It's no secret that our country is going through something major at the moment.  More and more people are getting drawn into the black hole of despair.  I urge you, resist.
 
I can't claim to know what you are experiencing at the moment...fear about the future, worry as to whether you'll be able to maintain the life you know, loss, stress about security-in general and in your work.  What I do know about however, is hope.
 
Two people can navigate identical life circumstances and have completely different experiences and outcomes.  In truth, it is a choice.  One person may go through a dramatic change that feels like life is over as she knows it.  She might in spirit, lay down and give up, going through the drudgery of the day, without faith for a happy tomorrow, and preparing for doomsday.  Another person may refuse to let go of hope, always trusting, knowing that things are going to be okay, holding onto the hope of possibility and continuing to smile even on the dark days.  Some may call the 1st a realist and the 2nd a foolish optimist.  But I wonder, who would you rather spend time with?  Whose company leaves you better than they found you?  Who experiences more peace during identical circumstances?
 
Stop Rolling Around in It
There's a strange phenomenon that often happens when we're feeling blue-we want to wallow in it.  There's something cathartic about it at first, and it's imperative to feel what you're feeling.  But then, for goodness sake, get out of the muck!  Only you can decide to be done rolling around in it, only you know when you've had enough and are ready to return to hope.  If sitting in the muck for long periods of time helped improve your circumstances or moved you toward fulfillment, then you'd have my vote.  However, generally you're just left feeling crummy.  Get up and shift into a more inspired space.
 
Build your arsenal of inspiration.  Surround yourself with uplifting people.  Listen to music that makes you tap your foot or hum rather than songs that leave you melancholy.  Pick up books and magazines from the library that offer uplifting messages, remind you of your values, cause you to take positive action in your life.  Eat vibrant, live foods and steer clear from highly sugared and processed foods which compound feeling defeated.  Set up your environment so that it is liberally sprinkled with elements of hope.
 
Happy By-products: Essential You and Community
One positive by-product of difficult times is that we are forced to reacquaint with ourselves, and our values, and to remember what is truly most important to us.  During slim financial times, we recall that we can actually live quite happily amidst simplicity.  That having less stuff and less social running around actually creates room for the essential you, space to contemplate, time to restore and rebuild the significant relationships in your life.  Isn't it ironic how many people in the world who live the most simply appear to be so genuinely happy?
 
It is incredibly easy to isolate and insulate ourselves.  We feel different from our neighbors and coworkers.  Recently, however, I was reminded of the beautiful truth-- that we're all the same.  We are all in this together.  Without getting into actual politics, something I deeply appreciate about President Obama is his profound ability to foster a sense of connectedness, community, and shared vision.  He is a powerful voice in discouraging times, reminding us that we all want to be proud of our country.  We all want to be safe, loved, cared for.  None of us want our children to grow up in a world wracked with debt.  We all want access to quality health care and education.  And when I remember we're all the same, I can't help but wonder, "How can I help?"
 
However small, this newsletter is one offering I can make-- a wish that you may have hope. 
 
As we're given this introspective time to return to our essence, let's also return to our connection to one another.  Know that regardless of our station or phase in life, we are the same.  Let's offer support locally in whatever ways we can, be it buying local produce, shopping at mom and pop stores, or simply practicing random acts of kindness.  Pull yourself up and be an expression of hope in this world. Light the way for others.  When people are in the darkest of times, a simple smile can save a life.