It’s almost been a year since DH was laid off with no warning and no severance. Our family has spent the last year in survival mode, living off our food storage and cutting out the few simple perks we enjoyed. I really hoped – and believed – that by this one year anniversary, everything would be back to normal and our family could start living again.
Apparently not.
In the last few months, our family has moved from unemployed to underemployed, leaving us still short 50% of our previous income and with most of the challenges we’ve had all year. For whatever reason, the Lord still has lessons for our family to learn from this experience and so we stay.
And while I can’t change much of our situation, I can change my attitude and outlook.
I can choose…
to have a happy, full life for me and my family right now instead waiting for normal return.
I can choose …
to give thanks for what I have and and trust that the Lord has blessed me the the talent and strength to rock what I got.
I can choose…
to face this next year or two or ten and see this unwelcomed change in our family’s fortunes as our greatest adventure yet.
I Choose To Thrive.
I created to this blog to remind myself just how blessed I really am, that necessity really is the mother of invention and that not being able to run to the store and buy something new and full price may just be the best thing to ever happened.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll share your ideas on how you choose to thrive as well.
15 Comments
We're facing the same thing. Hubby went from a good, solid manufacturing job with decent benefits to unemployment to waiting tables, all in the span of 18 months. But we're making it, by the skin of our teeth. : )
I am in LOVE with your blog. It's inspiring to see someone in a similar situation choose to THRIVE instead of just taking a nosedive (that'd be too easy). My husband and I switched roles two years ago. We both ended up in "entry-level" roles, me in my first job fresh out of college and him changing diapers of our first child. For me never having worked a "real" job and him never having been around kids, we're both are doing great! Sure, there are funny stories as how we both learn to do things in different ways, but it works!
Anna-Marie
You're an inspiration! I wish you and your family well.
Love, love your attitude. God will use that attitude to speak to many who read your blog. I'm enjoying poking around in the corners.
"not being able to run to the store and buy something new and full price may just be the best thing to ever happened."
wow. in terms of wisdom and insight- I'd say you're pretty wealthy! Your crafting skills aren't too shabby either!
I have read this twice…and cried both times. You are my inspiration! And I have only half the amount of kids you do! These words are more powerful than you know. I LOVE your blog!
I just came across your blog and I love your outlook! Bravo. I've been thinking (for quite some time) about working with what I have instead of buying more, but have been unable to commit. What if I NEED something I don't have?! You've inspired me to give it a try. Thanks!
Wow – My Husband and I are small business owners and 2010 was not a pretty year for us as well. We have been forced to live on 25% of our income and had a new baby #3 with no insurance and then had new baby in hospital for two weeks. So needless to say the medical bills arent helping….and I find myself feeling really negative lately. Please know that God led me to your site to give me a quick kick in the rear to grow up and choose to thrive as well!! STOP SNIVELING! Thanks so much….good luck and I LOVE your site! :0)
Lady, you rock! Way to go…I have also found that not being able to buy new stuff is probably the best thing that ever happened to us. (similar situation…hubby laid off…now he's going back to school and the unemployment payments end in May) Not that I don't occasionally hyperventilate when I contemplate the bills, but we are thriving, we are so blessed. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
Amen sister, living in similar circumstances we have found so much to learn from this experience and I don't want to ever go back to the old way of living. Realizing how easy it can be to live on much less has been a blessing in disguise. Just found your blog and I am loving it!
I just found you through Ucreate. You are truly inspiring and I love your ideas. Your post on loving your home brought tears to my eyes. Keep your chin up and may the Lord Continue to bless you. Thanks for the positive attitude.
Grace
Thank you. I have spent the last couple of years trying to figure out how to survive. My sweetheart of 20 years, due to car accident, has become unable to function in almost any capacity due to pain. We have 2 wonderful girls and a baby boy who miss daddy playing and spending time together. We have gone from well- off healthy college graduates with an excellent jobs to having to apply for disability and learning some lessons on pride, faith and letting our ward family help. Which has been a bit painful, so when I saw your site I thought this is so what I need. I appreciate your work.
Nike, thanks for sharing your journey and inspiring us all to Rock What We've Got! I'm your newest follower and I LOVE your attitude!
I started a blog back in April with the same premise! Thanks for sharing your journey! I found you on pinterest (looking for something to make with my oatmeal containers). Thanks again!
I really appreciate what you have to say about your house and not taking care of it because it's not what you want. We are in that situation right now and when I read what you wrote, it really put words to what I was feeling. I am now motivated to make where we are the heaven on earth it's supposed to be. Thanks so much!