Despite news of the abysmal auto industry, bankrupt banks, and crumbling credit card companies, last week was inexplicably the best week on Wall Street in almost four decades. With rebounding stocks coupled with gasoline under $2 a gallon, it’s understandable why so many people are perplexed with American finance.

If you have a job, no retirement account, and haven’t locked in “downside protection” with your local oil company, you’d be excused to think sunny skies are shining. I know several people in this situation. As long as they keep their job, life for them is better now than it was before the “economic crisis” struck.

But if you’re unemployed or think your company is teetering, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by all the bad news. You probably don’t watch the news because your psyche just can’t take any more. You’re not alone. Unemployment statistics tell us there are many people suffering this year. But, we Americans aren’t ones to wallow in despair. If you’re in hard times, now is the chance to count your blessings, be thankful for what you do have, and formulate new goals and a plan to achieve them.

While this may sound callous, I personally know there are several benefits of being jobless. First, you have time to reconnect with your family. Maybe you have a mother or father you haven’t seen much of lately. Maybe you haven’t focused enough on your spouse and children. Family and friends can take a back seat when work beckons, but being jobless literally opens up your schedule to allow more time with them.

Frequently, unemployed folks are too stressed to enjoy their newfound freedom. The key is to balance time with family with a job search. Tell yourself you’ll spend five hours a day searching for a job and the rest with family or a hobby you’ve too long ignored. You can enjoy private time more if you know you’re doing your disciplined best to find a new job.

It’s also all right to apply for aid from the government. Welfare was created for times like these. This might be tough for rugged individualists. But, temporarily, while you’re “working” hard to find a new job, take advantage of the safety net provided by your fellow citizens.

Also, while you’re unemployed, take a moment to smell the roses, or cold fresh air as is the case now in the Lakes Region. You’ll probably be working within months and will regret not taking the chance to do something fun.

Also, consider whether you enjoy your current line of work. Maybe you want to do something different? Maybe you need a new challenge because you’re bored. Maybe you’ve always wanted to be a police officer or an accountant or nurse. There are numerous sources of aid available, both through the government and private sources, to help keep you financially afloat while attending school.

Most of all, don’t stress too much. Yes, a job is more than a way to spend eight hours a day. In part, losing a job means losing who we are. While this loss of identity can be a source of stress, it needn’t be, especially at a time when so many others are jobless as well. Realize that your current situation is temporary and actually could turn out to be a positive since you’ll be better able to appreciate a job when you find one.

If the stock market and gas prices are any indication, the recent downturn may be overstated. But if the jobless rate stays high, we might be headed for a long recession. Whichever is true, America is still the greatest country in which to live, and its people are still the salt of the earth. Because of the downturn, we all, employed or not, have a renewed sense of appreciation for all our country has provided for us. And perhaps the recent woe and uncertainty is what we needed to help us realize our good fortune.

John Balentine, of Windham, is a former editor of the Lakes Region Weekly.