One thing I’m absolutely sure of: there is always more fear available if you want it. I don’t want to belittle what’s happening on Wall Street here in the US, with widening global implications, and it’s just plain stupid to put on a happy face and believe that nothing is going to change.
However, please don’t give in to despair, and don’t pretend you know what it all means.
Here’s the truth: if you’re reading this post, chances are you’re in a small business, probably a very small business, of the size called “personal” or “micro.” And, you are a major part of something much bigger than the cost of the bail-out.
In this time of uncertainty, I’m going to ask, for the sake of your heart, for the sake of preserving hope, to stay in uncertainty.
This is certainty: “We’re scr#$@%^ed! It’s all going to heck in a handbasket, no exceptions.”
This is uncertainty: “Hmmm… it sure looks bad. I’m feeling scared. I wonder what’s going to happen?”
Staying in the place of “I wonder” allows for uncomfortable emotions, but it doesn’t send you into the certainty of despair, where all is lost, your business is doomed, and you become paralyzed into inaction. It keeps you in a willingness to be surprised, for the miracles and creativity to flow.
You know how people say that big disruptions are actually huge opportunities for those that keep their feet, keep hope alive in their heart, and stay connected to their creativity? It really is true.
For instance, here at Heart of Business we’re seeing that the changes are going to create an environment where countless more people are going to be taking the jump into self-employment, either because they have no other choice, or because they really see the need to help create change in the world in a way that isn’t possible in such an unstable environment as a large corporation.
So, we’re getting busy to help those folks.
How about you? What’s your connection to hope? Are you connecting to the “I wonder” attitude? What opportunities do you see for your business with all of this craziness happening in the financial markets?
11 Responses
Yes, Mark… Here’s to hope. I see plenty of opportunities for hope with what’s happening, maybe right now, maybe later.
For Life On Purpose Institute, Inc. I see many people traveling through the tunnel of worry, fear and yes, even perhaps some despair and coming out on the other side, asking questions like, “Why am I really here? What is real beyond the material stuff that seems so impermanent? what really matters to me? It’s got to be more than just the ‘stuff’ of life.”
And, so we’re also gearing up to be of greater service, as we strive to practice what we ‘preach’ (and hope it doesn’t come across too preachy).
Right on, Brad! As we’re facing the holes in our financial system, I love what you’re doing. It seems like it’s dead-on to be confronting our true purpose for being on this planet.
I tend to take a very long view on our countries economy and structures. I think of our country/culture/society as being in its adolescence. We are growing up…which means learning from our mistakes…which means we will make more, I’m sure. I see them as part of a much longer/broader cycle. Our country as a whole is struggling to move from anger/blame/finding fault to responsibility and cooperation. So every “crisis” is an opportunity for us to grow, and I have faith that this is happening. Civilizations mature over long periods of time. So I don’t worry so much about it on a day to day level. I focus more on my own maturity, and developing my own consciousness in order to help and teach etc, to move things along in whatever spheres I have influence in. Like “Think globally, act locally”, I like to “Think long-term, act day to day”.
@Emma – that’s a great view, and the “adolescence” take on it definitely resonates with me. I wonder sometimes, though, whether our particular culture will survive adolescence, since we don’t seem to be so willing to learn from the elder civilizations that came before.
I have a lot of hope, and I have the question, too.
@Mark Yeah, I dunno. I just have this faith that we will. I act as if we will. I figure, if we don’t then we don’t, but wondering about it makes me spend energy in worry and hope/doubt, and that creates ineffectiveness. I have a strong sense of faith that we’ll make it. And a sense that if we don’t commit to making it, if we stay hovering in fear/doubt–that this is part of the problem somehow. So the very act of having faith in ourselves and humanity given the current situation is a radical act that will help create the future where we do survive, and thrive. Because basically you have to believe in something before you act toward it. So I feel that faith in ourselves is, in itself, important to have.
I don’t think we are not learning from the elder civilizations before us. I think we went through a period of individuation. We were the US anyway was founded on a very strong need to individuate and go our own way. We are still maturing into realizing that now we need to play well with others and what it takes to do that.
I see lots of people in our culture trying to learn from elder civilizations. Work like the guy who wrote Nature and the Human Soul, and all the folks looking to the East for spirtual understanding. That is happening. And it’s because as the people of our country mature, they realize that there is stuff out there that is wiser than our “rugged individualism” and our love of the marketplace, and they seek it out. That will affect our culture, and help it mature I think.
I want to help heal our culture and help it mature; I think one of the key apects of a healer is that they can see the person they are helping as whole long before the person sees themselves that way. Through the healers eyes, the person begins to be able to see themselves that way. That is so crucial because agian, you have to believe something is possible before you will be able to create it. Vision/imagination preceeds action.
So what I see is that our culture has all the inner resources and wisdom it needs to heal (just like a person does). And it has the support of its community and the Universe, if it reaches out and asks (just like a person does). And, it has some roadblocks to realizing this (just like a person does). But it still has that potential and I want to have faith in it (like I would a person).
Ahhh… I see a place where we’re disconnecting. I wasn’t seeing the US as it’s own thing- I was seeing western culture since the 1600’s, when the shift towards industrialization/capitalism started.
I think it’s great to hold the wholeness. I can do that sometimes. Sometimes I can’t. Keep on doing the work!
@Mark
Yes, I am being loosy-goosy about which entity I’m actually talking about that is “adolescent”. I guess I see most of what happens, both on the national and global level in this context. Heck even on the personal and interpersonal level, I see most things as developmental in some respect. “This is a stage of growth” is a major lens for me.
Did the US lead the industrial revolution? It seems like it; maybe that’s an empirical historical question. In any case, we seem to dominate “western culture” right now, so I was lumping them together. Er…I guess also because I live here and like most Americans I have blinders to the rest of the world LOL. =)
I’ve been reading your posts (& portions of your book) for a little while and I’m really enjoying rediscovering my heart.
I was delighted to see this post mention “wonder” because it’s one of those words that can support me to reframe a situation quickly. Wonder feels child-like (in a powerful way). The power of seeing innocence in the world, in myself and others. That is wonderful!
Thank you for the reminder!
@Emma- The “stage of growth” lens is definitely helpful- I use it in business, and I like applying it to cultures, too. 🙂
@Mynde- thank you for reading and coming round! And I’m glad that “wonder” was a “wonderful” reminder… I’m sure you know that I write these things to remind myself, too- so thanks for helping to reinforce the reminder with me, too. 🙂
You know, Mark. I’ve been wondering if there’s something wrong with me or perhaps I’m living in some parallel universe. But despite the headlines, I one person who lost their job in the last few months and I know only one person who lost her home because she could no longer pay her mortgage. Both persons are on their feet and doing ok.
And I still see lots of people eating at local restaurants and lots of traffic on the highways.
So perhaps the tsunami from Wall Street hasn’t hit Denver, Colorado yet?
Like someone mentioned, I too, take the long view with the economy. This correction was going to happen sooner or later.
When I think about “what can I do?” the answer I always get is: “stay on purpose and stay in your heart” and those actions will ripple outward and make a positive difference…however small.
Peace,
Judy
@Judy- same here in Portland. The long view is always best. And the Eternal Divine view is even better, when I can get a glimpse of it… 😉
I like it: “Stay on purpose and stay in your heart.” Amen!