This too shall pass

[Guest guest]

Like all the rest of America, and now all the world in fact, we see fear exploding and the voices of doom hammering at the door

This is not the end of the world....I see no one ascending into the Rapture ( forgive my sarcasm)But it is a time of unsettledness and many are panicking. Our politicians are stoking the fires, some more than others, and soon we will have panic spreading everywhere if some of us don't stand fast.

Let"s not assume or project onto others or events, please, at least not here. This is a bad time, we made it what it is and we will try to unmake it. Nobody did this to us!!!

Nobody did this to us. We helped create this mess by our lack of attention and awareness and all the faults to which mankind is prone. We do not need the planets or religion to tell us the future is somewhat dim for most people.We can see that for ourselves. It always was and always will be bad times somewhere on this planet. We just have been very fortunate for so long we forgot how so many live in desperation.

There is still joy in the Lord and among family and friends. There is still love to share with others, and there are hands we need to hold to help others avoid desperation. Fear is a terrible thing and it is catching and addictive. We need to be the ones, those of us who are not afraid, to help the frightened, the anxious and the fearful.

This is not in my opinion any different than all the horrors this world has been through, and it will not end as the END. So, times are bad. So we will each suffer, some more than others, but that isn't the last word and will never be. Maybe we should stop worrying about our "consciousness" our "awareness" and just do, DO something about those around us who cannot "do" the hopeful thing for themselves.

Yes, I watch the market daily, yes, I read the papers and watch the TV, and get so many letters and posts asking for good worthwhile donations, and I cannot answer them all. But I can not let the bad news get to me. I intend to survive as long as I am intended to, and as well as I can manage my health,my family, and the money.

This shouldn't be a "call" to anything special...are we not supposed to keep the candles burning all the time, in case the Bridegroom comes? ( However we imagine the symbol)

Toni

[Guest guest]

Dear Suzanne,

OF course! Did I sound unconcerned? I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren in the job market or at present with jobs ( the other is only 4). Even my high school grand-children have jobs as do the 3 in college...full time jobs.Insecurity abounds as do the possibilities of finishing education in the case of grandchildren

I do our investing , always have and Ray is a retired CLU( after retirement from the Air Force) and used to sell and advise on financial instruments to his clients. I watch our portfolio dip and then dip further....everyday. And I have friends here who live on their 401ks and annuities which are dropping.My IRA is now laughable.

No, I understand very well, unfortunately. This is a new time for thrift,and doing without, something's Americans like me don't much like. ( just bought a used purse at eBay which is lovely and cost almost nothing. I also have become a buyer of used books mostly, and we have cut down our dining out.) Little things, for sure, but I have children and grandchildren to help financially.

Yes, two of my kids have no health insurance. But what can I do? what I can when they tell me. I am very unhappy about the health care mess. Do you think I do not keep up with what is going on? I probably read, listen and watch more than most.And health crises we have had

When we first came to this country we had nothing....I remember my only present for Christmas were a few "chits" like " this is good for one jump-rope". I had 2 dresses for school my grandmother made.

Now, by whatever power i can thank daily, my husband took very good care of us by retiring from the military after 31 years and 3 wars, and we are relatively secure. That doesn't make me oblivious to the anxiety of those around me.

yes, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and Hitler yanked it out, and i did survive. But i have great compassion for those who are trying to drive through all the pot holes in the street of their lives (ugh..terrible writing, sorry)I do see and I care.

Scared...well, I do understand the human feeling very well. But in this case scared doesn't help, does it? I try to become un-attached, but that is very hard to do....I guess Xanax would do it....but for those of us who try to live with as few pills as possible (difficult for me at this time) I do do without anti-anxiety drugs, though since chemo I still find i cry every so often for no reason at all ( I am told it will lessen)

Forgive me if i sounded cavalier. I do not minimize the current problem. I just hope and try to remain as optimistic about the future I cannot personally change. I have known fear ( even when I thought myself "above" it.) It does nothing but drive out love, concern for others and anxiety.One tends to concentrate inward and fear just grows. I have known that also. But fear is self defeating, and panic as we see among so many political supporters of McCain, leads to violence and more fear, irrational anger and mobs uprising. Others are just deadened by fear and will lose vitality and joy where it may still be found within.

I continue to believe that the Universe is benign, that we are all One, and that nothing is impossible if we just love enough.And yes, many cannot find this state for whatever reason which I cannot judge, but do see. Only personal experiences, even just once in life with the Other have made fear sit on the sidelines for many people.

I am stating fact as I see it. This is Reality, and life just isn't fair , is it?

Let is weep with those who weep,help those who struggle and suffer with those who suffer. There is nothing else I can see to do at the moment.

With healing thought your way,

Toni

Re: This too shall pass

Like all the rest of America, and now all the world in fact, we see fear exploding and the voices of doom hammering at the door

****With good reason Toni....the credit crunch is real and I and many millions of other people will lose our jobs and our source of income very soon unless something can be done. I am paid by the state of Massachusetts and they borrow money against anticipated taxes to meet their payroll. Millions of people facing retirement soon have lost all or most of their retirement savings and there is reason to be scared. Families are losing their jobs and their homes at a time when the cost of everything is astronomical. It costs me over a thousand dollars a month for my health insurance and co pays for my diabetic treatment...which I wouldn't live long without.....so please ...people have real reason for concern.....

Regards from,

Suzanne