Everyone seems to be bitching about this economy (ok, not everyone in MY reality, but in a lot of people’s…) Sure, there are plenty of people out there who are hurting. There are tons of examples of how we’re getting poorer and poorer. Never mind that the global standard of living has been steadily rising over the last, um, forever. Sure, there were some dips here and there (the Dark Ages come to mind), but overall, we are much, MUCH better off than we were at any other time in history. But nope, there are people screaming everywhere about how bad the economy is and that’s just too compelling a story to ignore. So, you’re probably one of three kinds of people:
- You’re really, really poor. You’re basically homeless and don’t know where your next meal is coming from. If this is you, I doubt that you’re reading this blog, so this post isn’t really for you. Unless homeless people have iPads now. Do they? I don’t even have an iPad.
- You’re basically financially ok, but you’re afraid that you may lose your job, that inflation will make things too expensive for you to buy or that your kids won’t be able to afford college. If this is you, today’s blog post is for you. This is Part I of a two part series on the economic “crisis”.
- You’re basically ok and you know it, but every time you see someone who’s in need, or just has less than you do, you feel really badly about it. If this is you, you’ll particularly enjoy Sunday’s post, which will be Part 2 in this series, and will deal with the guilt we feel over having more than others.
- You fall into both categories 2 and 3. You’re really afraid of losing what you have, AND you feel guilty for having more than others. Yeah… you’re pretty much screwed. Unless of course, you read both today’s and Sunday’s posts. And comment on them. And share them on Facebook. That’s good Karma, y’all.
Put down the shotgun, soldier
Let’s say that you’re basically ok, but you spend all day bitching about how bad things are and worrying about losing your job and becoming an iPad carrying hobo. Let me ask you something: How exactly is focusing on the worst possible scenario going to help you? I mean, there are a lot of different perspectives to choose from here, and you decide to go with the worst feeling one? Why would you do that? Do you really think that if you don’t keep staring at the thing you’re most afraid of, that it’s going to sneak up on you in the night and bite you in the ass? Do you have a belief that as soon as you take your eye off the ball (the ball being your biggest fear in this case), that it’s going to swallow you up? Is your insistence on torturing yourself this way an attempt to be “ready for the worst“, as if you’re guarding the fort from some sneaky enemy, that’s just waiting for you to make the fatal mistake of feeling better?
Your fear of the boogieman creates the boogieman
Listen up: You get what you focus on. So, by focusing on your worst fear, you’re going to manifest it, or other experiences that feel just like it. Period. So stop adding to the economic crisis, already! If you want your situation to change, if you want to bring security and abundance into your reality, you’ll have to change what you focus on. But you can’t just start thinking “I’m ok. I have lots of money. I’m freaking rich”, if you don’t believe a word of it. Because it’s the underlying belief that manifests, not your pathetic attempt to cover it up with lies. You have to actually feel the way you would if you weren’t worried about the situation anymore. And in order to do that, you have to actually stop worrying about the situation.
Retrain your brain
How do you do that? You think thoughts that truly make you feel better. I’ve compiled a few examples to get you started, written in the first person. Read them in order and sit a second with each one:
- Not everyone in this economy is losing their job.
- Most of the people who are screaming the loudest actually still have jobs. They are screaming because they’re afraid. They are screaming because of something that could happen, a hypothetical situation, a worst case scenario. But their screaming isn’t actually helping them. How many of those screamers are happy? That last sentence could totally be read the wrong way…
- I still have a job, a place to live, and even if money is tighter, I’m basically ok.
- Compared to other countries, our standard of living is ridiculously high (this is true for pretty much any English speaking country, and many others). For example: Melody lives in Spain. She’s not even homeless and yet, she doesn’t have an iPad. Point made.
- A lot of people who are unemployed are getting jobs. You just don’t hear about that as much. “People get jobs” just doesn’t make as catchy of a headline as “Economy says: Go f$%k yourselves!”
- I don’t have to keep looking at the problem in order to know that it’s there. I’m not a goldfish. I’ll remember that it’s there. I don’t have to beat myself over the head with it continuously. I’m aware that there’s an economic “crisis” for some people.
- I can focus on the solution. If I don’t focus on the solution, I won’t find it. I’ve been training my brain to look for more problems. I can retrain my brain to look for solutions. Also, my keys. I can retrain my brain to look for my keys. I just had them yesterday, godammit.
- I can’t really compare myself to those who are struggling. I’m not the same person as them. I have no idea what their circumstances are, what fears they are overcoming, what risks they’ll take, or what their path is. So the chances are actually quite slim that I’ll end up exactly the way they did. I’ll definitely be better dressed. I mean, good Gawd! Don’t those people have mirrors?
