A World ...in Balance?

With feet back on terra firma, the invitation extended by the beach has been accepted. The rhythme of the crashing waves is an ancient song sung long before we were here.

The salt water rides up the shoreline to be partially kidnapped by the sand. Held hostage, the water cools its captures. It is this band we walk along as we wait for another imminent visit from our very old friend.

A distinctive aroma fills the air in that special place where the world of the ocean meets land. The salt air combined with sea weed and other mysterious offerings fills our nostrils with hints of her well kept secrets.

Am I alone on the beach or am I part of the beach with everything in balance?

Wondering thoughts have me present to a phase recently heard, "back to basics".

Balance can be seen everywhere and is very much a part of our personal world.

As individauls (or families) we often check our financial balance. Are the revenues we bring in equal to our expenses?

Is the money we bring in from our jobs, investments etc, equal to or more then what we are spending on food, housing, etc.?

If it is great, we have savings.

If it isn’t, we have some choices to make. We can try to;
1. Increase our income
2. Reduce our expenses or
3. Borrow money (usually from a bank)

Governments (many) are similar and different. Like us they can
1. Increase income – ie by raising taxes
2. Reduce expenses – by cutting programs
3. Borrow money – from us or corporations or other countries
Or
4. Print money – (ie print more Canadian Dollars)

It is this ability to “print money” (for little or no cost) that we much keep in our minds as we sail into the financial waters dead ahead.

(In Canada, the last day for 2010 RRSP contributions is March 1, next Tuesday)).