Seems everybody’s freaking out about the economy these days, but I’m not. And it isn’t because I’m one of those middle-aged, independently wealthy early retirees—I’m not. I just prefer to steer clear of conversations that focus on dismal topics; as if whining and complaining will change things. It won’t. It just makes everyone feel worse.
I will admit that I’m one of the fortunate still-employed, but even during rough times—and believe me, I’ve had my fair share—I’ve never felt completely hopeless the way some people do now.
My ex, for example, told me that he’s getting pink slipped in the next few months, and he’s in total crisis about it—to the point he’s physically sick. Like having a coronary is going to improve his bottom line. Don’t get me wrong, I do I sympathize with him, and with all the other unfortunates who are struggling right now, but I’m appalled when I hear about people who’ve gotten so overwhelmed that they just check out of life—commit suicide—because they’ve lost their job or their home. To me, that’s not only sad, it’s selfish.
It tells me that people have lost their perspective on what’s really important in life; that they think their job is who they are, or their address defines the quality of their humanness. Makes me want to grab ‘em and demand: “How can a temporary glitch in your comfort zone cause you to deny the world the gifts you have to offer? Do you really believe that anyone’s better off without you? Ask the people you’re leaving behind—the people who love you not because of where you work or how big your house is. They’re not going to feel better off.” None of us will.
The truth is: everybody’s got something to offer—even a smile or a kind word to someone who’s feeling worse than you can make a huge difference in the world. You know, the ripple effect: toss a stone into a lake and watch as the ripples grow wider and wider until they gently lap at the opposite shore. One little stone, one tiny kind gesture, can reach the heart of another, which can touch the soul of another. Who knows where the goodness will end?
So maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what’s truly important in life and focus on discovering our real purpose. And enjoy the ripples coming our way.
As Carl Sandburg said: The best things in life are not things.
I’m hitting on quite a few posts today expressing the same sentiments. Not about the economy, but about realizing what is important …and those ripples, too… and sometimes a few waves…tidal waves even, lol. The bottom-line is not that wave, it’s who you have next to you when it hits. At least, that’s where I am at. Evaluation and purpose: Muy Important.
Comment by All Time Love — Wednesday, January 7, 2009 @ 6:45 am |