In 1960 Harold Macmillan, then British Prime Minister, made a speech to the Parliament of South Africa in which he referred to the \”wind of change blowing through this continent.\” Some claim that this now historic speech was a contributing factor to the formation of the Republic of South Africa in 1961.
Today I believe that winds of change are blowing more strongly than ever before … but not just political winds … and not just across the continent of Africa.
[box type=\”shadow\”]I\’m starting to judge success by the time I have for myself, the time I spend with family and friends. My priorities aren\’t amending; they\’re shifting.
– Brendan Fraser[/box]
Patently clear
It\’s patently clear for baby boomers like myself and reasonably obvious even for the younger generations, that things in this world are changing and changing at some pace.
The global population is poised to reach 7 billion anytime now – more people than have ever inhabited this planet before.
The resulting pressure on our environment is contributing to a rapidly warming planet and at the end of this century average temperatures will almost certainly be between 2 and 6 degrees centigrade higher than they are now.
Wide ranging implications
This will have wide ranging implications far greater than anything mankind has had to deal with before. The effects of global warming are already making themselves known as our weather becomes more extreme and less predictable.
And, seemingly in synch with this trend of increasing volatility, radical global socioeconomic changes are becoming apparent.
The unthinkable
The United States of America, for so long the world\’s pillar of economic prosperity and stability, finds itself almost $15trillion in debt and has had to face the embarrassment of a credit rating downgrade for the first time in its history.
Across the Atlantic, the once mighty European Union trading bloc faces a real threat of unravelling as wealthier nations like Germany and France start to get cold feet at the thought of continually having to bail out poorer cousins like Greece, Ireland and Portugal who are encumbered with mountainous debts.
Even relatively Eurosceptic Britain, sitting, rather smugly, outside of the common monetary area, has endured a torrid financial crisis and unprecedented scenes of rioting and looting in its major cities.
Bye bye black gold?
Oil, a commodity that has fuelled the boom in the burgeoning third world economies of China, India, Russia and Brazil is becoming increasingly difficult and more costly to find and some say we have already reached \’peak oil\’, the point at which the rate of production of oil starts a never ending decline. In per capita terms the decline already started back in 1979.
Rising oil prices, quite apart from the other factors mentioned, will have a major negative impact on global economic growth in the absence of dramatic and affordable technological breakthroughs.
A perfect storm
I could carry on but there\’s no need. Everything points to a \’perfect storm\’ brewing – one that is already beginning to bring about unprecedented changes in the way we live our lives.
So, \”If this is supposed to be an inspiring medium,\” you might well be asking, \”where is the uplifting news?\”
Good question … and I would answer that by saying this:
As a human race we are at our best when facing challenge. Challenge is simply opportunity in disguise (sometimes pretty heavy disguise) – opportunity to grow, both as individuals and as a collective.
Another change
I believe there is another change happening in this world … a change that is every bit as dramatic and of even greater importance to us, yet one that does not command the media exposure in the same way that the more \’negative\’ changes, mentioned above, do.
I\’m talking about a fundamental \’awakening of consciousness\’ that is taking place all over the world. More and more people are questioning the standards, norms, rules, conventions and even beliefs that our society has been founded on.
The unprecedented levels of interconnectedness and access to information that we have in today\’s world are bringing about a revolution in the way we think and act.
Feeling more empowered than ever
The days of privileged access to information that saw political, economic and religious domination by a controlling elite over a disenfranchised majority are rapidly coming to an end.
Ordinary people are feeling more empowered than ever before, more disillusioned with conventional wisdom and the shortsighted pursuit of material wealth alone and more passionate about finding personal freedom, self confidence, growth and happiness.
Great news!
It is true that the world we know faces seemingly calamitous changes…
But I invite you to look beyond this to the less publicized dimension of this global upheaval … and I think you\’ll find that the green shoots of a new, very different and infinitely brighter and more fulfilling world are emerging rapidly!
That\’s the great news.
Great post! Really changed the shape of my life.
