Finding stability in times of crisis

Recession. Economic crisis. The air is abuzz with these words, from the concerned whispers of colleagues and friends, to the speculation and predictions of the media. Who will sink? Who will swim? How bad is it? How long will it last? Although it came as a shock, the current economic crisis serves as a reminder of the oldest, most pervasive and predictable aspect of life itself: change. The only thing that is certain, is change. In our society, our attitude toward change is often of sticking our heads in the sand. We try to pretend that it doesn't exist. We become rigid, seeking the illusory permanence of routine to make us feel safe, to feel in control. Many of us spend our lives dedicated to creating a stable environment; a solid career, a dependable spouse. But even the longest marriages can end in divorce, the largest fortunes in the world can dwindle down to nothing.

Striving to achieve material gain and trustworthy relationships is a wonderful thing, yet if we place our own sense of security in these things, we are setting ourselves up for a fall, we are building our house on a fragile foundation. However much we try to ignore it, we are not in control of the shifting sands of the world, and we never will be. In order to find true stability, we must first come to terms with the unstable nature of the things we rely on. When we become aware of the impossibility of external permanence, we can begin to cultivate the only thing that can give true security: inner peace.

Coping with the recession is not about what you're doing, it's about what you're being. In the midst of uncertainty, are you getting lost in the worries and concerns of the intellect? Or are you using this opportunity to cultivate a deeper internal anchor, a more stable foundation of love and trust within yourself?

The financial crisis is what you make of it. You can see it as a threat on your security, or you can use it as a tool to find inner stability. Sometimes our greatest losses can become our greatest opportunities; whether you wallow in the ashes or rise up transformed depends on how you make use of the situation to grow.