Fear

Today has been an exhausting day. The "economy" reared its ugly head in my world again and the fear of losing a job dominated my morning. I understand that businesses are struggling right now and I understand that cuts must be made. However intellectual understand is easily triumphed by emotions such as fear.

For many people in my demographic this situation is a first. For me it is nothing more than recollections of my childhood. I know from personal experience what plant closings and layoffs can do to a family. I know the stressfulness of the situation affects every member of a family. On one hand I do not see that it is beneficial for the situation to be explained to children. On the other I see no better way to handle it other than complete and total honesty. But I digress. You see I have no children to worry about.

I do have to worry about myself and my significant other. How will we pay the bills if one of us loses our job? Will we be able to keep a roof over our head? What can we cut that is truly a want instead of a need? We have chosen to prepare for the worst. Our "fun" is now going to be limited. Instead we are going to save for a rainy day. We will substitute eating out for home cooked and bagged lunches much more often.

As the day worn on a calmness came over me as I realized that I have been through this before and you know what...I survived. We all survived. I realized the advantage I have over many in that I do know the legal types of work to look for to survive until this passes (should the situation come to that). I know that right now I have the tools to make a living (a much smaller living) if only I am willing to work hard.

So fear had its time with me today. Fear is still with me to some degree. But certainty that anything that comes along is only temporary (be it good or bad) is conquering that fear. And that, my friends, is the key to recovering from this so called recession.

Never forget that your destiny is largely your choice.