We have a stalled economy. Social media proliferation. Speed of communication.  Downsizing that feels permanent. Foreclosures. Stress. Depression even. We need new skills in this world. New ways to live if we want to live more fully. New ways to make a living. These are the seven skills I think we need to navigate the new world we find ourselves in:

1. Learn critical financial skills. Create a budget. Know about mortgages and refinances. Reduce expenses. Figure out how to share.
2. Understand the ways social media, blogging and new technologies can help you. Learn how to use them, if not for you, to keep up with your kids.
3. If you are not healthy, you can’t cope as easily. So go for a walk and stretch and eat your veggies.
4. Speaking of food, learn how to cook and grow your own veggies. It tastes better, costs less and can be more fun than going out. And weeding counts as exercise.
5. Spend time with family and friends. Learn who your neighbors are and have people over for a potluck meal.
6. Cultivate hope and inspiration. It’s different for everyone but find time to look at the stars, feel the breeze, be in silence, laugh, play with a puppy. Whatever feeds your soul.
7. Help others. It’s amazing how wonderful it feels to do even the smallest kindness for others.

As my old familiar life burns away, I practice these skills, knowing that new opportunities, maybe better ones await. As my friend said in a comment, “Barn burned; now I can see the stars.”