“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.” - William Allen White

I don’t know about you, but I am refusing to buy into the ‘doom and gloom’ reporting that I’m hearing constantly on the news these days. Frankly I’m choosing to see the positive side of these changing economic times and I’m actually embracing some of them.

Before you start thinking that I’ve lost it, think about this. Things had gotten way out of hand in government, business, and economy regarding greed, ethics, materialism and power. Values and value based leadership had become a second class citizen. In my opinion, this is a much needed course correction and wake-up call. It is a time to take a look at where you were going before things got so off track. It is getting back to basics – an opportunity to get back to what’s really important to you in your life like – your integrity, compassion, honesty, and core values. And that ain’t all bad!

I choose to take this change as an opportunity to learn, grow, and reconnect to myself and others. If you are going to read the newspaper or listen to the news, I challenge you to start looking for the positive things you see instead of focusing on the doom and gloom.

Here are some of the great things I see happening as a result of this so-called recession.

Sales galore on everything from clothes to cars. I went shopping last weekend and picked up several bargains. That’s my kind of shopping.

Getting back to basics.

I see people cutting out time wasters and mind-numbing activities and opting for quality family and ‘me’ time once again. Simple pleasures such as family game night on a Friday night with their children, or sharing a special Sunday pot-luck dinner with friends is happening in a lot of homes in our country. This is one of my favorite things to do – have friends over for dinner. I remember those simpler days when every Sunday the family got together at Grandma’s. People actually had face to face, real conversations with one another, and some of those occurred over the dinner table at night. Imagine that. Try it - you just might like it.

High touch beats high tech any day!

Yes, I know that most of you entrepreneurs are trying to get more clients, but what about taking this slower pace to foster more long term sustainable relationships with the clients you already have? Give them more individualized attention or offer them a free bonus to show them just how much you appreciate their business. Now is the perfect time to give them more value - to let them know how much they matter and that you are in it for the long haul.

Landing the job you’ve always wanted instead of mourning the one you lost.

Have you lost your job due to corporate downsizing and are bemoaning the fact you no longer work for Company X? This might be one of the best opportunities that you’ve had handed to you in a long, long time. Stop and think for a moment about that so-called job. How many hours were you working each week - 50 - 60? How stressed out were you always trying to live up to someone else’s expectations? Or did you just flat out hate your job and wish you were anywhere else in the world besides at your desk every single tedious day of the work week? Well, now’s your chance to get out there and follow your passion! Have you always wanted to be your own ‘boss’ and run your dream company? Go for it! Take a leap of faith and do what YOU want to do because frankly corporate America doesn’t owe you anything! There is no such thing as ‘job security’ when you work for someone else, so take a risk and get going on doing whatever makes you happy. There is definitely wisdom in the old saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.”

Accepting responsibility for your own happiness.

This falls back on the word ‘accountability’ and your own attitude is what’s going to enable you to withstand any obstacle that these times are going to throw in your path. You can withdraw and hide in a corner closet or you can embrace everything that you have NOW and quit bemoaning what you had in the past. Show gratitude daily for the simple things in life such as good health, a loving partner, and your existing clients that enable you to put food on your table and a roof over your head. And on those days when you can’t find anything positive, be grateful that you are alive. Only you have the power to change your mindset to embrace positivity and reject negativity.

Try the following exercise for two weeks and see how much your life and attitude will improve. For the next 14 days before you go to bed at night, write down 5 simple things that you are grateful for in a journal. Celebrate them and be thankful for them. I can guarantee you that within 14 days your outlook and your life will take a positive turn, and you’ll find yourself looking inward for happiness instead of looking outwards for ‘things’ to make your life worthwhile.