I feel that when economies change, so do the options. The good thing is that the adjustment usually works out for the better. If we didn’t shift, people would remain stagnant. Could you imagine riding a horse to work every day or waiting a month for shoes while the tailor prepares them? Could you imagine traveling cross country in a steam locomotive? During the depression, many millionaires were made. The Hilton family had its launch during that time. While everyone around Mr. Hilton was buying into the impossibility of dreaming in such a time, this man stepped forward, dreamed and created a destiny.

Even with all of the new laws and restrictions, our freedom of enterprise allows us to continue creating ingenious methods to capitalize. As long as we protect our freedoms, we will have these opportunities. If we allow them to be controlled in the hands of a few, our opportunities will shrink as you say and we will have to conform or be expelled. Many teach in economics that there is a finite pie and when you take from one section of that pie, it detracts from another. I am of the opinion that if one pie runs out, I’ll make another. That is the beauty of being American. That is what makes this country great. Everyone can do that if they choose to.

I know people who are ready to capitalize on the new economy. If the Kyoto initiative passes, they are buying forested land that they could use to sell carbon credits. They are finding ways to adapt in the new economy. There is not a man in America who couldn’t do that if he was open enough to find and pursue it. If you focus on what is, you might miss out on what is possible.

I was coming out of a restaurant yesterday and a gentleman asked me for some money. I said, “What will you do to create value and I will pay you for doing it?” He looked at me and said, “I don’t believe in that. I have been robbed by this country and its all their fault. I would rather panhandle than create value.” I was shocked, looked at him and said, “That’s interesting, then there is nothing I can do for you.” I will not pay a dime to someone who is unwilling to create value for it. I will not support them in their erroneous thinking! They have the power just like I do, to choose out of their circumstances. In fact, they are the only ones who can choose out of that.

As an Admonitor, I advise my clients in this same manner. I assist them in seeing opportunities where they might have been stuck. I assist them in raising themselves into what they are capable of. I don’t do it for them, I allow them to do it for themselves. It seems to be much more powerful that way.

So to recap this entire perspective I say, If we see the economy shrinking around us, we are right. If we see it expanding around us, we are right. It is all dependent on the perspective we choose to believe.