Trying to Stay Positive in 2009
10:28 AM January 7, 2009
My New Year's resolution is to try and shut out some of the negative news about the economy. Trust me, it's a challenge when you're a reporter.
I'm immersed in all the terrible latest developments, and sometimes I have to cover them and present them on the air.
Unemployment creeping up to 9%. The state issuing IOU's instead of tax refunds. My colleague Lynette Romero just did a story on people selling their burial plots to make a little extra cash! Folks are getting desperate.
How bad can things get?
Will the rapper "Fifty Cent" now change his name to "45-cent" because of the recession? (My sorry attempt at humor).
But seriously, it really does get to you after awhile..
Ignoring the news for a second, it's hard not to worry about the specific threats that each of us is facing.
Forget about the numbers and statistics. Our own jobs are on the line. Our own 401k's have lost value. College savings funds and pensions have been wiped out.
It was having an impact on me personally, and my wife began to complain.
"Stop worrying about the future so much," she lectured.
And of course, she is right. This economic downtown is worse for neurotic people like me. I'm prone to pessimism even in the best of times.
But I'm working on it. The trite expressions are ringing in my head. "Things could be worse". "At least you have your health" and so on.
How are you handling the current situation? How are you coping? Your advice below please.
Posted by Eric Spillman | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
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Eric,
For years I have watched the news,pateintly listined to how good our countries politions have regulating this great country and now the situation with this country has about got me to the point of moving to the bottom of the ocean.
Our goverment bails out our banks why? Because they tell our politions that with out them this "country will fail". Then the auto manufactures start whining that if they dont get bailout money "this country will fail"
Now lets see the banks have bailed out the CEO's with bounses with our tax money. The (big 3) car manufactures take our tax money to still make cars that are still behind in green technology. RecaLL Honda had running hydrogen fuel cars RUNNING in the Rose Parade. GM, Ford, Chrysler are makeing electric cars which short term is good but when that battery cell has used up its usefulness it has to go to a special landfill with a depleition life of half that of a carbon nucular rod.
Now the back bone of America is loosing their homes because why, some how the banks and auto manufactures gets billions to keep going. But the american tax payer gets what? Nothing! I could go on but why, maybe I will some time and some one will hear, see and join me in how appauled I am with this countries goverment and the handling of how big companies are allowed to take our hard earned tax dollars and think its ok.
So as soon as I can figure out how to build a home at the bottom of the ocean, I am out of hear and will the last person in the US that has had enough. Please turn out the lights.
Posted by: Rick | January 14, 2009 at 11:10 PM
This guy is a Sociopath and he's actually manipulating our judges and court system. Don't they understand the only thing he's thinking about is himself and how he's going to get out of this. He's sitting in his power home doing what he does best, break the law. Sit his butt in jail and watch him sing it's the only way they'll get the information they want. Take the power away from him. Idiots
Posted by: Lynnette | January 14, 2009 at 06:17 PM
The Bushes made a bundle. Did you see the grins on Pop's and Son's faces during the presidents' group picture in the Oval Office yesterday? They can't wait to start livin' la vida loca.
And Bernie Madoff. Today they found billions of dollars of checks he was about to send to family and friends to protect his ill gotten gain. Why isn't he in jail and all his company assets frozen? Why is he allowed to roam the streets like a regular citizen when his targets are throwing themselves in front of trains and shooting themselves in their garage?
If there is justice in the world . . .
Posted by: jozielee | January 08, 2009 at 08:12 PM
And just how much is the Bush family making off of wars?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo0V_Eib-WU
Posted by: Jared Held | January 08, 2009 at 03:36 PM
1/8/2009 Peter Schiff On CNN Newsroom: Bull, Bear & Obama's Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbIgPCJZpnI
Posted by: Jared Held | January 08, 2009 at 03:18 PM
I just listened to Obama's speech on the radio coming into work! He didn't sugarcoat our nation's situation, that's for sure. We'll see what Congress does over the next couple weeks!
Posted by: craig | January 08, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Howdy Y'all, funny you mentioned it Eric...because I totally needed (and got) a break over the holidays!
What to do in order to NOT think about the worries of the world???
Take mini vacations! And if you can't physically get away... then get away in your mind. Yes, turn off the news. Walk away from your computer, and spend quality time with those you love. Watch a great movie together, or anything you get personal joy out of doing together. How about stealing away some private time to read a great book, if you are artistically inclined create a masterpiece, if only in your eyes. In addition to the things I listed, I personally like to take walks... it relaxes my mind and my body.
All of these ideas can give us a little relief..but what we really need is hope. I have confidence in our future. You have to have an optimistic point of view. You simply can't spend time wallowing in misery.
Yes there are many corny expressions that could easily apply to these times.
When you fall off the horse climb right back up there and this time hold on tighter!
The grass is always greener on the other side. We all know someone that their life looks easier...greener pastures...but chances are they may have their own set of problems that we can't even see!
Or to quote that world renowned philosopher "Annie"...."the sun will come out tomorrow...so you better hold onto... till tomorrow...come what may... tomorrow, tomorrow, you're only a DAY away!
Sorry I couldn’t resist passing along a little sugar to go with all that bitter!
Hey -the good news just 12 more days until no more “Shoe Boy” in our lives! See there is light at the end of the tunnel! ^-^
Happy trails to all!!
PLM
Posted by: PLM | January 07, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Eric - When you are not working, try to escape and not listen to the news for awhile. When I feel myself getting too tense and negative, I'll stop listening to the news or talk shows and listen to a CD of a favorite artist, group or genre. Nothing like listening to some good R&B rock, cool jazz or a stirring uplifting Broadway soundtrack or gospel CD to lift my spirits or mellow me out! So, depending on the mood you want to be in, that is what I would suggest, without knowing what music you are really into!!
Posted by: craig | January 07, 2009 at 11:30 AM
What irony that you would ask this question today.
I'm usually the most giddily optimistic person I know. Sometimes people wonder if I ever face reality. I do. In small doses. Hey, you can't change the future, can you? You have to deal with the here and now.
Today, of all days, I woke up worried about all the stuff you're talking about - the economy, my depleted 401K, who's guesting on Larry King tonight. And, yes, I too wondered if "Fiddy-Cent" will have to become "A Quota." Hahaha.
There. That's better. Thanks for the giggle, Eric. That's how I conquer bad news. Laughter.
Have a great day.
And those burial plots, I heard on another news program the Catholic church just approved cremation, but you can't scatter the ashes, you have to bury them in a crypt, at least. That way when God comes back to raise the dead he'll know where to find those souls. Souls are separate from ashes, aren't they? Go figure.
About those burial plots, par deux. We live in California. Maybe people holding title on those plots better hang onto them. If they don't use them for burial maybe they can sell them to future housing developers ala the movie, POLTERGEIST. To be a landowner in California, no matter how miniscule, is sure to pay off someday.
POLTERGEIST, the movie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084516/
Posted by: jozielee | January 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM
A day at a time, Eric. That seems to work best for myself and my wife and many others we know.
Posted by: Matt | January 07, 2009 at 10:35 AM