I agree, and then some

I've been writing about this same issue on my blog (Ninth Elegy), as I have also been witnessing increases in irritability and acting out behaviors in general. As a Zen practitioner (and monk), I have recently had the rather profound (for me) realization that my fear and tension and self-absorption around economic issues is greatly helped by thinking about what I can do for all of the other people around me who are in the same boat, or worse off than I am. I am convinced that, even as we stand up to those who control the political economic system, that we have incredible efficacy and ability to mitigate the negative effects of our sinking economy by turning toward one another, rather than away. I don't think this is all "self" work--rather it is relational work, that extends out and into our world. Thanks for your very thoughtful post. Laurel