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Yesterday evening I met with a group of friends. A group of ladies who meet once a month to talk about things that are important to them in the now. I nearly didn’t go to that meeting. Every month we set a topic chosen by an individual from the group and taking turns to be that individual. Last nights topic was “The Economic crisis and how is affecting you.” I have deliberately turned off my Television service – I don’t want to waste my precious time being addicted to the screen that dominates the room, so I haven’t been watching the “crisis” unfold and have not been caught up in the anxiety and panic caused by constantly watching the headlines of doom and gloom flashing across the screens every time a news article comes on. I don’t need the extra stress I can generate plenty of that for myself. I can feel all that extra stress though. I felt it in the room yesterday evening from my friends. I felt it in the hospital the other day when I took my friend to an appointment and sat in the waiting room listening to the people around me, I feel it in the bank when I go to take care of my money business, I feel it in the supermarket when I do my grocery shopping, I feel it everywhere I go that people are congregating and talking, discussing all of these terrible things that are happening at the moment.

And yet in reality what does all this talking, all this devoted energy achieve? Does it make us feel better? Does it help? Does it create confidence and good health?

No, it does not. It generates more of the same negative energy. More Stress; More Anger; More depression; More helplessness; More of all those negative emotions and exacerbating the situation.

I recently purchased a book “Speeches that changed the world” a collection of impactful speeches by people with an introduction by Simon Sebag Montefiore. I bought it to study what great orators do so I can improve my public speaking as I have been learning at the courses I have been attending in recent months. The Speech and the history surrounding it that really caught my attention was very unexpected, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural address, 4 March 1933.

The banking system had collapsed, everything was in a state of turmoil and turbulence, nobody had any confidence in anything and fear and despondency ran rife through the population. Does any of this sound familiar?

I strongly recommend that you google this amazing speech and read it. I was inspired.

The United states of America was dragged out of the depression when politicians of all parties united with the media and began promoting the best and the greatness of this country to people. Roosevelt’s speech , where he acknowledged that “only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment” but also stated “There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” and “when there is no vision the people perish” was an amazing and inspirational piece of oratory.

Roosevelt was elected to a third term in office as president of the United States.

So how does this relate to today?

You can draw your own parallels to our current situation. It is not that which I am asking for help with. Today the whole world is affected by what is going on, greater communication and media coverage have inadvertently created worldwide fear and panic. Do we have a world wide equivalent of Roosevelt? I haven’t seen one yet. The current combatants for the head position in the United States government are too tied up in trying to win that race to think about uniting to address this problem and the existing government does not seem to want to act. So where does that leave us?

My suggestion is that we have tools that we can use for ourselves. I am not skilled in using these tools and that is where I need your help – if you are willing. We can turn the wonderful communication tools around and use them to reverse some of the negative perspectives that exist at this time. The internet is a fabulous way to spread positive energy throughout the world. That is what I need help with.

In my life I have met some amazing people. People with incredible power of thought; people with immense skill; people with amazing compassion and a willingness – no compulsion, to reach out and help others; I know you are all out there in my list of contacts. How can we get this message of positive energy out to the world virally?

I do not see any of the regular communication media in a position to do this yet, positive energy does not sell TV or newspapers, it is not dramatic enough, yet. But each and every one of us can start to spread the message of confidence. We can be our own “President Roosevelt.”

Liz

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