The spirit of the American Dream

The news is horrible, sometimes it is better not to turn on the news - that way at least you don't feel so depressed at the end of it. In spite of all the bad news, one has to be hopeful that things will change for the better. I guess that is what keeps us going.

As we read about the different businesses and the big bucks that some people made, some of the those numbers have so many zeroes, it is difficult to comprehend.

How does one cope with falling value of houses, no jobs and rising unemployment? In places like Detroit and surrounding areas, it has affected the economy so badly, even the non automotive businesses are suffering. That is no surprise considering people need to have jobs to have insurance to pay for going to the doctor or dentist. If people want to move, how do they do that if no one can afford or buy the house? It seems to be a vicious circle.

However, the spirit of the American Dream is what keeps us going. The belief that working hard will eventually get you where you need to go. People were complacent where they were and the recession pulled the rug out from under them. This shook many out of their comfortable slumber and were forced to take a hard look at reality. The good thing about all this is that recessive times call for creative measures. While of course there are scams running rampant - sticking with the philosophy that hard work pays - it eventually does.

Many are doing what they need to do to keep food on the table. Whether it is working 3 part time jobs, starting their own business that provides value or bartering their services in exchange for other goods or services - the spirit of the American Dream is definitely in action.

No matter how bad things may seem right now - this too shall pass.