I have resources, do you?

Recently I learned that the statement itself, “I have resources” is extremely powerful. Just try saying it out loud and see how it feels, and think of what it might sound like from someone else’s perspective. Resources can mean anything, from cash and equity, to knowledge and education, to supportive friends and family, and to even self esteem and stamina. Resources in Alberta conjures thoughts about our oil sands and access to water, as well as our gas, electricity, food, education, and housing. As a community, we have established availability of almost every type of resource imaginable, but individually, we are all at different levels of access.

Those with more resources, financial and ability, have more power. The people with lots of resources, knowledge included, have been buying up real estate and investing in high risk stocks. The more resources someone has, the more ability they have to take chances on the future. We never really know when we will need to draw on our resources, so we need to ensure we have a stockpile somewhere of money, favours, relationships, references, and perhaps even canned goods. How much is enough? How do we know if we are saving enough for an emergency or a worldwide crash? How many favours do we need to keep in the “what if” bank just in case, and for how long? How much reading and knowledge do we need to carry around in our brains to be considered knowledgeable?

If there is something we all learned through this past recession is that stuff happens that is out of our control and we never know when or what this stuff will be until it hits us. Jobs have been lost, even supposedly secure ones, as well as homes and businesses, and relationships and families have been broken. Those folks who saved resources for a rainy day (or stormy year and a half) to use in case of an emergency, are coming out loud and strong now. Business owners who reinvested past earnings in order to save their companies are now hiring and rebuilding. Employees who lost their jobs, are now finding new jobs and are being picky about who and what they will accept for employment. The people who had relationship hardships or health issues are now thanking the friends and family who supported them during the tough times. And those who drew on savings are once again setting aside money for a future emergency.

Standing strong and saying out loud, “I have resources, bring it on world” is a fantastic mantra. Say it together now!