More Peace of Mind by Dr. Juan Harrison

Seems like everything is in a constant state of change.  Outside Spring merges into Summer as graduates toss caps into the air and move on with their lives.  The economy rises and falls with price hikes here and shortages there.  Old timers look on, having survived the Big One and several lesser recessions and downturns since.

Human relationships are not immune to the effects  of pressures from outside influences.  Life’s pretty good when there’s enough in the bank to cover and credit cards are reasonably controlled.  Let the checking account get tight or the balances on cards a little heavy or almost reaching their limit and you’ve got some acid indigestion.

Most of us can handle a little adversity from time to time; it’s when it starts to gang up on you that you start feeling squeezed, maybe a little short on breath.  For a lot of us that’s when conversations can get snippy with family members as we evolve into survival mode to see if we can locate Peter and Paul to rob one and pay another as Mamaw used to say.  Sometimes the youngers and a growing number of olders begin to feel like a juggler in a circus as we try to keep all the balls in the air.

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To complicate matters we’ve spoiled our kids, grands, even ourselves.  In good times we’ve felt free to get that little trinket or that not so cheap fancy drink we like to reward ourselves with.

When times get tougher and we’re short on loot, most of us old guys have the good sense to cut back a bit to help ease the pressure.  Unfortunately, most of the youngers haven’t been through they wars and developed the muscles and scars we’ve acquired from fighting to hang on and come out ahead.  Maybe times have been too good.  Acquiring stuff was too easy.  Now the Piper is playing TAPS.

Here’s when Phony Baloney goes out the door.  Get Real has arrived.  Drop that transmission back to first gear or grandma and keep on plodding.  Couples find out what they’re made of.  Spoiled youngins learn some economic facts.  Some families may not miss a beat; many more will taste the bitterness of trying to get both ends meeting in the middle and grasping to get em tied.

Perspective.  We’re the richest and most blessed country in the world.  Perception.  We’ve grown fat, literally and lazy and so many of the youngers want it all now.  Child, it may not be possible now.  You may have to go back to the old ways of slowly acquiring things and not burying ourselves and our marriages with unnecessary debt.  We all want everyone to think we’re doing great, but sometimes reality tells us it’s ok to get a little less stuff and more peace of mind.