Prosperity vs. Poverty... you choose.

I really need to get something off my chest...

So here goes...

PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO STOP SPEAKING POVERTY AND START SPEAKING PROSPERITY... NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

There... I said it.

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I'm not trying to be insensitive to what is happening in the world or with our economy, and I am surely not saying that I have all the money I need, and that the economy isn't affecting our household, because it is...

I just choose to see the positive in it, and I really hate all the scare tactics and doom and gloom talk I hear when I'm out or see on TV or hear on the radio.

Just because all this "stuff" is happening out there, doesn't mean we don't still have choices in our lives.

Yes, gas is stupid high... and yes, I drive a huge SUV. Yes, filling that sucker up costs the budget of an entire third world nation, but I have made that choice consciously. I will not run out and buy a tiny hybrid car when I have a family of 5 and 4 of them do many sports. Not to mention that my 14 yr old is the size of most men now at 5'9" and weighs 160 lbs. Where would I put him in a tiny hybrid... on the roof? Their equipment takes up my entire back of my car.

See, my decision to drive my monster. It's also my decision how much I drive it, where I go in it and etc... There is no sense in complaining about the price of gas for me when I made my choice in what I drive. I just simply have to forgo some creature comforts that I have been used to.

No, this doesn't mean I am rolling over and just being a door mat. We are trying to affect change within our household that will help with the cost of the gas,and will help save our planet at the same time.

We have banished the use of paper plates/paper towels unless absolutely necessary

Only water our garden in the evening.

Only do Laundry every other day

Run all our errands on one day of the week, and rediscover our back yard as a wonderful vacation (staycation) spot.

Collect bottles and cans to free up landfills

No more watering the cement around our pool.

Such a waste. We will use brooms now.

(I find myself cringing now every time I see someone watering their driveway. Cement doesn't grow!)

Wash our cars at car washes, where they use less water, and quite frankly, do a better job.

See? Positive! I never used to do that stuff! I was so behind the times!

Do I hate the state of our economy? Yep. Do I wonder why all of a sudden our gas is ridiculous?

Yep. Do I have a choice to either stay in a state of panic and doom and gloom, or embrace change and affect my own future? Yep!

Make a game of finding inexpensive ways to have fun at home or out. See how much money you can save NOT doing something extravagant and just doing something simple and meaningful!

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Make collages of your hopes and dreams and post them up behind your cabinets doors, so everytime you see them, it can inspire you.

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Take lots of pictures of your kids and family in crazy poses and get ups.

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Have Rock Band or Guitar Hero tournaments with friends and family and have a pot luck!

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Go camping in the back yard! Sleeping under the stars is heavenly!

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Make a CHEAP DATE JAR, and put lots of things to do that don't cost a dime in it,

and pull one out every week, and do that with your honey!

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Okay, I'm outta breath! I'm off my soap box again.

I just get so tired of people running for the hills at the first sign of ANYTHING our gov't

says we are in a "CRISIS". If you have a job, you are ahead of the game.

Be Thankful, Prayerful, and Grateful!

But still have some fun!

Smile!

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is yet to come, today is a GIFT!

THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED

THE PRESENT!