There are times I come on here and try to be witty, and other times when I have serious thoughts. But through it all I try to stay upbeat and have a vision or light at the end of the tunnel. Then there are days like today where I'm just frustrated. We all have them so you know what I'm talking about.
I have always been a take charge kind of guy. I was the guy people would come to when they had a problem to make things better, and a lot of times I did. I have a knack for that sort of thing. I don't believe in the term "you can't". When someone says that to me it's like waving a red cape in front of a bull. I'm not the smartest kid on the block but God graced me with common sense which has proven to be an invaluable tool throughout my lifetime. I also have been blessed with a keen sense of human nature and the ability to communicate. My Dad used to say, "that boy was vaccinated with a phonograph needle" and there are times I think he was right.
In my lifetime I have started and ran three successful corporations and I have worked in a variety of jobs. I have seen good times and bad. And when the bad got worse I always created my own opportunities. But today I feel like I have run out of steam.
I had dinner with my friend Denise tonight which was good because it was her turn to buy. Denise and I go back to the early 90's when she worked for me at Real Estate One, and we've been buddies ever since. We have shared all sorts of life events and we know when to listen and when to speak to each other. Tonight we talked about her recovery from some surgery and about the economy.
She listened as I told her that I felt frustrated. That in the last 24-hours I had a neighbor come to me and asked for some help while he was away at school training for a new career at the age of 54. Of course I told him no problem but it just was sad that this guy and his family have to do this sort of thing at this stage in his life. I communicated with a former girlfriend, who I fell hands over feet in love with years ago, just to see how she was doing. I knew she was going through some tough times and I wanted to let her know I was there for her if she needed me. Then I heard from a buddy that I grew up with. We've been friends for over 50 years and he told me he just lost his job, and again I felt helpless. These are all friends of mine, people I care for and people I love, and I know they are scared and feeling alone right now.
Our society has become a funny thing, in a way a sad thing because we have, for whatever reason, lost our sense of compassion at times. Maybe it's media overload or bad news overload and this wall we've thrown around ourselves acts as a sanity defense. All I know is we see the news, read the numbers of people struggling and say "that's a shame". It really isn't genuine until it strikes close to home and then the reality sets in.
Today Chrysler released a statement saying they are closing 789 car dealerships across the country. And tomorrow General Motors is expected to close about 1,200 of their dealers. We hear this news, shake our heads and go on with our lives but think about this:
The average dealership employs 53 people between sales, service and administrative staff. That means between today and tomorrow 1,989 dealers will close effecting 105,417 families. Living, breathing, people. Maybe a friend, a relative or acquaintance might be effected. Almost 106,000 families that may lose their homes, will need assistance to feed their families, 106,000 families left without much hope, and for what? Why did this have to happen? Is it the car companies or is it our government? I don't know and today I don't care.
Today, what I care for are my friends that are struggling. Today, I care about 106,000 families that are struggling. Today, I am frustrated that I don't know what the answer is. Today, I'll leave it up to those smarter than me to suggest a solution. Today, I'll pray for my friends and loved ones, and for those I don't know as well.
Sometimes all it takes is letting someone know we are here for them, then back it up with action. Who knows maybe if more of us tried that it might do some good.
We've gotten to used to having government, insurance, etc. as a crutch. Those who trusted in the workings of society as being too big to fail have fallen the hardest. It's sad, but it is a time to get back to self sufficiency and personal responsibility.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a time of opportunity, for those who are willing to go for it. Training for a new career at the age of 54 isn't sad, it should be an encouragement that in today's world, people can continue to learn and contribute to society, rather than having the goal of becoming useless and sitting in front of the television for their final twenty years.
My dad is nearly 70 and still works a hard full time job by choice. By his age I intend to be working smart rather than hard, but I still consider him a role model.
"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. –Benjamin Franklin
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