Social Commentary
Negative Nancy
July/06/2010 01:14 PM
by Nicole Hanratty
Summer is a happy time. Family vacations, fun shopping sales, quiet mornings, strolls in the mall, sports, blockbuster movies, surfing, engaging books, evening strolls, long nights and meals that put joy above function.
Right now in Southern California we are experiencing long cool mornings that stretch through 2:00 in the afternoon when hot summer temperatures peak for a few welcome hours to ripen the tomato plants and then recede with the tide in time for a sunset cocktail in the back yard.
These idyllic summer days with this relieving weather are as welcoming as a glass of iced tea on porch swing.
Yet... News of a double-dip recession, joblessness rates rising, mortgage struggles abounding, and budget woes afflicting folks in every tax bracket overshadow the vacations and what should be memorable summer days. Life can get bleary and keeping perspective on what keeps us motivated can become more challenging than qualifying for a mortgage modification.
As a mom, it can be difficult to enjoy swimming with the kids when you know you need to have a job lined up come September when the children return to the classroom. As a father, decompressing on vacation can be nearly impossible when you are stretching just to pay for the holiday entertainment and are worried that you may return home to find your income source has been cut.
Yet...it is still summer, the weather is unbeatable (unless you are in Manhattan), and worrying changes nothing but the tread marks on your face.
Send Negative Nancy packing and reclaim your summer. Keeping these suggestions in mind, try to redefine your focus and let positivity come in with the sunshine.
Suggestions to Regain Positivity
Naysaying and negativity are easy to wake up with when you take them to bed. Put your worries to rest before you go to sleep and end the day with a smile, a laugh, a prayer, or a new goal for tomorrow. Read More...
