The cover of this week’s Economist magazine asks if it’s time for America to take a double dip into recessionary waters.

The stock market looks like the first half of any Rocky movie. America’s politician’s go on vacation after acting like spoiled children and being reprimanded by S&P. Finally, and most importantly for those of us in the private construction world, banks seem to have forgotten the part of their business that includes lending money for real estate projects.

So what’s a poor boy to do? I look to G.K. Chesterton, a brilliant writer from a hundred years ago, for some perspective. He defines doom as, “The oldest of all the Demons, who has always blighted mankind with superstitions of the destiny and death of the races.” So don’t fall for the Doom. Just don’t do doom.

America isn’t over. Our time hasn’t passed. Yes, we live in a time of fast changes and systems will not be like they were. That’s good, though, we need the challenge. Fat and happy usually isn’t really happy. Focused and striving works so much better.

Consider a piece of construction related news that reinforces my assertion that America’s demise has been called too soon. Two high speed trains crashed in China, killing 40 and injuring 191. If you recall, I’ve blogged previously about China’s high speed rail push. The Communist Chinese leaders pushed the high speed train lines, without any market demand, as a pet project. Most workers can’t afford the fares, so the ridership has been disappointing. Now the safety record has also been besmirched.

Suddenly, China’s directed economy looks a lot less bullet-proof. Citizens are angry and the media (supposedly state controlled, but showing some gumption) also demands answers for the boondoggle. So don’t be too enamored of the “Bejing Model”. In the end, America’s topsy-turvy representative republic will prove a better system.

If some challenging times are coming your way, don’t despair. Life will give us all some struggles. Just do the things you know you should do and let go of the things that are beyond your control. Get up in the morning and plan a great day. Strive to live every moment of it and you’ll be fine.

Finally, remember my favorite G.K. Chesterton definition: “Death: a distinctly exciting moment.”