Article November 10, 2008 Issue

REMAINING CALM AMID THE FINANCIAL STORM

BY CHRISTINE NEGLEY

Many people have a routine they follow when they begin their day's work. It helps them organize their thoughts and get ready for work. I'm no different. Since I work in the financial industry, I like to arrive at my office with time to check the markets and other information on my computer, look through the newspaper, and say hello to co-workers.

As the decline in the markets picked up speed during these past weeks, as the economic news turned more negative by the day, and as the credit crisis deepened, my days changed. I began to arrive at the office earlier, often with voice mails waiting for me or the phone ringing the minute I walked in. More conversations in the office centered on stress, pressure, and exhaustion. Some clients were afraid and even angry about the economic problems they perceived as fueled by lack of principled leadership as well as greed and unethical behavior. So, for me, these past weeks have also been a time to be alert to pray and to challenge what has seemed to be a chaotic and negative business scene.

How can we succeed in seeing the spiritual life that is based on the truths Jesus taught, when the picture of economic crisis is so aggressively described, dissected, analyzed, and talked about in print and in electronic media as well as in daily conversations? In my office, TV screens are always on, providing constant market and news analysis, comment, and discussion. This information is part of the way we carry out our work, and it isn't always easy to turn away from the media streams.

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