Prosperity

"The return of good times is not wholly a matter of money. There is a prosperity of living which is quite as important as prosperity of the pocketbook... It is not enough to be willing to make the most of things as they are. Resignation will get us nowhere. We must build what amounts to a new country. We must revive the ideals of the founders. We must learn the new values of money. It is a time for pioneering - to create a new security for the home and the family... Where we were specialists in spending, we are becoming specialist in living."
--an editorial from the October 1932 issues of Ladies Home Journal

Incredible, isn't it? That paragraph sounds like it could be part of our new president's speech... Or a call to living, even in the midst of our latest economic crisis... Something that was written in 1932 is still so pertinent, even in our world today!

My hubby and I have recently severely cut back on spending in our own house. My job, as of now, will go to half-time in July. He received a memo yesterday of severe budget cuts starting to filter down in his workplace, too. Life is uncertain right now.

On our nightly walk last night, our discussion focused on what decisions we have to begin making to protect ourselves over the next few months. Do we stop going out with friends? Do we cancel our trip to Ireland and lose some of the money? Do we put a hold on charitable giving? How far do you go to prepare for losing income? How much do you let the "possibilities" weigh on your mind, stifling how you live life?

My words to my hubby echoed the sentiment of the writing from 1932 - we're not giving up. We're keeping our eyes open and our heads up. We're going to be even more responsible with our spending - but we're still going to live. We will find ways to spend time with friends, to give to people worse off than us, and we will laugh and enjoy life as we go. We will live our lives, and not worry our precious gift of life away... Whatever comes our way, we will handle with humor, dignity, and hope. That's just who we are.

I'm kind of looking forward to becoming a "specialist at living!" :)

Many blessings - and prosperity - to you on this Thursday!
Megs

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Frosty, snow-covered trees this morning - BEAUTIFUL!
2. Supportive people at work. :)
3. Good hair day. LOL
4. Excited about preaching on Feb. 1st. (Good topic!)
5. Emmy Early is doing well!
6. A good meeting.
7. Matt Nathanson's song, "All We Are."
8. A "warm" day for a walk - no layers upon layers of clothes!
9. Feeling valued.
10. Thursday is my Friday!

PS: The quote for today was: "I have never been a millionaire. But I have enjoyed a crackling fire, a glorious sunset, a walk with a friend... There are plenty of life's tiny delights for all of us." -- Jack Anthony