“Being conscious is not a new thought. It has been part of humankind since the beginning. It is the practicing of consciousness that is challenging for us. Just look at the state of our worldly affairs.” Anonymous
COVID-19 has reeked devastation on human life and created great economic turmoil around the world. The hardships that people, businesses, and governments have faced during this pandemic will last for a long time. Undoubtedly, we have entered a new global paradigm. COVID-19 is going to change the way we live our lives, conduct international trade, and govern our countries in the future. It is a sobering wake-up call.
Our current situation (which is not over yet) has shed light on global consumer spending, business trade, and public health. We are realizing on a global scale just how high the stakes are for everybody. Now, we know that any decision, personal, business, or health-wise we make, can have major ramifications for everyone when problems like COVID-19 arise.
Now, more than ever, we need to make some serious choices. If we do not choose consciously then shame on all us. Humankind can no longer afford what is currently taking place. We must consider alternative ways of living, how we conduct international trade, and maintain public health. Economies are no longer sustainable with current international business models. People’s health and livelihoods do matter. Cooperation between countries is critical. I believe the survival of our species will depend on the choices we make from here on out.
We might ask ourselves if we can do anything to significantly transform our current situation or are there any solutions to this global turmoil? On the surface, the answers may seem complex and unreasonable, yet, they are not impossible. It will take a tremendous effort on the part of all concerned parties. It is time. We must consciously reevaluate how we live our lives AND how we conduct business with each other and between countries. We must change our consciousness, go higher and re-tool if necessary. COVID-19 reveals it is. For some, it will be a painful re-calibration process. For others, it will be simpler.
Here are some suggestions for us to contemplate:
1) For clients, customers (consumers): Seek and patronize businesses, individuals, and organizations that adhere to, exemplify, and perform ‘higher consciousness’ practices.
2) For business decision-makers: Engage and transact business with other companies, some in other countries, that align with similar ‘higher consciousness’ virtues.
3) For global citizens: Support leaders who embrace the greater good and live by ‘higher consciousness’ beliefs.
4) For world leaders: If you are motivated by something other than the greater good of the people you govern, then transform your ways of thinking. The people of the planet deserve such ‘higher consciousness’ governance.
I will close with a line from a well-known song, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” With extreme gratitude, thank you John Lennon for your inspiring lyric. “Imagine” gave me some serious ‘food for conscious-thought’ moments. I am still a dreamer. Only this time, I have a lot more to think about…like for now, just getting through the current pandemic. Stay safe and be well and Godspeed.
11 recommended ‘food for conscious-thought’ books:
“The Power of Awareness” (1952) by Neville Goddard
“The Book of Awakening: The Life You want by being Present to the Life You Have” (2000) by Mark Nepo
“Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness” (1996) by Bhakti Tirtha Swami
“Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior” (1984) by Chogyam Trungpa
“Conscious Millionaire: Grow Your Business by Making a Difference” (2014) by J.V. Crum, III
“Quantum Leadership: New Consciousness in Business” (2019) by Christopher Laszlo and Frederick Chavalit Tsao
“The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” (2019) by Joseph Murphy
“Be Here Now” (1971) by Ram Dass
“The Unbound Soul: A Spiritual Memoir for Personal Transformation and Enlightenment” (2017) by Richard L. Haight
“Free Will or Won’t…Are We in Charge of Our Lives or Not?” (2019) by Geoff Canham
“Cosmic Consciousness: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements” (1951) by Eric Hoffer