Regardless of whether you watch the news or pay attention to current affairs, everyone, for the most part, is being affected by our current economy.  A few months ago I was at a meeting and someone stated the real estate market was in a state of correction.  I liked that perspective.  And as I look at the state in which we as American’s live, I would even say that we are in a state of correction across the board.

As gas and grocery prices continue to rise, it is forcing us to think twice before spending that dollar, or dollars, on something that maybe we don’t really need.  In our businesses we are trying to become creative to reduce waste and increase the bottom dollar.  Yet, what many are finding works, are principles that have been forgotten because they were considered old fashion or behind the times. In our personal lives we are looking at how we can maintain comfortable lives and redefining what “comfortable” means.  For many comfortable is a matter of quality.  Again, we are finding ways to increase quality and going back to ideas that were considered old fashion or behind the times. 

What are the effects these changes will and are making? Luxury is once again luxury, not the normal way of life. We are recycling, “green” is in.  Not just “in” in our homes, but in our business and the way we do business.  Time with family and friends is being spent over grills in the backyard. Walking, biking and taking the bus to work are on an incline.  Walking to the store instead of hopping in the car to go less than a mile is making a come back. Is this not the truth you are finding? Look around the next time you go somewhere.  More and more people are car pooling, there are more motorcyclist and bicyclist on the road.  Watch out for the new walkers on the streets and sidewalks. I believe as gas prices continue to rise and there are not other options we will continue to see this be the norm.

Oh, what a ripple effect that will have.  We just might lose some extra poundage in this new life style. Loosing weight means increased health and lower medical costs. Now not only are we saving money on using less gas, we are saving money on our health care. Health care has become so expensive that not everyone can afford coverage and go without insurance and some cases needed help.

There are just so many more benefits to this correction that is occurring.  Life of simplicity is coming back.  Less stress is a benefit of simplicity. We are relying more on those around us, sounds a little like community to me.

Really, think about all the old shows that evoke warm fuzzies when watched.  They are neighborhoods where everyone knows each other.  Kids are riding their bikes, parents are walking to the store.  Neighbors are saying hello to each other. It seems the real estate sector has known this for some time.  Look at some of the homes that have been built. They look like old neighborhood homes.  Some communities have been built with the focus of advertizing being the home is in a little community, complete with schools, grocery stores, parks and churches.  That was a selling point!  And people were paying top dollar for this lifestyle.  Why?  Because it advertised a simple life, a life of no stress, a home to come to at the end of a stressful day, it was a place of retreat.

While I do not personally enjoy the pain of correction in my life, I choose to render down.  I welcome this correction.  And when our economy looks up again, with this new lifestyle, I will be better prepared to not fall into these ways of a stressful life.  Life was meant to be awesome. How will you respond to this recession? Will it be a time that takes you out, or will you change your perspective and open your life to correction? Will you allow your life to simplify and bring a new joy to your home and business?