I've read and seen some pretty grim posts about Labor Day this year; in fact, this is the first year I've seen Labor Day celebrations be so negative. Here's B.L. Ochman writing about her friend who is out of a job, Ronni Bennett writing about what it is like to be prematurely retired, and the NY Times talking about people too depressed to keep looking for a job. Most of the people in question are between 55 and 65, the older Boomers.

So there are two ways of looking at this:

1) What a bummer. The last few administrations have ruined the country, allowing Wall Street to kill off Main Street at its own expense, and robbing millions of hard-working Americans of the dream they signed on for when they joined the work force. Between the Recession/Depression and the loss of American competitiveness, we've destroyed lives and forced people into homelessness and bankruptcy. We're victimized, deprived, angry, and fearful. And we should be. Why should all these bankers be making so much money and we be forced to lower our standard of living as the middle class slides down the slippery slope to povery and hopelessnesd/

2)Well, look what has happened. Now what? Now I get to see if I can figure out a way to live from now on. I cut my burn, pay down my debt, and realize I've been ridiculous.  What am I doing with two dozen pairs of shoes and a 3500 sq. ft house? I've been given a great opportunity to rediscover my friends and family, get off my Blackberry, and figure out where my passion really resides. What do I do well? How can I be of service? And haven't I already lived most of my life anyway? I have nothing to prove to anyone, and I can have some fun now.  I've been given permission.

The first blames everything on "them," those assholes in the outside world/corporate aristocracy/government. The second blows by that (useless) thought process and takes responsibility for the future. I would rather put positive energy out into the universe than negative, and I am happy that the guy in BL Ochman's blog isn't too negative (yet).