- There are people in this economy that are not only surviving, but thriving. And not just the super rich, but everyday people who decided to find opportunities and start their own businesses. Some of those people are 18 year old billionaires. Maybe I won’t think about those people as examples.
- The economic crisis actually had some positive consequences. A lot of the people who were laid off had been unhappy in their jobs for a long, LONG time but didn’t quite have the guts to leave. It’s like the Universe forced them to do something they’d been wanting to do anyway.
- There are actually people out there (a lot of them, if one cares to look) who are now BETTER off. They are happier, have found better jobs or started their own businesses, are living their passions and will tell you that this “crisis” is the best thing that ever happened to them. It wasn’t the prettiest route, but it got them to where they ultimately wanted to go. The moral here is: Some people have to get kicked in the ass to get where they want to go. Am I one of those people?
- Maybe, just maybe, if they could do it, I could do it, too. Perhaps if I start focusing on what I want instead of what I don’t want, I could start finding opportunities I never knew where there, as well!
- Hey! I found my keys!
- A lot of the companies that went under had been doing a horrible job for a long time and were only kept afloat by an inflated economy. A lot of what happened could be seen as an economic correction, really. Companies are getting leaner and smarter. Mismanagement is no longer going to be tolerated. Companies actually have to provide value and treat their customers well again.
- A lot of the really good businesses are still there. They might have taken a hit, but they’ve survived. They’ve always done a great job, and that kept them afloat.
- When I go shopping, the stores aren’t empty. People are still buying things. Restaurants still have guests, taxis are still being used. Even if things have slowed a bit, it’s not exactly the freaking depression, is it?
- What if this whole “crisis” was a huge, vibrational shift that, although not entirely pleasant, will ultimately wake people up to what’s really important? It’s not like people were happy. But now they’re aware that they’re unhappy. And they think it’s because of the crisis. But the crisis didn’t cause the unhappiness, it just uncovered it. And awareness is the first step in healing.
- We seem to be moving away from the big, bloated, don’t care if we kill our customers corporations and back to skilled, independent labor which creates actual value. Could this be a good thing? Could this mean the return of diversity, more competition, more opportunities to be creative and passionate and a demand for employees who actually think for themselves?
- What if I don’t need to manifest a lay-off for myself? What if all this worrying has been my wakeup call? What if I were to use this as a catalyst to re-evaluate what I actually want?
- What if I went for it? What would that feel like?
- What if I was successful at it? What if I changed companies and got a job I actually love? What if I started that business I’ve always wanted to start? What if I looked at this not as a higher risk situation, but my chance to grab an opportunity?
- What if all of this is a good thing?
These are just some of the thoughts you could use to work your way into a better feeling place (organized by vibration for your convenience. If you thought this was helpful, check out The Vibrational Ladder, which details the technique I used here.)
Now that you’re feeling better about your current situation, you may still be dealing with the guilt of having more than some others. Well, don’t despair my pretties. That issue will be addressed on Sunday.
In the meantime, earn yourself some good karma points by telling me one thing that makes you feel good about the economic situation or our personal financial situation right now. No bitching allowed. Seriously. Keep it really positive and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel afterwards. 🙂 Ready? Go!
Melody,
The one thing that makes me feel FANTASTIC about the economy is that so many people have taken the opportunity to start their own businesses and live their passions!! It is such an incredible gift. I love it 🙂
Hey, I found my keys too!
Kim
Exactly Kim! This was a kick in the butt for many people, one they needed desperately and which catapulted them towards something they’d been wanting but had been too scared to go after before.
Huge hugs!
Melody
Hey Melody,
Thank you for sharing this.
This is the reason why only 1% of the world population is very rich and why Multi Level Marketing companies flourish only when there are economical crises.
Truly said, this is the time when people find their actual capabilities and give their best to perform or earn much more than what they do when they are in 9-6 job.
One shouldn’t forget that at least he/she can lower down their negative vibes if not thinking positive in difficult situations.
Thanks you once again Melody.
Warm Regards,
Sameer
Hi Sameer,
You’re so welcome. I’m glad you found this post helpful. Many people are flourishing and I’m absolutely certain that there’s tons more of that to come. These are exciting times to be alive! 🙂 Yay!
Hugs,
Melody
I like the positive spin you put on the economy. While there are some bad points to it such as the high unemployment, it isn’t all bad. Sometimes it’s good to hear about the good things as well as the bad stuff.