Stay centered and embrace the green shoots of consciousness – just as we are welcoming the Spring now.
All observeable happenings Bill and one just has to ask the question….where is it all leading to? If one does your own investigations and further reading and don’t take everything said at face value then it is not all as it seems. For one, the planet is going through it’s own phases of hot and cold, as it has done for billions of years, so not everything is of our doing, we are contributing but in the scheme of things it is small. There is also talk that there is a mini ice age on its way?? As for the worldwide upheavals, this is as you say due to the access of information by the masses, now they are realising that they have been duped by the ruling elite for decades if not centuries and as I have said elsewhere the people want a government that serves them and not the other way around. We sit with it in our own country and all I can hope for is that the ruling party takes note. How about a program of life coaching for politicians? From what we see happening as far as indebted countries go it is clear that not just the citizens are living beyond their means but the countries are as well, for some it has been too good for too long, have we really taken note of the poverty in this world, it is shocking, and the governments concerned will rather be at war than take care of the people…even more shocking! I read some 15 years ago from a book of prophesy that the USA would self destruct eventually, loosing it’s status as world leader, well what can I say. We are living in interesting times that’s for sure and one can only go about your own business as prudently as possible and don’t forget to tighten the safety belt because I think we are in for a bumpy ride. I like this blog because it brings out a wide range of comments from people with differing outlooks on life!
Awesome Bill!!! I just look around see how material things are becoming less important to people around me. There is even evidences of people comming together for the greater good of the country. I thank God daily that through all this we still receive His blessings in our lives and that together we can change the world .
Thank you for the wonderful work you do!
Charleen, I completely agree of your awareness concerning people that are becoming less materialistic and seeking deeper understanding of life and their purpose in life. I agree to the point stated that we will still find God’s blessings in our lives and therefore can make a positive change in the world.
As Bill stated: “…. a brighter and more fulfilling world are emerging rapidly!”
Bill, you couldn’t put that more clearly.
We are all, each one of us, standing on a threshold. The next room is as yet dark and invisible. But this new room is not the real change we are talking about here. The real change this time is the manner in which we enter. No longer ‘every man for himself.’ If one of us cannot make the step, we all wait, or we carry you across.
Very true Bill; and thank you for this. It is a challenge to the conscience and therefore the norms of society. I am glad that it is “coming out”. Human nature changes, and demands and reacts to new environments and challenges. The “old will out!” Except for what are established truths, everything else will have to fall, and a new thinking will prevail.
lifes ingredients: to learn, unlearn and relearn. but globalisation offers no identity. the present global economy i think, is creating enough panic to drive central bank/ military & leadership, offering us even less identity (to country & individual). coaching is about helping people to realise their truth, their individuality and the gifts they have to offer the ‘ABUNDANT’ world. i hope we awaken to the obvious and take a stand for the sake of our children. This was a much needed article. i especially like Brendan Frasers quote. in Nelson Mandela’s letter to Winnie in 1975, he says that the cell is an excellent place to get to know yourself and expresses the importance of finding your humility and grace on entering the void, the nothing, the great sacred emptiness held within. We run from this unknown, which is in fact our security, our ABUNDANCE.
Awesome Bill. it is so true that what we need to find more than things of material value IS SELF AWARENESS. Thank you for your always so encouraging research and sharing. Be Blessed in your work !! :o))
I presented a communications and selling skills course to a sales team this past weekend. We disccued how buyers and sellers and their ideas have changed, because the material products have changed and the ease of access of information to these products, that buyers can decide for themselves what they want based on their needs and wants. What has not changed, however, is us human beings, we are still interacting in the same way we did ever the thinking process in our little brains started. Some of the interactions have caused wars along the way. However, man has accepted all the challenges thrown us over the ages and has survived many catastrophies, and so it will be in the future. It should, however, not be left to the person next to me, but I, should take on the responsibility to make the next world a better place, the natural world and the world of human interaction. Through my observable deeds will the ripple effect start and “…. a brighter and more fulfilling world are emerging rapidly!”