Recession Proof Serenity

Fear is running rampant through our society today. More businesses are closing, more people are unemployed, homes are lost and lives are shattered.  You can't open the paper or click on a news site without bad news blasting through the headlines.  People want security and they want answers. Unfortunately, what we want and what we get are often quite different.

So how do you manage to hold onto a little bit of peace during turbulent times when the core of our lives are seemingly mangled beyond repair?  Well, it requires a little bit of work but it can be done. I lost the job I loved in January and I am a single mother and the main provider for my two daughters, so I know a little bit about fear.  But I also know a little bit about peace.  Here's what I know.

Fear will take over your life if you let it.  It will cause illness, it will cause anxiety, it will cause you to lose your mind.  Make a decision to put a stop to that immediately. The best way to do that is to get it all onto paper. Write your fears down, every one of them.  Once you can see them clearly on a sheet of paper in front of you, you can deal with them.

Next, on a separate sheet of paper make two columns.  In Column One put the fears that you can deal with.  In Column Two, put the fears that you have no idea how to manage.  Let's say your fears are outstanding debt, losing your home, losing your health insurance, becoming ill and having to declare bankruptcy because of potential exhorbitant medical expenses. 

Now, separate those into the two columns.  Column One (fears you can deal with) should include outstanding debt and losing your health insurance.  You can take action on these. Calling your creditors and being open and honest with them will often allow them to give you options you never thought of.  Call a private health insurance agent and if you don't know one, ask family or friends.  Somebody knows a reliable insurance guy, trust me.  Get a quote.  Don't just give up - taking action will restore some inner peace.

Put the other items in Column Two.  Those you cannot deal with right now.  But ask yourself, what is the worst that can happen. I asked myself that when I lost my job.  "Well, what if I lose my home" said I.  And the answer was "Okay, then you move into an apartment until things pick up financially and make that your home for awhile" and I felt better.  Peace was restored.  I didn't have to worry about an unknown - 'what might happen' - because I knew the answer. 

Taking action regarding things like your health will help you too.  If you don't currently take care of your physical self, try to do little things to get started. This will help you feel like you are more in control.  If you are getting healthy, you'll be less worried about 'what happens if I get sick" and you will keep that boulder from rolling back down the hill and keep the fear from starting up again.

So take some action to maintain a sense of inner peace during tumultuous times and you might just be surprised at the level of serenity you've achieved.  Have faith because this too shall pass. Honest.