The Upside of Downsizing

[Hello_Kitty]

A friend of mine wrote this. Thought y'all might enjoy it.

Over the last year or so, I witnessed too many dear friends going through really rough times. I’ve sat across from them at coffee and listened to episode after episode of heart-wrenching humiliation. Careers, homes, relationships gone – kablooey! I’ve learned that if I’m chatting with a friend for more than 15 minutes or so and she doesn’t mention work, it’s safe to assume she’s lost her job. A few hide in the shadows still, refusing to let anyone know just how badly they’re hurting. I worry about them the most. Pride goeth before the fall and all that…

Now I just know that those of you who have been lucky enough (and don’t flatter yourself, honey – it IS luck) to not be affected by this wretched economic downturn are tsk-tsking while clutching that rainbow iridescent-highlighted copy of The Secret with a death-grip. The word “victim” is ready to roll off your tongue, isn’t it? And to both of you I say: “Just because someone calls you a victim, doesn’t mean you haven’t been victimized.” The word itself has become an invective. Go figure.

http://www.voicesofarizona.com/2010/03/10/the-upside-of-downsizing/