Job Loss and Taxes
I talked with a woman yesterday who recently discovered she’s losing her job. Most of the people I know, myself included, would be panicky and resentful in response to such devastating news. She, however, is choosing to view her circumstances as an invitation to act on a dream she’s long deferred, going back to school. While losing her job is distressing, it also flings the door of opportunity wide open.
Reframing, looking at something from a different angle, is a resiliency skill this woman obviously has in spades. She knows that while she doesn’t always have control over what happens, she alone determines her attitude and response. While anger and frustration may still rear their ugly heads, she is human after all, her choice to find and focus on the positive frees her to tackle problems head on and to create a future she’s excited about.
In the unlikely event you’ve forgotten, tomorrow is tax day, April 15. While I’m used to getting a refund, this year I owe additional taxes. Ouch. Having told myself the truth throughout the year, I knew I’d owe money and prepared. A much better choice than if I’d buried my head in the sand while hoping for a different outcome.
The way I see it, I get two choices as I part with my hard earned money. Get resentful or focus on the positive. The constant is that I will write a check to Uncle Sam. I choose to focus on the fact that if I owe additional taxes, it means I made more money this year. That’s good!
No, I’m not Pollyanna, and yes, I would greatly prefer to hang on to my money. At the same time, “rendering unto Caesar, that which is Caesar’s” is part of good citizenry and accompanies the privilege of living in this country.
What challenges are facing you today? How can you reframe them so that you can best position yourself to move through them victoriously? As you master the skill of finding and focusing on the positive, your energies are free for problem solving and moving forward. You, those you love and your dreams are worth the effort.
About Me
- Sherene McHenry, Ph.D., LPC
- Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States
- Sherene works with organizations who want their members to develop healthier relationships and be more effective on a daily basis. To find resources and view a clip of Sherene speaking about Your Dream At Risk, go to http://www.fullyengaged.us.
www.fullyengaged.us
If you're looking for a speaker for an upcoming event or are interested in having more confidence, more control, more focus and ultimately a path and plan for generating more fulfillment visit fullyengaged.us.
1 comment:
The Mysterious Power of Dreams: dreams have been an important part of living my entire life. Sleep dreams and those that are consciously created are mysteriously powerful.
As I read this topic and the preceeding one I was inspired to think hard about perception and perspective. Like dreams, they are powerful in influences in my life. I thought age would improve my ability to utilize both. In some ways it has but age has taken a serious toll on my dreams, both kinds.
Conscious and intentional adjustment of perception and perspective, focusing my internal lense, can effect great change of belief and then direction, negative or positive.
It's a skill that can be better developed through careful practice. Still, without ample inspiration and motivation, what ever gets done? what we value most usually determines motivation to a point.
I'm asking myself if i value my life enough to once again dream and hope for a better me and future. My perception of age and being "old" needs to change and I'm blessed to have a few great people in my life to inspire and encourage this. I'm taking a step and heck, maybe more will follow!
Mark Schafer
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