So, what do we have to look forward to?
1. Environmentally speaking: “The new frugal could help the green movement. Big-car sales are down; industrial emissions will likely drop... the effects of lower consumption could actually achieve more than all of Al Gore’s finger-wagging.” (Living On Less, MacLean’s magazine, Nov. 2008)
I’ll believe that when I see it, but at least it sounds positive. (I’ve heard recently that pickup sales are down but some SUVs are experiencing increased sales because gas prices are low).
2. Physically speaking: “People actually get healthier... people tend to dramatically overhaul their lifestyles during economic downturns, for the better. They drink less, smoke less, and have healthier habits than when times are good.”
3. Mentally speaking: “Some boomers resent the idea they might have to scale down their expectations” and may look for people to blame. But, “for a younger generation, a shift of this kind may prove more painless” because young people value “balance in their lives” more than a big house and car.
[Wall Street panic: photo link]
4. Spiritually speaking: “We have all gone to this temple called money,” said a British Archbishop recently. “No one is guiltless.”
The last line of the article said: “Perhaps the time has finally come to repent.”
Interesting, indeed. If more people are searching for balance or a deeper meaning in their lives, and are seeing that excessive consumption and the pursuit of money have serious, long-lasting downfalls, then there truly is an upside to down.
Please read the full article for more details.
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It’s been a long time since I heard the word repent (and in a magazine?). I may have to do a bit more reading about that one.
Are times a-changing in your neck of the woods?
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