$$$ Financial Stress $$$

I'm guessing many people fall into the category of middle income earners, slave to a capitalist society that sucks the life and strength out from both the mind and body.
I am a part of this society. The recent events that took place in many parts of the world is NOT making life any easier. Surviving the month becomes more of a struggle to many of us. I'm referring to the economic crisis and political ambiguity that's brewing all over the world, particularly in the United States of America.

One regular morning in June 2007, alarms started ringing at Wall Street signaling the beginning of the end for investment bank Bear Stearns, which by then has their foot too deep in the investments in mortgage-backed securities. The wound soon spread its sting to many other financial organizations all over the globe and the rest, as they say is history.
It is estimated that thus far, banks all over the world have had to writedown over 550 billion dollars in asset.

Many multi-billion dollar corporation are forced to "rightsize", leaving thousands of bread earners without a job, and not many places to go.
Those who narrowly escape the guillotine linger on to simply survive. Most employees will be left with minimal or no savings at all.

The domino effect has already taken foothold, markets world over starts tumbling causing an avalanche of inflation and plummeting currencies.

I wonder if you are as concerned over YOUR financial situation as I am of mine, particularly during this period of uncertainty. Reflecting over the events, with the collapse of Enron in 2001 and the recent AIG shared dropping like flies to its lowest point at only USD$1.25 from USD$68.53 just a year ago, I concluded that nothing is certain. You cannot find security even from a security firm. A company that insures you cannot even insure itself from self destruction.

The question remains...Will my family and I survive this financial uncertainty?
Stress Stress Stress!!!

With such a bleak future, what can we do about it?

It is said that all calamities can be overcome with the clarity of thought. If we are burdened with the unknown, we will not be well prepared to succeed.

I am going to share with you 4 simple steps to overcoming stress in general, which is NOT limited to elevating oneself from financial stress alone, but stress in the overall sense.

As it were, step one is literally only a step away. All we need to do is simply take 1 step...one step BACK, that is. By removing ourselves from the immediate issues clouding out mind, only then will we be able to see the entire picture. Such is the ability of great leaders.

Many of us cannot differentiate the difference between what's important and what's urgent. Most of us react to urgent matters, without even giving it a second thought if it were important at all. We assume all urgent matters are important. As I was taught, never to assume; because to assume is to make an ASS out of U and ME.

Once we see the important things that affects our lives, we may then have the clarity to dissect the issues on our hands. Step two will require us to simply identify and break down the issues. All mountains are made out of cumulative rocks and dirt. Once we identify the rocks from the dirt, we are able to further breakdown the rocks.

Thirdly, GET HELP. No man is an island. That's the goal behind every know culture in the world. People get into groups, be it a family, a political party, a conglomerate or even a nation to gather its strengths. It would be shameful if you do not seek for help when you need it. Do not let pride get in the way of progress and success.

Finally, be grateful and thankful when the mountain in your life is leveled. Show appreciation to those who has lend a helping hand. This will ensure that you keep your eyes on the big picture. That life is not just about you. It's about us...all of us...

Just a recap:
Step 1: Look at the big picture
Step 2: Breakdown the issues
Step 3: Get help
Step 4: Be thankful

A simple financial example would be to look at your financial health as a whole. What do you owe, and what do you own? What is your objective? Can you imagine what would make you contented and stress free? Perhaps a scenario where you're out of debt 100%? or perhaps at least to a level where your debts are in a manageable position?
Breakdown your financial health by identifying all your debts and your assets. Identify what you can do without, and consolidate your debts and remove whatever is possible. Your assets are NOT limited to material things. Sure you can sell some of your stuffs over Ebay and make a quick buck to pay for some of the debts. But most of us forget that each of us are blessed indeed with gifts and talents. We can easily make an extra buck by spending an hour mowing our neighbor's lawn every evening. That IS your asset! Time and health!
Simultaneously, get financial help. It doesn't necessarily mean borrowing from friends and family. There are financial aids out there that you have NOT explored. Surviving banks are now more desperate than ever to do business. Yes, they will probably be reluctant to provide loans, but they still do need your business to survive. Negotiate. With the proper attitude and planning, you will win over some good advice to the least, if not financially.
Now, you can be thankful that you still have access to the internet to read this. It can be used to much more use, for example google for more ideas and financial aids out there.

It's a long stretch, but the more stretching we go through, the more ready we are to face the future.

That's all from me now, with this note I pray that you will find success and peace on the roads ahead...

Light...Out