3 Prong Fear Attack: Keeping it in Perspective: Swine Flu, Terrorism & Economic Recovery

Almost every news story over the last several days has to do with a potential pandemic, terrorism, or if there will be an economic recovery. These stories play on your fears of illness, death, and bankruptcy. While all 3 can, and do, happen everyday, it is important to keep your fears in check with the facts. This will allow you proper perspective and the ability to be cautiously aware without entering a state of full panic.

Swine Flu Pandemic

The Swine Flu has thus far claimed 152 lives in Mexico. There are approximately 50 cases of mild Swine Flu in the United States with no fatalities. The virus has been verified to exist in 11 countries with less than 300 people infected worldwide. On it’s own, the Swine Flu sounds like it is a major problem that is spreading quickly across the globe with a high mortality rate.

To put things in perspective, let’s compare it to the normal flu that most of us are familiar with. On average in the United States, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year. Around 36,000 Americans die from complications with the flu each year. All of these statistics come from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The point? The Swine Flu is a disease that should be tracked and treated seriously if contracted, just as we track and treat the flu. Today, we don’t normally see people walking around with surgeon masks trying not to catch the flu. Yet the images in the news of people wearing surgeon masks to prevent contraction of the Swine Flu are growing. As President Obama declared, “it is cause for concern, not for alarm.” With whatever you choose to do for yourself and your family, keep this information in mind, remain updated on the facts, and keep it all in perspective.

Terrorism Stories

On Monday, April 27, 2009 a Boeing 747 escorted by 2 F16 fighter jets made a low altitude pass in the lower New York City / Statue of Liberty area. The scene brought about instant memories of the 9/11 attacks. Corporate buildings were evacuated and residents panicked.

The President of Pakistan stated that Osama Bin Laden could be dead. Bin Laden hasn’t released an audiotape that could be verified by the CIA in some time.

The only 3 men to be charged in the London Train Bombings in 2005, which killed 52 people, were found not guilty this week. While no one is claiming that these men were not innocent, there is a renewed demand for an independent review of the circumstances that led to this suicide attack.

On their own, each of these news stories is a valid item to be discussed and debated in the media. When presented all together, one after the other on the news Monday and Tuesday over and over again, one would be wise to suspect that a little fear mongering is taking place. The purpose is to keep you glued to your favorite news program.

The truth is, on any day the unexpected could happen. It is also true that these events are very few and far between. Continue to be aware and observant in your everyday goings-on. However, don’t panic or feel a renewed sense that an attack is imminent. As these news stories continue to be batched together and presented with the intention of keeping you glued to the television, remember to keep it all in perspective.

The Economic Recovery

The economy runs in cycles of abundance and constriction. Right now, we are in a cycle of constriction. We’ve even recovered from the Great Depression, and several recessions since then. Why then are there so many stories making it seem as if the economy won’t recover?

Right now, the wealthy are investing their money in under valued businesses, stocks, and real estate. One of the world’s most successful investors, Warren Buffet showed huge confidence in investment banking titan Goldman Sachs with his Berkshire Hathway Inc.’s $5 Billion investment. You have to ask yourself why keeping you in fear about an economic recovery is profitable for others.

The people and companies that can find ways to position themselves well through the purchase of these low cost assets and investment vehicles will prosper tremendously as the economy recovers. This is how the rich get richer. They are not doubting its recovery. Why are you?

Don’t focus so much on the news debates of whether or not the recovery will happen. Focus instead on what you need to do in order to take care of yourself and your family and ways you can position yourself to prosper as the economy recovers. Many great businesses were created during recessions with nothing more than an idea and a website. This is how the poor and middle class find financial independence.

Why not you? Why not now?

Author's Bio

James LeGrand

James LeGrand is the publisher of SpiritualIndividual.com, a free weekly newsletter that presents solutions to life’s issues through the lens of self-help, wisdom, philosophy and spirituality. He is the author of an Amazon.com best seller in Religion and Spirituality titled "Evolve!". James LeGrand is a Life Strategist, a Radio Personality, a Fortune 500 Vice President, and a Sifu in Shaolin Kungfu, which has been known for centuries as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment.

What's Your Worldview?

Albert Einstein said that the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is this: “Is this a friendly universe?”

I love Einstein! He was a genius. (Actually, he really was a genius!) I also love that question. It helps me put things into perspective. There are so many things that happen “to” us that we can use to worry, complain, point a finger, get angry, and curse the system. How often do we stop to ask ourselves really important questions like this?

What I know is that when I am feeling good about things, I am on the right course for my life. Conversely, if I am feeling miserable, well, it is a clear indicator that something isn’t quite right with my path. And certainly when I am worrying and complaining and blaming others for my unhappiness, I don’t feel good.

That is the time to ask the question.

If this is a friendly universe, then perhaps there is a reason that I am commonly late for things. Maybe my disappointment with my job is a signpost. Perhaps there is a lesson hidden in the arguments I have with my husband. Is it possible that all of the things we call “bad” in life are loving gestures from a universe or God that is benevolent?

How would that change the way you perceive events in your life? What if you got fired from your job? You could label that as a BAD thing, and tell yourself that you’ll never find another job that you actually like. You can back that up by telling yourself that times are tough, and lots of people are losing their jobs, and it isn’t fair, and it’s the government’s fault. I am sure you could find lots of proof that losing your job is a very bad thing.

But what if you asked yourself Einstein’s question? If we live in a friendly universe, how is getting fired from my job a good thing for me? You weren’t very happy at that job, and had thought about quitting anyway, but felt it would be irresponsible to do so. So, you just stayed. You have been given an out! Oh, and there is that dream of selling your artwork at traveling fairs, but you have been “tied down” to your job. Now, you can pursue that dream! In fact, sometimes we need a jolt in our lives to get us up off our backsides and really go after the life that we long to have. It could be that losing your job is just the jolt you needed!

Now think about the difference in mindset between these two examples. It might feel good to wallow a while in a “woe is me” cesspool. It allows us to not have to take responsibility right away for our own lives. (Sometimes we like that.) How likely is it that we will make good decisions for ourselves about where to go next in life from that viewpoint? (It doesn’t look good to me.)

When we believe that things happen “for” us instead of “to” us, it changes everything! From that position, we are able to get creative. We allow ourselves to really ask the valuable questions, and set ourselves on track for a life that we truly desire. What do I really want to do for money? Maybe I can work for myself? What kinds of resources do I have? How many people do I know that would be willing to help me with advice or connections? The list goes on and on. And from this perspective, others are actually really happy to help us out. The choices we make from this place bring forth magic and miracles. The opportunities are practically endless!

Try asking yourself Einstein’s simple question. You might be surprised at how much better you feel about the world that we live in. Then you can go out and make it even better!

Author's Bio

Becky Richardson

Becky Richardson is a Certified Life Coach trained by Martha Beck, best-selling author and columnist for "O" Magazine. She holds a degree in psychology and is a member of American Mensa. Beyond that, she is a wife and mother of two young children and a 21-year old step-son serving in the Marines.