In the Age of Aquarius...

Last night, on some network's eleven o'clock news, there was a piece on how the bewildered masses are turning to psychics for economic advice. Well, why not? How much more or less accurate could tarot readings, horoscope castings or magic 8 balls be than the confused bleatings of Bernanke, Buffet, or Biden (heck, let's throw in 'bama too)?

As more of us are losing our jobs and feeling an increased sense of helplessness, it's understandable that people are turning to the esoteric to get a handle on what's happening on the world stage, beyond our control. Still, there are plenty of things you can do yourself to keep your future on track and in your own hands. Just peruse prior PS posts and you'll find tons of advice to exercise, stay connected, look for jobs, etc. As a former psychology/art therapy/biological basis of behavior major, I'd like to emphasize just one thing though:

Change your mindset. Being laid off can be an ego killer, but it ought not be. Nobody's in a position to judge, and what's happened to you is happening world-wide. So get beyond feeling sorry for yourself and start being pragmatic. Even if you find yourself having to downsize out of your apartment or home, get rid of the car, or move back home with your parents, understand that you are doing so in order to lay down a stable foundation for your next phase in life. Because you know, as they say, "this too shall pass." And even if you subscribe more to the "Life's a bitch, and then you die" philosophy, you have to admit that some good stuff happens in between. See that? You didn't even have to pay me $20 for that bit of flim-flammery!

Oh yeah, and it's St. Patrick's day. Go drink your face off if you're so inclined! Not like there's work to go to in the morning...

--Posted by Linda Petock, Vault News & Commentary