Well 2008 didn’t quite turn out as anyone had hoped. The sub-prime debt crisis turned into the global financial crisis (or GFC as it’s now called), and in an astonishing turn of events, the economic good times came to a screaming halt. Much of the world is in recession, and those parts that aren’t, will probably slide into recession in 2009.

Though most BLORGE writers are based in the US and our focus is global, I’m based in Sydney, Australia, and until recently Australia was enjoying a strong economy. I remember having a conversation with some colleagues back in May where I said it would be great if the boom lasted at least another two or three years. At the time I was accused of being a pessimist, and one gentleman suggested that we were in the middle of a super boom that could last 20 or 30 years. As it turned out, even I was being wildly optimistic.

Last night as I gathered with my neighbors to watch the fireworks above Sydney Harbour from a local vantage point, I couldn’t help but wonder what 2009 would bring. I suspect I wasn’t the only one in the crowd having the same thoughts.

But as the fireworks started lighting up the night sky above the Sydney Harbour Bridge, transfixing everyone in the crowd, a quiet, and perhaps, unrealistic, optimism came over me.

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato wrote that “necessity is the mother of invention”, which basically means that serious problems encourage creative solutions.

Yes, 2009 will undoubtedly be a year that will test most of us in one way or another. I also recognize that it will be much tougher for some than for others. However, I hope that 2009 is a year when we start being smarter about how we handle the problems facing the world.

I’m optimistic that all of us can contribute, in some small way, towards coming up with innovative and creative solutions for the problems that touch each of our lives. I know this might sound flippant, but even doing something like leaving a thoughtful comment on a blog, could be that “something” that turns a mediocre idea into a world-changing idea.

And when we do finally get through the tough times ahead, let’s pray the world is smarter and wiser for the experience.

All the best to you and your loved ones for 2009.

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Entry was posted on Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 at 7:54 pm under Blogosphere.

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