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On the surface, it appears that the balloon that is our service-based economy has been popped, and all of the air has rushed out, leaving an empty shell and a nation sitting on the edge of panic. Before an epidemic of high blood pressure and ulcers sets in, it's important to remember that many similar events have happened within most of our lifetimes. Remember when a certain president "Did not have sexual relations with that woman"? That particular scandal caused a buzz that triggered a stock market meltdown. Also, many of us who are getting a bit long in the tooth can remember sitting in lines at gas stations thirty years ago during a so-called energy crisis. My point is that the citizens of the United States have survived a myriad of gloomy events, but, to date, the straw has yet to break the camel's back. With a little faith and cooperation, there will be yet another return to better times, but it is important to remember that it's not coming next week, next month, or next year. Be patient!

A good place to practice this patience is with our retirement accounts. Millions of people have lost thousands of dollars in the stock market. Me? Yes, my 401K is about $40,000 lighter than it was a year ago, and I'm tempted to switch the little bit that's left into a safer fund, but that doesn't solve the problem at hand: How am I going to get that money back? Suze Ormann and others have stated that staying the course is the best option. Why? At the very worst the American worker is purchasing stocks and mutual funds at a discount rate, and there is plenty of potential for reaping the benefits in the future. It's definitely a good idea to continue buying savings bonds and investing in CDs; having safe investments to override the possible losses of riskier ones is good insurance for the future. However, if you believe in our great nation, you also believe that it will bounce back, and bailing out of all risk-taking ventures is a short-term patch for a long-term goal.

It'a also important to remember that everybody is suffering through hard times. It's not just you or me or the neighbor. Don't be afraid to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. One positive offshoot of the financial crisis is the falling gas prices. so take advantage of this and go on a trip. Christmas is upon us, and there is no reason not to celebrate the holiday season as in years past. Our economy is fueled by spending. The present situation is like a train that is stalled in a tunnel, and if everybody

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