Taking time out for some R&R
OPINION: Quite recently I had an interesting chat with one of our local business owners. They run a garage and vehicle service centre in town.
What do they see up ahead for us this year?
For me, those with personal experience in the field they are referencing, plus a good reliable track record with forecasts and predictions, will get my attention a whole lot quicker. There is always plenty of empty chatter out there!
Personally, in cowboyspeak, I think we are in for quite a rough ride. So, I think I’ll check to see my saddle is cinched up tight.
The finance gurus seem to have some rather bleak predictions, just for starters. Interest rates have already caused serious heartache. Seems like there is more to come for ’23. It looks like businesses, homeowners, and indeed farmers have some stiff headwinds ahead.
I know the weather guys do their best with something that can be rather fickle at times – I get that. It is a little bemusing though when they struggle to get next week right yet expect us to believe they know exactly where we will be in 20 years’ time! Or they know what was happening with pin-point accuracy some 10,000 years ago!
Politics is probably the easiest of all fields to make predictions about. That’s right! After all, politicians have, in survey after survey, consistently come in at the bottom of the list when it comes to those people we most trust. I don’t see any signs on the horizon of that changing any time soon.
Yep, 2023 will bring us more of the same!
Leaders who are perceived to have passed their ‘use by date’ will be discreetly toppled from within – or take the better public image option and resign.
While I’m here on this subject, I’ll add in a couple of my favourite quotes for you: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help!’” – 40th US president, Ronald Reagan. Great wit to be sure, but also much truth in those nine words.
This second quote is from yesteryear, when there were politicians who were people of integrity and even statesmen; “When the government fears the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny."
Yep, when any government serves up fear to ‘we the people’ it is never a good thing. Liberties will be lost.
And before I move on… why would anyone trust the very ones that created the mess to now be the ones to fix it? Hmmmm! Keep that in mind come election time!
Now, when it comes to white-knuckle, whitewater times up ahead, it makes a huge difference who you have on your team. Facing stuff with a good team around you is always better than wading through it alone.
When the flak starts flying, having the right people with you in your ‘foxhole’ makes all the difference in the world. I have witnessed the proof of that so many times through the years.
I still recall being instructed as a child: “A burden shared is a burden halved.” Certainly, that’s true – as long as you choose wisely the person you share it with!
For this year I’d like to suggest you look after the team you have around you, your family and good friends especially. Keep those relationships in good repair. They will be key as we navigate the year ahead.
And yes, there is always a ‘Friend like no other’ standing by to help if requested.
My sincere best wishes to you for ’23.
To contact Colin Miller: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
