i've been trying to think of a way to say this without sounding all let-them-eat-cake, or like i'm unconcerned, cold-hearted, cruella, and blind to world events. let's start in the middle. although i believe that "The Secret" is an oversimplified crock that gets people's hopes up that the lotto is theirs for the asking, i DO believe that you get what you give. misery loves company. happiness never celebrates alone. (and yes, i am writing this in the MIDDLE of the day in the middle of the week...i am indeed home sick with a fate worse than death - NEAR death in the form of a sinus mucusality that has me dizzy and vertagious, and all forms of snot-ridden. so my recent yearnings to stay home were the pre-cursor warning that i would, indeed, be staying home, and should stock up on soup & Netflix. unfortunately, cat litter and cat food never crossed my mind.) so where was i? oh. so with that mindset in mind (blah blah Secret blah lotto, etc) bear with me while i gently rant, or surf elsewhere. i cannot bear another sentence that contains the phrase "in these times" or the likes. it is as if we have a national badge of honor that the economy is not what it has been in recent times. and i am not blind to the economic situations in America. it's just that we as Americans generally have more than enough. (and i am speaking in sweeping generalizations here). If not every Thing, we at least have Plenty. or at least Enough. and if not Enough, then have access to food pantries and such where Enough can be obtained. if you have More Than Enough, or even Plenty, please do not feel that it is an abomination to appreciate it or enjoy it. it is a gift. and if we are all stooping our shoulders and giving into the "in these times" attitudes, then more of that will come visit you. it does not make you thoughtless to live the life you are able to. it does not make someone else have less. it may, however, give hope to someone with Not Enough to know that there is Possibility...there is a reason to keep on looking for that job, or going to school, or doing whatever they are doing to make the next step. why rush to the elevator if it's stuck between floors? i am just so concerned with the state of national depression...more so than a national recession. and again...i am not unaware that there are people in desperate straits. i just don't think it helps anyone to act like You are if you aren't. it makes it worse. the money markets are driven by unseen inklings and feelings and maybes. wall street is a giant lemming roost, it seems. when one jumps, they all do. so my feeling is this...go about your business in your conventional way, as best you can. help those around you that need help...on your street, in your place of worship, close by your home or business. that is important and will be returned to you in immeasurable ways. have a vision board, yes. but also use your vision to help. and if you have been blessed, don't insult the Giver by saying it's nothing because of "times like these." the Giver knows exactly what times these are. yes, it is poor etiquette to do a neener dance about it all, just like on the playground when you got an ice cream and someone else didn't. but geez...you could share the ice cream and both of you would feel good about it, eh? my point is, i am not oblivious...i am not special...i am, however, grateful. and will continue to express that gratitude. and anyone who thinks that gratitude should not be, needs to talk to the Giver that gave me both the Gift, and the open heart to receive it. it was nothing by my hand. my situations could change in a nanosecond, and that is my deepest fear. but at this second of this day, i am in a comfortable home in a comfortable bed with soup in the kitchen, a dog snoring at my feet, and 2 cats that will soon realize they are having real tuna for dinner because i forgot i have cats and only bought food for Diva. i repent. i am grateful for You, my friend, for reading this, and hopefully understanding my intent. my life, as it is, is not so bad, and i refuse to act otherwise in order to be fashionable. neither will i shovel coals into a furnace of your fears. i will share. just let me know. L.