Hard Times Can Be Profitable: Re-Balancing Our Lives

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Actions, consequences and priorities: going through hard times, overcoming them, and re-balancing our lives can be among the most profitable experiences we’ll ever have.

The United States is in the midst of an economic downturn that rivals that of the Great Depression. Some European countries are on the brink of default. No doubt about it, times are tough. And they’re pretty much tough all over.

Adversity is no stranger to the human condition. It seems like most of life is about facing and overcoming adversity. But accepting life’s challenges and learning from them is often the key to even greater growth and prosperity. The current economic situation could easily profit many of us in ways not easily seen. It depends upon what we learn from the experience. It’s my sincere hope that at the very least certain lessons will be taken to heart:

  1. We’re all in this together. When any of the world’s bigger economic engines is sputtering, everyone feels the pain. Like it or not and accept it or not, we are all connected.
  2. Actions always have consequences. When we spend too frivolously, borrow too much, let materialism cloud our judgment, etc., our choices always catch up with us. Much of the downturn we’re experiencing right now has its roots in the economic irresponsibility we’ve all displayed for years.
  3. There are things far more important than material wealth. In our “got to have this” and “got to have that” culture, we often forget the things that really matter: family, friends, purpose, character, etc. When things get tough, we sometimes find renewed motivation to re-center our lives.
  4. Life is and has always been cyclical. That’s why it’s important to save for a rainy day. That’s why living like there’s no tomorrow always carries risk. Although we can’t know in advance what will come our way, certain timeless characteristics of life are fairly predictable. Nothing lasts forever.

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Therapists like myself always experience an influx of folks seeking assistance during hard times. They struggle to deal with the stressors they face and to restore balance to their lives. Sometimes it becomes clear that their distress might not have become so great had they paid more heed to the important things in their life during times of plenty and excess. So, despite how arduous the ordeal might be, going through hard times, overcoming them, and re-balancing our lives can be among the most profitable experiences we’ll ever have.

All clinical material on this site is peer reviewed by one or more clinical psychologists or other qualified mental health professionals. This specific article was originally published by on and was last reviewed or updated by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on .

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