A Change in Everyday Conversations
Over the last couple of months I’ve noticed a change in the typical everyday conversation friends are having with me. Friend’s attitutes have been changing, yes the economy has something to do with that, but people are talking differently.
A few years back conversations I was a part of or hear, people mostly talked about the things they have – a new IPod, Blackberry, Iphone, new car, new house, new projects, etc. Then over the last year mostly it has been negative conversations about how bad the economy is. People were fearful of losing their things and money – rightfully so! I am one of them, so don’t think I’m critisizing, just commenting on what Im seeing.
Then in the last few months I saw a big shift! I’m hearing a different type of conversation. People are sharing of how they are dealing with the economy. One friend said:
“We are not going out as much as we used to. On the weekends, the kids used to go to the movies with their friends. My husband & I used to go out to dinner or the theater. Now we are staying home and playing board games.”
Another friend shared of how life has changed for him.
“I used to go out and hang out with the guys. The kids used to do sleepovers. Now I am spending more time with the kids at home. We are actually having a sit down dinner every nights & I’m having conversatiosn with the kids.”
Sure these are all responds to the circumstances of how the economy is affecting everyone, but the underlying commitment I’m hearing is of simplicity. People are going back to the simple things in life. Another friend shared:
“We are loosing everything we’ve had. The bank wants to reposses my car and I’ve had to sell my jewelry to pay the bills. But you know what I am happier now they I used to be with all that stuff. We always worried if the stuff would be stolen, If I had the same car my neighbor had. Now all that I am concerned with is the well being of my husband & the kids.”
Wow! I’ve only been focasing on the bad side of this economic downturn, but there is always something good, or something to get out of any failure. I am getting that it is an adjustment where we can go back to what is really of value in our lives – the people around us!