I would rather live today than at any other time in history.  This feeling is and has been consistent on good days or bad days and in good times or difficult times.

Why?

First,  the world keeps turning and standing still accomplishes nothing.  Second, everyday is an opportunity to learn, help, share, reflect or heal.  A few of my experiences:

The day of my Dad’s funeral I learned just how much he helped other people and it challenged me  to do even more than I was currently doing.   A minister shared that Dad privately bought plane tickets so the minister could fly to his family own father’s funeral.  We didn’t have a lot but apparently Dad found a way to buy the tickets.  In the midst of my grief over death, there appeared motivation for life.

Some time ago I was married for a couple years while completing grad school.  We got divorced and I was deeply troubled by how the whole thing unfolded.  During the healing process I felt convicted not to become bitter but become better (see also this post).  10 years later a dear friend experienced a nearly identical situation.  I shadowed him and provided encouragement as the cycle unfolded.  It was a blessing to use my previous pain to encourage his healing process.

Early in my career I was passed over for a job promotion that I felt was earned and deserved.  The hiring VP thought differently.  Instead of impulsively quitting that company in disgust, I put my head down and elevated my performance.  That same VP became one of my cheerleaders as my career progressed and he got me an even bigger promotion 18 months later.

In all cases, my first reactions were human and typical; hurt, angry, bitter, resentful, frustrated, cheated, deprived, shunned, abused, etc.  Beyond the normal initial reaction came a wave of self discipline and determination to learn from the mistakes (my own fault) or life experiences (not my fault).  This is not easy.  You must move forward and utilize mentors, books and solitude during the process.

Today’s economy is driving people to the point of despair and into bankruptcy.  Even in the most troubled situations, I can see a vision of a better future.  If this is bottom, then every day forward will be a little better until a more stable plateau is attained.

Even in the face of these headwinds, I would rather live today and look to tomorrow than at any other time in history.  Today’s challenges and pain are what make us appreciate a better tomorrow.

This too will pass.  The question is: how will you use the experience in the future?

Right here, right now, there is no other place I wanna be.
Right here, right now, watching the world wake up from history.
Right Here, Right Now – Jesus Jones

To help those facing career decisions or challenges I am giving away 100 free copies of my book, The Rat, The Race and The Cage to anyone who WANTS one.  (See This Post)

In the Career section of today’s Wall Street (June 16th) Karina Diaz Cano wrote an article titled “When Tough Times become the Norm.”

Cano briefly explained how she has become acclimatized (my word) to the situation following waves of bad job news from friends and family.  The following excerpt summed up her experience:

“With so many of my friends and family out of work, the economic situation and layoff news is something I’ve had to start taking in stride. It’s still not pleasant to receive news of another layoff, but I have become more accustomed to it.”

It’s one thing to become accustomed to what, by many accounts, appears to be a new economic reality, but it’s another thing entirely to give-in to the situation.   To be clear, Cano makes no mention of surrender or retreat.

In such a situation, however, too many people will become frustrated and idle.  There are several instructive analogies that come to mind, including the frog that ultimately cooks to death in a kettle of tepid water slowly brought to a boil vs. the frog that instantly leaps from a pot of hot water.

My encouragement is to be inspired to action by these situations and start taking steps NOW to prepare and position for the future.  No one would wait patiently in a burning building but when careers are in flames I have seen people wait until they are overcome by smoke.

In her article, Cano goes on to muse about the economy presenting new opportunities:

“So perhaps the layoffs were the chance to get to a better next job which we may never have looked for, being in a comfort zone in our former positions.”

YES!  I applaud this and add that many people are NOT waiting to respond to such opportunities (see my May 21st post here).  An applicable quote was attributed to Abe Lincoln, “Things may come to those who wait – but only the things left by those who hustle.”  So true!

My call is clear:  if this is the new normal, deal with it.  Start searching for ways to be one of those who will look back and talk about how you found opportunity and success  in decidedly tough times.

Consider that they still award the surfing championship trophy even when the waves and other conditions are poor.  The competition goes on and somebody emerges a winner.

Why not you?

“Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear…
And I can’ help but ask myself how much I let the fear take the wheel and steer.”
Drive – Incubus