What Do You Really Need?

Have you noticed there are valuable lessons to be learned when the economy sinks into oblivion?

Those dollar bills are not just pieces of paper taking up space in your wallet – ye gads, they are really worth something! I actually saw a lady stop and pick up a coin on the sidewalk and a small child pick up a penny. That’s amazing! Some stores are starting to offer layaway plans again and even the National Banks of moms and dads and grandparents are looking for bailouts.

In the midst of all of this, will we learn a lesson? We tell the Government they must have more oversight, and make sure they are spending taxpayer’s money wisely. I agree, but at the same time, until recently, not many of us would have ordered a hamburger instead of that steak we wanted. Restaurants are cutting portions now so they can reduce prices and stay in business. Without super sizing everything we eat, maybe we will quit super sizing our bodies and become healthier.

It is not easy to face reality. For too long the saying “I want what I want when I want it” has been what most people lived by. Just for the record, I am 84 years young, I never had granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a separate sew/craft room, a play room for the kids or their dad never had a guy’s room, we just all lived together in the whole house, enjoyed each other’s fun and laughter, suffered with each others aches and pains and always picked up coins on the street and valued each dollar bill. Sound dull? Maybe so, but the ice box in the kitchen and the staples in the pantry were always in abundance and every time we were able to upgrade our life style, we knew the joy of accomplishment came by living with what we could afford and not obsessing over what we could not afford.

Young people take note. A house or car you can’t afford will not give you love, offer you warm arms when you are ill or share dreams with you. Be patient, life is not a quick spin around the block – life is a journey to be taken slowly with wonderful surprises at every turn in the road. Don’t waste a minute of it.

2009 Awaits You, Are You Ready?

In just a few hours a new year of challenges and opportunities will begin for each of us. Are we prepared to give it “our best shot”?

We are faced with world problems the likes of which most of us have never before experienced. It will take the best of us to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. We must be Spiritually, Mentally and Physically Ready for what the future holds.

To be Spiritually Ready does not necessary mean to resolve to go to church every Saturday or Sunday, although that can’t hurt. Spiritually Ready means so much more. Are we ready to embrace, respect, and accept our fellow brothers and sisters? To acknowledge that we are one entity of this earth and we need the best from each of us regardless of our race, religion or national origin?

To be Mentally Ready does not mean to resolve to read a book of the month, although that can’t hurt either. Mentally Ready means to be prepared and aware – ready to take advantage of the opportunities we may encounter to make our world a better place for all. Ready to walk through the doors that are open and realize that a closed door only means that the possibilities on the other side have not yet been discovered.

Physically Ready does not necessarily mean to resolve to diet those extra pounds away, although that is a worthy goal. Physically Ready means to nurture your strength, your resolve and your stamina so that the body is prepared to do the bidding of the mind and soul.

Strength of soul, mind and body will make you steadfast and will not allow opposing forces to intimidate you nor change who you are.

Considering all the challenges we face, we need a lot of heroes. Every hamlet, every town or city, every state, every neighborhood needs a hero. We need thinkers, we need doers, and especially we need dreamers. And, more than any thing else, we need to reclaim our positive outlook, to remember the greatness is in each and every one of us.

So on this New Years Eve resolve to be a beacon of light for our future. In total darkness, one candle will light a room.