Security Outside Can Only Be Found Within

Life today reflects uncertainty and insecurity at the survival level for many people, mainly because of the debt levels and government policies that are encouraging job contraction. Even public/government employees are at risk, especially at the state levels.

In my working career, I thought that security resided in how much money I had. In 1991, my annual salary was in excess of $80k. I was an active investor in stocks, metals, options and so on. In the fall of 2000, I learned how to live on $20 a week for a while while using a car as my home. This, along with other experiences like breast cancer, taught me that anything in the material, including my physical person, being used for security is an illusion. Flux and change are natural parts of life. Energy does not stand still for anyone.

My security today lies in the illumination of what I am experiencing on my path. Enlightenment is the safety net, catching me when I fall. What are you relying on for your security; faith from your spiritual beliefs, self-confidence of your ability to overcome, inner strength to persevere and endure, hope with the understanding that life balances out the good and bad? If you are seeking to preserve your material world in order to feel safe, consider these inner invisible ways. They are stable, reliable, and dependable.

We do have to participate in the world to care for ourselves and others who depend on us, but if we can have a solid foundation within to depend on, the harshness of life will have smoother edges and that feeling of self-empowerment will wash over onto others who are controlled by their fears and blown by the winds of change.

It Is All In The Perspective

Today Standard and Poor issued a shot over the bough by saying that the outlook on Britain has gone from stable to negative because of massive borrowing to deal with the recession and bank crisis.  This is not a formal downgrade, but it might as well have been given the impact. The projected Britain government's net debt burden will rise close to 100% of economic output by 2013.  As of April 2009, it was 53.2%.  In my opinion, this is the orange flag that I have been waiting for given my concern about the U.S. increasing debt.

As of early May 2009, the U.S. debt is 80.1% Gross Domestic Product based on the current GDP.  The President's 2010 budget estimates indicates that debt will be 97% by 2010 and stabilize at 100% after that.  Looks like this country is going to finish the race before Britain with 100% debt.  Given that, how are we going to fair with Standard and Poor's rating?

Also, today, there was a statement that the offers for homes for sale in the Northeast are 20-30% less than the asking prices.  The bottom in the housing market has yet to show up with steep discounts like this.

For those who are active investors in this market, be very selective and fully conscious of buying and selling.  Remember, I am optimistic in the long run, but I think we are going to experience a giant bump in the investment road, sooner than later.