On the evening of November 4, as the election results rolled in and blue began to seep across our nation’s map, my phone started ringing.

From across the country and around the globe, various friends and family members shouted their excitement at America’s choice for president.

“Your country has done you proud!” shouted my friend from Australia, a woman with a doctorate in economics and a desire to see the world’s fortunes change for the better.

My country did do me proud, by getting out and voting, by getting and staying involved throughout a frenzied campaign season.

We elected a man I believe will influence America to rediscover the grace of intelligent, reasonable action.

And now, I trust that we will all keep doing this country proud, by continuing to learn about the issues that are affecting our national and personal well-being.

The main issue confronting most of us right now? The state of our economy.

No one knows where, or when, this wheel of fortune will stop spinning.

County agencies and schools, businesses and families are all slashing unnecessary expenses so that a basic level of services can be maintained.  People may not get raises or perks, or that new printer they wanted or the office, but at least they’ll keep their jobs.

That is the best case scenario.

A worst case scenario is what happened in our area last week, when Circuit City laid off about 700 employees.

That is 700 people who may not be able to pay their mortgage, or buy a new car, or shop at local markets and stores. That is money lost from 700 members of our community. What’s more, that is a kind of sadness gained, to witness yet another reminder than many of us are only a paycheck or two away from devastation.
I would like to think that these experiences are creating a sensed of shared experiences, maybe even a shared perspective, as we work together to make the best of a tough situation.

But instead, there are many of us who are just scared.  And this comes out in ways both understandable and unexpected.

As the pot of resources seems to get smaller and smaller, and the crowds clamoring for them gets ever bigger, rivalries and fatigue can build.

But right now, when the chance to take a vacation from it all may be more elusive than ever, we owe it to ourselves to stop, and take a breath.

It is easy these days to think about money, especially when you don’t have it, and especially when the holidays are looming on the horizon. Be aware of the dangers of our economy, strive to protect yourself and your family by being careful and pragmatic, and then remember to help others who may have even less than you.

Because I can think of no better way to celebrate a new president, and a new era in our country’s history, than to strive for the qualities that appealed to so many of us as voters: wisdom, and empathy.