Everything in life seems to have a “pick your poison” stipulation to it.

Days ago, AAA released a report stating holiday driving in the Southeast this year would be higher than any other region in the country.

That’s probably because the average gallon of gas costs less than just about anywhere else.

But now we find out that Alabama’s jobless rate rose to 6.1 percent in the last month, the highest it has been during this time in 15 years. It makes that trip to grandma’s house a little more ominous.

Winter weather and severe storms blitzed parts of this state last week, but it’s a good thing because the extra rainfall brought the region out of a drought.

Transportation in the state is booming — considering the circumstances, anyway — while Michigan automakers sorrowfully count their losses.

President George W. Bush signed a $17.4 billion bailout bill Friday, but automakers are pessimistic about the terms of the deal.

Gold is down, the dollar is up and it seems everything in between is open to negotiation.

And the warm weather is turning some people’s winter wonderland into a muggy mess.

We never get anything exactly the way we want it, but that’s the point of compromise. It’s the reason we cling to things that comfort and strengthen us — family, faith, fellowship.

It’s an important thing to remember in these hard times and at this particular time of year.