5 Ways To Be Happy in a Recession

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You may think That a vibrant often called a computer brain would be upset because she can not remember what she has read five minutes before,but taht is not so.
Every day I thank God because I am alive. I realized that with my jobs I was not able to vacation because I was too busy. Then my husband was laid off and I did not have to worry about insurance because I have medicare. Then I worried about dental insurance but found out that I could get dental insurance for just $14 a month. So far I consider myself very lucky. Of course this a bonus for my husband, I am an avid reader but since I forget what I have read, he can wrap it up for my birthday , anniversary and Christmas I will thank him for getting a new book. We have taken 3 weeks vacations in Europe I have rehavilitated myself to re-learn 4 languages. I do not know how this is possible because I cannot remember much else.

Mayra Olafson of CT 1:09PM March 28, 2009

One way to stay happy during hard times is to count your blessings. Sure, our national net worth has dropped by 18%, but given our affluence relative to other parts of the world, we are still, as a whole, doing ok.
To help myself stay focused on the positive aspects of life, I've started to jot down three good things each day. Mostly, these are small things that bring me joy or make me smile, even if only for a moment or two. They rarely involve spending large sums of money, but they remind me of how lucky I am in many, many ways.
Check out my list at http://three-good-things.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think!

Victoria of NY 11:35AM March 13, 2009

Every individual has unique needs that when satisfied leads to a sense of well being, contentment and a degree of happiness. Some seek monetary and materialistic things to validate their self-worth and degree of happiness - thereby becoming boats that bob up and down with economic waves. Others seek comforts, status, recognition, affiliation, or affection, etc. Too many motivations to list here - and would still be incomplete. As for suggestions mentioned in this article, I followed the advice to 1) take care of myself as I'm getting over the flu; 2) Be more charitable - I give to Christian Childrens Fund, but gave one of my sisters money to help her through this period of unemployment; 3) I treated myself to cake and ice cream... but gotta watch my border line cholesterol; 4) I'm already too deeply invested in a "significant other" relationship to do anything else but to ride it out, and 5) Focus on what you're grateful for... one of my rabbits has a wry neck and was getting weak, losing weight and was stumbling like a drunk. I took her to the vet with the thought that she would likely have to be euthanized to put her out of her misery. But she has responded well to antibiotics and except for her wry neck, she seems to be doing fine. I've very grateful for that, and watching her interact with her two bunnies warms my heart... these rabbits exhibit so many human emotional qualities.

Tony Lee of CA 11:00AM March 10, 2009

Look, I've been living in the N.E. Region for a long time. And so it seems the older you get the more responsibility you take on. To a certain extent, of course, and theres a price tag on everything, look, just about EVERYTHING. Hey we got businessmen around here breaking the law to make money and or the equivalent everyday-- INCREDIBLE.

CharlieCC. of PA 11:11AM March 08, 2009

1) Select cabinet members who are not tax cheats.
2) Preclude new Attorney Generals from calling nation 'cowards'.
3) At least in the beginning, adhere to promises made regarding doing away with earmarks and the like in federal budgets.
4) Cease from talking down business, and trying to make successful enterprises the enemy!
5) Do not use tax payer money to bail out individuals who were not disciplined enough to think through personal financial obligations before committing to same.
6) Stop blaming the current situation on your predecessor when your own party has had both bodies of Congress for the past two year -- WHICH YOU WERE A MEMBER!
7) Deal more with substance rather than style.
8) If in charge, take charge -- and that includes engaging the Speaker of the House.
9) LISTEN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO THINK THEY ARE SAYING, BUT, WHAT THEY ARE SAYING!!

PappyHappy of GA 5:10PM March 07, 2009

Decent jobs for decent people.
Good schools to keep kids off the streets.
To be able to buy Chevy and Ford pickups.
To not have to put bankers and politicians in jail.
To not see people lose homes because of phony mortgages.
To have the world like America again.

Leonel Ceniceros of TX 1:27AM March 07, 2009

There was a popular Jamaican song with lyrics that sang, "Don't worry, be happy." When I lose my job in this bad economy (yes, I can see the writing on the wall), I hope to maintain an optimistic perspective as in the song. But then again, Jamaicans have the highest unemployment rate in North America... so maybe there's nothing left to do but look up and not worry about things they can't seem to change. It's a good thing in California medical marijuana is legal. I may have to take a hit or too when that time comes.

Idy Gaff of CA 6:18PM March 04, 2009

The most stressful periods of my life were:
1. Simultaneous lay-off from work (during probationary status) resulting in impending default of home loan that caused marital distress and financial anxieties - resulting in bankruptcy.
2. Resignation from job due to conflict with boss and taking on another job that paid only half what I was earning so I couldn't afford the rent and my new daughter that was added to our family (one son) this resulted in marital distress, financial anxieties and eventually bankruptcy #2. We had to move in with my in-laws. How fun was that? Swallowed lots of pride.
3. Being fired from a job (restructuring and elimination of position) because the boss wanted to hire his girlfriend who had completed her masters degree and internship program. This resulted in more of the same anxieties. Though I could have declared bankruptcy again, I borrowed money and went back to work on a masters degree while teaching school part-time as a substitute.
I was treated for anxiety due to my financial collapse, then later due to teaching situations... too much testing and misbehavior directed at substitute teachers and students know there's really nothing subs can do about it, except never to return to those schools where they were mistreated.
Most jobs suck. But it sucks more to be without a paycheck. However, I enjoyed the beach and short inexpensive trips to the park, foothills and movie matinées while I was not working for yet another insensitive and insecure Type A boss (who are unfortunately in abundance). There's no clear ideal way to get through life... not even at the end. We do the best we can for the situation, and usually look back with relief that we got through a rough period with our wits about us.

Tony Lee of CA 6:10PM March 04, 2009

I think if you have your health you are onr of the richest persons alive.

Mary Cuny of IL 1:58PM March 03, 2009

Very true article.
Teach your children wisely about money, and even if you have it do not get them everything
thet want.
USE ONLY WHAT YOU HAVE.
In these days of credit cards it is too easy to go way over board and SINK.

MAGEE of MI 12:59PM March 03, 2009