Thoughts on Yoga
Positive Trends for 2009 and Beyond
2008-12-30
The biggest positive trend I predict for the coming year is that “Cultural Creatives” will increase in visibility as they guide and assist a society rocked by painful transition. “Cultural Creatives” include thinkers, mystics, artists, iconoclasts, green entrepreneurs, grassroots political organizers, healers, and personal growth coaches/teachers.
Ten more positive trends I predict for 2009 and beyond are:
1: Individuals investing in personal enrichment experiences and self-directed vocational training: As people re-think and re-invent priorities, many will re-discover fulfillment through self-expression. Many people will take advantage of 2009 to delve into ventures and interests that have been on the back burner during the rush to make large incomes. We realize now that there is no such thing as a secure job or career. You might as well make yourself happy doing what you love to do.
2: Pro-active approach to health and wellness: When stress levels rise, health becomes unstable. Heart problems, depression, obesity, diabetes, joint pain, headaches, backaches, ulcers and other illnesses are often preventable. When they are present, quality of life is deeply compromised. This is a call discover personal health triggers and take steps to prevent stress from building up.
3: Experiences trump things: Realizing that financial resources are limited, people will be forced to think critically about buying habits. This is an invitation to acknowledge that fulfillment comes from experiences, not objects. Many will re-allocate time and money from purchasing things to creating memorable experiences.
4: Rediscovering community: finding time for family, friends, animals, and neighbors will become more important. People will realize that we are all dependent on each other for help and support. Offering help to others, cooperation and sharing what we have will be more prevalent.
5: Self-sufficiency: rediscovering the joy of personally providing essentials for oneself and family. The opportunity here is to learn new skills like fixing/repairing things, gardening, raising chickens, making clothing and gifts, cooking/baking, entertaining at home, and camping. Doing-it-yourself will satisfy urges for creativity, security, and frugality.
6: Working to protect the planet: Values of health and sustainability will touch the majority of people this year. Public taste will turn away excessive development, careless waste of energy, and from leisure activities that use a lot of resources and damage the environment.
7: Authentic spiritual connection: The shocking changes in the economy and its unpredictable affect on future will send many seeking a reliable inner resource for peace and security. Those who have a spiritual practice will need to see that it’s truly working in their lives. Others will begin to feel a greater need for something beyond the everyday concerns. Spirituality will have to address the real-world thoughts and feelings of the individual--Does this approach to spirituality give me real inner peace and comfort? Does it give me insight into my own role in my current situation? Does it help me take the actions I need to take? Am I living fully right now, resting in the knowledge that all is well, and my future is bright?
8: Valuing the invisible: Everything we are and everything we want is actually invisible. No one can see our thoughts, feelings dreams. Situations, people and activities that generate love, peace, and connection will be magnets for many who have been feeling alone and overwhelmed. The invitation is to rediscover the primary importance of "good vibrations" in our life.
9: Recognizing the worth in all beings: Becoming disenchanted with celebrities, and millionaire CEO’s whose lives appear above our own, we will begin to see more dignity in those whose lives are like our own. And those who are living daily with deprivation, hardship and deep uncertainty will be deemed worthy of attention and respect. Those who help others will be come to be recognized as the real heroes.
10: Law Of Attraction: Tapping into the power of the subconscious mind to alter our experience and circumstances. Until now, there has been both deep skepticism and naïve fanaticism for this little-understood ability. More and more people will exhaust external strategies and turn within looking for a way to regain control of their lives. They will find it in the power of the conscious and subconscious mind. Learning how to turn off the mental chatter, deeply relax the body, and focus the mind on a single object, they will discover the power to change themselves and their circumstances for the better. The technique of using the subconscious mind to improve health, relationships and finances has been around for thousands of years. Yet it is shrouded in mysticism and hidden from most people. I believe we will see more people learning and teaching this technique, with more open discussion about it in 2009.
Don’t believe the news shows. There is a great deal to be thankful for now and to look forward to in 2009. My sincerest wishes for you and your family to have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.