Hi all ... considering yesterday's sad market performance, I wanted to pass along something I received in my inbox. Not sure if anyone else has posted it. My apologies if that is so:
Here are some pragmatic thoughts and suggestions for you and yours (please consider forwarding all or part of this email to others):
A. ECONOMIC IMPACT
As a country, we have been paralyzed and mesmerized by the attacks. Rather than work, we watch, listen, and grieve. As a consequence, the economy is going to feel a real impact and it may not be very good . . . unless we collectively do something. This weekend (not next weekend) and in the coming days, consider doing the following (and extrapolate to fit your world):
1. For every person who has a birthday, wedding,
shower or other gift giving occasion in the next 90 or 120 days, BUY the present NOW. You would spend the money anyway, just spend it a bit early. Give our economy a
boost when it needs it. Buy the greeting card, gift wrap, heck get your Christmas gifts now. (And consider buying American made products if it makes sense to
do so.)
2. Consider buying the things you know you will consume in the next 120 days; e.g., paper towels, Kleenex, cosmetics, laundry detergent, anything that doesn't get stale or have a short shelf life. Stock up on soft drinks, bottled
water. Yes, it does make a difference if you spend $50 because x millions of us rather than NOT spending $50 is actually a difference of $100
x millions of us.
3. Plan your winter and spring vacations and holiday travel and buy your airline ticket now (you may even get a great deal). Take a trip you've been considering. Visit family and friends in the coming weeks. The airlines need the revenue; we need to see family and friends. Consider vacationing in the U.S. this year. Sure, the Caribbean has the best dive sights, but ski in the U.S. go somewhere you haven't been. Consider even Broadway (fears abound that tourism in NYC will be down substantially - well, do something, go to NYC!)
4. Have auto maintenance coming up in the next 30 or 60 days? Do it this week.
5. Know of a concert or theater performance you want to see? Even if in January, go ahead and buy the tickets now. Subscribe to a series at the symphony, ballet, or local theater (if you even thought about doing so, do it this week). (Don't forget Broadway tickets, see #3 above).
6. House maintenance? New appliance you know you need to replace? Gutters? HVAC check up before winter comes? Think ahead - go to your checkbook from last October, November and December and see what you spent last year and go ahead and consider doing it this week or next.
7. Go OUT THIS WEEKEND and have dinner, buy drinks, buy a shirt or blouse, wash your car, see a movie, go bowling, do something both for fun and to make sure all those who are in business do not also suffer because of those demons who would disrupt our world!
B. WANT TO HELP? BEST LINK I'VE SEEN
How to Help C. REALAGE.COM SENT THIS PIECE ON GRIEVING:
Getting Past Grief
During difficult times, finding ways to express your feelings may be one of the keys to dealing with grief. Traumatic events can take both a physical and psychological toll due to increased stress levels. However, spending time with loved ones, talking
through disturbing experiences, or writing about your feelings in a journal can help you cope with upsetting events and ease their effects.
RealAge Benefit: During stressful times, strong friendships can make your RealAge up to 30 years younger.
D. NOSTRADAMUS DID NOT PREDICT THE ATTACK
If you've received an email about Nostradamus predicting the attack, the information is incorrect.
Urban Legends Snopes and see USA Today, September 13, 2001, page 8, Section D.
Hug someone today. Hug yourself. As long as we are all going to be forever changed by the attack, let's make it a positive change in our everyday attitude and direction.
