Monday, August 3, 2009

This Economy Sucks or Does it?



It seems like you can't avoid this statement anymore.
"The Economy is horrible"
"Job loss on at an all time high"
And that list could go on and on.

I'm not going to knock that things aren't hard right now. Just ask my out of work husband who has been out for going on 6 weeks now because the Construction industry isn't exactly booming right now. I'm lucky to even have a job since I was laid off around this time last year due to job cuts and my position was sent overseas. So I know things are NOT great and ideal right now.

But this type of economy does make us as Americans rethink our spending and how we live As Americans we are not exactly the most responsible in our spending and we use up more of the Worlds resources then many other countries combined.

Consider some of these facts:

-Americans constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.

-On average, one American consumes as much energy as
2 Japanese
6 Mexicans
13 Chinese
31 Indians
128 Bangladeshis
307 Tanzanians
370 Ethiopians

-Americans eat 815 billion calories of food each day - that's roughly 200 billion more than needed - enough to feed 80 million people.

-Americans throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.

-The average American generates 52 tons of garbage by age 75.

-The average individual daily consumption of water is 159 gallons, while more than half the world's population lives on 25 gallons.

-Eighty percent of the corn grown and 95% of the oats are fed to livestock.

-Fifty-six percent of available farmland is used for beef production.

-Every day an estimated nine square miles of rural land are lost to development.

-There are more shopping malls than high schools.
Mindfully.org

Maybe not having extra cash to spread around we might actually consume less as a whole. Even if we stopped buying so much meat we might actually need less corn which would mean less corn would stay here in the US and could be sent overseas to a country that truly needs it.

Now don't get me wrong -- I get the whole idea that we have to spend to "stimulate" the economy and spending isn't bad, but it would not hurt some of our friends or neighbors to rethink their spending and what they spend their money on.
I think this is a good time in the US. Its a time to stop and think out our purchases more thoroughly. Its a time to save a little money. Its a time to not be so consumed with all the "toys' that are out there and its a time to not have to worry about "keeping up with the Jones'" anymore.
So does this economy truly suck for you?

If it does, take a moment to be thankfully for what you already have and know that there is someone else out there that has it worse off then you. That person might truly have needs rather then wants. Consider that person ahead of you before you consider yourself. Living a selfless lifestyle is so rewarding. Maybe even be so inclined as to have a Gratitude journal or read this blog that just comes up with 3 things everyday they are thankful for. It sounds so silly, but I promise you it'll be the start of a huge change in your life.

It seems like a stretch to go from Economy to being Thankful doesn't it?
It isn't though when you see the big picture. Suddenly seeing the small stuff in life and taking the time to just slow down and enjoy life suddenly the Economy and its issues don't see so scary anymore.
Take it from Madame Blueberry, she thought she needed a lot of stuff but discovered it wasn't about stuff or stimulating the economy!
I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

wow... that really makes you think. it is pathetic how much us american's waste and how many resources we are rapidly using up. i hope we can all learn enough from this time that we can teach our children differently.