What’s next?
by Connie Pierce
This is a difficult time of year for many. It would seem that everything is costing more and taxes are going up. Not much out there to help people meet their growing obligations. This can seem overwhelming and depressing.
Can we do anything about it? I certainly would like to change the outcome on our tax returns but short of that I’ve decided to be grateful. I’m grateful for our accountant who has worked for us for several years and does a great job at a reasonable fee. I’m grateful that I can pay my taxes. I’m grateful that our returns are an honest representation of our lives. It boils down to just being grateful.
It seems that once the holidays end and the new year begins, things seem to spiral down. January seems gloomy – a letdown from all the busyness and fun surrounding holiday time. February starts people focusing on corporate taxes as well as personal. It seems like it takes till May to begin to look forward to summer. However for some with gas prices so high they are reconsidering vacation plans. Then we head into fall and preparations for school and lastly holidays again! Wow…I just went through 2011 in one short paragraph.
Okay since today is all that we tangibly have we may need to stop focusing on what is ahead and live more for right this minute. I have health; I can walk, talk and have a wonderful family to love. That should be enough. Today is another opportunity to relish this and make every minute a celebration of these facts.
Start making a gratitude list and focusing on it. This will help you if you are struggling with weight issues or other problems. Be grateful you can read this article (whether you like it or not!). We have a tendency to underestimate the power of being grateful and looking with optimism vs. pessimism. Are you viewing the glass as half-empty or half-full? If you want to change your view, you must change your thinking. We can make a big difference for ourselves by being willing to change how we think or view life. It isn’t as complicated as you may think.
Today, decide you are going to be positive about ONE thing! Start simple – but start, and you will soon see that progress is being made for yourself and those around you. It is amazing how a change in attitude affects everything around us. Just remember a change means you are actively doing something to make your life better. Changing how we think is translated into more responsible and accountable action. We can then respond that whatever is next we will be prepared.
