I have had some tough years this past decade.  I’ve had tough economic times before but this time it has lasted longer; financial stability effects every situation in your life. What I realized when I sat down to write a friend recently is that I have also had a lot of good fortune in my life. Life is Cyclical. In the past I’ve had some jobs that allowed me to travel a lot, to live in cities I wouldn’t normally have lived in, and to be very independent in my work and in my life.  At times this past decade I’ve wondered “Have I used up all my good luck?”  Have I had the best of relationships behind me?  And have I had the best of jobs behind me?

The responses from my friends were of their past tough economic times which I didn’t remember because I was in the midst of my own good years, at that time. It made me realize that they had each gone through what I am now going through, just at an earlier time. One of my friends, after experiencing a serious head injury, had over 10 years of job insecurity following the accident. Another friend from college, after having worked for an attorney for 10 years, had to work at a much lower income level and had to move home to her parent’s house for several years. These were very difficult and insecure years for my friends. Both of their lives turned around after that and their economic situation improved and stabilized, once again demonstrating that life is cyclical.

I also have come out of tough economic times before.  For example, I wanted to come to the beach for my birthday and because of an offer from my brother, here I am.  This trip also included a writing opportunity which I hadn’t expected. When good things like these happen, it turns the fear and cynicism into a positive mental experience, and I realize that I have not used up all of my good fortune.  It is a start in the right direction and once again I remember that life and fortune are cyclical.