Luck is kind of funny. I believe in things like karma, hope, and positive thinking. Today it’s a hot topic because of 8-8-08, and it’s significance in Chinese culture. I’m here to tell you, we all need some good vibes. Not necessarily me or my company – but all of us, as Americans – and globally.
I hope there is a message of peace and progress that comes out of the Olympic Games, starting today in China. I hope there is a turnaround in Americans esteem. The current US fear-based government has polarized the country and sucked the momentum and esteem out of itself. The “charge them first, deliver later” philosophy along with poor work ethics and big business tax breaks are sucking the life out of the diversity of American Small Business.
People think it’s about oil, but it’s a bigger shift in perspective than that in my opinion. Of course it is terrible that American families are now being forced to budget $25-30K annually for gas, and it’s driving the cost of everything up from groceries to utilities. America is going to have to learn to live with the fact that we’ve got company. Our ego is bruised – and it kind of needs to be. China, Japan, India, Russia and the U.K. are viable economic powerhouses NOW, not later. American businesses will need to innovate, and lose the naiveté if we’re going to compete. Think about the concept of NEXT, not simply keeping up with the company across the street.
Then there is the issue of the War in Iraq & Afghanistan, which I hope is over soon. The lost lives of our military seem pretty pointless in today’s context. Our nation has bigger fish to fry, so to speak, at home. I hope the US is done picking fights for a while.
Our environment is another issue to be hopeful about. We could use some good fortune in turning the Chinese on to a cleaner living. It’s been said that everything Americans do to help globally is counteracted by China 4 times the amount. Pretty bleak statement.
So, like I said: I’m hopeful that 8-8-08 can bring us all some good fortune. We sure could use it.
