Friday, August 14, 2009
A Down Economy
Has the downward economy got you feeling blue? As a parent, you can feel especially affected by the economy. The kids don't always understand why you can't take them to Disneyland this year or why vacation had to be shorter than normal. Thankfully, they don't care that you buy all of their clothes on sale at the outlet-mall or that you frequently buy the knock-off brands. But, it can feel overwhelming when you crunch the numbers and the forecast is like the gloomy coastal layer hovering over the beach communities.
This evening, after a pretty demanding day with my three young kids, I was blessed with a great dose of perspective. After someone knocked on our front door, my kids instantly assumed it was Daddy coming home from work. Since I'd just sent him to the store via an SOS cell-phone request, I knew that it wasn't him. I was curious. Was it a neighbor? Was it the Publisher's Clearing House, yeah right? It wasn't Calgon coming to take me away either.
It was a tall, hard-working weathered gentleman telling me he was trying to earn some money. He asked if he could repaint our address numbers in front of our house for $5. I told him I didn't have any cash on me, but asked if he could paint it and return in about twenty minutes, so that my husband could get the cash on his way home. The man was thrilled to lock in the commitment. It was refreshing to see this man going door-to-door willing to work for his money, rather than standing out on a street corner begging for it.
Though times are financially challenging for my family during this season of economic downturn, my most recent conversation with my husband had been about which bottle of wine to pick up from the store and about which other food items we needed for the weekend. Because of this man's effort to work for his basic needs, I felt humbled. I felt like I'd been taking my own precious provisions such as food and shelter for granted. It was sobering to realize how much we actually have...so much more than so many other people in the world and more than some of those right here in our own neck of the woods.
Today, I learned that life is about having a healthy perspective and about helping others. I gained the realization that even though our finances have become a bit depressed, we have options and opportunities simply because of how we've been blessed with good educations and great skill-sets. Some people don't have either of those things. I was also very grateful to help someone out who genuinely looked like he needed a pick-me-up. I've been there before... feeling like I just needed someone to give me a chance. Haven't you felt that way before?
Share an example of how you've gained perspective during this financially difficult season. Also, let me know how you've shown someone else an act of kindness.
This evening, after a pretty demanding day with my three young kids, I was blessed with a great dose of perspective. After someone knocked on our front door, my kids instantly assumed it was Daddy coming home from work. Since I'd just sent him to the store via an SOS cell-phone request, I knew that it wasn't him. I was curious. Was it a neighbor? Was it the Publisher's Clearing House, yeah right? It wasn't Calgon coming to take me away either.
It was a tall, hard-working weathered gentleman telling me he was trying to earn some money. He asked if he could repaint our address numbers in front of our house for $5. I told him I didn't have any cash on me, but asked if he could paint it and return in about twenty minutes, so that my husband could get the cash on his way home. The man was thrilled to lock in the commitment. It was refreshing to see this man going door-to-door willing to work for his money, rather than standing out on a street corner begging for it.
Though times are financially challenging for my family during this season of economic downturn, my most recent conversation with my husband had been about which bottle of wine to pick up from the store and about which other food items we needed for the weekend. Because of this man's effort to work for his basic needs, I felt humbled. I felt like I'd been taking my own precious provisions such as food and shelter for granted. It was sobering to realize how much we actually have...so much more than so many other people in the world and more than some of those right here in our own neck of the woods.
Today, I learned that life is about having a healthy perspective and about helping others. I gained the realization that even though our finances have become a bit depressed, we have options and opportunities simply because of how we've been blessed with good educations and great skill-sets. Some people don't have either of those things. I was also very grateful to help someone out who genuinely looked like he needed a pick-me-up. I've been there before... feeling like I just needed someone to give me a chance. Haven't you felt that way before?
Share an example of how you've gained perspective during this financially difficult season. Also, let me know how you've shown someone else an act of kindness.
Labels: down economy, finances, help
