BOTTOM IS TOP WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING UP

In response to our newspaper question this week about whether we thought the economy had bottomed out I said.

"I guess belief in the economy bottoming out depends on whether you have a job or your house has not been foreclosed upon. However my own personal indicators show things on an upswing. Folks in my profession were being laid off and calls for consultative services were down. Recently requests have picked up tremendously. Second, in a second advertisement of a position I was not able to fill last year, a new group of candidates has emerged who actually meet the requirements instead of desperately, and obviously, applying to anything"."

I believe that the question was meant to have contributors describe a "feeling" they have. I was surprised that the majority basically quoted what they have read about or observed-not how they "felt". One pointed to the "r's" war on the have-nots as the reason things have picked up calling it a good thing. The point to me is there is no one factor that determines recovery or further economic nightmare; there is no one factor that describes a magic bullet of success; there is not always an explanation for success or failure or even life or death.

My argument is that it really does come down to how we are "feeling" about all of these. When we get knocked down do we get back up? Do we blame the world and throw a pity party that lasts the rest of our lives? Do we take the negative influences and let them rule our future hope and optimism. Oh I admit it's hard sometimes when you're hurting to remember it does get better. I have compared that feeling in previous articles to being in a dark room where you see a little sliver of light under the door and when you get the courage, you pull that door slowly open until you can bathe in that light.

As long as people continue to feel empowered and follow their instincts for success, hold those in charge accountable, protect the helpless and provide hope for the hopeless, recovery, joy, success and the good life are all possible.