We’re living in a whole new social and economic landscape these days. Many of our expectations about life and what our society has to offer us were upended when our economy was rocked by the stocked market crash of 2008 and the long and wearying recession that followed it.
Is it over? Are we there yet? Is the recovery really on its way? It depends on who you ask. Corporate earnings are up, yet the news reports of ongoing unemployment are daunting. We’re living in a time of change and transformation in our society and it’s having a major impact on careers and how we live our lives.
How can we deal effectively with the kind of unprecedented changes we are now being asked—forced—to deal with? Staying positive and healthy in the face of daunting economic news is one of the biggest challenges facing many of us today. In the midst of a major economic downturn, however, it’s critical that we remain positive and strong, in order to deal with the many changes coming our way.
How do we stay strong? Practice gratitude. In the book, ‘The Prosperity Plan,’ author and self-help coach Laura Fortgang advises anyone struggling with financial issues to practice a meditation of gratitude. Fortgang advises waking up every morning and making a list of at least three things to be grateful for in our lives—no matter what. This simple practice can be life changing, as looking at the events in our lives from a positive standpoint of gratitude can transform our attitudes and feelings about what is happening. This action in itself can manifest change in our lives, our health and our careers.
