Friday, February 27, 2009

Don't Forget about What You Do Have

Everyday I seem to read another article, or hear another news piece about desperate people in the news. People are losing their jobs, which often means losing their insurance and yes, even their homes. For some it comes quickly, before they even know what's happening. For others, they watch everything they work for gradually slipping away.

Whichever way it happens, there's no question that it's stressful. It's no secret that one of the main fights in a marriage, which can often lead to divorce, is about money. And in this bad economy, I'm just hoping our already high divorce rate doesn't sky rocket even higher.

If you've experience jobloss, or a paycut, and are finding yourself fighting more with your spouse, make an effort to stop. I found a great article with some insight on this issue on ehow by joni04: http://www.ehow.com/how_4804454_other-neither-one-of-working.html

Times are tough and, yes, too many people are losing a lot, but many of them still have a lot, too. Don't take it for granted if you have a spouse by your side, standing by you you through this hard time (it was for better or for worse, right?).

Don't take it for granted if you have a loving and supportive family, doing their best to be with you in your troubled time. This family I speak of can include close friends who would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it.

Don't take it for granted if you have a child, or children, who look up to you, and don't care if you're feeling like a failure--for them, you are the most important person in their world. They're learning from you how to be an adult. You want to show them the best way to deal with the worst situations.

So often we lash out at the ones we love. Why? Perhaps it's because we feel safer with them than anyone else. If you bottle up all of your fears and put on a happy face for the outside world, you might find yourself exploding on your family at home when it all becomes too much.

Your family loves you unconditionally, and that's no small gift. I often find myself thinking that I don't know what I would do without my family around me. They lift me when no one else can. They love me at my worst, and they support me without question. I think that kind of love and loyalty deserves payment in kind.

If you find yourself becoming so angry, you're lashing out at the ones you love, find someone you can talk to. If you do have an insurance plan, many of them offer some kind of counseling services over the phone for free. Also, don't be afraid to talk to your close friends, and especially your spouse, about your fears. They might be able to help you come up with a plan, but even if they can't, talking about it can help you vent some of that stress in a good and calm way.

You could also talk to someone from your church. The church I attend encourages its members to come in and talk whenever we need to. Most churches have this same policy.

If you don't feel like you want to talk to someone at the moment, but still need to vent, try writing. Sometimes putting your thoughts down on paper is an excellent release. It can also help you clear your thoughts, and possibly help you come up with a new plan.

Please don't act out of desperation. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out for help. Don't do anything you might regret later. Believe me when I say that there are people out there who understand what you're going through. And no matter what you may think right now, things can always be worse, so try to remember the blessings you do have in your life.

Don't lose hope. Don't lose faith. Keep your loved ones close and don't hesitate to ask for help.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the great post. Most people are going through a tough time right now and are looking for ways to cope.

    ReplyDelete