With winter on its' way, the holidays right around the corner and financial times are tough for most people...how do you stay positive about life?

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~~Sharon...wife to Bill for 17 yrs and mom to Kevin,16; Stephanie,14 and Tyler,8~~

I always remember what my mom told me and still tells me till this day: Whatever happens, happens for the best.

Enough sleep and enough exercise. Without the two sometimes I get completely overwhelmed and things seem impossible. My attitude is much better when I get a bit of both.

Sometimes I get cranky, and when I do, I allow myself to crank for a while.
Then I remind myself that I have a home, a running vehicle, a job, a full belly, and lots of people who love me.
Anything I want beyond that is really just gravy.

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When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!
Any time God closes one door, She always opens another, even though sometimes it's Hell in the hallway.
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, prepare to die. (Klingon proverb)
Don't point. You'll poke holes in the air and all the faeries will escape.

It's tough, I know. The winter months can drag on and often the weather is a huge factor in how I feel. But I learned awhile ago that living a happy life is a choice. People will rain on your parade but it's how you process that information and what you do about it, that will dictate how happy you will be.

I also find that if I don't exercise regularly that too affects me. Endorphins are a WONDERFUL thing! (and addicting). I often tell people that my gym membership is my therapy expense.

Even if you can exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week, I think you will definitely notice a change in your mood. Try it out....and when I say that, I mean an honest effort, for at least a month. Journal your daily thoughts and then after a month go back and read them. You won't see the changes day-to-day but you will see a slight change in thought when you go back and read all your entries one at a time.

Good luck

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Come Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping With Me In ONLINE BARGAINS

I agree with everything she said! Happiness is a state of mind; not a financial situation, weather condition, relationship status, or anything like that. Sometimes you have to make the conscious decision to be happy when things are tough, and it is work, but it is well worth it. Exercise is a great help as well, and endorphins are terribly addictive!

I might invest in a punching bag and hang it in the basement. Wish they offered Kick Boxing classes around here!

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"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"

Thanks for the input. I tried to be discreet, but apparently some of you saw right threw me. I am having such a difficult time dealing with the lack of money from hubby's work, no jobs here for me and the holidays coming. As of today, my kids will not be getting anything from us, other than the food I cook for them. I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts, but still. My older 2 understand but not so much my 9yo. I been dropping little hints that I don't know what we will do just in case it happens....even though it wont make us feel better. Hubby is super upset because he wanted to go deer hunting. He has almost everything he needs minus 150.00 worth of supplies and permits. We planned to get the stuff this weekend but there is NO FREIGHT so therefore no money. I feel so bad for all of them..my boys and hubby...because we been working hard to get things up for him to do it and now that its come down to the wire, he has to pass it up. We have been hanging 30 days late on the house payment due to the lack of freight for 2 months now.They understand what is going on and I call them every month. They have not even been calling us but maybe 2 times a week. These are just the major things right now. Plus I always get SAD every winter.

I know eating right, getting exercise will help combat this but when it feels like a person has the weight of the world on the shoulders it is difficult to get up and do it. I am generally a happy person but everything seems to be taking a toll on me and my mood. I am usually the optimistic one in the house and I am always encouraging everyone else buy telling them it will get better....now I think I been lying to myself and them. I need to be the strong one for my hubby and kids but it is hard to do when you are beaten down....

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~~Sharon...wife to Bill for 17 yrs and mom to Kevin,16; Stephanie,14 and Tyler,8~~

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time. HUGS!

I need sleep and exercise, but I HAVE to have quiet time daily. For me, I need the prayer, but for others, regardless of faith, the time to meditate, breathe, focus, etc. is essential. Make sure you are taking that "free" time for yourself.

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No Freight? I'm assuming your dh is in the trucking business? I know how you feel, things have been super slow for my dh too. He drives truck and his boss is having a hard time finding loads for him to haul.
Just keep doing what you are doing and know that things can only go up from here. I'm not overly religious but my beloved Grandma Arlene was-before she passed away she had given me a index card that she wrote a bible verse on, i have since framed it and keep it on my desk. It reads:
"I know the plans i have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Hang in there!

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"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"