Rising Costs

I am constantly astonished at the ever-rising cost of everything from toothpaste to a place to live and call home. I don’t know if I’m old and inflexible or if things are drastically changing. While some increases can be substantiated in one way or another, other prices have gone up considerably for no apparent reason and it's not about politics, it seems more connected to greed and the ability to get more. 

    Remember when owning a pet not only brought joy but was a way to teach children responsibility, love, comfort, and the circle of life? Today, we must consider affording animals because of the expense of food, pet care, and vets.

    Costs of insurance for medical, dental, vision, car, home, and life soar. We pay for child care, elder care, transportation, food, cell phones, rent, or mortgages. Let's not forget the cost of higher education, and extras like self-care from massage, gym memberships, salon treatments, haircuts and the like to streaming services, electronic games, computers, music, and entertainment, and don’t forget to save some money too. I’m certain that I’ve left some essentials out. The financial burdens are crazy and growing every day along with the stress and anxiety we feel associated with them.

 I can happily name some low or no-cost essentials too. There is love, forgiveness, acceptance, laughter, compassion, helping someone in need. Acting with humility and respect, a willingness to be wrong and curious, supporting each other, volunteering for anything, smiling, saying kind things to lift others, and being genuinely open to giving and receiving unconditional love. Try helping a stranger, neighbor, or community. Did I mention forgiveness?

These are the things, the low-cost or free ones, that keep me balanced and remind me what is important to focus on because they never change or lose their power and impact. They represent best who I am and hope to be in the world regardless of life's interferences. Please stay well and happy and don’t forget to love each other.