Well, our live-now-pay-tomorrow, make-believe world of 1.4 trillion
pounds of debt (UK economy alone) could not go on forever. The karmic
chickens of unbridled consumerism are coming home to roost, and are
not likely to go away quickly, or without considerable pain, as the
tremors travel down from remote financial institutions to the
everyday lives of you and I.

To deny the power, pain and inevitability of a "bumping down to
earth" return to economic realities, would be foolish, however the
great yin-yang wisdom of the Tao, tells us that life
is always a 2-sided coin.

With this in mind it is fortuitous that, at a time of great
calamitous awakening, a new 42-day round of the "Go Gratitude"
refocusing of wellbeing is launched today.

Cue Gratitude!
--------------
CHEAL old-timers will recall me drawing your attention to the
first "Go Gratitude" launch in 2005.

An "Attitude of Gratitude" is a spiritual quality that has been
valued and extolled for thousands of years. It seems to be a key
component of inner beauty, personal radiance, personal warmth, inner
strength and contentment.

The post-modern, consumerist, media-dominated, culture we live in
tempts us constantly down the path of self-centredness and
a "Commanding, Demanding & Complaining" attitude, which offer short-
term illusions of self-empowerment but, over time, so easily erode
our peace of mind and quality of life and connectedness.

It is good that we don't passively accept all that life and people
throw at us. It is good that we give clear feedback about our needs,
expectations, wishes and disappointments. Yet how much more potent we
are when we are able to soften our egocentricity and balance the
demands we place on others with SINCERE expressions of appreciation.

The "Credit Crunch" update of Go Gratitude
------------------------------------------
The "Go Gratitude" folks today launch another timely reminder of
the "up" side of life and of our fellow human beings. The new projec
tis called "World Gratitude":

"Gathering as One World United, we co-create a Divine Union. Aligned
with the Heart's calling we embrace the Great Fullness of Life!"
You can find out more here...
http://www.worldgratitude.com
Like all material-world projects, this one of course needs material
world resources, but your involvement can be free - donations are
entirely voluntary...

"We're offering this program on the basis of Appreciation. We believe
so deeply in the benefits of this gathering, we want everyone to be
able to participate, regardless of current financial circumstances."

"We trust in providence, and whole-heartedly believe in the Law of
Gratitude - that what you put out returns to you . . . and even
greater. As so, World Gratitude is a community-supported endeavor,
catalyzing a collective shift from an obligation economy to an
Appreciation Economy."

"What we appreciate, APPRECIATES!"

"Let's grow World Gratitude together!"


Finally, let me offer my appreciation to you, the members of this
CHEAL group, for supporting it, whether it be as a contributor, a
consumer, or just curiously passing-by.

Without you, there would be no point in doing it!

Thanks for being part of CHEAL!

Mike

P.S. don't forget to check out the CHEAL calendar
http://www.cheal.org/cal for lots of great ways to live more
fully in these challenging times!