Could these tough economic times actually be a blessing?

I know it is hard to think that the current economic turmoil could actually be a blessing, but think about it. I am not talking about a material or financial blessing. Iam talking about a spiritual blessing.

This could be a time for all us to sit back and reflect on the things that we thought were important in life. How we got away from the humanity in our lives chasing after material things.

The last couple of decades have seen us chasing after a better life, but for most people, a better life meant more material things. The better job, bigger house, more expensive cars, and expensive toys. We also saw a loss of community. People moving and not getting to know their neighbors, destablization of neighborhoods and families.

As people chased their material dreams, parents spent more time working and less time with their kids. We have seen an increase of children falling into depression, obesity, drugs and crime. These changes have not taken place only in the  inner city, but also in suburbs, small towns and rual communities.

People spend more time with virtual friends then with actual friends. We have lost the ability to deal with people, road rage and hostility has increases over the decades. Many people are stressed out and on medication, heart attacks and strokes increased and overall quality of spiritual life declined while our material possessions increased.

This could be the perfect time to re-evaulate your life and values. How well do you know your neighbors? How much time do you spend with your family? How happy were you really, were you getting more things and still feeling dissatisfied with life?

During this time I am taking a long hard look at my life and making changes. I am working to create a more balanced life for me and my family. I am working to appreciate the good things that life has given me and being good to others. I am also learning to be good to myself, and not in material ways, but in spiritual ways. I goal is to feel good about my life, about being me and accepting of myself and others.

What changes spiritual and mentally have you made during this stressful economic times? Have you changed your values in any ways?