Recession 101 billboards are the brilliant idea of an anonymous donor intending to raise people’s spirits in this down economy.  The donor wanted to remind us of the things that make America great.  The ad campaign takes us away from the usual economic messages of gloom and doom to messages that show us we are more than just money.  This billboard is only one of them.  Self worth beats net worth.    Chill. (Hysteria feeds recessions.)    Stop obsessing about the economy; you’re scaring the children.    Nobody can repossess your future.  and others, reinforce that we are greater and stronger than the current recession and, more importantly,  that our thinking can make a difference. 

The negative thinking of fear-based media can plant beliefs that become our truth before we have taken the time to examine them.  For many the pain of recession is definitely true, but for a lot of us, it is far from the truth.  Here in New England where we found winter heating costs almost half of the year before, we actually had more money in our pockets.  Yet, we acted as if we were worse off – only because we were told so.  If we actually stopped to do the numbers, we were way ahead.  In fact, if we hadn’t been told we were in a recession – we might not have known it! 

Recession 101 tells us to stop and think.  What is really important?  What is valuable to me?  How do I want to live my life during this economic time?  It says:  “The problem with money?  It’s not about the money!”

The fog receded, the clouds parted and it was a glorious day – finally – Maine, the way life should be!