the way I see it

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)

American essayist, philosopher, and poet

Every day I meet people who are talking about the economy and real estate quoting things they have heard or read in the news.  Many people feel very discouraged because the national forecast has been rocky. 

It is interesting to look back at our country's history and to note that even when challenging days were upon us, there were always ordinary individuals who would take the current environment and find the opportunity.  This story is what makes America such an extraordinary place...ordinary people who encountered difficult situations and made it work anyway.  I remember having a conversation years ago with a friend from Europe who was studying economics in college who told me America simply isn't possible because it doesn't make sense...and then he chuckled because despite what "made sense," it indeed existed. 

I could write pages upon pages of examples of individuals who created success or rose above obstacles despite the odds...but you know of them, too.  Somewhere inside each of us is a flame that fuels our dreams and our goals...and if we permit too many buckets of cold water to penetrate our beliefs...the flame can flicker and possibly go out.

The world is full of vision and ideas that can validate whatever it is that you believe.  There are just as many wonderful instances happening now that would suggest things are getting better.  Emerson's quote above struck a cord for me because it is easy to become upset when things aren't going our way and perhaps it seems like we are in a downward spiral...but if it weren't for those periods of darkness, we would miss seeing the stars above that call us back to our greatness.

Spring always follows the winter, day comes after the night, and we are standing upon the doorstep of opportunity every single moment of our lives.