Economic crisis, plummeting markets, increasing un- employment, recession, depression, gloom and doom – it’s hard not to fixate on the news during times like these, right?

Nope, I’m not going there anymore.

Sure, for a week or so I was glued to CNN trying to make heads or tails of what was happening, wondering how this was going to affect my business, my husband’s job security, and my mom and dad as they prepare for retirement later this year.

But after about a week I noticed that I’d crossed some sort of tipping point.  A tipping point that positioned the news, at its best, as a source of useful information and, at its worst, as a feeding ground for that part of myself, which I call the “negative ego”, that thrives on negativity, chaos and fear.

But as they say, “where attention goes, energy flows.” Is this really where I want to place my attention… on gloom and doom?

Hell to the no!  So I decided to unplug and redirect my focus.

Quickly I began to reconnect with my virtual community of coaching colleagues and mentors.  They helped me remember what I’d temporarily forgotten - that this “chaos” is just evidence that we are on the precipice of a huge shift.

We are being forced to confront what we collectively created over the last few years, decades, and centuries, and with that, we have an opportunity to grow and transform.  We have an opportunity to awaken and evolve.

But to do that, we need to observe and learn while simultaneously redirecting our attention to what is possible and what we want to create moving forward.  It won’t happen if we hyper-focus on messages of fear and powerlessness.

Remember, where attention goes, energy flows.

So I ask you, where will you put your attention today - on the current circumstances or what is possible for the future?

Let today’s attention plant the seeds for positive change in your life and the world around you!

It’s all about freedom right? I for one, want freedom from the current insanity that is called collective fear and each day I am committed to finding the positive spots in my life that are plentiful and effortless. And there are many.

We all work hard and deserve to feel free, abundant and joyful, no matter what is happening in the world around us. And it is possible.

Here are five tips on finding freedom in troubled economic times:

Support local businesses

Shop locally. Many big industry franchise-type stores have been closing but have you noticed that the smaller mom-and-pops are continuing to thrive with their communities’ support? Get it together people. Support local stores and businesses. They need you right now and it’s easy; just be more aware of where you spend your dollars.

Create an edible garden

Someone once told me that growing your own vegetable garden is as easy as tossing some seeds in the dirt and simply watching it grow. Okay, so maybe we have to put a little more effort into it (like water and some love), but imagine the abundance a small patch of dirt and some seeds in your backyard can yield. Imagine the dollar savings in produce and it’s all organic. If you live in an apartment, look for a community garden where you can grow your veggies. They are popping up in cities worldwide. Check out Craigs list in your city.

Get into your body

Take a dance or exercise class at least once a week (maybe on a Wednesday evening?) to get you out of your head, and into your body. An important step to finding freedom is feeling it in your body first by relaxing tense muscles. What a great opportunity to make new friends and develop a community. Most exercise classes start at $10 per class.

Start bartering for stuff

Bartering or paying for a service by trading a skill, service or product is seriously coming back into fashion. I’m way into it. I’ve traded feng shui/interior design services for back massages, acupuncture and photography, among other things.  We’ve all got skills we can barter for. For example, maybe you know how to organize a closet really well and can help someone who can return the favor with a massage. Always ask. Most people are open to it and excited to participate.

Get rid of clutter

Purging or removing clutter; things like extra papers, clothing and just stuff that is passively just sitting around, can provide you with the biggest sense of relief. I’ve done it many times in my personal life and helped others along the clutter-removing-path and it is powerful. Clearing clutter is living giving, removes old energy and opens up space in your life for other opportunities to come in.

Most importantly, remember to stay as positive as you can during this time. We’ve all got great things happening in our lives. Let’s focus on that and move towards creating more of it.