Is a recession always bad? For those whose lives have been deeply impacted by it, such as by losing a job, there is no denying it can be a traumatic and unwelcome experience.
For others, though, who have had a small jolt of reality shot through them, but who are left standing, a recession can prod them towards a less wasteful and more realistic course of life.
Ahh, living it large. The latest economic downturn has affected people doing just that. It has managed to shock and disrupt those at the very apex of economic success. Thus, ‘living it large’ is no longer always feasible. It’s also no longer kosher, environmentally speaking. A recession can help us realize that it’s ok to live within our means, showing a sense of modesty and maturity. It can open our eyes to the fact that, believe it or not, humans can survive without owning it all.
While scrimping and penny-pinching is no way to live either, learning to be content with what we have can go a long way in helping us through hard economic times. It can also go a long way towards preserving the planet. So maybe we’re not buying that 72″ plasma TV. We can all sit a little closer together while watching our 32″. So what if we’re not riding around in a spacious, new SUV? We’re sitting nice and snug in our economical, compact car – creating less pollution while getting around. And, maybe we’re not travelling far and wide, to the ends of the earth. Perhaps, thanks to a recession, we’re supporting local businesses closer to home, maybe even ones that are trying to achieve a greener way of operating and that could surely use our help at a time when tourism may be lagging.
Family importance and values are other notions that a recession can bring to light. Realizing what’s most important, and, with a bit of extra time on our hands perhaps due to not having much overtime at work, we can use our time for things that really count.
In the end, a recession may hurt. It may stab us in the pocket book and cause us anxiety. But we can always choose to look at the greener side. In good times and bad, the value of living within our means and maintaining an eco-responsible lifestyle remains true. When all is rosy, and we’re well-off without a care in the world, sometimes we literally forget to care for the planet and we only think of ourselves and what things we can amass and what thrills we can attain. Being forced, against our inclinations, to cut back or make conservative choices can be a good thing in a world where ‘living it large’ has been the prevailing attitude for much too long.
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As Socrates once said: “He who is not happy with what he has, will not be happy with what he wants.”. I’d love to see our economies reshaped to suit what benefits communities and individuals, rather than creating artificial “needs” and “wants”, which is where we get into dissatisfied lives and unsustainability. I’d love to see our cities shaped around communities where everything you need is only a cycle or mini-car ride away and where products and manufacturing is scrutinised by sustainability.
We can do it if we have the will but the will is based upon values. Dow we have the values, or are the majority now just doing what the TV commercials tell them to do, that you are what you own, not what you think, feel, do, give and receive?