I doubt at this point there is anyone out there who hasn’t had a friend, relative or co-worker affected by the economic mess we’ve been living in lately. In times like these, making a few mental shifts can go a long way in getting us through the day. It seems like there are those that are living life in fear and scarcity while others are thankful for their blessings; it all depends on how you look at it.

One of my most beloved books as a child was “Stone Soup” by Marcia Brown. It was published in 1947 and is the French tale of three soldiers who enter a village and are looking for food and a place to rest. The villagers are living in scarcity and fear because of what we can only guess is a time of war and refuse the soldiers’ requests. After everyone has refused to help them, the soldiers decide the only thing they can do is make stone soup as the villagers look on. Now if only we had some water…and a pot…and maybe some wood for a fire. The villagers unlock their doors, open their shutters and one by one come forth and bring them what they need. Now, if only we had some carrots, and perhaps a potato and an onion. By the end of the evening all the villagers and the three soldiers are sharing laughter, dancing and of course, delicious stone soup.

I heard on the news the other day about a group of health professionals working in a nursing home that all took a pay cut instead of seeing one of their co-workers get fired. How about Denny’s giving away all those Grand Slam Breakfast meals for free? Personal and corporate generosity at work. It can happen.

Question: Are you living in scarcity and fear or living with blessings and thankfulness?