The Perfect Storm and personal growth

Posted by the White Wizard on November 1, 2007

The Perfect Storm.  It was a book, then a movie.  Now, it denotes the accumulation of a series of contextual events that individually may have been minor or insignificant.  Once brought together in the same environment, however, it creates a context for something disasterous in huge proportions.

I believe we are seeing the generation of the perfect storm.  Here are the factors:
* The value of the US dollar is rapidly declining.  We are now on par with the Canadian dollar.  Only a few years ago we were running about CD$ .67 to US$ 1.00.  We have declined relative to other world currencies as well.
* Our gold reserves are being depleted.  Some countries are turning in their US dollars and asking for gold.  Other countries (Egypt being one) have asked for their aid payments to be made in Euros, rather than US dollars.
* Grain reserves are collapsing.  The last I read, we were down to 56 days of stocks in the US, approximately 1/3 of what it was a few years ago.
* Pressure on crops and grain supplies are increasing tremendously.  Europe is seeking more of our grain.  One-half of the Canadian wheat did not mature this year, because of exceptional summer heat.  We import about the same quantity that was lost, and Canada is one of our major sources of grain.  Prices are escalating.  Some grains have doubled since last year.  Because of the scare over Chinese flour, there is more demand for North American grain here in the U. S.
* Oil prices are climbing.  They are hovering near $90/barrel now.  While retreats are quick possible, the predictions are for continued increases.  Analysts are predicting $100 soon.  These prices are four times what they were five years ago, and are pushing 50% higher than they were 11 months ago.  Our administration has declared they are “very concerned” about the increase in prices and it’s impact on our economy.  Our reserves are down 5.3 million barrels.  The US is currently the largest consumer of world oil production, but China is rapidly overtaking us.  Their demand is rising by 15% per year.  Considering that oil drives economies, it should be no surprise that access to oil is a strategic (ie., military) consideration.

Where is all this headed?
Our economy is already starting to show signs of slowing.  Increases in fuel costs will affect all aspects of our economy.  When you put all these factors together, we may well be headed for the “perfect storm” economically.  And, we have not even factored in the declining housing market, the looming mortgage disaster, global warming impacts, the destruction of thousands of buildings in California fires ($2.5 billion at last count) and the displacement of nearly 1,000,000 people from a major economic center for this country, peak oil, the diversion of crops into biofuels, nor the economic strain of a protracted war.

What I pay for gas has risen nearly 50% this year.  Natural gas went up 30% at the beginning of the year and supplies are short.  A local fertilizer plant is closing because they can no longer obtain natural gas.  Food costs are up, and will continue to rise as the impact of rising oil and grain shortage moves into the market.

Combine all these factors together and we may well see a powerful economic crisis.

What does that have to do with this website?
Everything.  This website is about moving gracefully through life.  It is about being in positions of personal power (that does not necessarily mean power over others), where you can adapt readily to changes in the external world.  It is about being “ahead of the power curve.”

To do that you must be aware of what is going on around you.  Once you are aware, you must take action.  Your action must not be reaction.  Rather, it should be thoughtful and conscious, graceful and honest, and respectful of others and the earth.

You may feel that for the reasons discussed here, and for others, that we are headed for some difficult times.  If that is the case, you would be wise to prepare as best you can.  There are many things to consider: food supplies, medical supplies, evacuation plans (including where and how you will meet with loved ones), gardening plans, cash reserves (how many Americans have a savings account?), etc.

If you are serious about being prepared for possible future events, you should consider joining me for an intensive training program.  It will teach you to be self-sufficient by learning to access your inner resources in powerful ways.  This is not a survivalist head-for-the-hills training.  It is pragmatic and spiritual, giving you the tools to manage your life in whatever circumstances you find yourself.  Further, it gives you the tools to create and manage those circumstances.  It is intense, personal and expensive, because it demands a strong commitment from both of us.  I do not, at present, promote it.  So, if you are interested, contact me and we will discuss it.

Until next time…. be conscious of your world…. be conscious of yourself…. be a force for positive…. BE!