Thursday, April 7, 2011

Please welcome Marietta Taylor



Martha, thanks for hosting me today! You're probably aware that there are still many families affected by unemployment. I wanted to offer to your readers an excerpt from my devotional book, Surviving Unemployment Devotions To Go. Each devotion in the book also has an “action page”.  The excerpt below is an action page that focuses on finding blessings during unemployment. Enjoy!



No More Pity Party

During unemployment, it’s easy to throw yourself a pity party. It’s just too tempting to wallow in your anger, fear, disbelief or whatever other emotion you feel. But it doesn’t change a thing. I know, because
my husband and I did all those things. Those negative emotions, like anger, left us both feeling more miserable than before.

One way to avoid this is to focus on your blessings. It is not easy in the beginning but as you keep throwing God a praise party, pity parties are less likely to show up. So, you’re probably wondering how to go about doing something you probably do not feel like doing. It’s actually fairly simple.

One simple thing to do is to spend most of your prayer time on thanksgiving. “What,” you ask, “is there to be thankful for?“ What about unemployment benefits, severance packages, food on the table, clothes to wear, friends and family or the breath you just took? All of these are noble candidates. If needed, write them out on a list that you can refer to if you get stuck.

Perhaps your family wants to institute a thankfulness day, such as Thankful Tuesday or Thursday. Display a notebook in a commonly “traveled” area of the house. Let family members record their thanks for that day. Everyone can read the other entries and perhaps even discuss them later.

For a more ongoing focus, use a thankful jar. As someone thinks of something they are grateful for, have them write it on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. When the jar is full, take one evening and read through them, offering praise to God for what is written on each slip of paper. You will feel and be so blessed.



Question for readers: Is there anything specific you do to keep your blessings in your sight?


Thank you so much  for allowing me to share. You can connect with me in the following ways:


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14 comments:

  1. What great suggestions. Focusing on your blessings is a sure fire way to keep your head up and moving in the right direction.
    I try and journal everyday what I am thankful for and I try not to repeat the exact same things but to find new ones.

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  2. Martha, thanks for hosting me! I journal as well. Excited to see how your readers keep their blessings in focus!

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  3. Mari, what a great article. This applies to far more than unemployment -- it applies any situation that seems bleak. I love the idea of a gratitude jar.

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  4. Margaret, thanks for stopping by! I do love the jar. I had one at my book launch for the attendees. I think they enjoyed coming up with something to contribute.

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  5. Great post. We all have so many blessings and in time of trouble we forget to say thank you for them. Great suggestions, Mari!

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  6. What a terrific book and what makes it even better is you are speaking from personal experience. Your idea of the thankful jar is genius!

    Best wishes,
    Donna

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  7. Hi Nancy and Donna, Thanks for stopping by. The thankful jar has been one of the biggest "hits' from the book. I'm doing a talk in 2 weeks to an unemployment ministry and I'm definitely taking the thankful jar with me!

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  8. Great advice Mari. Both the thankfulness day and the thankful jar are such great incentives to think of the positives while going through tough times.

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  9. Ohhhh! A Thankful Jar. What a neat idea. Keeps us focused on the positive!

    Best,
    Carolyn Howard-Johnson
    Blogging writers' resources at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com

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  10. I like the thankful jar too - really useful for children, who sometimes forget how lucky they are.

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  11. Wonderful article!
    It's always important to stay positive and remember the good things :)

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  12. Hi Karen, Carolyn and Magdalena,

    Thanks for stopping by. I think the jar is useful even if you aren't going through a hard time. Life just seems better if you focus on the positive. And it is a great way for kids to "tangibly" see how blessed they really are!

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  13. Hi Jennifer,

    Thanks for stopping by. I agree wholeheartedly! It absolutely is important to stay positive :)

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  14. Great post ladies. I love the iea of a thankfulness day. There are soooo many things to be thankful for. It changes your whole outlook on life.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States