Because I believe so profoundly that everything happens for a good reason, I try to see what is happening around me with equanimity and understanding and in a spirit of optimism.
For this reason I am careful in how I express my views on apparent crises and disasters in the world (current or to come) so that I do not sound negative or depressing. While we may be disconcerted from time to time, I truly believe there is no reason whatsoever to be fearful of what lies ahead.
I have written before about attitudes to money and how, if it is disrespected or misused by us as individuals, companies or countries, we will learn perhaps painfully the importance of recognising it as a tool from God to be used wisely. The financial meltdown of the last couple of years has left many people wincing at their credit card and other debts; companies large and small have gone out of business and the extent of national profligacy is becoming more and more apparent, with Ireland being the latest to be exposed for a massive debt situation.
Understandably, the people of Ireland who will bear the brunt of draconian spending cuts, job losses and perhaps taxation, are very angry that their elected leaders allowed lending, borrowing and banking to get so out of hand, just as the people of Greece and Iceland did before them. I believe Ireland will not be the last country in Europe or the world to face economic challenges like these in the months to come, and there may be further destabilising shocks to force a re-evaluation of the way the outdated global financial systems work.
If and when this happens, while it will be a little turbulent perhaps, it will be good. Sometimes we need a big shock to wake us up to the reality of how things are, and how they could be bettered. For now, the banks and the politicians have retreated into the familiar comfort zone of “business as usual” - but they will not be allowed to linger there for long. Watch this space....and remember to smile, and to trust.
