A few days ago I curled on my couch, flipped on the T.V. and browsed for an unprovocative yet, indeed, mindless show to watch. BINGO! The Style Network's Dallas "Divas and Daughters" caught my attention.

  

Such is the culture in which we live. While many families are trying to pick up the pieces after job losses, foreclosures and sudden deaths, there are others who wantonly spend and feel entitled to luxury. Sadly, this attitude prevails even among Christians. The "health and wealth" doctrinal plant took firm root in our Christian grounds. It seems that it's no longer en vogue to be satisfied with what God has given you and where you are in this season. Often times, materialism is masked as "progress" and "prosperity."

There's evidence, however, that contentedness is making a comeback. Many Christians have adjusted their mirrors, especially after the 2-year recession that America has faced. Research shows that more and more Christians are calling for organic and "missional" lives. A new study from The Barna Group shows that as Americans rethink their lifestyles and priorities, many also consider themselves to be socially conscious and living "simple" lives... 

Americans also think of themselves as difference-makers and concerned about the world around them. In all, three out of every four adults say they are "making a positive difference in the world" (78%). In fact, close to nine out of every ten Americans (86%) describe themselves as "caring deeply about social injustice." A similar percentage of adults are "concerned about the moral condition of the country" (86%).

1. Wake up earlier to reflect on your blessings. Try whispering a list of your blessings as you stretch, do yoga, play an instrument or sit still. 
   
2. Wake up earlier to paint or sketch on a canvass. 
   
3. Maintain a gratitude log. Keep it in a quiet corner perhaps with your favorite music and blanket.
4. Purge your closet in order to donate to charity. Thank God for spoiling you with most of what you want and all of what you need. 
   
5. Spend time doing a meaningful, non-electronic activity with family and friends. Tell them how much you love them. 
   
6. Go on an electronic fast and instead stroll through a luscious park or visit a library.  
   
7. Thank God for living in a country where these places are readily accessible. 
   
8. Sponsor a foreign mission-raised child or support a foreign missionary. One of my mentors said to me on college graduation day, "Advance the Kingdom as you advance in life." 
   

How about we as young adults transform from what personal finance guru, Suze Orman, calls an existence of being "Young, Fabulous & Broke" to a testimony of living "Young, Excellent & with Hope"!  

Ana Guthrie is a super cool chick with a heart for God and love for youth culture. She doubles as a not-so-naughty librarian and instructor at Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida.