Okay. I just read another article on the coming "Boomergeddon", and I'm officially scared. The article is very convincing, citing economists from across the political and academic spectrum, that "unchecked spending" (that would be the Medicare and Social Security benefits we're counting on) "will trigger recessions and worse." Sounds as though if the government keeps its promises to us, we're going to slip and slide quickly into something akin to a third world economy. So in the words of Chicken Little, what are we to do? Should we sell our houses now, before the bubble bursts, and take the money out and put it somewhere "safe?" But oh no, they say the stock market is going to crash, too. And anyway, where would we live? And then there's the issue of medical care. If that is going to be cut drastically, will only the rich be able to live long,healthy lives? The rest of us, well, think Soylent Green?
A number of leading-edge boomer women that we interviewed for our study on life mastery, had a better answer. Many of them having already faced the loss of loved ones, survived physical and economic challenges, had come to pretty much the same conclusion. We can't control our outcomes. We can only do what we can to bring our best to whatever the future brings our way. Ironically, these resilient women demonstrate that the way to ensure that you do bring your best is by not becoming reactive to the day's news, even as you pay responsible attention to the information as it becomes available, factoring it in to the best of your ability in the decisions you make. One thing they know for certain. Desperation doesn't make sound decisions. Panic confuses and confounds.
So, they advice, just do what you can, make your best decisions given the information that is available, trusting that when it comes to what really matters--the growth of your character and your spirit, your ability to give and receive, to love and be loved--your best is always enough. And then, if you're scared anyway--let yourself not be scared to death--but scared to life!
Carol Orsborn