Cindy La Ferle’s Home Officea window on the writing life

Getting unstuck

Cindy on October 16th, 2008

We will not solve the problems of the world by staying at the same level of thinking that created them.” — Albert Einstein

Driven by fear and uncertainty, some of us cling to the past or seek shelter in the safety of our old comfort zones. Worse yet, when we’re really scared, we hurl proverbial rocks at those who think, look, or act differently than we do.

Admittedly, there’s a lot to be afraid of these days. One day the stock market plummets to an all-time low; the next day it rises. Then it falls again. Economists predict we’ll be strapped to this hair-raising roller coaster ride for at least another year. Will our pensions or retirement accounts remain secure? Will we lose our jobs? What’s in store for young people and the next wave of college grads? Will there be enough money left to care for our aging parents?

In the broader sense, I’m wondering if our country will have enough money to rebuild our own troubled cities — my native Detroit and New Orleans, to name just two — after spending untold sums on wars in other nations. And will there be anything left for environmental research and to explore new energy resources? Big questions, all.

I’m so ready for change. As if on cue, I just received a preview copy of the aptly titled, STUCK: Why We Can’t (or Won’t) Move On, by award-winning journalist Anneli Rufus. The book is scheduled for release in January, in time for New Year’s resolutions. I’ll keep you posted once I’ve finished it. -- Cindy La Ferle

– “Grumpy Old Garden Troll” photo by Cindy La Ferle–

Tags: Albert Einstein, American anxiety, creative thinking, economic crisis, fear of change, financial worries, job loss, military spending, pension, politics, retirement
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