When You Change The Way You Look At Things..The Things You Look At Change.

    In light of recent viewing of my situation and that of the people I live around, I realize the need for some kind of advice or maybe word of encouragement. I woke up everyday hoping today will be that lucky day when I get a call for employment. I am seeking a job desperately and can not seem to find one anywhere regardless of the more than fifty applications and resumes submitted in the past 3 weeks. I worry about bills, doctor visits, and many other things (OFTEN) and it was weighing me down so badly that I couldn't think right or even do anything productive. I sought relief in the bottom of quite a few liquor bottles (the cheap crap cause I couldn't afford the good stuff ) and drowned my thoughts in 9 seasons of Law and Order SVU and 12 seasons of King of the Hill. One day when the internet got disconnected I was able to think and worry was the first thing to jump in my head! I was so disgusted, stressed, worried, and angry all the time. 

    That's when I realized something has got to change. I thought to myself "WHAT CAN I DO MORE THAN WHAT I AM ALREADY DOING?" and realized that I have been doing all the right things about employment and bills but THE ECONOMY JUST PLAIN SUCKS. So I dug a little deeper and came up with a plan. I wanted to share it with you.

   You see, I am not alone in this. All the people I know are going through so much and they are misplacing there frustrations and stress. Families are breaking up, people are not getting to the doctor like they should, some aren't even having one square meal a day, most can't find a job, and I see it building up to a giant angry volcano of the lava of despair!

     That's when I decided to change my world. That's right CHANGE MY WORLD! I think that if people were able to see past the bad situations we face then we might be able to see all the good things. I believe in the power of positive thought and the law of attraction. The things we focus on are what we will draw into our lives. I decided to try to see my situation through the eyes of a starving child with A.I.D.S. living in a dump in Africa or some poor country. I saw that even though I may not have the extra money to see a doctor right away or the funds to keep the extra luxuries I so desire, I do have food, I have power, I have friends, I have two vehicles, I have lots of things MANY do not. I saw that this experience I am going through will not kill me and nothing can take my loved ones from me so... why am I worried? It wasn't but a little over a hundred years ago (or less) that people lived their lives with no power or running water or air conditioning or cars..yet they were by far a happier and healthier population (for the most part). I decided to try to see the good in every day I face and to try to put out positive vibes to everyone I meet and know. When I see a homeless person I don't look the other way anymore. I try to give a little something to help them out. Yes, I agree that many of them got that way by making poor choices in life but dang it SOME OF EM DIDN'T! It was cold out one day and I saw a homeless man walking through the parking lot toward a bridge and sent 5 bucks to him with my son. That way he could have a coffee or hell who cares..get him a beer! I mean that may be crazy but in that moment I was humbled to the core.This old man didn't go buy a beer or cigarettes. he went into the restaurant I was at spent it all on warm coffee, a burger and a potato. I thought about it for a second and realized that ..well.. that could be me in that situation and my life is awesome in comparison to his! 

     I don't know why I wrote this hub. I guess it was to make everyone aware that material things are just things and can be gotten back. And loosing a bunch of stuff isn't all that bad. I mean, if you have it all, then what is there to look forward to gaining? It might even be a thrill to see how fast a person can get things back. And, we get the excitement of the thing we lost being a NEW THING we gained and we get the satisfaction of getting to earn it twice. What an accomplishment..right? And all would agree when I say "The best THINGS in life AREN'T THINGS. So enjoy the time off from work. Hell, take up a new hobby that don't require money. Go see relatives that you never got the time to go see before. You know... when you were a slave to the system (working jobs that you hate for the stuff you don't NEED). Stoke up new friendships. Invest in people. The payback is far far far better than a paycheck any way you look at it. You could be dying of A.I.D.S at the age of five, living in the sewer or an alley, eating only the filth you find in the dump! 

    I have found that people who are angry all the time are very dissatisfied with life and nobody can stand to be around those people either. Look in the mirror, are you one of those bitter people? If so, then maybe you should reassess the situation and make it a point to think and talk more positive. Remember.. YOU CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH YOU ARE SURROUNDED WITH!!!! 

    After I did that, my life has changed. See, I no longer get sick to my stomach with fear, anxiety, anger, worry, stress, dissatisfaction, or anything like that. I simply remind my self that I may loose a lot of MATERIAL CRAP that I worked so hard to get, I may not be able to have the latest technology, and I may not wear the most expensive things right now...But my day will come again. And until then..I can learn something new from this very experience and I HONESTLY APPRECIATE THAT!! I want to grow from every experience in life. This is surely one way to learn budgeting, appreciating nature (since it is free), taking time for friends and family, and helping others. I see a little clearer that life is bigger than a new laptop, a latest cd, or a bunch of cash, and well I kinda like this life better. I may never get driven by MATERIAL CRAP again. The modest life works well for me. I have more time to think, feel, and appreciate life and the people in it more. I guess that is about all I have to say about this right now. If you are going through things too then don't let it eat you up inside, don't fear, and remember... LIFE IS BIGGER THAN WE KNOW! Enjoy it and the specific moments we enjoy everyday. And if you need a friend..I'M HERE AND WOULD LOVE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT AS I AM or those who have been there and are on the other side now. Leave me a message if you want to chit chat or email :) 

   Don't Worry...Be Happy!