When the Fed reported a small rise in the gross domestic product (GDP) and signified the recession was over, most Americans understood this to mean, “We have officially reached the bottom and can now begin the climb up.”

That is because the GDP increase was small and most likely enhanced by the economic stimulus. It would be safe to say that nobody ran out to buy noisemakers in celebration of the end of tough times, either.

According to www.cnn.com, the economy and many industries are still in for a bumpy ride. The article cited the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which reported that the “Auto industry, construction, and finance sector have shed 18 percent of their work force since the start of the recession, in comparison to the remaining sectors in the economy that have only lost 4 percent of their workers.”

NBER also made a prediction on when jobs will begin to return. After surveying multiple economic analysts, the consensus - standing at 53.8 percent - was 2012, with only 2.6 percent predicting 2010. Average hours in a workweek are down to historic levels as well, and as a leading indicator have yet to move.

There is still a long road to recovery and no one is denying that, but it is important to take the good with the bad and enjoy the victories, even if they are small. Please enjoy the latest victory.