You can look at these times through different lenses. I think a very few people are thinking 'my glass if half-full' at the moment. I think we are looking through the prism of 'half-empty' and being just a shade pessimistic, especially when we relate to the economy, our employment and our future. We can kid ourselves for some time but not all the time.
Speaking with my 'economics' hat on there is a lot of uncertainty in the economy that is still to roll out. I believe it will take at least 5-7 years to recover from the worst of what we are experiencing, and a decade to give us the glimmer of hope or the illusion to put us back in the driving seat.
What direction to go?
We have hit a difficult stage in our thinking. We can turn left and think positive thoughts or right and make every attempt to reshape our lives the way we want them to turn out. I believe we don't have much choice. No one is coming to save us. Don't depend on the Government (of any colour) the choice is limited to what 'you' and your immediate network or community can make of any opportunities open to you.
The Golden Buddha
I guess it's a stage of re-invention and that brings me to the Golden Buddha analogy. It is not new, and every time I think about it – it gives me hope and resilience to reinvent.
Here is the real story. Over 300 years ago, the Burmese army planned an invasion of Thailand (then called Siam).
Siamese monks owned an enormous treasure (the Golden Buddha) valued today at over $350 million. They developed a cunning plan to retain their possession while disguising the Golden Buddha.
Disguised Buddha
They disguised the beautiful Buddha under 15 inches of clay to avoid it being stolen. The advancing army came across this clay Buddha and ignored it, believing it to be worthless. Unfortunately, they did not spare the lives of the monks. The monks' secret was not discovered, and the hidden secret was to remain lost.
For over 250 years the secret remained lost. In the mid-1950s, this Buddha existed only as a clay Buddha. Then, still revered for its history and status it was decided to move the statue to a new location. When a crane was moving this 5-ton statue, it cracked the figure's outer shell, and it started to disintegrate. No one expected a clay Buddha to weight so much.
The monks waited for a more robust crane to move the Buddha. They covered it with a tarpaulin set it down, waiting for the giant crane to arrive the next day.
One monk was checking on the tarps in the middle of the night when he saw a sparkling glimmer through the crack. He carefully chiseled away as the reflection grew in brightness. Then larger chunks of the clay fell out, and the monk discovered the hidden secret. And then, as the clay fell away and the solid gold Buddha shone once again.
I find that such an uplifting tale and one which strongly relates to what lies hidden within us.
What Golden Buddha dwells within you?
I believe that we each have our strengths but also limitations that can hold us back. If we devote enough time and energy to believing in ourselves, we can master our potential. I have seen many people reinvent themselves in the last 12 months. Those who have managed to rise above the despair of the economic collapse have a positivity.
Although they may not know how they can transition, continuing to work and bouncing off ideas with others will eventually support them in moving on.
Personal development to shape your best year yet
This personal belief is a fundamental belief which drives me. I believe there is greatness within us all. It is often masked by negative beliefs, past limiting decisions, bad experiences, phobias and old patterns of behaviour, pressure from others, and past failures and pains.
If we can see the potential that lies within us, we can change, improve and move past these barriers and reshape life the way we want to live it.
Email Philip
Speaking with my 'economics' hat on there is a lot of uncertainty in the economy that is still to roll out. I believe it will take at least 5-7 years to recover from the worst of what we are experiencing, and a decade to give us the glimmer of hope or the illusion to put us back in the driving seat.
What direction to go?
We have hit a difficult stage in our thinking. We can turn left and think positive thoughts or right and make every attempt to reshape our lives the way we want them to turn out. I believe we don't have much choice. No one is coming to save us. Don't depend on the Government (of any colour) the choice is limited to what 'you' and your immediate network or community can make of any opportunities open to you.
The Golden Buddha
I guess it's a stage of re-invention and that brings me to the Golden Buddha analogy. It is not new, and every time I think about it – it gives me hope and resilience to reinvent.
Here is the real story. Over 300 years ago, the Burmese army planned an invasion of Thailand (then called Siam).
Siamese monks owned an enormous treasure (the Golden Buddha) valued today at over $350 million. They developed a cunning plan to retain their possession while disguising the Golden Buddha.
Disguised Buddha
They disguised the beautiful Buddha under 15 inches of clay to avoid it being stolen. The advancing army came across this clay Buddha and ignored it, believing it to be worthless. Unfortunately, they did not spare the lives of the monks. The monks' secret was not discovered, and the hidden secret was to remain lost.
For over 250 years the secret remained lost. In the mid-1950s, this Buddha existed only as a clay Buddha. Then, still revered for its history and status it was decided to move the statue to a new location. When a crane was moving this 5-ton statue, it cracked the figure's outer shell, and it started to disintegrate. No one expected a clay Buddha to weight so much.
The monks waited for a more robust crane to move the Buddha. They covered it with a tarpaulin set it down, waiting for the giant crane to arrive the next day.
One monk was checking on the tarps in the middle of the night when he saw a sparkling glimmer through the crack. He carefully chiseled away as the reflection grew in brightness. Then larger chunks of the clay fell out, and the monk discovered the hidden secret. And then, as the clay fell away and the solid gold Buddha shone once again.
I find that such an uplifting tale and one which strongly relates to what lies hidden within us.
What Golden Buddha dwells within you?
I believe that we each have our strengths but also limitations that can hold us back. If we devote enough time and energy to believing in ourselves, we can master our potential. I have seen many people reinvent themselves in the last 12 months. Those who have managed to rise above the despair of the economic collapse have a positivity.
Although they may not know how they can transition, continuing to work and bouncing off ideas with others will eventually support them in moving on.
Personal development to shape your best year yet
This personal belief is a fundamental belief which drives me. I believe there is greatness within us all. It is often masked by negative beliefs, past limiting decisions, bad experiences, phobias and old patterns of behaviour, pressure from others, and past failures and pains.
If we can see the potential that lies within us, we can change, improve and move past these barriers and reshape life the way we want to live it.
Email Philip
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