A New Look, and a New Hope

West Michigan is that place where all those horror stories about job loss and despair begin these days. The rest of the country is in a recession, but here where the auto making world got its parts and supplies made and where the beaches are a tourist haven and a comfortable vacation place, is no longer that sanctuary for those of us who live here with our hopes and dreams.

Much of our industry here is tied closely, if not exclusively to the auto industry and has refused to desert the sinking ship called Ford, Chrysler and GM. Many people believe that idea is really a stupid one to continue to do, but over the years and through all the recessions we've experienced that loyalty to the maker of cars and it has kept jobs strong here. but along with those loyalties developed in this Northern European ethnic stronghold ripened a stubbornness and some times an inability to see change as something worthy, or even good for our communities. Many still feel if they hold out till the worst is over that all will be well.

Don't get me wrong, there are industries that have had come that are independent from those makers of the minivans, sport coupes and basic family cars. But we have to find a way to recreate the jobs and hope for our workers. We have to find a way to get beyond the fear of the crash and begin creating again. Creating jobs, secure lives...and a future for our families.

Life Changes

What is a it like to discover who you are and where you belong in the world...at 57 years old? It's fun, a daily discovery, and totally frightening!!! After many years of living in the shadow of an abusive parent and then spending years having that voice in my head tell me over and over again how stupid I was and being afraid of the results of that in my relationships - in the world that surrounded me, and sometimes closed in on me.

Well, now I am finding my way out of that maze having fun standing up for who I am and feeling totally alive for the first time. Since then I have made discoveries about myself that were both exciting, and truly terrifying at the same time. A scary part of the "new" me came when I saw my anger with people's negativity, as well as those who reject people - for any reason.

So I decided that I needed a mission statement - something to help me focus my energies with those feelings. My statement is simple, and yet it is the focus of my every day life today and from now on..."Kindness is the highest form of intelligence, and I need to practice it with everyone - including me, everyday for the rest of my life." I even have to remember in my zeal for kindness that I need to consider that kindness means caring about other people's feelings and not getting fanatical to the point of being pushy or angry at the person who doesn't see things my way.

I'm learning, and often see the changes but sometimes I feel like I've lost so much over the years. I have to admit that I like being where I am at this time in my life and life is a constant discovery of who I really am and how I can change my world even at my age!!!

Recession and Change

Monday is past, and yet we've had many changes today. Wall Street had a major drop courtesy of Bear-Sterns, and our recession riddled economy has frightened many, so what is life coming to today - tomorrow and on into the future?

Life in Michigan isn't easy now, tool and die jobs that use to be secure and something to be proud of are leaving for other countries and leaving many in this economy fearful and scratching their heads. If we send those jobs away many will retrain - but what about those who are in their 50s and will probably not be considered for other jobs because of their age? Where do they go? We have seen in our country so many different types of discrimination that we don't see it affected those who are older as a real problem. And this is only one of the many jobs that are disappearing. The jobs that are replacing them are service jobs with low salaries, with little or no benefits.

Are there answers to the conundrum we face over job loss and an economy that is sinking as fast as the government is throwing money at the problems? All these questions are are important to answer if we are to solve the financial crisis in this country. We need to look at how much we need to change our live styles to better accommodate our new economy. We need to look closely at our present consumerism driven society and begin to make changes both personally, and as a nation. Can we do it? I certainly hope so.