The economy. It's on our minds, and in our wallet. We hear about it everyday in the news, from our friends, and for many of us from the bill collectors. Everyone has a plan to improve it, and some of us just give up. We're saturated, and we're worried. I know I am. I mean, who knows what's coming next. More bailouts, less disposable cash, hours cut at work, and fewer customers. Soon, we may all be applying for work at McDonald's, since they seem to be one of the few corporate entities actually making money. When times are tough, you can't go wrong with two double cheese burgers for two bucks.
In spite of all the gloom, though, there may be a bright spot. I call it being humbled. Wesbster's Dictionary describes humble as " not pride or haughty,not arrogant or assertive, reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference or submission". Now your probably wondering if I've been smoking to much "happy tabaccy"- how the hell is being humble a bright spot in anything! Well for some reason, the powers that be, i.e., God, Allah, Buddha, or whoever you think runs things in the universe, say that it's good to be humble now and then. Why- because its makes us aware that we are not "all that", not the most important thing on the planet, not the chosen ones. It makes us aware we have faults, and that maybe we shouldn't be so much of an asshole to those less fortunate. This economy will humble a lot of us. Many of us will or have lost a lot. I have, and now instead of thinking, I want more, I know now I can live on far less. All the things in life I thought I was too good to endure, I find are an attractive diversion to "gimme-gimme-gimme". I mean, I actually look for on sale items at the grocery store now, and no longer go to Starbucks everyday. Actually, I'm glad about that; I found my own coffee maker makes a much better brew!
Now, don't get me wrong, money is a nice thing to have. In fact those that still have a lot probably stopped reading this by now. But, everybodys humble time will come. I truly believe this is what got us into this economy mess. The banks wanted more interest and fees, the car makers charged ridiculous prices on average vehicles, the real estate industry pumping up prices as high as they can, and little Johnny wants the Wii, and IPOD, Mommy and her Juicy Couture purse and the Mercedes, Dad with the Gold American Express and the mistress on the side. Hmm, maybe I can get along with 150 cable channels instead of 250 plus the HD porn upgrade. It all got expensive- then it all broke- now the fix may kill us. So now, we all find that maybe the dinners at home, trading in the BMW for a Honda, and just having a quickie with the mistress instead of supporting her isn't all that bad. It's a simpler life. Less headaches, and a chance to literally stop and smell the roses. My parents are in their 80's, and always thrifty, had a lot less of the, "Am I gonna hit my fiscal goals" syndrome, or, "How the hell will I make that huge car payment next month". They got the one credit card, seven year old car, and basic cable TV way of life, and they will probably out live me for the less stress they have.
So being humbled will make us think better, plan better, slow done a little, maybe help those less fortunate, and keep us from spending money as fast as a fifteen year old gets an erection. Maybe we'll actually save some money. Maybe we can all enjoy life more, and cherish those things we love and care about. Even the MasterCard ads will admit those things are "priceless".
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