Chinese New Year (A Not So Happy Time For Most)

This year (2009) is going to turn out to be a really tough one.

In China:
Hardest-hit have been areas that depend on exports, which fell 2.8 percent in December compared with 2007. This is a painful decline from double-digit growth earlier in 2008. Thousands of factories in the southeast that made toys, shoes and other goods for export have closed, and the now-jobless migrants employed by these industries have returned to their villages without annual bonuses to pay for New Year gifts and festivities.

Independent economists expect China's growth rate to fall this year as low as 5 percent, down from an estimated 9 percent last year and 13 percent in 2007.

So what are Asians looking for in the year of the Ox?

Everyone is hopeful that by working hard we can all get through this.

Historically:
Those born under the influence of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task or an objective. As we used this great creature long ago to plow the soil day after day, so do Ox people labor through their daily responsibilities either at work or at home without complaint or gripe. Oxen know they will succeed through hard work and sustained effort and find no truth or benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes.

For Americans/Europeans:
This will need to be "the" theme as well. We need to change our ways and our spending habits. Unlike most blogs out there that tell us to completely stop spending (this will only force us down several notches), we should focus our spending habits so that we make wise and progressive purchases that bring quality, rewards and relationships. 11 Steps to Smart Spending with critical rewards are going to be important. Everyone wants to make headway in life but what is moving ahead? I foresee food, toys, product safety, effectiveness, earth friendly and kind approaches to be the real re-focusing that consumers should be supporting. Why support businesses that won't support your loyalty?

Back in the 1950s-60s, Asians were more than willing to take on projects and work as long as it paid for food and housing. These times are returning in many ways for Asians and they will always be willing to work hard and in community to pullout of the global turmoil. However, unless global spending is shifted and maintained, this is going to be one very drawn out recovery. The entire thing is created by human greed and yet we have a growing climate change crisis ahead of us.

Living together in tough times and some predictions:
Globally, there will be increased threats of arguments and war. Anytime you've got hardships and shortages of resources, you will start to have disagreements and the desire to pillage or take from others. This level of aggression has always been a historical problem and we'll see if this takes another form in 2009 Year of the Ox.

Catalyst for increased tensions:
Climate changes creating powershortages, oil producing countries without the capital to buy food, increased Middle East tensions, famines and greater disparities in assets etc. Just take a look in Dubai and their idea of success translating to hotel costs at Burj Al Arab. At over 1000 USD/night as a minimum charge, if customers don't start flowing in, this will start adding to the bottomline tensions. It is sad and unfortunately a real problem. Revolutions/riots and selling of highgrade weaponry will be increasing everywhere.

United States spending:
With a potential of 1+ trillion in US debt and a growing rate of foreclosures, the days of the corporate middleclass is over. With hospitals deep in the red ink and growing cases of nosocomial infections, being a physician poses greater risk than even nurses. For nursing, the costs of education vs. the economic system is still affordable. For medical doctors, it is now considered to be downright risky. If the medical system were to be overhauled, the tuition costs would leave most graduating physicians from middle class backgrounds deep in the red.

And the public needs to ask, how will my doctor who has all these loans treat me?

Rude Awakening:
Is this bad dream going to be over soon?

Answer: No, it is just the beginning. Welcome to what human greed can create and what history will always remember as the Dark Ages 2.0.

Solution:
Stick together. Know your relationships. Community and cooperatives will be critical. Small groupees will need to take care of one another. These are times when you really need to be careful about your food sourcing and information. Protect your loved ones by aligning yourself with others who are like minded.

A Soothing Song for the Times:
Amazing Grace by John Newton (1725-1807) (Elvis); (Il Divo); (Nana Mouskouri); (Leann Rimes)

Lyrics:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me.I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus farand Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,And mortal life shall cease,I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand yearsBright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.