Taking personal responsibility for our own mess.

I talk to a lot people everyday and ask many questions about how they feel concerning the economic crisis affecting our country. This is what I hear: Life sucks, the government is corrupt, they don't care about us, life is not fair, and the list goes on.

So far I have not heard anyone saying: You know, we have to take some of the responsibility for this mess. I have been spending way beyond my revenues or resources, creating debt (the 800 pound gorilla sitting on your shoulders and causing a tremendous amount of fear and stress).

Marriages are breaking up due to the arguments caused by the lack of money to pay the bills. We have failed to save for a "rainy day" and now we blame anyone but ourselves. Of course, there are circumstances out of our control. So, let's stop worrying about things we can't change and concentrate on how we can get out of this crisis. The Chinese language has a symbol with dual meaning: one way spells crisis and the other one opportunity.

The way I see it, this is a wake-up call. We need to change our spending habits, we have become a nation of spenders with instant gratification. If the trinket doesn't love you back, don't buy it. If you already have it, sell it and save the money.

If unemployed, take advantage of this opportunity, go back to school and learn another skill, change careers, get another job in another industry, move to another city. When you are at the bottom of the pit, you have no place to go but up.

Surround yourself with people who see life as a painting canvass, creating their own destiny. Stay away from toxic people, even if they are relatives.

If you are employed and the money is not enough, you have two choices: Create more revenue, cut costs or do both. You can't print money. If you tell me that jobs are hard to find, then explain to me how immigrants have two and sometimes 3 jobs.

Start a think tank with other people to find out what people need and provide it. I always said that you can knock out the competition if: You provide 110 % service to your customer, love what your do, have fun doing it and expect a reasonable profit--because without a profit you can not stay in business. This you can apply to any business. Think out of the box-- something blue, something new. I have a friend who started a business cleaning windows and toilets for small commercial companies and he is doing rather well. He now has three employees. I forgot to tell you that he used to be a Project manager for a computer company.

Above all, be kind to yourself and others. You are not your job. Trust me, there is a way out. But we have to start with ourselves.

Will my life be better because of Mr. Obama

I am fascinated by the belief of some of people that the new administration has all the answers concerning the present condition of our country. I hear comments from young people thinking that the President and his administration will change their lives for the better. Maybe yes, maybe not.

What I do know is that every morning I have to get up, kick myself on the behind and attempt to do the best I can with my life. The minute that allow myself into believing that someone is going to make it better for me, I have become a co-dependent.

There is certain permeating nagging belief that we are done, that we can't lift ourselves up and that we have seen the best of this country. I disagree, it is up to each one of us to undertake the task of rebuilding this country from the bottom up. We need to start by taking personal responsibility for some of the problems - like borrowing money to buy trinkets which lose value the minute we exit the store, like borrowing money to buy a house we can't afford. It seems to me that this new generation lives from paycheck to paycheck and not saving any money for a "rainy day". I am told that the average couple doesn't have an emergency fund of any kind and if they do, it might be a month or so. The government can print money, we can't.

People ask, "Where is the stimulus money going?" and I say, Where is it coming from?
If we keep spending and borrowing from other countries, eventually we will go bankrupt. Or are we there already?

I may suggest that every morning we get up and ask ourselves this question. "What can I do today to help my country to get back on track? We can't have our President do it by himself. Agree?

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia who?? That's what I said to the Neurologist when she diagnosed this illness. MG is a chronic neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder that causes varying degrees of weakness involving the voluntary muscles of the body. Most commonly affects the muscles controlling eye movements, eyelids, chewing, swallowing, coughing and facial expression. Muscles that control breathing and movements of the arms and legs may also be affected. At present, the cause of myasthenia gravis is unknown, and there is no cure. I borrowed this information from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.

I was diagnosed in 2005 when my right eyelid became "droopy" or lazy. For some people this is the first indication. In march of 2008 I developed weakness of the neck, to the point that sometimes during the day I had to support my head with a thumb under my chin. I have had blurry vision, double vision, droopy eyelids (both, but at different times) and neck weakness. Other folks have some of these problems and more. I am happy to say that that as of this time, I am almost back to "normal".

Here is what I am trying to say: If you have some of these symptoms, find a Neurologist familiar with Myasthenia Gravis. It might not be this, but check it anyway. After your doctor confirms this disorder, follow the treatment and find a MG support group. Finding a support group of people who are experiencing this disorder is extremely helpful. The more you know about this disorder and know like-minded people the easier will be.

I live in the Carolinas and found a support group and the local Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. This has made all the difference in the world.

Here is the good news. There is LIFE after MG. You will learn to live with it and manage it. If I can be of any help to you, please let me know. speakfive@gmail.com