be happy at all costs. Won’t you join me?

Give thanks…

Posted in It's Gratitude, Dude! | 2 Comments »

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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