GET BETTER NOT BITTER: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE AMISH

In a recent MSNBC article, several members of the Amish community in Elkhart, Indiana were interviewed about the effect of the current recession on their income earning ability. The Amish traditionally shunned employment outside their communities, earning a living through farming and producing and manufacturing home made items. Over the past decade, many began working in factories as their traditional means of earning income no longer sufficed. The current economic struggle forced many, including these adaptive Amish, out of their jobs. Once again, the resilient folks moved on and found a different way to earn a living. Rather than turn bitter, many Amish reported that their lives had changed for the better. Several reported that the decrease in income made them realize just how reliant they had become on the next paycheck and less reliant on doing things or making things for themselves. And the loss of jobs allowed many to spend more time with their families as factory work was replaced with home based businesses.

While the Amish approach to life does not work for many, the “get better not bitter” philosophy is, perhaps, something most of us can use. Those who are struggling to pay their mortgages, and hoping to get their loans reinstated before foreclosure proceedings begin need to change their way of spending and living. Those who are in foreclosure need to look at their options and, in some cases, choose the one that may not seem the most appealing, such as negotiating a deed in lieu of foreclosure with the lender. It is easy to become bitter with these choices, especially since most people making these choices have been forced into them by hard times and unexpected events.
Allowing yourself to become angry and bitter may lead to rash decision- making. For example, some may give up and walk away from a foreclosure action without thinking about the deficiency judgment that may result and others may rush to file bankruptcy. Both of these decisions have serious long term consequences and should not be made without careful consideration of all the options. Instead of becoming bitter, focus on making your situation better, even if those better days are in the long term future.