Three Attitudes to Manage Stress Related To Our Economy
There is a whole generation of senior Americans who lived through the "Great Depression". They passed on their personal stories of hunger, mental depression, financial embarrassment, state tax and bill collectors knocking at their doors demanding money. Small and large businesses were folding daily under the economic stress.
The "Greatest Generation" earned that title because they fought world wars, racial prejudice and economic collapse.
They taught us and pass on a highly developed and cultivated pride in their Country. Overcoming tremendous odds that should have broken this country, they stood firm in their support of her and the greatest, most generous nation on earth prevailed and they did it by sticking together.
So here we are now, facing a world economic challenge, unlike most of us in the United States have ever gone through. The recession of the 1980s was hard, but this go- around is quite different and for most of us who experienced it, feels quite different. It is different because we have never felt it on a collective world level before. The whole world is managing an economic challenge, and we all share the burden. We all share in this economic vulnerability. There are very few families, friends and co-workers this economic situation has not affected, so we are all in this together and perhaps a collective reckoning would serve us better.
Attitude # 1. EMPATHY
Many Americans feel they have been raped financially; we all have to pay the price for some very gruesome financial gains by a small few. If we are going to work through this crisis, we need to look towards a solution and no longer at the source. Our Government is taking some extreme measures to rescue us and some think that the kind of rescue proposed is ludicrous. It is a decision. Collectively we have a choice in how the rescue is going to manifest. We need to acknowledge that. So collectively we have arrived here, collectively we need to find a solution.
Creating an attitude of empathy and caring for each other is the healthiest way we will overcome this situation. Like any physical or mental disease, this is a dis-ease of our economy. Instead of a verbal rock fight between each, that can drain our energ,y take the higher ground of altruism. Attitude adjustment needs to remain our number one priority. Empathy is the virtue that is at the core foundation and heart of our Country. Scientist are now starting to prove that it is actually hard wired into our physiology.
Attitude #2. HOPE
You have a choice at this very moment, to be in thoughts of the future with fear and lack or be present in the here now with thoughts of hope. Choose the positive high road and those thoughts will turn into comfort, which will turn into peace and that decision fuels energy. Thinking of the future with fear creates a nightmare and regret comes when you focus on the past with a negative mindset. Protect and nurture your peaceful attitude.
A well- lived healthy, productive life requires staying connected to the present moment. Choose faith not fear, those attitudes cannot be present at the same time. A hopeful attitude always feels really good.
Attitude#3. NURTURE YOURSELF
Many of us have to work more hours, with less down time, less time to re-generate energy. Quality of rest is very important. Limit your negative media input. Turn off the bad news.
An easy thing you can do is take short mini breaks, five minutes or so to just stop what you are doing and connect to your breathing. Think about how someone shows you they love you, your family, your friends, even your pet. Hang out in nature more often, if even for a few minutes. Think of good stuff in your life, no matter how small. Be thankful for whatever you have. If your mind wanders off to the negative, acknowledge it for a moment and re-boot to the positive mind set. (This takes practice, but becomes easier the more you train your mind). Don't put yourself down, what you say to yourself must be critiqued at all times. Eat healthier nurturing well balanced meals, learn and practice meditation and yoga. Exercise produces endorphins in your bio-chemistry. Reach out and talk about your concerns with someone you trust.
Become a mental, physical and spiritual warrior. Nurture and strengthen your positive attitudes.
We all need to participate in our economic healing Let us honor the "greatest generation" and the lineage we all leave behind.