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James Redfield, in his intriguing book The Twelfth Insight, had one of his lead characters say the
following:
"Iran already has missiles that can completely close the Suez Canal
and the Strait of Hormuz. That's where most of the oil for the West originates.
"When this war gets started, gasoline prices will rise to thirty dollars a
gallon. That alone could cause food shortages and hoarding.
"If China gets
involved, there could be a simultaneous cyber attack on us. Then the lights
could go out.
"What do you think would happen then? No gas, no food in the
stores.
"Hundreds of thousands in the streets, rioting."
I don't believe this will happen.
I am an optimist, and I
think great and positive things are ahead for America and the world.
I don't
think this will happen. But it could.
Many of us read Tom Clancy's novel, written well before
9/11, where there was a major attack on American soil, citizens and the
government--carried out by "terrorists" overtaking a commuter jet and flying it
into the U.S. Capitol building.
It didn't happen exactly that way in real life,
but it was close.
Strauss and Howe predicted something very similar in their
book The Fourth Turning--also written
before 9/11.
Reality didn't happen exactly as these authors wrote it, but it
was alarmingly close.
I don't know what our crises will be, but every generation
faces its share of challenges and we are likely not immune to the difficulties
of life.
I believe that how we deal with whatever challenges come will depend
more on the common sense, quiet wisdom, initiative, ingenuity, resiliency and
grit of the regular people than on experts and government officials.
We live in
extraordinary times, and we need to increase our optimism and our strength--as
individuals, families and communities.
Whatever could
happen, history is clear that some challenges will happen.
Let's prepare for whatever is ahead by drastically and
solidly upping our optimism, resiliency and willingness to serve.
Let's be
realistic: We are up to any challenge that may come.
Let's face the potential of major world or national
crises with the same infectious optimism that would be needed in the midst of
drastic difficulties.
That's leadership--and it's time for each of us to fully
embrace it.
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Social Leader Daily by Oliver DeMille
