“A recession is when your neighbor is out of work, a depression is when you are out of work.”
We are living in “interesting” economic times, and there is a real chance that we may be entering the longest and deepest recession since the Great Depression, which began about 80 years ago. Without a doubt, it will be the most significant of the last quarter century, which spans the adult life of close to the majority of the work force.
Why do I mention this? It is important to know, both as individuals and as a nation, that we have what it takes to weather the storm. Yes, we may have to batten down the hatches, as the saying goes, and we may have to trim our sails for a time. The ship may be tossed and the waves may crash over our bow, but the ship is strong and the crew (that’s us) is skillful and resilient.
Here is a wonderful poem by Victor Hugo (warning: I’m switching metaphors!):
“Let us be like a bird for a moment perched
On a frail branch when she sings;
Though she feels it bend, yet she sings her song,
Knowing that she has wings.”
The key is believing you have the ability, the talent, the internal resources to deal with the challenges before you. Knowing you have wings.
We all have greatness within us. We have the ability and the talent to reinvent, redefine, and recreate ourselves as the need arises. We have wings we know not yet of. The best is yet to come.