Money and the Universal Mind

Just a little note about money... I've been noticing on various news-ish sites lately (Yahoo Finance, Suze Orman) a disturbing new trend to tell people why they aren't rich or how they have completely and totally fucked up their lives financially. Now granted that last one was just an article about what was, I'm sure, a much more in-depth and enlightening Oprah episode with Suze Orman about things we can do to tighten belts and not freak out during this recession.

Not freak out.

And yet everyone is. It's all over the news, on everyone's lips, it's everywhere.

And not without good reason. But here's the thing - even the people who know better, the "Secret" folks, the "Law of Attraction" devotees are talking about it. Heck, even my boss is holding a special "batten down the hatches" meeting next week. And that's all fine to tighten up a little, not go all crazy with the spending. Except that if everyone stops spending AND keeps talking about how no one has any money, won't we just keep perpetuating that cycle, both physically and energetically?

My dad keeps sending me "Don't panic" emails, which I honestly and truly appreciate. It's sweet and since we both use the same financial advisor, I'm gathering that his "Don't panic" edicts are really coming from her, so it's reassuring too. But the thing is: I'm not panicking. Not actually too worried. Sure we'll eat a few less meals out - we've been doing that anyway. And the new couch we were hoping for (and really do need soon) will wait. But we're both employed, have good job security and have some money in savings and a little more money in stocks.

But at the same time, if we sit in house, scared to spend anything, then it feels like we aren't really contributing to the greater good - isn't the point to at least spend a little so the economy will grow? Personally if I have a meal at Local or Town & Country, I feel like I'm contributing to my local economy. And that feels good - I'm helping to keep a business afloat, I tip well enough to feel like I'm helping out those with less than I have (the servers, because let's face it, waiting tables doesn't net you a lot of dough).

Well, that's my two cents.