15 benefits and lessons we now have from the economic crisis
The current economy has hurt millions of businesses, people, and families. Many are choosing to look at the “crisis” from a glass half empty perspective, which is understandable, but it’s also pointless. Being negative isn’t going to do any good. If we all want to get past this recession we need to see the benefits and learn the lessons brought on by it.
Here are 15 benefits and lessons we now all have from the economy.
Lessons learned
1. Generosity is alive and well
Sure, all we really hear about is the greed of the financial industry but greedy people aren’t more common than they were before and they aren’t taking over the world.
The opposite may actually be true. More people may be helping others than ever before. This crisis has humbled many Americans and people around the world.
Need some real life examples? Check out this story about Leonard Abess Jr, a banker from Miami who gave away $60 million of his own money to his employees, current AND old.
Or the story of this woman, the “foreclosure angel” who bought someone’s home at an auction and gave it back to the homeowner.
2. No single person is at fault
This mess isn’t entirely former-President Bush’s fault. It’s not the complete fault of the mortgage companies, the banks, or the government. So many factors are involved and many people have played their part; including ordinary people and homeowners.
3. Patience is a form of action
Patience is tough. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do during certain situations but wait and keep hope. This economy is certainly one of those types of situations. Do as many productive things as you possibly can, but also don’t underestimate the power of patience.
For instance, if you’re seeking a job, you’ve got to keep looking for listings, sending out your resume, but you also have to be patient because it might take twice as long to find a job than it was just a few years ago.
4. The downturn is natural
What goes up, must come down. This isn’t the first time the economy took a downturn, and it certainly isn’t going to be the last time.
5. Many people need to learn about basic finance
A lot of homeowners got in over their heads because they didn’t know much about rates, mortgages, and the basics of finance. The mortgage companies are a little at fault for tricking people, but ultimately it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to know the basics.
Perhaps the government should require the education system to include useful financial classes for all students before they graduate. It won’t help the current problems, but it will certainly help from creating more financial troubles in the future, personal and national.
6. We’re still in better shape than most
The complainers certainly haven’t learned this, but we in American are better off than billions of other people around the world even in this recession. Being “poor” in America is like being rich in the eyes of the billions of truly impoverished people who don’t even have drinking water.
7. Can’t rely on degrees and “recession-proof” jobs
It’s a common misconception that because you’ve got a degree from some big university that you’re guaranteed a job. That just doesn’t cut it. You need ambition, the experience, and many other things, for any job. This goes for all economies.
This economy has also shown that corporate jobs aren’t always as “safe” as people make them out to be. Being self-employed has always been thought to be very risky, but is it really? Check out this article Jonathan Fields, the author of “Career Renegade,” where he discusses the topic much more in depth.
8. Money doesn’t bring that much happiness
Just look at the greedy bankers…they don’t look too happy.
Benefits gained
9. Keeping us from buying crap
When money becomes tighter we stick to the essentials. We buy less food, use less gas, we stop buying the latest gadgets, and we live with what we have. What’s bad with having less unnecessary items?
10. Allowing us to connect with older relatives
You might not all have grandparents who experienced the depression and who are still alive, but for those of you who do, this may be a great time to connect with them and get to know them better. They’ve been through even worse economic times and might have some great advice for you and help you put things into perspective.
11. Kids are learning their own lessons
Many children are learning to cut back on toys and that money doesn’t grow on trees. You might not think these lessons will stick with them, but they’ll remember more than you’d imagine. If you make it apparent that you’re going through some tough times, they remember even more.
I’m sure you’d like to spoil your kids but it’s not in their best interests.
12. New opportunities
It might seem like there’s an extreme lack of opportunities. However, economies like these bring entirely new opportunities knocking. People are looking for bargains and different companies are actually hiring.
This crisis has also given many people time to reflect on where they’re headed in life. Perhaps this downturn is a great opportunity to try new things.
13. Those that are corrupt and greedy are being taken down
They’ve probably would have been caught anyway but no one is taking their B.S. now that things have turned desperate. So those who are greedy and corrupt are being caught much faster.
14. Our greatest qualities come out and grow
If we want to thrive in this economy our ambition, kindness, creativity, and other qualities need to be displayed, tested, and grow. It’ll make us stronger and readies us for greater times ahead.
15. Better times are coming
It might take a year, 5, or 10 years, but better times will come. The sooner we fix the problems today, the faster we’ll get there. We just need to keep hope.
Do you have any other lessons or benefits you gained from this economy? Please share in the comments below.
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Photo by ArtemFinland
7 Responses to “15 benefits and lessons we now have from the economic crisis”
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We live in an expanding universe of conscious growth and awareness. The economical ‘crisis’ is really a service to the collect consciousness of everyone involved. It might as well be called the ‘economical service’. The problem however, is that this is looked from at from a perspective pain. Adversity (continued difficulty) is where pain derives, but I feel it really comes down to Diversity (a variety in differences).
I have expanded hugely in conscious growth through Adversity and I do give it credit and value, but I have reached a point in my conscious awareness experience, where Adversity can be avoided through the filter of Diversity. I find that the expansion is still huge and much rewarding without the ‘pain’ of difficulty.
When I push myself to grow through Diversity, Adversity seems to disappear. Perhaps Adversity is designed to push people forward when they stop growing consciously?
Pain is not needed, it’s only a perspective that is lacking an awareness of what is unfolding. In my experience, life doesn’t have to be suffering, quite the opposite indeed.
In fact Diversity is so important for growth that is actually an emotional need. This need is the essence of excitement and creativity. To feel a sense of surprise. To feel the invitation of something new. To add variety to your life. To feel the feeling of stimulation and growth.
Thank you for doing what you do. Your presence and articles help in the process of making this world a better place (collective consciousness).
I like number 3: “Patience is a form of action.” Many people fail to see that in it’s proper perspective, and in living by the “I don’t care what you do, just do something” mantra, they cause a problem to get worse–where time, sticking to a good plan and patience may have been the recipe.
@Nicholas, glad you enjoyed the article. I hope it helps make the world a little bit better. Here’s a great quote that I think you’ll love: “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” – William A. Ward.
@Gary, glad you like that one. I thought it’s rarely mentioned and it was important to do so.
-Andrew
Thank you for publishing something positive! It’s nice to read and a great reminder.
No problem Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it.
-Andrew
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