Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Financial insecurity


These are troubling days in the world financial markets. It's like riding a roller coaster. The interesting thing is that I don't have much fear about financial security. It's not that I have a lot of money. But I do have enough money to live on, and I have "things". I'm comfortable, made some sound investments that seemed good a few years ago, have a nice home and car, and a secure job. So I don't have a lot of anxiety about the financial market.

But there are lots of people who are living on the edge. And I know some of them from Al-Anon meetings. They have lost their homes and savings because of alcoholism. And yet last night I heard some one express that even though they had lost so much, they were still not fearful about the economy. They had learned to live a simpler life and one that wasn't dependent upon having so many "things".

I always thought that if I had to go back to living like a graduate student I could it do again. I could downsize the house, have one car, not eat out, sell the boat, and do a number of things that would prevent us from being bankrupt. Before Al-Anon, I wanted more things. But I've come to realize that just having those things that money can't buy is what's important: peace, serenity, love. And I'm getting all of this through the program--for free.

It seems that the longer I am in the program, the fear that used to keep me awake with anxiety in the middle of the night has been replaced by faith and gratitude. There are no guarantees about the future when it comes to the world's economy. But I know that I'll be okay. It's more than a hunch.

12 comments:

  1. After my meeting last week some of us were discussing how the collapse of the economy in our eyes has been a blessing from God. In times of crises we are able to let go... because there is nothing else to do.

    I would like to believe that as I have gotten older, I too have realized that life isnt about "things" its about peace and love and being happy in your own skin.

    Thanks for the always thoughtful words.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is exactly what I'm finding. Even though we still have some financial problems, I feel very serene and confident. I trust very much in my higher power around this and know we will be ok.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Found you via Cat. Nice blog. great post. Hang in there..

    ReplyDelete
  4. All very true. Some days I feel it more than other days.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I too have taken stock in what I can live with and without and what is important in life for happiness and when it comes right down to it - dollars buy us very little.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice, and I feel very much the same (minus the time in the program...still working on that)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm right there with you. I find it hard to believe (since my middle name has always been "fear"), but I'm not in a lot of anxiety about my own financial security.

    If I must cut back, I'll find ways to do so.

    I think I am more concerned about my children and how they will fare.

    I'm doing a lot of "turning it over" and praying.

    ReplyDelete
  8. you are in a good place. the thing to know is the difference between want and need. good one!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can only hope, what with the current state of the economy, that people learn to minimize. I've always felt that the more you have, the more chances for stress in trying to keep it all. Since I downsized, life has become so much more serene.

    Great post Syd. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yep...once we learn to let go and trust the process..the less and less we obsess or fear the unknowns.I think money can keep us warm and fed-but everthing thing else is priceless..free...before us..for the taking ..Nice post Syd.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Here here, Syd! Yes, Alanon helps us find where true hapiness lies. Isn't it wonderful?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement. Always good to read you.

    ReplyDelete

Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.