The Economic Crisis and Inner Withdrawal

Coming back to Europe, we hear on the television and amongst people we speak with stories about how the economic crisis has affected them.

We were in Australia when the crash announced itself, and have been travelling in South East Asia for the last four months. People there say that there are less tourists than last year.

There has been a slight increase in break ins and robberies around here (Granollers, Spain), and I expect that it’s a common effect of harder economic times across the world.

During this time, there is fear in the air. The media and the people you know are filled with the hardships approaching. It tends to create a reaction of withdrawal from activities within the community and especially from foreigners.

In times of hardship, it’s a time to pool together, not prise ourselves further apart. It’s a time to give, because there is obvious need under our own eyes. What ever we have, let’s forge strong links and share it. By sharing it, it increases. By holding on tight, we concentrate on our lack and our fears and create our own misery.

If we have a view of each other as brothers and sisters, we will help each other.

Somebody stole a mobile phone and a camera and fell to their death as a result while trying to escape.

How many of us have a spare mobile at home? How many of us have a camera, or two, that are not used? Would it make a difference to the people with less, if the richer gave a bit more. Perhaps its even worth giving, to help elevate your own fears of being robbed or discriminated against because you have more than enough.

Sharing increases your wealth. It spreads good will and peace, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.

Holding onto your fears, worrying and playing it ‘safe’ leads to withdrawal and increase in negativity. Let’s not invite more trouble than we already have.

The Appearance of Silver Hairs

Its shiny and wayward and doesn’t fit into the style I chose, but I love them. I love each one. They can be a symbol of wisdom, of experience, of life.

When I take a positive note to something that has a modern reputation as being a negative, like grey hairs, I think of Nickos and Shirley Valentine and his rapturous description of her birth marks.
So maybe you don’t believe me, but it gets me to penetrate your mind with a new idea of what is. Then perhaps, after accepting that ideas come and go, we can allow what is, without an opinion and without insistence. Insistence seems to always want to sell something, and at this stage, I’m no different.

I’m selling positivity.

I want us to question what the media tells us is negative. If everyone is afraid of grey hair, then they will dye it, and money is exchanged for your fears.

If people embrace the silver strands, standing independently and fiercely upon our heads, we just smile to our mirror, instead of peer and squint and complain internally every morning.

Where’s the good in that?

Silver strands of my life
Breaking into my phantom youth.
Be, I am, and smile at their insistent direction.
Resistant they are, and full of self importance.
Silver strands of my youth
Coming to remind me, of me.