If ever here were a time when all our worst fears seem to be being realised, it is now. The news confirms for us every day that the world has gone to pot, and that we will all have to suffer. There is no doubt that there is much wrong, but in the midst of it, we need to look at what else is going on.
The ‘habit’ of living on ‘credit’, as debt is euphemistically called, has been brought into question, not just for individuals, but for organisations and financial institutions as well. This may well lead to the start of a more realistic way of living, called within your means!
The financial sector has also had its credibility severely knocked, as people have realised that its level of unethical and selfish, greedy behaviour has resulted in problems for all of us. This may lead to better regulation of their business practice, and make other businesses which are unethical think about what they are doing.
The level of mistrust of politicians has led Americans to vote in someone who has a different approach, and to do so with a level of involvement of the ordinary people that hasn’t been seen before. This may lead others to recognise that they do have the power to change things.
And some people keep believing they can make a difference, and prove that they can... did you watch the latest Jamie Oliver series? He not only encouraged people to cook for the first time in their lives, but used the experience of cooking to inspire them to go further, enlivening their communities, and daring to believe they could do more with their lives.
We believe, in Meta, (and we are not the only ones!), that we are entering into an epoch change, when the accepted values shift, and there are clear signs that this is beginning to happen.
Imagine a world where we show care for each other, we all work to make it a better place, where we care about our environment, where we run sustainable and ethical businesses as the norm! in the midst of the crises, perhaps we can all play our part in helping to make that happen, by making sure that at least in our own lives, we clean up our acts, and live to our own values, using our hearts to guide us rather than custom and practice...
I am looking forward to 2009, and believe that it will be an interesting time to live through – join me in delighting in the possibility, rather than fearing the worst!