We are in a very sticky predicament in the United States right now. The economy stinks, the real estate market bubble has burst, the job market is terrible, gas costs a fortune, the value of the dollar is sinking, food is becoming more expensive, the planet is cooking itself like a fried egg, social security is becoming as mythical as a unicorn, what else could go wrong? Not much, really, which is actually a great thing. Once you are at the bottom, the only place you can go is up. Despite the fact that the outlook for things to come is rather doom and gloom, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
So, what is the magic answer to this conundrum? Well, I don’t have have a great answer. If I did, I don’t think the recession would be hitting my pocketbook as hard as it has been so far. Really just more of a thought; in times like these, where everything seems to be going south, people almost have to re-learn what really matters. What do I mean by this? Well, when we are not in an overspending coma, we actually pay attention to where out money goes. I am trying to prioritize my budget and so I have been examining where the hell all my money goes, because I never seem to have any. For me, sadly, the majority of my money three places (besides basic necessities and bills): clothing, eating out/ bars, and Starbucks. Pretty sad huh? But, it is in no way disproportionate to the rest of Americans. Look at where your money goes; I would be that at least half goes towards non-essential, disposable items and activities.
This is an opportunity to re-examine our priorities. Thisis the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though this may mean not buying a triple Venti non-fat, no-foam latte every morning, is your life really going to be worse for the wear? Not really? The only people who stand to truly suffer are big businesses. This is a chance for creativity. Rather than going to a movie and spending $9 on a ticket, $10 on snacks, $5 on parking, find a free activity, such as an outdoor concert. I bet your brain will thank you more for that than seeing Will Ferrell in yet another sophomoric comedy.
I am looking forward to the end result this recession yields. People have the opportunity to see clearly what really matters in life, versus the material clutter that impedes us from understanding what is truly important. This is a chance to take action and create change. We can be happy without spending money. This is a chance to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors, carpool with a co-worker and make a new friend, learn how to cook instead of eating out every night, read instead of watching TV and sitting in front of the computer, walk around your neighborhood and admire your neighbors gardens.
If necessity is the mother of invention, then we have the chance to give birth to a creative time in society, we just have to see through the doom and gloom and look at this as a blessing; not a curse.
