There was a slow period recently at work and my hours were cut back. At first my bruised ego was what preoccupied my thoughts. Then I realized all the good things that could come from this. I could use the extra time each week to tackle several lingering house projects myself instead of paying someone else to do them and I could set up some informational interviews to not only explore jobs in my current career but in other fields I've wanted to investigate.
I am now viewing this as being paid to interview and spruce up my home. I was also able to negotiate to keep my insurance during this downturn which is a huge relief. What had been an initially fearful situation has turned into a golden opportunity and I've realized that peaks and valleys are really a state of mind; I control how I feel about and handle the situations I face and there are opportunities presented in both peaks and valleys.