"Living Smart" in times of crisis

The fifth season of Living Smart will explore integrity, ethics, civility, parenting, music and science literacy and one of the most relevant topics as far as I am concerned will be covered by Dr. Bruce Perry M.D/PhD who is one of the top childhood trauma and development specialists in the country. Why do I say that?
Let's face it listening to the news has become more and more difficult. Thousands of Americans are losing their jobs, anxiety is at an all time high and many in the political spectrum only criticize but come up with few if any solutions to the financial crisis. Whether we agree with what the new administration is doing to solve the problem or not, we hope (if we are sane, there are those who want it to fail) and pray that it works. Putting labels on what is going on does not help. Is this too much government? Too much pork? Too many pet projects? I am going to be asking instead every month, does it work? Who is doing the right thing? What is working and what is not? I don't care if the projects are called "socialist or market driven" Do they work?
We have to get back to holding our officials and OURSELVES accountable, living in integrity, Making smart decisions based on facts not emotions.
Dr. Perry talks about keeping ourselves sane through relationships and how important these are in the lives of children and ourselves. The fact is Americans are becoming increasingly lonely and isolated. We are more reconnected than ever through technology but lonelier than we have ever been. A recent study by Duke University researchers found the number of people whom the average American discussed important matters dropped from three to two in the past few years. The number of one person households has also been increasing steadily since 1940, when only 7 percent of households had one resident. Today more Americans are living alone than ever in our history.
I was born in Houston but grew up in Latin America where extended families and friends are always around. I know that Health and Happiness is closely tied to social connections.
In sum, It is fine to be self reliant, at times individualistic and self motivated and driven, but we must be aware of social disconnection. We are social animals, we need each other and in hard times like these, believe it or not it might be easier and more essential than ever reconnect. Try it, you might stop thinking about the economy and that in itself makes it all worthwhile!