I don't mind a little confrontation. Actually, it's like my morning coffee, I need it to get me started in the morning.
That being said, please know that is not my intention with this post. I don't normally go all political or religious on this here little blog because my mama told me never to discuss politics or religion with anyone with whom I intend to maintain a friendship.
Therefore, we won't discuss.
I'll talk. You just listen and know that I'm not meaning to delve into anybody's political business.
I'm just spilling what is in my brain. Brace yourselves sometimes it comes out all jumbled up.
First, let me say that this whole economic mess makes me really uncomfortable. I watch the dow plunging and my stomach gets all woozy.
Not only does the financial condition of our country seem to be plummeting, but it seems to be plummeting under conditions that are unprecedented.
The thought that keeps coming to me, however, is that we are getting what we deserve. What did we expect?
Before you get rowdy, know that I am including myself in that "we".
I know several people who are living in 5000 square foot homes but are struggling to pay their electric bill.
Friends who have 75 cents in their checking accounts at the end of each month are driving Hummers.
A family going on a two week luxury vacation with no job to return to when they get back home.
I even have a friend who just bought herself a new Escalade and put rims on it while her house is being repossessed.
I couldn't make that up.
I've made stupid purchases myself. Mountains of clothes with tags still on them hang neatly in my closet. Never worn.
We have money in the stock market and it has been scary. Like, hide in fetal position under my bed kind of scary.
We don't try to live above our meants. I know that we didn't set out to live that way. In fact, I feel that by the world's standards, we live very carefully. But why are we affected by this financial disaster if we aren't living above our means?
Hungry Husband and I have been revamping our budget over the last few months and it has not been fun.
We've had to cut things that are pleasant.
House keeping service? Bye Bye. (Weeping and gnashing of teeth.)
Gym? See ya later.
Mani/Pedi? Only monthly now.
Eating out? Once a week, thank you very much.
Dry cleaning? Might ought to wear things twice.
We are not in financial crisis as much as we are preparing to live more responsibly.
Look at that list of things that we are letting go. I mean, seriously. Each of those items is something that I was letting someone else do for me.
Not one of those things is bad.
I have enjoyed each one immensely.
Immensely.
In no way am I judging anyone who partakes of any of those things.
I am just saying that for our family, at this time, those are not things that I need. They are just things that I want.
Our world has gotten needs and wants really confused.
Do we even know what we need anymore?
I don't know about you, but for the past few years I have felt the urge to simplify my life.
Get rid of stuff. Choose to be involved in things that matter as opposed to the fluff that fills time.
To live richly with less.
However, as our budget analysis has proven, I have a long way to go. I am thinking that I haven't really even started.
I'm wondering about you. Do you have those same thoughts? Have you been overwhelmed by the direction in which our world seems to be heading? Not politically so much, but materialistically?
Oh, and I don't know if you've heard, but I enjoy confrontation if you were thinking you wanted to bring it. You just can't do it today, cause my mama said.
