We are undoubtedly in the middle of hard economic times. I’ve heard from a number of readers who are struggling right now. Some of my readers have a husband out of work, while others are out of work themselves. I know some of my readers have had to sell their homes like Taylor in Mrs. Perfect, while others are having to return to the work force for the first time in fifteen years.

When I write about thinking positive thoughts like I did in my last blog, I am not making light of our country’s economic woes, or about the very real loss of homes or lifestyles. I’m actually saying–yes, things are hard, but don’t let the difficult things and sad things define you. Or pull you under.

I know what it’s like to feel as though you’re on a sinking ship. I know what it’s like when you think the ship’s going under and we’re all going down with it, too.

But none of us need to go down on a sinking ship.  We’re strong women. We’re brave women. We’re good swimmers. All of us. Every one of us can swim.

And if you don’t want to swim, get a raft and climb in that. We can drag our men, our kids and dogs and gold fish into the raft, too. And if you meet resistance–your men, kids, or dogs don’t want to be saved?  They want to cling to the sinking ship?  Then save yourself, girl.  You don’t have to go down.  There’s no reason to drown.

Don’t let stuff drag you down.  Don’t let negative news overwhelm  you.  Don’t think you can’t handle life.  You can.  We don’t need stuff.  We don’t need other people’s high opinions.  We don’t need a lot of things, but we do need self-love and a healthy measure of self-respect.

I’m reading a great non-fiction book right now. It’s research for Shey’s story and it’s called On The Texas Frontier: Autobiography of a Texas Pioneer, by Mrs. Henry Beck, and it was written in the 1930’s for her children, about her childhood in Texas, particularly the years during the Civil War and after when deprivation was the rule, and their lives were full of hunger, illness, and danger. These pioneers had so little to eat, and lived in constant threat of Indian attacks, and everything was such a struggle just to put food on the table (and we’re talking dried meat, corn meal and corn husk coffee, not fancy food) that I realize we’ve lost perspective of what’s truly necessary.

We do need shelter but it doesn’t have to be grand. We do need food, but it can be basic.  We do need opportunity, but there is always opportunity. We just have to look for it. And we might have to leave our comfort zone to find it.

But that’s okay. That’s what life is. Life isn’t about being cozy and comfy and cushy all the time. It’s about growing some balls (forgive me) and having some guts and being tough when times call for it.

One of my favorite passages in On The Texas Frontier is when the author shares the advice her father gave her  brothers when they didn’t want to do their chores: “You will never amount to anything sitting down waiting for something.  Don’t wait for the wagon to come and pick you up. Go out to meet it and climb on. Nobody ever pushed a passenger like that off his seat. If you want anything from the world, go out and take it by sheer force of will power and a determination to succeed.” This was advice given in 1873. How cool is that?

Yes, we’re in the middle of hard times, but hard times are just that–hard times. They’re not forever.  They won’t last forever. They’ll test us, for sure, but they’re merely temporary and we can’t let difficult times define us.  We define them.

We must always define them. And we can. And we will. And we do.

To help make the end of the week a little sweeter, I’m giving away three (3) prizes:  a $10 Barnes & Noble gift cards, Victoria Secrets lip gloss, See’s chocolate hearts and lots of fun JP goodies. Just post a comment below by Friday midnight and on Saturday morning I’ll draw the three winner’s names. and share them in the comments section. Tell me how the current economic climate is impacting you.  Are you okay? Or are things a little more stressful than you’d like them?

As many of my friends and long-time readers know, I love the month of February.  February is my personal month, the month I just love best.  It may be due to Valentine’s Day and the associated colors–reds and pinks and luscious corals–or the fact that it’s the shortest month of the year, or the gorgeous bulb flowers that begin to bloom, or that it’s my birthday month and I’m quite proud of being an Aquarius (we are apparently mad or brilliant, or a little of both…).  Regardless of the reason, it’s a month that always cheers me and I enjoy it, and celebrate it, to the fullest.  Which will mean lots of fun contests this month here.  As well as lots of positive thoughts.

And speaking of positive thoughts, I’ve had two different reminders pop up on my desk today that reinforce how important our thoughts are.

I keep this quote on my desk right next to my computer screen:  “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  What we think we become.”  Buddha

Negative begets negative.  Sadness creates sadness.  Energy, courage and hope give rise to more energy, courage and hope.  That’s not to say we can’t get blue or feel low or be tired.  But we have to realize it’s not a permanent thing, but a passing mood that we want to help send on its way so that we can feel better things.

And then this morning, I got an email from a favorite website devoted to artists, writers and creative types (www.talentdevelop.com) and they always have fascinating quotes and insights into creativity and life and I loved this quote from Jack Canfield’s work: 

“Your thoughts are not just wispy little clouds drifting through your head. Your thoughts are things.

They are actually measurable units of energy. Thoughts are biochemical electrical impulses. They are waves of energy that, as far as we can tell, penetrate all time and space.

Your thoughts are powerful.

They are real, they are measurable, they are energy.”

When I think back over the weekend and my bit of blues I can see now it was fear, as well as physical fatigue.  The baby is very wanted but the baby will change everything.  Change is something I embrace, but it also can be scary.  Change represents the unknown, and the unknown can be stressful.  But change also represents life.  Growth.  Possibility. 

Maybe that’s why I love February with its Valentine’s Day in the middle, or heart, of the month, and the burst of flower blooms and the promise of spring. February represents change and life and love.

I vow right here and right now not to be afraid of the changes coming. Instead of approaching the coming year with fear and anxiety, I will be hopeful and brave, excited and optimistic. There’s no room for fear, no time for regrets. Life is so short–like the month of February–and it’s to be lived, fully, joyfully, completely.

To celebrate my ‘no fear, no worrying’ vow, I’m giving away a In The Pink pampering prize package–everything’s pink and lovely and coming up roses for one lucky winner. The prize includes a princess tote bag, a gorgeous white lily, jasmine, and Moroccan rose and pear scented candle, a copy of Beth Kendrick’s The Pre-Nup, pink lip gloss, a pink Starbucks drink card, a pink $15 Barnes & Noble gift-card, Valentine chocolates, and lots of JP goodies. My In The Pink contest will run through Wednesday night midnight and I’ll post the winner’s name Thursday morning. How to enter? Just post in the comment section below.

As Buddha reminds us, what we think, we become. So let’s become peaceful and joyful and strong.