{ Longing for Middle }

Like so many people, we are weary of the news...more jobless, more homeless, less equity, a lower stock market, lost retirements...it's overwhelming some days. We are fortunate to have work and a humble home that will be all ours - barring any unforeseen circumstances - in 240 more payments. But like so many others we are treading water, careful with our pennies, mindful of what goes out, mindful but not fearful. Tonight as we watched on the news about the downturn we began to contemplate what the world would look like in 5 years or even 10?
Will the economy change so profoundly that we will not recognize it any longer? Will we simply return to old bad habits once the worst of this storm passes us by? My hope is that somewhere in the middle we will find a place of compromise. We valued things over everything else for far too long. We have shunned hard physical work in this country...leaving it for the newly arrived or the under educated. We have under valued those who nurture our young in favor of those who "lead" or "administer". We have surrendered our power as consumers to corporations and multinational groups. Now we no longer know how to build or grow or produce, we have only been taught to consume. Somewhere in the middle is where we need to be. We must learn to spend within our means, save for rainy days and savor our successes be they small or large.
When I was young, my father told me that change is made from the middle. At the time we were discussing politics but it's relevant in the current circumstances. We have lived on the edges too long. Today, I long for the middle.