Economically speaking at least, what is "dead" for now at least is the idea that systems function in an equilibrium and all we have to do is let the function unregulated and everything will work out.

@fjblau - Wow, I actually agree with Frank on something.

Here is a solution to the current credit crisis: most of the current credit crisis was created by interest on arm loans dramatically increasing causing many to lose their homes, businesses, etc... why can't the length of morgages be adjusted rather then the payment amount, i.e. if interest goes up then the length of the morgage increases, if interest goes down then the length of the morgage decreases. This would eleviate the cash flow problems that many are suffering through.

As someone who at times feels like they have lost everything so quickly (had to sell house, facing major financial issues, totally at lost at what to do professionally even though a I have Masters degree, recent difficult divorce already at the age of 28, etc.), I am using this as an opportunity to reinvent myself literally from the ground up (and sometimes it even feels like below the ground).  At times it feels like my life and internal space reflects what the banking, housing, and world in general looks like now. 

But, what I have come to realize through healing, internal reflection, and using such techniques as Emotional Freedom Techniques and other energy psychology techniques, is that I am not defined by my stuff and will no longer be defined by my stuff.  Not having a 30-year mortage and a job a feel confined to in the long-term is surprisingly liberating.  And, this is our chance to focus on healing, letting go, releasing all of those things that we have ignored for so long.

Is it scary to not know what the hell I am doing with myself right now in every area of my life?  Hell yeah.  But it forces me to more quickly and more deeply let go of the how I have defined myself in the past so that a new, more aligned version of myself with the Universe starts to peek its head out slowly.

I am emerging as someone who will no longer settle for the life my parents and many others around me have lived that is just like Gary described above.  Our world definitely needs a different view as to what it means to live a full life, as I am more interested in Life Experiences than Life Stuff.  Sure, I want a nice, comfortable home as a base for life, but I would rather spend most of my time OUT THERE where life is, not always living inside a box (literally and figuratively) to maintain the status quo. 

Jules - when one door closes, other doors open. I have been through massively devastating shit times! There is a possibility that things will get better - but for sure they will be different and most importantly - starting over is great because you can mold your world to suit you.

@garyfong1 - Gary thank you for taking the time to give such kind words of encouragement and perspective.  I think we too often assume that those who are successful in the way you are successful may have had hard times but not what we "others" think are "massively devastating shit times."  I appreciate your openness in sharing your tough times along with your good times with others.  And, I am looking forward to molding my world to suit me, whatever I determine that is:)!

Many blessings, Jules 

@jules2009 - 

beautifully put Jules. BTW now that you're single... =P

I completely agree with you Gary. I have always felt that the "real world" as older generations would always warn us about was flawed. I have lived out in this "real world" since a very young age, and the more I learn how things work, the more I realize how silly they really are. There is so much pressure in our world to do silly things 1) Have a career that others see as "respectable" 2) Judge your success by the amount of money you make, 3) buy a house 4) get married 5) be ready to have children by the age of 30. I really don't understand why we are all so driven by these dated "expectations" or judgements. Although I have felt these pressures a lot through my adult life, I have never truly felt the desire to live by them. Of course I've wanted to OWN a house and have A LOT of money, be married to someone I love, and enjoy having children. But I don't understand the big push. The run off your feet at a job you hate for a good 40 years of your life just so you can make ends meat, and make someone else richer... It made more sense back in the day where people would start up a little business they were passionate about, and if they worked hard, and made good choices, they were successful. If they didn't they would learn their lessons and start again. It makes sense to live in a world where you make money before you spend it, that way you can be realistic with yourself and live with in your means.

It makes sense to me to share your life with someone because you love them. To stay with someone because you want to, not because you made a promise to god or a judge. To find the love of your life and share yourself with them. Not find the best person you can before the age of 30, and hope they'll make a promise to god to never leave you. I think love is the most amazing thing in the world, and believe everyone deserves to live a life that is fueled by nothing but love and passion. I believe that marriage can be beautiful. I have seen some wonderful marriages, and some beautiful unions that are inspiring and beautiful. But I've seen some disastrous ones as well, marriages that are hell for each other, and yet they stay together because they made a promise to do so to god or someone outside of their relationship. I just feel it is a dated idea, and that so many people would be so happy if only this pressure was lifted.

The idea of having children before a certain age is one of the saddest "dated" ideas I see our generation is facing. I know not long ago everyone was settled in to a marriage, a comfortable income, and a nice little house by the age of 30. But times have changed. We are now living in a time where this is not as easily done, and no longer makes sense. We are all pretending we to can and should accomplish this, but at what costs?? Being tied down to an INSANE mortgage, just because the bank will give it to us?? Working at a job that we hate just because it pays the mortgage?? If this is the case, what do we have to offer our children? I know some people are ready to have kids at a young age, but so many others are not. Some of the best parents I know are at an unusually late age for having children. But it makes sense to me. They are ready, they are established, and they have the time and the desire to do it right. I respect that, and am inspired by their decision to wait. I don't believe you have to own a home, be in the perfect marriage, or be an at home mom to do it right. I just feel you need to be balanced, inspired to do the best you can, and most importantly you need to be happy. Happiness is the best gift I feel you can offer your children.

I feel that our generation is living at a cross roads. Times are changing, and we can either try desperately to hold on to these dated ideas and struggle through life, and watch the next generation move on and enjoy themselves, or we can say screw it, and live a life with lower expectations, and happier days ahead!

Just my view!

Lindsey, bravo!

As they say, "happiness is the best revenge". Once I threw away every single possible conformity rule did life because a fluid, harmonious process. I feel like my heart is covered in felt and I am wrapped by a warm, soft blanket.

You two are part of my blanket :)

Nobody should care what others think about anything.

Im there with you. I absolutely agree 100%. counldnt have said it better. Its all about getting attached to the wrong things in life.

Gary-
The real world we live in is controlled by the oligarchs. They have been the enemy of the common person throughout history. They have not gone away, but simply morphed into a less recognizable form. These are the people who enslave humanity with their fiat currency system. In centuries past they were the nobility that openly oppressed the peasants by extorting taxes and forcing them into military service. These are the people who waged unrestricted warfare against nations, even addicting whole populations to opium in order to win. These are the people who trafficked in slaves filling the holds of their ships and transporting them to cotton producing nations. These are the people who then loaded their ships with cotton and moved it to the textile sweatshops of England to exploit child laborers. These are the people who setup oppressive foreign dictators that let them rape the earth of resources and then depose the same dictators if they fail to follow orders, thus killing thousands or million in the process.

The oligarchs are alive and well. They simply control matters behind the scenes, having gone completely underground after the first World War. They give us the illusion of democracy with their hand picked politicians and carefully managed election process but they are growing tired of hiding from us.

For every loser there is a winner. The wealth being lost by nations and banks is going into the pockets of single group. This group will emerge masters of all. They are making their move to truly enslave and then eliminate most of humanity, as we have outlived our usefulness with the advent of certain technologies. You are right Gary, we were dawning on a new era and the noose is tightening on humanity as never before.

Hytek

The Oligarchs