Priorities

Times like these, with our economy in turmoil and struggles every way you turn, are the times we need to reexamine our priorities.

Obviously, most of us are looking at ways to save money and see where we can cut. I also think we need to look again at what we hold dear, and how we treat our loved ones. It's such a stressful time for people, extra care is needed to make sure we don't create unnecessary stress by being thoughtless.

On a more cosmic level, what better time is there to put positive energy into your world? People everywhere are struggling, in need, or even desperate. That's the time to man up, focus on others, and try to create some good in your world.

I recall my Dad telling me about his childhood during the Great Depression. They lived in Paterson, New Jersey, and their house was on a road you might take if you were coming off of a freight car to head into town. He said that men would often knock on the back door and offer to work for food. Even when there wasn't any work to be done, no man ever went away hungry. My Dad's family was struggling just as hard as anyone else, but they never did turn away a hungry person.

Difficult times require difficult decisions. And they demand of us a special quality of effort if we are to rise above, be more, learn more and overcome.