TOW: In A Pinch

This week I have been thinking a lot about 'life phases.' I keep thinking about how people who are not even 20, and they have managed to become rich, famous, or have some sort of really interesting accolade. And then I keep thinking about how they got there, and I wonder where person x, y, and z will be in 20, 25 years. I wonder this because the way that life works...no one stays on top of the ferris wheel forever. This month, in honour of the recession, I am thinking about financial well-being.



It's interesting that each of us can probably point to a time in their lives when they were really, really poor and couldn't afford the things their friends and family could. Making ends meet by pinching pennies, and tightening belts, the future was seen as the key to happiness because somewhere, in the future, was financial stability. I do think it's a pretty universal problem, and something that most people experience once or twice in their lives (and if you haven't yet, you're either very lucky, or it's right around the corner, I imagine. Good luck with that.).



Why is it such a universal problem that we either lose a job, or the markets come crashing down on our heads, or we somehow end up with a bankrupt business? Sometimes we make all the right decisions, and still come out with mothballs in our pockets, and a sour taste in our mouths.



I think the reason that we have these periods in our lives is so that we can appreciate the happiness we do have. These times are good examples of moments to reconsider not only what is important in our lives, but also to start new projects, to branch out into new areas we never thought we would be in. The beauty of being in a period of financial failure is yes, we get to appreciate the periods of our lives that're financially successful...but it's also something more complex and worthwhile. It's a time to grow in a new direction, to experience new things, good and bad. And we get to build up other things in our lives, and to let them be the centre of our lives, to learn to live without monetary stability, but with the stability of friends, family, and care for ourselves.