You can only go halfway into the
darkest forest…
then you are coming out the other
side.
--Chinese
Proverb
Are We There Yet??
Anxiously
awaited as the turning point, everyone’s wondering where the bottom of the
market is. Is this the worst of it? How
about now? Please, someone tell us we’ve hit rock bottom! The prolonged
uncertainty (sixteen months and counting) makes us so squeamish we can hardly
stand it. Why is that?
It’s because
we have forgotten that all of life cycles from birth to death, renewal to loss,
creativity to destruction, and back again. We’re comforted by cycles in nature,
but when the same healthy cycles occur in our lives or the economy, we balk at
the “winter,” fearing it will never end.
Honoring the Journey
We have
forgotten that we came here for all
of life, not a 24/7 joy fest. We dig our heels in at the top of any darkness
that comes, fighting the fall, and weakening ourselves in the process.
We have
forgotten the treasures that come from the terribly awful times. We need the
winters in nature, in the economy, and in our personal lives. We gather vital
lessons and resources there that we draw upon for our next stage of growth.
When we
face the challenging times head on (as opposed to avoiding, denying, or
short-cutting), we come out on the other side better for it; we’re more
connected to ourselves and what’s truly important. Decisions are easier to
make. We’re less harried and more focused.
The same
journey is underway now in the economy. Stretched beyond what was healthy and
sustainable, the economy said “enough is enough” and in December, 2007 it began
the long process of self-correcting and re-balancing.
Decades of sacrificing long-term stability for short-term gain finally took its toll. Too little regulation, copious sub-prime mortgage loans, over-inflated CEO salaries, and mounting debt were all symptoms of an unhealthy economy in need of a major shake up. The recession has forced us to purge and rebuild.
Getting There with
Grace
We can
navigate through this in-between time with more grace and ease by remembering what
we seem to have forgotten.
- Trust the cycle. The economy is
using its natural cycle to self-correct and re-balance. Better times are on
the way. Allow yourself to be curious and excited about the innovation,
rebirth, and true abundance to come.
- Something profoundly valuable is
being born in this dark time that will support us through the next challenge.
Yes, after we enjoy the recovery and renewal, another recession will come.
It’s ok. It’s just life doing its thing.
- Even at your most vulnerable,
you are stronger than you know. Turn your attention to the things that you
have some control over and take an active role in fostering the necessary
changes.
- You are not alone. A time of
shared struggle is an opportunity to strengthen our connections with
others. Reach out for help and offer what you have to give.
---------------
Debbie Lacy is a life coach and the
creator of The Money Mindful Way,™ a series of
courses designed to help people overcome money fears, identify what they want,
and move forward in tangible ways.
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