Archives For economy

Ignore the Downturn?

Chris —  March 24, 2009

It’s no secret that news networks thrive off of negativity.  Violence, and destruction always seem to have a place in the headlines.  Right now, this seems even more prevalent than usual.  It’s not just the news, it’s the entertainment podcasts I listen to and the sermons I download every week.

It is also no secret that focus on negativity is a great way to become a negative person yourself.  Even if there’s a Wall Street rally like yesterday, people automatically talk about how it won’t last.  How do you get by in a time when it seems the whole country is super focused on the worst of reality?  Do you turn the TV off?  Just read old books?  Or do you embrace it?

How are you keeping your chin up in a downturn?

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Stimulus

Chris —  March 4, 2009

Life is tough enough without having to hear the daily news about our disaster of an economy.  

When you’re depressed, the world looks like it’s going to hell in a hand basket.  Compare that to the glow of a young couple in love.  They’re always grinning, the world is beautiful.  Clouds are bright white and storms are exciting.  They’re positivity is attractive, and some times even annoying.

There are clearly problems that no one really knows how to address, and I believe the team and plan our President has put in place is as probably as good as anything else people might come up with.  But it seems to me that we need a different kind of stimulus package that the 800 billion that’s being pumped into the market.

So much of our economy is based on our impressions.  We are totally reliant on the emotions of men and women on Wall Street and whether they feel like buying or selling.  They feel good, stock goes up, they feel scared, it crashes.  I wonder what would happen to our recessed economy if it took the same advice we give to the depressed.  

What if all of our stock brokers turned off CNBC, and started every morning with some inspirational reading a brisk jog.  What if they surrounded themselves with positivity, and went into the market every morning feeling bullish?

I realize that I’m no economist, and I’m greatly simplifying things.  But I can’t help but believe that some positive thinking is worth at least a couple billion.

In Culture, Life , , ,
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Hard Times

Chris —  February 16, 2009

Right now, I’m going through what could be called “hard times.”  According to the news, we all are.  

It’s hard because it shows how little I really trust God.  I say I believe in God.  I read my Bible, and claim to believe it’s promises.  The reality of my situation can be scary, and promises “to prosper you” and to clothe you like “the lilies,” even the promise to “bear your yolk” are hard to take seriously.

It’s hard because I want to fix it.   I’m a type-A, take charge kind of guy.  While there is a lot to be said for that, it can only get you so far.  Waiting on the Lord is hard for anybody, but especially those of us who are used to fixing things.

It’s hard because there are no words.  Sincere people try to comfort you when your scared, but,  it often comes across like platitudes from people who have never really faced hard times.

It’s hard because you put off all other hopes  and dreams to deal with reality.  The book I was going to write, the relationship I was going to pursue, the race I was going to train for; all of that seems like it has to be put off.  

How do you deal with hard times?

In God, Life , , , , ,
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