If you lost your job tomorrow what would you do? Would you sit around and blame the politicians in Washington for the state of the economy that lost your job; the company you worked so hard for their idiocy in not recognizing how dedicated you were to the company; another employee who perhaps felt they could do a better job than you. Who do you blame?

This was a question I asked myself about five years ago when I was let go from a job I truly loved, I thought. I felt I did everything right, I was on time every day, often working 60-70 hours a week, without overtime. So why was I let go? To this day I am not sure.

I wallowed in self-pity for too long. I blamed everyone, and got very depressed. I cried for days! None of this is an exaggeration.

So what brought me out of my self imposed depression? My lifelong friend told me to get over it and asked me what did I lose? Well I lost my job! But what did I lose? The answer came not easily, but it did come. I lost nothing. I still had my family, who all loved me and supported me despite my self-pity. I had brains that I could use. I had my health and I had the financial support of my husband. I still have my friends. So I lost nothing.

My husband and I have raised four children, put them through college without student loans. We managed this by not buying the latest model car, or the most expensive house with more than one bathroom (I just want to point out that the boys were worst than my daughter at hogging that bathroom!), we did not go on vacations to Disneyland, or any other "hot" spot. We did it on what we like to call a "shoestring", and we all survived.

So I figured I could do without a job. So I started a business instead. No one can fire me because of downsizing now. It is not as risky a proposition as most people think. It took me time to find the right opportunities, but I found them. I made mistakes along the way, and used these mistakes as learning tools. I took my time, asked a lot of questions on the various business forums, and eventually found my way.

Through trial and error I developed a work at home directory. I believe I have a good product. Most importantly I am enjoying working for myself and making my own decisions on how I will live the rest of my life.

I make enough that we do not have to live on a "shoestring" anymore, but some habits are hard to break. And if I wallow too much in self-pity these days, I take a few moments and look at my family and friends and the self-pity goes away.

If there is a moral in all this that I would like to pass on to the reader it is that material things are nice, but not necessary for you and your family. Families do not need the latest in electronic gadgets, they do not need the most expensive cloths, and they need each other. When you are feeling down, look to your family and friends, they are the true success story in your life.