Recession Creates an Opportunity For Relationship Growth

 

People face challenges in all parts of the country. The recession has sent thousands of people to professionals seeking help. Some went to divorce lawyers, some went to loan officers, and some went to counselors. From Los Angeles to New York, the social fabric is being torn like a wet towel and many are feeling the pain. People everywhere face new challenges. In every city, people are looking for solutions to new and unknown problems. Boulder therapists see an upward trend. Psychiatrists in Portland have their hands full. Marriage Counseling in Cincinnati is on the rise. Not just Scottsdale advice, but more national advice. Across the country, people are seeking help with problems caused or exacerbated by the economic crisis.

A simple fact: this country operates on a financial economy. Life is easier when everyone has money in their pocket. Problems that exist in relationships can easily be overlooked or ignored when the basics of life are properly met. Ships on the water have many problems, but if they don't sink, life at sea can go on. A sinking ship will either have the crew come together and find a way to keep the boat afloat, or someone will shout.

When families face hardships, many of the previously endured problems cannot be ignored. Due to the economic downturn, many families are in crisis. When people lose their jobs, homes, and dreams, they have to decide what matters and what is worth fighting for.

The first and most important question is determining what the actual fight will be like. Many people fight in the wrong areas when faced with devastating life challenges such as losing their jobs. People are often shaken and upset by change. Emotions are so unpleasant that they are projected outward. How many times have you yelled at the driver in front of you because your boss made them work late or your wife got mad at the trout stocked in the freezer? A person returning home may be blocked by 16 cars and 3 large trucks, singing all the way home. Most of the problems we perceive are perceptual. Once we understand that, we can address the real problem. With the right perspective, questions and problems have real, concrete solutions.

Knowing what the real problem is a bit like finding a leak in a ship. Some families in crisis pretend their boat won't sink. Some abandon ships because someone spilled a glass of water on the deck. Some find themselves uninterested in ships and set off in life rafts with their loved ones. A crisis can lead to clarity or panic. Getting professional help can often lead to a better life.