Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

The news is grim these days.  It’s not pleasant to watch under normal circumstances, but during most of last year it became harder and harder to watch the news without taking it all to heart.

Many of us are just plain scared that our jobs won’t last much longer.  Corporate America is wrecking havoc with our psyche in general as they make the permanent mistake to lay off their employees – a one-time only cost savings at the very best.  It’s increasingly difficult to maintain a positive attitude when you witness friends and family and co-workers lose their jobs.  And those who are left at their jobs now have to work harder rather than smarter.  Morale is low and advice to work harder rather than smarter seems like a slap in the face.

So what can we do? Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

“Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying.  The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.” - Elise Boulding

What does it really take to make a house a home? What does it take to make a family feel at home? What are the ingredients that families need to feel well, comfortable, safe, secure, and happy?

If you believed the ads that come from the magazines, radio, and television, apparently, it takes quite a bit.  From clothes to cars, food and phones, we can never seem to have enough stuff. And of course our happiness is found in the products being advertised.  Why else would those people be dancing so freely with their iPods? Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Marie Monroe

“Gathering groceries is a life sustaining activity.  It can also be a ritual of affirming life rather than a chore of struggling with life.”

I have been a fan of what I call “Spiritual Economics” for a long time.  It has seemed to me that the better my frame of mind, the better able I am to make financial ends meet.  And even without the bottom line changing at all … when I am more optimistic I seem to see and feel my wealth instead of my lack.

A few changes in thinking and in habits have gone a long way to keeping me focused on gratitude for what I have instead of feeling bad about what I don’t have. 

These changes have helped me see that I have enough, indeed more than enough.  I literally went from not having enough to a sense of abundance without any change in income.

Creatures of Habit

I am a creature of habit and making changes is not always easy for me.  But when I discovered that I could actually create greater abundance in my life with a few changes, I became more motivated.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about high finance here … although I am convinced that this approach works in that arena too. Read More »

Article and Photograph by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

I am not ashamed to admit I love hotels.  I love the luxurious feeling of being pampered by lying in a bed I don’t have to make, towels I can use once and leave to be washed by someone else, and the sheer laziness of being able to order room service and leave the cooking to others, too.  And, I’m not alone in this love of being taken care of.  Recently, I had a chat with a woman at a hotel in Connecticut who told me she had opted to stay in a hotel for a night rather than at a friend’s house simply because she loves experiencing hotels.

Imagine the perfect scenario in which you are greeted warmly at the reception desk with a smile and friendly hello, and someone helps you carry your bags to your room. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

The scene opens to an enchanting snowy evening.  The location is an outdoor skating rink where a mother and daughter are skating together.  Hands clasped, the joy is radiating from their faces as the voice-over for the commercial begins speaking … “What if you could give your family just what they want this holiday season …”  He goes on to describe that with this family plan, with unlimited text, video messaging, and photo messaging, it will bring your family together this year.

This is where the commercial was dead wrong.

Billions of dollars are being swept away by the advancement of technology.  From TV to cell phones and from the internet to movies, people are finding it more difficult to stay connected to those around them.  At my husbands’ Christmas party this year, I was particularly surprised by how many people I saw texting instead of talking to those around them at their table. Read More »