By most standards, 2008 was a challenging year. So many bubbles were burst, and it's hard to say which was the worst. Unemployment rates climbed rapidly as businesses downsized or seized operations. Real estate lost tremendous value and homes were foreclosed at a record pace. Banks failed at alarming rates and Wall Street watched the stock market lose 40% of its value.
I read recently that the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein scolded one of his executives during one of the market's worst weeks. The executive said, "I don't know how much more of this I can take." Blankfein responded, "Let's put this into perspective. You are getting out of a Mercedes, walking into the Federal Reserve to get a bailout. You are not in a Higgins boat landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy." In the midst of this crisis, we're told that it's likely to get worse before it gets better.
So, it is natural to wonder where in the world is the good news?
The good news is that we are alive and living in the greatest country in the world. This past weekend, I watched the news as the Israeli army began its ground assault on the Gaza Strip and I thought, oh no, here we go again! Why do they have to do that now? Then I heard reports that Hamas had been launching missile after missile, sometimes as many as 60 per day into Israel. I thought, what in the world would it be like to live under constant attack? I couldn't fathom being in the midst of such violence and turmoil. At that moment, the fact that we are so lucky to live in this country was reinforced.
Though I know times are really tough, I also know that in order to maintain our sanity, we have to find a silver lining somewhere. So, my suggestion to you is this - if you have your family and your health, you can get through all the rest. We have demonstrated our resilience time and time again, both individually and collectively and I genuinely believe that we will bounce back, as long as we pay attention to the lessons that we learned from this experience. As we face the current economic crisis and brace ourselves for the future, I also suggest implementing simple things in your lives for relaxation.
For me, music is a source of comfort and offers a break from life's harsh realities. I especially love Joe Cocker's music because it is unique, passionate, and gives me hope that maybe one day, even I could be a musician. One of my favorite songs is "I Can Stand a Little Rain." If you haven't heard it, you can listen to it for free at Rhapsody.com. This particular song will remind you that whenever you think you can't go on, "you've made it before; you can make it some more."
Today, I encourage you, don't give up hope! So many patients have told me that when they heard about LSI, it gave them hope and when they came here for surgery, we gave them their lives back. So, please recognize and cherish the things that you have and keep looking for that silver lining.
I read recently that the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein scolded one of his executives during one of the market's worst weeks. The executive said, "I don't know how much more of this I can take." Blankfein responded, "Let's put this into perspective. You are getting out of a Mercedes, walking into the Federal Reserve to get a bailout. You are not in a Higgins boat landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy." In the midst of this crisis, we're told that it's likely to get worse before it gets better.
So, it is natural to wonder where in the world is the good news?
The good news is that we are alive and living in the greatest country in the world. This past weekend, I watched the news as the Israeli army began its ground assault on the Gaza Strip and I thought, oh no, here we go again! Why do they have to do that now? Then I heard reports that Hamas had been launching missile after missile, sometimes as many as 60 per day into Israel. I thought, what in the world would it be like to live under constant attack? I couldn't fathom being in the midst of such violence and turmoil. At that moment, the fact that we are so lucky to live in this country was reinforced.
Though I know times are really tough, I also know that in order to maintain our sanity, we have to find a silver lining somewhere. So, my suggestion to you is this - if you have your family and your health, you can get through all the rest. We have demonstrated our resilience time and time again, both individually and collectively and I genuinely believe that we will bounce back, as long as we pay attention to the lessons that we learned from this experience. As we face the current economic crisis and brace ourselves for the future, I also suggest implementing simple things in your lives for relaxation.
For me, music is a source of comfort and offers a break from life's harsh realities. I especially love Joe Cocker's music because it is unique, passionate, and gives me hope that maybe one day, even I could be a musician. One of my favorite songs is "I Can Stand a Little Rain." If you haven't heard it, you can listen to it for free at Rhapsody.com. This particular song will remind you that whenever you think you can't go on, "you've made it before; you can make it some more."
Today, I encourage you, don't give up hope! So many patients have told me that when they heard about LSI, it gave them hope and when they came here for surgery, we gave them their lives back. So, please recognize and cherish the things that you have and keep looking for that silver lining.
Leave a comment