In the past week, I have heard the sentence "At least I have a job", especially as the major companies in our area continue to lay people off of their respective workforces.  Seattle's unemployment numbers were nearly at 10% as of last night's radio report, and Seattlites are feeling the pinch.  Regardless, I hate that sentence (Well, at least I have a job.) mostly because everytime I hear it, the tone in the person's voice is both exasperation, despair, and discontent.

So I have to ask, friends, in these bleak hours, why are you grateful?

The Job:

Yeah, okay, so a steady income is seriously useful.  But is it just the job?  It shouldn't be.  For me, I could choose to cut ties with AR and move on to another opportunity, but would it make me happy?  Probably not.  Your job should be engaging, thrilling, and yes, sometimes stressful.  You should be making relationships and bonds that will last in your future networking.  You should have goals, whether you're like me with five long-term projects on your plate, or like Jon, who is working to make AR a great place for real estate professionals.

Your Home:

Many times in down economies, people lose their homes, are forced to move, or have to take on roommates to survive.  As you all know, being in real estate, the best house a person can have is one that they've made their home.  Regardless of the bodies that live under your roof, make sure your home inspires you in some manner.  If you like to cook, make sure your kitchen is up to snuff.  If you're a reader, put your bookshelves near your favorite chair.  if you like to take long, soaking baths, get yourself some bath salts and a candle for those lazy evening hours.

Your Family:

The stress you feel has a weird way of affecting those around you, even if you don't yell, scream, or throw things.  If the economy is stressing you out, make a pact with yourself to leave your money issues at your desk for when you have to go through bills, and spend some quality time doing something fun (and inexpensive) with your family, like playing cards or board games.  Have a 'lights off' night and light a bajillion candles, roast marshmallows in the fireplace, and just enjoy the company of the people you may be forgetting with other things on your mind.

Your Pets:

If you're an animal lover like I am, you know that your animals can sense when you're upset.  I have two cats, and they immediately flock to me the moment I burst into tears (not that I EVER do that...*ahem*), purring and rolling over so I can scratch their tummies.  Stupid cats. (*sniffle*)  In any case, pets are among the many that get neglected or ignored when your mind gets overloaded with things.

Finally, Yourself:

Are you healthy?  It's important to take care of yourself, even when times are tough.  Make sure you're not under-eating or over-eating to compensate for financial issues or to destress, respectively.  I'm a stress-eater, so on the days that Jon gives me eight projects to finish by 5pm, ... yeah... those oreos?  MINE. It's an awful habit, and I don't recommend it.  To help keep you at your very best, make sure you put yourself first.

Why are You Grateful?

I'll give you my list: I have my health and my youth, I live in a nice neighorhood with a relatively low crime rate, my car is whole and working, I have a job that I love and bust my hiney for everyday because of that, I have great friends and awesome coworkers, I have...the Rain (winkwink) -- which is possibly the most useful network I've ever used (shameless plug, I know), I have two kitties who make me feel better when I'm sad, family close by who would drop everything for me, and best of all...most of all, I'm grateful to be independent and able to provide for myself even in tough times.

And so, gentle readers, I pass the torch to you - sit back a moment and reflect about the things that make you happy, the things for which you are so thankful, and the goals and future that lay ahead so long as you just stay on course.