Not everything happening will be bad. For example, some really good companies could be starting up right now in the middle of this downturn. In the 1930’s Kodak, Revlon and Pepperidge Farms will all started. And these are companies that still thrive today. That puts some things into perspective.
Great Point Steve!! You’re so right. Times of economic downturn can prove to be times of greatest opportunity.
We spend so much time on the bad stuff that it seems like that’s all there is. But that’s just not true and as soon as we start looking for more positives, we can see them. Why do we insist of making life so much harder and gloomier than it is??
Hugs!
Melody
What’s an economy? 😉
Exactly Derrek. Exactly.
🙂
Melody
I was trained to watch the news….I stopped watching the news several years ago after my mother died.
She was living too long and running out of money – but she did die and was not out of money. I gave up TV
I am not ignorant – I find all the important news comes to my ear in a timely manner. I already know there is a segment of the world that wants it all…and yes maybe the poor will always be with us.
I just want all the money I will need, to model a extremely earth friendly lifestyle with beauty, and not to be a financial burden to my children. At this very moment, I have all those things – plus bucket full of meaning and communication…
As a matter of fact, I am saying thank you by sharing some beauty with my readers Nov 24,25,26…everything if just falling into place because I am working on creating beauty and meaning…not bling and want
Fear is our greatest enemy…learning to hear it call its true name – priceless
Hi Patricia,
I stopped watching TV years ago, as well. And just like you, I get the most important news. I don’t know who is dating whom in Tinsel town, but I don’t care.
I am so happy to hear you speak this way again! To recognize that you actually have everything you need right now, that the essentials are all there, is a powerful step in manifesting more good stuff. Feel good now. Feel good now. Feel good now. 🙂
Huge hugs to you!
Melody
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Not Worrying when you have nothing to worry about. Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you, and all that, is good. Certainly opportunities are being made and created.
However I think there is a huge population in the US anyway which is between #1 and #2 that everyone forgets. They are the people who made a good living, lost their jobs, can no longer afford their homes, got hit in the stock Market, ran through their year’s worth of savings, borrowed from relatives, could not make a deal with their mortgage company because of obstacles and red tape thrown in their path, and will proceed to lose everything they have worked their entire adults lives for. These people have children to support in many cases. They have college degrees and master’s degrees very often. They do have an iPad and they will end up homeless unless they develop some hustle and manage to find their way through somehow, get lucky, get a new job after a couple of years, etc. In the meantime, their good credit is destroyed through no fault of their own and will take many years to rebuild after foreclosures and in some cases bankruptcies. This is reality for hundreds of thousands of good, kind working people and I don’t want to forget them until someday we can say we have all come through this somehow.
Hi Julie,
Ack! There’s so much I want to say, but I’m actually dealing with this topic in my next blog post, so I don’t want to give it all away here.
But bottom line, focusing on the good does not mean forgetting those people who are in need. It’s not an either/or situation. There’s a way to look at them, notice them, and actually help them, that isn’t going to drag you down and make you feel bad (feeling bad is actually counterproductive, both for you AND them.)
But I have stop myself now. Consider Sunday’s post my response, ok? LOL.
Huge hugs,
Melody
Hi Melody,
Another great article! Thanks!
Early on (years ago), I remember thinking that the economic downturn had some healthy consequences, like people hanging their clothes on the line and growing vegetable gardens. There are all kinds of ways to spend less, and people are finding them. Most of those ways are healthier, too.
Here in Colima, Mexico, there’s not much downturn to notice. The middle class is thriving, but the definition of middle class is not as prosperous as in the US. Lots of people here don’t have cars, including professionals. My 1994 Chevy S-10 is a luxury vehicle, really. Homes are often modest but scrupulously clean. I even have one friend who lives in what we’d call a shack (dirt floor), and he’s well-fed, self-employed, fully medically covered, and happy.
What I love here is that most people seem to realize that you don’t need all that much stuff. Also, the government, at least in this state, seems to be focused on jobs, health care, and education. Sounds good, huh? Yeah, they’re building a big bridge, but you wouldn’t believe the focus on health. Free zumba classes in tiny neighborhood parks, everything (even haircuts) free for seniors, etc.
Okay, my point is not that everybody should move to Mexico (though mi casa es su casa, if you’d like to visit), but rather that there are some attitudes here that make a lot of sense. (1) Of course, you’re going to work, probably quite hard. You may not love the job, but you appreciate that it pays the bills. (2) Nutritious food and a clean house are a great start on a good life. (3) Everything else is a blessing.
Once we realize how filled with blessings our lives are, more and more space opens up in the spirit, and of course more and more blessings appear.
