In the Middle of the Morning, In the Middle of the Night

Are you discouraged about the news today? Are you wondering what to do? How to react?

It's okay to be a bit scared and uncertain. It's not okay to panic. Tell yourself to be calm, you'll be alright if you make a plan.

Stressful times call for smart decisions. Picture yourself standing in front of a vending machine. Many choices are in front of you. Do you want a candy bar? Chips? Fruit? Or, maybe the smartest decision would be to buy nothing, and walk away, making a better choice for your health and finances.

Today, make changes. Decide to make a plan, trim the fat, cut the waste, all the little things you know are right, but should no longer procrastinate. Do something, do it now.

I'm reminded of a Bette Davis saying "Old age is no place for sissies."

Neither are tough times. If you're not a bit scared, then I fear a little for you; wisdom should bring a bit of fear as we look ahead. Our daily life is going to change, our budgets are at risk, we're faced with important decisions.

Fear is fuel. We can use it to "rev" up our internal engines to solve problems.

I know we can make it. My grandparents and their parents made it. And guess what? They had fun along the way. So, we may have a bit less over the next few years. Most of us have had some extras in food, fun, clothing, and household items anyway. And, if not, and you've had to pinch for many years, living frugally, then I suggest you write about the things you've learned, others need your wisdom, it could even be a marketable asset for you!

Joan Baez said "Action is the antidote to despair." Take action, do something, vow to make a difference in your situation. TAKE CHARGE. We always feel better when we are prepared. If you can't do something big, do something small.

If you can't swim, float.

If you don't have a "golden parachute" how about a golden apple? Pearls of wisdom are found in small things, plans, actions. That golden apple is achieveable and will come in the form of your survival by will, wit, and determination.

We may have to do without some things we want, even a few things we need. When I was growing up, I'm reminded of the way my father helped me with issues or problems. He didn't always give me an answer, but he always listened. Solutions were often remote and far away, or hard and complicated.

As I was experiencing indecision, my father would frequently talk about character. "What will you become? Where will your decision take you?" he would ask, when I was sharing a situation that had me worried or upset. Teaching me to think ahead, to predict outcomes, he would point to his chest, in the heart area. tilt his head to the right, move it slightly back and forth, and say something like "What will this do to you here? What is it that you are willing to settle for, here!" Those comments, those questions, always made the decision more clear.

When I faced rough, sad, hard times, what my dad was saying to me, those many years ago, was what I have more recently read:

• "It is not so much what a man is descended from, that matters as what he will descend to." -unknown
• "The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but rather what he becomes by it." -unknown

Our big bankers and oil executives have forgotten that important characteristic of life and work. Will we?

I think that says it all. In the coming days and even months, what will you become by your toil?