Gas prices, job losses, home foreclosures, credit woes and even the price of beer are in the news every 30 seconds. Every news outlet from CNN to your local PBS station are all shoving it in your face. You can't get through the checkout line at the supermarket without someone talking about the economy.

    Like 99% of the rest of the population of the US (and the world), I've been affected by the slowdown in the economy. My family has had to adjust our lifestyle to accommodate less disposable income; however, my family is and always will be happy. My wife and I have had times in our life where there seemed to be enough money in the bank. There've been moments when rubbing two nickels together wasn't possible. Presently money is a little tight and we may not go out to dinner often, but we'll continue to practice our skills that make us close.

    "Money isn't the most important thing in life, but it's reasonably close to oxygen on the "gotta' have it" scale". Do you agree with Zig Ziglar's words? Luckily there isn't a fee for breathing air (yet). On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the ability to breathe; what value would you give money? Those with the happiest life, practice delineating between needs and wants. Just enough money is essential for food, water, shelter, medicine and other survival basics. Love, self-esteem, friendship, family, courage and charity do not cost one cent. Practice focusing your happiness on the second list and you will ensure enough money for the first list and much more.

   Food and shelter are basic needs of survival, so I understand when people get stressed should these needs be in jeopardy. The housing market will recover, the job market will improve and the stock market will climb. Every day we must continue with our routine, yet remain flexible. When you're in the middle of a rough moment it's difficult to see the smoother time ahead; especially when you don't know when the calmer waters will arrive. When the stock market crashed on October 29, 1929, I guarantee no one knew exactly what they were in for. It took about 10 years to get out of that depression, but eventually it was history. Just as the recession we're feeling now will be history one day. 

    How will you treat your life until that day? Will you look back on your actions and feelings and tell yourself you did the best you could? Hold yourself to the highest standard. Keep positive and help the people around you. I guarantee practicing your skill of happiness during this though time, you'll come out even farther ahead than you were before. There is no better time than now to stay positive. There is no better place to start than with yourself.

    You have learned a new skill of happiness... start practicing today!