Hugs to all. Life is good!
Mary Carol (Derrek, you can call me Pollyanna today)
Hi Mary Carol,
You’ve made such a great point! And I do believe people are starting to cook more again, instead of going out all the time and getting fast food. This is bound to lead to healthier meals. And people are getting back to basics and discovering great joy in that. It’s not like we’re sitting around by candle light, playing in the dirt. But perhaps chasing that big screen TV and new Lexus wasn’t what one really wanted… It comes down to figuring out what our priorities are, truly.
I love living in the city. I don’t have a car. It would be insane to have one in the middle of Barcelona (like Manhattan). I rent one when I need it and the rest of the time, I save myself the hassle and expense. My apartment isn’t huge, nothing like the house with a yard I’d probably have if I lived in the US. But I have such an amazing life here. I have everything that’s important to me.: Sunshine, awesome friends, a great cultural scene, life right outside my door, and many opportunities to meet amazing people from all around the world. I’m sure I gave something up for that, but I can’t really recall what it was just now. 😀
Hugs!
Melody
Hey there, Pollyanna! 😀
Hey Derrek, Crown Prince of Naming!
You live in some other part of the world, right? (can’t remember exactly where??) What’s the economic situation like there? With such diverse people on this blog, seems to me we could have an interesting conversation about how people all over the world are adapting — positive stuff!
Hugs,
MC
Crown Prince of Naming. I like! 😀
I’ve been staying in Singapore for the last few months now, but I was born in Malaysia, which is just a swim up north from Singapore. While Malaysia suffers economic blows from time to time, Singapore has always been good with its finances.
I guess there’s a plus and minus when it comes to living in Southeast Asia. The economy doesn’t boom as often as it does in the West, but at the same time it doesn’t suffer blows as great as well. It’s a slow and steady economic pace. So when there’s a crisis, it isn’t really that big of a crisis, just a temporary slump. The only way to adapt is to wait it out. Probably make some revisions to your monthly expenses, prioritize, and wait.
The positive side of this kind of economy is mainly stability. You can’t guarantee a sudden spike is quality of living, but you can be 95% assured that it’ll steadily grow over the years. Not much, but it’ll happen. The negative is that once you’re in a certain financial position, it’s a little tough to make a leap into a better, richer position. You could start a business, but with only 22million people in Malaysia and only 3million in Singapore, it’s not a large market. Expansion takes time.
If I were to give you one tip on how to live the good life here, it’ll have to be “save, save, and save”. That’s it. As long as you have a decent bank balance, it doesn’t even have to be much, you could live here comfortably. The trick is to have enough to allow the ‘cloud of bad economy’ to pass. If you can do that from time to time, you’ll be fine. If you slump during the crisis, it’ll take some effort getting back up, as opposed to living in a country that enjoys sudden boosts in the economy.
Interesting, Derrek.
Sounds like Southeast Asia has some commonalities with Mexico. I hadn’t thought in the terms you use, but it’s true that it’s not that hard to stay even, but it would be hard to get ahead or catch back up if something goes wrong. As a foreigner, I want to have enough money sitting in a bank to cover an emergency plane ticket, or a cheap replacement vehicle if my 500,000 K truck decides to kick the bucket.
Housing is stable here too. They have something called traspaso, where you buy a used house for exactly what the person has invested, and take over the rest of the payments. Seems sensible to me. Nobody makes a killing, but nobody loses their shirt either.
My daughter spent several months a year in Singapore through her job for a few years. She loved it.
Thanks for your thoughtful answer, Derrek. Anybody else around the globe want to jump in?
Hey Derrek and Mary Carol,
It’s so great of you both to share your perspectives here. I live in Spain, where many would tell you that the crisis has hit pretty hard (due to pretty much unregulated, 100%, variable interest mortgages handed out for years). And yet, when I got to shops, there are still plenty of people there. Stores aren’t AS busy, but it’s not like no one is spending money. I still have to make a reservation at my favorite restaurants (some of the crappy ones have closed, though). Taxis are easier to catch, but the drivers tell me that they’re still getting fares, even if it’s not as many. You can get up to 2 years of unemployment assistance here, and I have several friends who run companies or divisions and who are expanding and hiring. It’s not all doom and gloom. One really great thing Spain has: If you get laid off, they have to pay you off pretty handsomely. It depends on how many years you’ve been with the company and what kind of contract you have, but I’ve known quite a few people who were praying to get laid off… It’s all a matter of perspective, though.
Hugs,
Melody
Hey Melody
“In the meantime, earn yourself some good karma points by telling me one thing that makes you feel good about the economic situation or our personal financial situation right now.”
