I usually focus on programming and the internet world on this blog.
Though I have a lot to say about politics in Israel and in general, I usually avoid this topic, knowing that listening to a different opinion on this is a very rare commodity for those who are emotionally involved. And we all are deeply emotionally involved - Jews, Muslims, Christians, Atheists and other...
Yet I think there's an idea that most of us are not yet involved deeply enough with, that is worth mentioning in these wicked days.
I saw an article in the paper today that some UN committee foresees 50 million jobs to be lost in 2009. 50,000,000 people will lose their jobs. That's a lot.
What I find more interesting is (1) I can't recall who really said it (UN committee? what does that mean?) (2) I can't recall if they meant 50,000,000 jobs lost, or that there will be 50,000,000 unemployed people in the western world (no one really knows what happens in Africa, right?)
Since the newspaper article didn't go into these details and we're left with just this perspective, they might as well just have written in the paper "BE AFRAID." It would have the same effect.
Yet it is also true that old people are losing their pensions, and that too many family people find themselves with debts and with no income.
In such times what's growing more than anything else is a sense of fear and uncertainty - and with that grows the need for strength and certainty (it's a simple equation). In pursuit of strength and certainty, it's so easy to slip into confusion and misunderstanding.
Strength and certainty are not to be found externally. These are inner sources of belief and hope that can give one the strength to go on and actually achieve something in a land of psychological depression and common moral depression.
Remember: There's still a lot of money in the system and plenty of ways to maintain a decent quality of life.
What should we be scared about?
We do need strong leaders and a strong systems of ideas and ideals that can lead people safely through this crisis. But this is a peripheral part of the equation.
Strength is not necessarily the action of force and power. There is amazing strength in silence and tolerance, in compassion and understanding and in NOT-RESPONDING - taking 5 more minutes to think.
It is time to go inside and outside. Finding inspiration inside and outside, in nature's work or in spiritual places (whatever your belief is or is not).
As the waves and winds get stronger and higher, those who are calmer and are "fast on the inside and slow on the outside" will be able to pass through this crisis and remain intact.Look for the stronger leader - within.
