Economic Stress...

For a long time the raise in fuel prices worried me and I had a LOT of fear around it; probably from seeing end time, scary-to-me movies in church when I was a kid. Now I am beginning to see it as a gift.

I am noticing that it is changing my behaviour in positive ways. It is actually bringing about the lifestyle my heart has yearned for, but has been so hard to acheive...

1. We are staying home more, there is more peace in our home. We are reading together, the kids are playing together...

2. When I drive, I am watching the fuel economy gauge and I am becoming a calmer, less competitive driver... again, more peace.

3. We are walking and biking to do errands, thus are losing weight (and more importantly, becoming stronger!) with minimal effort while supporting local businesses.

4. I am beginning to notice what I am responsible for and am dropping feeling responsible for the whole world and the stars and galaxies too... hence more peace.

5. I am hearing of more and more people moving in together to save money... again, it is happening because of the economic stresses put upon them.

I am thankful for the gifts within this storm and I hope that others find their gifts within it too.