1.Bad times can create new opportunities. Necessity is the mother of invention kind of thing.
2. Hard times can really help you sort out what’s important and what’s irrelevant.
3. Hard times bring out the best in people and show you how creative you are and what you can really accomplish.
Riley
Awesomeness Riley! If we “take the bounce” as Abraham likes to say, if we use the adversity to look for the opportunity within (and there is always one), the “bad” stuff can actually turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to us. 🙂
Huge hugs to you!
Melody
Thanks for the breath of fresh air in the stink pot we’ve been living through lately.
I love your line, “Put down the shotgun.”
My sister and brother in law recently came back from a survival trip taught by a bunch of radicals to put it lightly. No this wasn’t Bear Grills survival, this was learn how to shoot zombies and neighbors gone wild survival.
It made for some interesting dinner conversation, but seriously, some people are turning to such extremes that they feel they won’t “survive” if they don’t know how to properly protect themselves in this economy.
I’m with you. I don’t think we are going to fall to the level where we literally have to stop people from stealing our last morsels of food by shooting them in the face.
We really should be grateful for all the niceties we take part of today.
Great read,
Bryce
Hi Bryce,
Oh wow. Yeah, I’ve met those people. It was one of the reasons I left the US in 1999. I was living in Las Vegas and what people don’t know is that Nevada is quite rural out side of Vegas. People were stocking up on supplies for Y2K. And by supplies, I mean generators and lots of guns. I heard several people say that if the crisis hit, and anyone tried to come near their property, they’d just shoot them on sight. The fear was already huge and nothing had even happened yet (and well, didn’t). That really scared me and I wanted to be in a country with a different mentality and a lot less guns in case the shit really did hit the fan.
Now, I’m no longer as scared, because see people like that as being in the GREAT minority. That kind of reaction comes from extreme fear and I see that lessening as people are waking up. And they are. Occupy Wallstreet is a perfect example of this: a peaceful revolution. I adore it. People are respectfully, calmly, peacefully but unflinchingly saying “No More”.
Although, I do want to point out that if the zombie apocalypse comes, a machete is much better than a gun. It doesn’t run out of bullets. This should really be common knowledge by now, people… 😀
Huge hugs,
Melody
love this perspective: The fear of the boogieman creates it. It’s funny because the S.O (sig other) and I have doubled our income in the last year (and despite my doubt that it was possible, looks like may happen again this year…amazing what the Universe presents to you when you put an intention out there). We have both created new career situations for ourselves. We have been cared for beyond our wildest dreams by the benevolent life source. We truly live a “magical” (not obstacle-free) life.
This kinda stuff isn’t supposed to happen in a “down” economy…but it does…and keeps on happening. It’s all about the energy, folks.
Thanks for sharing, Melody.
Yeah… a lot of stuff isn’t supposed to happen according to mainstream beliefs. But if you don’t buy into that, you can create anything you want. 🙂
Thanks so much for this great example, Steve! You’re an inspiration.
Hugs,
Melody
*burps and farts are good signs for digestion
*the majority is always mistaken
*to hell with karma points
(you know my humor is frumpy and amiss.. :-))
..and as Joe Dominguez puts it:
“The foolish person wants more money and more of the things money can buy;
the wise person wants enough money, and more of the things money can´t buy:
health, happiness, love and peace of mind”
P.S: How are these bigmouthed smilies made?
Hey Sara,
LOL. As long as it makes you smile, it’s all good. 😀
Big mouthed smilies are colon “:” and the capital letter “D”.
Hugs,
Melody
*My daughter started her own biz in “this economy” and it’s thriving!
*People are still buying books, (that’s my biz) actually MORE people are buying books thanks to the dreaded e-revolution (which, for a while, had authors as freaked out as “this economy” has everyone else.)
*Contrast creates clarity, clarity creates more resonant desires, and desires create reality.
So to slightly misquote Peg Bundy, Thank your contrast, kids. (“Thanks, Contrast!”)
Another great post. I’m off to Tweet & FB it!
Hiya Maggie!
thanks for sharing your own experience. Kudos to your daughter for having the guts to make the leap. I still love books. I see the appeal of the Kindle, especially for traveling, but I don’t have one. It’s just not the same. Books have an energy, and one I’d miss too dearly if I went all electronic. Also, I tend to forget about e-books. I never re-read them. They just sort of linger on my hard drive and die a slow death. But books… I have shelves and shelves of them. And boxes full of them on three continents. And I never forget them. They’re like my kids. 🙂
Thanks so much for your support!
Hugs,
Melody