From bust to boom?

In a time of such widespread doom and gloom, it turns out that Ireland has the highest birth rate in Europe. I've not done the research but apparently this is nothing new, and quite common in such austere times. It doesn't alter the reality for many new families, though, that now is a tough time to raise children. I mean this both financially and spiritually. The money issue (or lack of it) is pretty obvious, but equally there are social problems to deal with; the uncertainty of Ireland's future, the absence of values and the breakdown in our once absolute faith in the Church.

Personally, I don't think money is the real problem. I know that's easy to say when you're not encumbered with massive debts and worse, but my observations lead me to believe that with more support for each other, firstly within our families and secondly in the wider context of our communities, what we need collectively can be achieved collectively.

It's easy to say, but harder to put into action. If this has given you some food for thought, have a read of this article in today's Irish Times by Sheila Wayman http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0913/1224278755563.html

I would interested to hear your thoughts...

O.D.E to A.D.D

Are we suffering from ADD or is it simply ODE (Overwhelmed, Distracted, Entertained?)

I like to be well informed and consider myself reasonably knowledgeable, yet I have a stack of books i’ve yet to read! I tend to focus on daily media, i think because it is quicker to get through and reassures me that I am “in the know”. I know that's a bit of a contradiction, but life does feel like a rush most of the time. With all the information available to us 24 hours a day, and the myriad ways to access it, it seems like a constant struggle to stay focused on the issues that are important to us individually, without getting distracted by the overwhelming volume of information hurtling towards us from every angle.

This is one of the main reasons why Smarty was established. We aim to provide a simple service that is easy to use whilst providing choice and a cost effective solution to whatever problem or requirement you have. If you are looking for a plumber, electrician or any tradesman or supplier, Smarty will solve your problem quickly and make life that litle bit easier for you! Smarty is FREE to use and saves you so much time - feel free to visit us at http://www.smarty.ie/