Recession 2009: Doomsday or Opportunity?

Every day starting last year and this year so far, its the same news. Foreclosures, bankruptcies, layoffs. Market down to record lows. Confidence down. There's a lot of unfortunate struggling families across the land. However bleak it looks today, I know that my country has seen worse in its history. Yes, people are losing jobs and homes, but there aren't any "Hoovervilles" cropping up. We're not lined up on the streets waiting in spiraling lines to the food banks. Mandated food and gas rationing isn't the norm.

America will survive this crisis. USA is the land of rebounds from tough times to tough strength.

As hard as it is (especially for those bit by recent events), this recession might just be the swift kick in the butt that our country needed... or at least my generation needed. Let me explain:

-My parents grew up in Vietnam during tough war times. They learned to always keep extra rations of non-perishable foods and supplies in the home so they wouldn't starve when infrastructure went down. I imagine this is the same for generations in USA and elsewhere who have lived through large scale wars.

-Our (my generations) grandparents lived thru hard times, and learned of sacrifice and conservation (meatless Tuesdays, gasless Sundays)

--lets pause here and count our blessings that our generation hasn't seen wars like our parents/grandparents have.

Lacking wars in my generation to keep us in line (Iraq hasn't proven big enough to affect the country as in other past wars), we needed something to hit us across the head like a 2x4 to wake us up to our shortcomings.

*Something had to make us realize that we shouldn't be spending every penny (or more) we earn. Maybe keeping some reserve savings might sound like a good idea for when things go wrong?

*America is land of dreams, but it was time we learned not to overstretch and live beyond our means.

*Hopefully personal responsibility will come back in style so those who diligently make sound decisions aren't penalized for bailing out others who worked haphazardly.

*With over-flush credit drying up, perhaps we can better chose our financial priorities instead of squandering on every deal we come across. Lets learn not to carry consumer credit card debt.

*How about we spend more time building relationships with others than spending on empty luxuries that can isolate.

*With consumer spending down, producers of goods may now have to make sure every product they sell has real value and actual merit to compete for precious wallets. (read: we may get better products..are you listening, American Auto?)

*Perhaps our waist lines will grow thinner and our wallets fatter from not eating out as much and cooking healthier foods at home.

*As hard as it is, a job isn't a right. America is known for productivity and efficiency. We better recognize how we're contributing to our organization in worthwhile ways, and refine ourselves instead of becoming complacent. (I do realize that the ax does unfortunately sometimes hit those who are in deed hard-working and innovating).

*Businesses may have to learn to adapt their models to keep up with the times to survive.

This chapter of America isn't the sunny landscape we're so used to, but we will persevere and come out stronger.