Let’s face it. This has been a very rough election cycle. A whole lot of us did not get what we were hoping for. While the inflation numbers are down that does not mean prices are going down. Unhinged craziness still abounds. I know that I feel very unsettled. A lot of people on social media and in my community are feeling the same way. That is why we must go back to some of our countries founding values.
This country was not founded on 10 multi billionaires or hedge fund’s who own most of the world’s wealth. It was founded by people like my dad. An immigrant to this country who ran a small family business. It covered our families expenses and an employee or two. He paid taxes. He gave back to the community. In essence he was living the American dream. Don’t get me wrong the hours were very long at times. Money was tight at times and he bartered for his services. Yes, he paid taxes on those bartered services. We were like a lot of families in my youth. Fellow community members supporting each other.
During this time of uncertainty we must go back to those values. We must support each other. I am personally recommending that this holiday season we cut back on creating more personal debt. That we avoid the crowded malls. We instead go to all our neighbors who run family businesses. We support them and their families so they can pass the business to their children. This Black Friday let’s make it about putting small businesses in the black. Followed by Small Business Saturday where we continue the buying spree so that they have a lot less inventory to count at the end of the year.
This will also give them more money to add some fresh inventory. Right now a lot of small businesses are picking and choosing which items to restock. They can’t afford to order everything that they need all at once. This is causing all kinds of stress.
If all of us that can afford to shop just spend $50.00 a month at our favorite family owned businesses this year and into next year it would go a long way in helping our country right itself.
You can double your impact in other ways too. Say for instance that you love to knit, but don’t have anyone to knit for. Just go to your local family owned yarn store and buy some washable yarn. Make your favorite hats, scarfs or sweaters. Bring them back to the yarn store next month. They have people and charities that they work with in your community. Then buy more yarn and repeat this process monthly. This will help keep this small business afloat. This will also give much needed warm clothing to people in your community who can’t afford to buy warm clothing. This will bring you the joy and relaxation of knitting. This is a win on so many levels.
We are in this together. We have two choices. The first choice is to whine and stick our heads in the sand hoping everything will fix itself. I really don’t recommend this approach.
The second is supporting each other. Making life better in our communities. Doing small things that will add up to bigger things. Become as active in your communities as you feel comfortable with. No more. No less. Educated your neighbors on the issues you care about. Be there for each other. Support the under served and those at high risk in a way you feel comfortable. Most importantly be kind to each other. Open doors for moms with strollers. Say hi to each other. Be kind to service workers. As long as we have each other’s backs, we have got this.
