The Ides of March + 1, Friday 13th + 3

Well, two traditionally "unlucky" days have passed, and I hope you came through unscathed. Although March 15th was a very unfortunate day for Julius Ceasar, it did fall on a Sunday this year, and very few of us can argue that this "day-of-rest" does not give us a respite as we contemplate the week ahead.

Remember, also, that the Romans used the Ides of March date to mark the official beginning of Spring - a time of renewal and hope. Although the winter is still not officially over by today's standards of seasonal measure, the warming temperatures and singing birds give us a brighter outlook.

For those of you who missed Fed Chmn. Ben Bernancke's interview on 60 Minutes last night, I have included the link here. While he certainly sounded a note of optimism that a depression has been averted, and the recession should end this year and recovery should begin next year, he did caution that this all depends on the stabilization of the banking system. As I have stated in earlier posts, our addiction to the debt drug peddled to us by his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, and the creation of the Fractional Reserve Banking system in the early part of the last century, is just now beginning to collateralize into other areas of our economy and beyond. Click here for a viewpoint by Jacki Zehner, and here for a link to the original oped piece.

I believe the next few months will be critical in determining the course and speed with which we navigate through these troubling economic times. The important thing to remember is that fear and anxiety only complicate the situation and like the superstition of Friday the 13th, most of what will happen to us should not be influenced by past belief, but rather on our willingness and ability to create our own future.

Please take time today to review your Social Biography, and begin laying out the chapters that lie ahead. If we all do this, we will bring about meaningful change, and create a better world for every one.

Until next post, continue to believe, achieve, receive. SDG - JBHIV