Back in my November newsletter, I wrote with optimism about the current Financial Crisis suggesting to readers that they be grateful for what they had and to focus on the abundance in their life. Since then, the situation has affected many more people and is affecting many people I know personally. It is easy to see the self-fulfilling-prophecy nature of what is happening, and that may be more difficult to reverse than the financial mechanics. People behave differently when they believe things are not going well. This creates real consequences, reinforces and spreads the belief, and a cycle is born.
One thing I have notice though, especially among people I know who have lost their jobs, is a sense of relief. People who are fortunate enough to have a cushion are discovering how much they didn’t enjoy their jobs and are using this opportunity to explore their deeper values and desires. Rather than looking for the same type of job in a different company, they are considering entirely new careers. One man I know describes being more at peace with himself and his family, and told me that he easily and happily lost 10 pounds within two weeks of being laid off.
There seems to be a universal agreement that it’s time to end the rat race. That undercurrent has been there as long as I remember, but people seem more empowered to do something about today. Like Lily Tomlin said, “Even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.”
How has the current financial climate affected you? Are you considering a career change?