The one where I wonder why death is so powerful.

Tue, Sep 30 2008 by Vanessa.

I guess death’s power stems from its finality.  What is it about our human nature that makes average human beings refuse to make significant changes, important changes, in our lives until faced with death?  We all profess that our family and friends top our priority list.  But look at our actions.  “I can’t come visit because I have to work.”  “Sorry son, I can’t play ball this evening, I have to finish up some papers for work.”  Excuses run wild in our society, a society that KNOWS we should profess our friends and family to be top priority.  Actions that match our words, actions that match our so-called priorities don’t run quite so wild.  I’m just as guilty as the next American.

For some reason, there seems to be a large amount of “Cancer Talk” around me these days.  Maybe I’m just starting to pay attention.  The thing I find most interesting about every single Cancer patient I’ve listened to is their overwhelming change in behavior.  Facing death head on seems to change the behavior of human beings in such a way that they actually start living their life in accordance with their priorities list.  Even though we want our priorities to be “family and friends”, I believe that the true priorities of most Americans is anything but.  In the end, what you do speaks louder than what you say.

The recent bailout issue of America’s banks also has me thinking.  I’ve long believed that credit is the bane of our society.  If people saved money, the old fashioned way, BEFORE making purchases I believe our economy’s stability would increase exponentially.  For the record, I’m not an economist.  I’m just using my own version of common sense.  However, I believe that a lack of readily available credit would change people’s shopping habits. For example, let’s say a “typical” American woman walks by a shoe store and sees the perfect pair of leather boots 25% off.  What a deal!  After the discount they’re only $150!  She opens her pocketbook and finds a mere $68 in cash.  Out comes the plastic passport to poverty!  After all, you just HAVE to buy boots that are such a good deal.  Life will in fact end tomorrow without those boots.  Now, let’s imagine life 50 years ago, before credit cards showed up magically in your mailbox each week.  That same woman sees her $68 and has to walk away or get more cash.  Statistics show that Americans save less than ever.  Why?  Because we don’t have to.  Credit makes impulse purchases ranging from $.50 to $50,000+ not only possible but easy.  Whipping out a credit card is much easier than saving money the old fashioned way.

So, how do the bailout and Cancer relate to each other?  Well, not much except I do wonder if the recent threats related to the banking crisis might act as a financial version of a Cancer diagnosis.  Will Americas actually stop and think “If there is a true threat of major companies not being able to make payroll, if there is a true threat of people losing their retirements, if there is a true threat of financial ruin in America then maybe I should tear up some credit cards and start saving more.”  Will this threat of financial ruin actually help people evaluate their financial priorities and urge them to start acting in accordance with those priorities?  I know I’ve been rethinking my own financial strategies lately but that was spurred by our decision to create a new life.  Now I think I need to rethink i all AGAIN!

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