Redefining Prosperity

Out of the Fire has had many prosperous years thanks to a wonderful community of patrons and supporters that have made it possible. Three years ago (but who's counting!) this "prosperity" arrived at a screeching halt when the economy took an inauspicious turn. Dining out requires disposable income which has disappeared for many. For the past three years I am asked on a daily basis how the restaurant is faring the storm. The consistent answer has always contained the word "struggle." Then one day, I came to the realization that I cannot continue to associate the restaurant or my personal life with the word struggle since it is realistically anything but that. If we are to compare our standard of living with that of other countries we are thriving. My commitment to redefine the word prosperity to preserve my emotional well-being has given me a new tool to cope with the reality that life is different for all of us. The narrow view of defining my prosperity solely on materialistic terms was not serving me well. So my new answer to that question is: "I am paying my employees, my taxes, my rent and my bills and to me in this environment THAT is thriving! I also have access to clean drinking water, don't go to bed hungry, I have a roof over my head and have a great family and amazing friends!" So, according to my redefinition of prosperity I am highly prosperous!