Changing Times And Changing Expectations

One of the most amazing events in recent history was the abandonment of the Soviet Union and its dedication to the rule of central government. A national malaise grew out of unrealized dreams and despair of the future. Does Health Care Reform represent the departure towards a similar disillusionment?

The people of the Soviet Union-including the powerful Soviet military-just walked away from the game in 1991. The Czar had no clothes. The collective consciousness of the Soviet peoples woke up to the stagnant dream and they decided to abandon the concept that so many had died for. Central planning just couldn't cut it. Central planning was trashed and a free market for muscle and takeover by aggressive ex officials filled the vacuum with a criminal agenda. Were the average people really better off? Had the quality of life significantly improved with the sucking sound of capitalism rushing in to fill the gap left by the evaporation of the State?

We are beginning to see the same sort of disillusionment with capitalism in America. The promises that were once seen as possible are also starting to evaporate from the public expectation. Younger generations are losing the faith that they will be able to follow preceding generations into a future of improvements and even higher standards of living. A future filled with unfettered consumerism and growing wealth (debt) may be disappearing like the promise of the workers' paradise. But all is not lost.

As with most change, the only thing an individual can really control is their own perceptions and attitudes. Exactly what will replace our current hazy perception of capitalism and the American Dream isn't really clear yet but rest assured it's coming-ready or not. Here are some suggestions to help prepare for whatever may be heading our way.

*Try to find fulfillment in other activities rather than your work or profession.

*Find out what gives you joy. Many people just don't know what they might be passionate about.Experiment and stretch your experiences. Question others about their experiences. Expose yourself to new experiences.

*Take some aptitude and personality inventory test to see what your interests and aptitudes are and what your personality profile may find as fulfilling.

*Consider education as much more than getting a good job. Look at it as a lifetime of dedication to self-development as a person living in a fascinating universe. *Educate your self on a broad variety of subjects. You will be surprised at what you learn from learning just about anything.

* Begin to read for enjoyment and learning new things. Movies and TV can't match your imagination and creativity.

*Learn how to play a musical instrument-no matter how old you are. Music is food for your soul. Not money.

*Become focused on quality. Owning quality requires knowledge and appreciation.

*Do not fear the future. Enjoy the spectacle.