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As economic forecasters, pundits, and politically-motivated sources offer their estimates as to when the economy will be back on a growth curve, there is a subtle but telling undercurrent that could be forecasting things will never again be like they were.

What many are not accounting for in their predictions is the growing change of consciousness that is sweeping the globe. Economic crises have a way of helping humans to sort out the priorities. So, just as the great depression of so many years ago left a couple of generations forever wary of their relationship with money, this economic crisis is also leaving its mark on the psyche of perhaps two or three generations.

According to one account an American Psychological Association (APA) survey in 2008 found that eight out of ten Americans thought the current economic mayhem was a major source of stress in their lives.

It's interesting to see how people are changing their behaviors because of the economic turmoil. One report noted that the savings rate in the US was up significantly. Credit card companies are increasing rates no doubt because they know fewer people are going to be charging things. Gardening is expected to increase by 20 percent in 2009. More people are considering remodeling instead of buying another home.

While these responses may be temporary, the lessons learned from this economic catastrophe won't be. And for the many who have paid attention as the country has gone through one economic adjustment after another for the better part of 40 years there is a dawning realization that something just isn't working - that it's not worth the effort to sacrifice today for some future dream. Particularly for dreams that never materialize.

Just consider the savings and loan fleecing in the 80s followed about 10 years later by the dot com bubble bust. These regularly staged transfers of wealth have left millions facing the reality of working well beyond a traditional retirement age. The people of the generations immediately behind them watch and learn, and ever so subtly their consciousness begins to change. They see the so-called guarantees really aren't there. They see the cycles of greed play themselves out. They listen as the words being mouthed reveal less and less of the true economic realities.

At some point people realize that they had better pursue something that matters to them rather than something that simply promises a consumer lifestyle.

In a way this is the end of the American Dream as it has been sold for a century, and the beginning of a new American Dream. This one is concerned with responsibility, quality, ethics, and creativity while money takes its new place as a means, rather than the ends.

Learn more about this author, Duane Craig.
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