Blame the Economy

I recently read a past post regarding all the things on my mind when I came across a statement that I made. The statement goes something like this, "I am only 22. How much can I expect from myself? But at the same time, how long can I keep using that excuse?" Well, I don't know how long I can use that particular excuse to rationalize my failures, but that's not to say I cannot blame the economy for my failures. And not just financial failures.

For example, this past weekend my grandma (who I had not seen in who knows how long) made a comment about the difficulties of me getting home to visit family in San Diego and the problem being the cost of gas. Sure, gas is pricey, but a heck of a lot cheaper than it was last summer. Let's be real for a moment. The reason I don't get home very often is because I have a crappy work schedule and on my day off I work. I think I might need to go to OWA (Over-Workers Anonymous...if only it existed).

However, what does is exist is the fear of the economy wrecking every part of our lives. The reality of it though is that I am 22. I am just out of college in my first "real" job. I was lucky to get a job in the first place, especially right out of school with such a great organization. But because of my age and income bracket, I did really have much to lose. Actually, I had nothing to lose. I currently have more now than I did before the economy collapsed (recession, depression, whatever you want to call it). If anything I still have hope that living through these "tough economic times" will teach me something about saving money and taking care of my finances more carefully so that someday I am loaded. But I suppose if I have not learned that lesson by now, then it may just be a lost cause.

Anyways. Now, you may be wondering where this idea came from. I have actually heard it from two people, the first of which was an educated college graduate in a similar boat as myself. On a recent trip to San Francisco on a birthday excursion I ended up at a bar with a few mutual friends originally from the east coast. While most of these people were a little on the dull side (one friend actually went back to his hotel after dinner to pick up a book to bring with him to read at the bar) I ended up having a conversation with one of the girls. Again, this is an educated, well brought up girl, likely from money. As we chatted about being young and probably a little irresponsible, she simply said, "Who cares!? Just blame the economy."

The second person I heard this from was a very well respected pastor at a leadership conference I recently attended. Same idea, different voice. So now I have this advice coming from both a secular college graduate and a respected, conservative pastor. Well in that case...

Therefore, I give myself free reign (and you too) to blame the economy for everything. Your cat died? It's the economy. You got a flat tire? The economy. Overdrew your checking account and late on your credit card payment? Definitely the economy's fault.

Go in peace and screw the economy! It sure screwed you!