The weather here in Northern California has been wet and overcast for the past few days. But this morning the sun is shining brightly, the hills are green with fresh growth, and the sky is a brilliant dark blue.
I know that in many parts of the country it can be overcast for weeks not days, but in California a few days of clouds is a big deal.
When the clouds are ominous, the lightning is flashing, the rain is beating down, and the wind is howling forgetting about the sun’s warmth, light, and energy is easy to do.
Stormy Financial Times
At the current time we are living in stormy financial times. The stock market is tumbling, companies are filing bankruptcy, unemployment is rising, and fear is on everyone’s minds.
It is easy to forget in times like this that “this too will pass.” The sunny times will return eventually.
Change Is Difficult
The financial system as we know it is undergoing a cataclysmic change.
Personal finance is undergoing a huge change as well. We are changing from a consuming society, to one that saves.
Change is difficult. It takes discipline. We will hit bumps, plateaus, and valleys.
On the bright side, adversity breeds character. What will it produce in the generation that experiences this?
The Lens of History Gives Perspective
As I read about the economy and some of the foolish policies proposed to solve this problem, it has been easy for me to have a doom and gloom mentality and attitude.
However, looking at history has provided me with a measure of hope. (Not as much hope as this.)
The Great Depression
My grandparents were born, raised, and survived The Great Depression. Do a search for companies started during a recession.
People were resourceful. They found ways to make it. They lived on less. Worked harder and still found ways to save a little money.
The Dark Ages
From my recollection of the era known as The Dark Ages, the life of the common people was none too pleasant. No running water, indoor plumbing was reserved for the richest of the rich if at all, and personal hygiene was yet to be invented.
Many of the peasants in Europe were serfs and had no ownership rights to the property on which they lived. They were at the whim and mercy of their lord. They worked hard on the land, but the landowner received a portion of all they produced.
Yet, for all this hardship modern Europe still exists. It is not a vast wasteland with few inhabitants.
History provides example after of example of human ability to creatively adapt to situations and to survive.
The Sun Will Rise …
The current financial turmoil is not permanent. At some point in the future the financial sun will rise again.
A state of normalcy and predictability will again settle on the markets. Industries will begin to grow. That growth will create jobs and wealth.
The storm raging around us is beyond our control. Focusing on the storm raging around us will distract us from the items that need to be accomplished today.
We can control our actions to today. Besides “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Photo Credit: phatman
