I am silently watching as the current world events take their course.

It is becoming so clear that we all have been living in an illusionary bubble of gargantuan dimensions – and we are are still deeply entangled in it’s lure. However, it is also becoming clear that all events – those on a global scale, but also those that affect our personal world, are being shaped by what has happened in the past and at the same time what will happen in the future. The present moment is the place everything is happening and it is the place to address the cause, in order to influence the effect.

It is an absolutely fascinating time to be alive and to watch all the different trends, events and dynamics unfolding. To be able to observe with ” a cold eye”, one that is only interested in the truth, but no longer in lies, explanations or even safety, is a great gift. Not only does it lead to a recognition of a spiderweb of untruth to be found on the outside, it also points to a plethora of white lies and little comforting schemes inside.

What we see is the dissolution of the world as we have known it. So many institutions have started to crumble, are falling or have disappeared already. Just take to concepts of time, money and power. Am I the only one to see that time does no longer exist ? Just imagine, something is happening on the other side of the world and within moments I may be aware of it, and what is more – even become a part of it through the possibilities of the internet, social media and the mobile connectedness, we all enjoy today. Time, which has been the ally of the powerful, has simply ceased to exist and no longer provides a hide-out for those that use information to steer the course.

It occurred to me a while ago that also money has ceased to exist. While we are still using this concept for the trading that are necessary for our daily needs – like rent, food, transportation or social responsibilities, it is also becoming clear by the revelations of the universal (mis)practices of the financial system, that more debt has been accrued than wealth. Just think about it – when did you touch real money the last time ? I for myself keep some change to pay for small purchases, but most of the time I pay electronically, using a card or my mobile phone.

We still strongly associate work with money, and related to this we have come to honor productivity, because we link it to survival.  But if you really look at it, you will notice that this has to be a transitional phase. So many people are out of work now, others had to accept substantial reductions in their salaries. With less ” paychecks” in the system, the economy is declining, which in return means less jobs in the traditional areas of production or service.  What is more, those who cannot trade their “paycheck” against the needs of their daily life, are forced to find different means to pay their bills. While some are really hit hard and drifting into poverty, others are learning to get by with what they have and I am observing another culture emerging – one of barter and gifts. Books, household goods, clothes, toys, sports gears, cars – never before can I remember having seen such an amount of cashless deals and gifts. Even where I live – an affluent part of an affluent city, it has become commonplace to have an option between paying cash and some sort of deal. And there are private initiatives abound that are responding to the need of sharing and connecting people. There is Bookcrossing.com that has become a wonderful opportunity to share books and the experience of reading,  Giftflow.com that is connecting those in need with those who have to give. Or take the urban gardening initiatives like Grow NYC,  that help communities to help themselves.

What I see is that not only is money disappearing in it’s physical form, I also see the need for money being reduced – and what is more, I see the value of unpaid services on the rise. It is so important for our society to stop making a distinction between those who hold a job, and may do so in future – and those who contribute by doing what they can – and what they love – to contribute to the community and what is more – also to participate in it. Of course, this is early days, but I see these initiatives blossoming everywhere and the more I read and hear about the dreadful and dire financial situation we are all supposedly suffering from, the more I find indications of people taking things in their own hands.

Lastly I see a real shift in terms of power. While the old structures are still intact and holding up. we have seen many, many instances of ordinary people standing up and assuming power. Sometimes they are driven by sheer desperation – like the protesters in the Middle East, Greece and Spain – but there are also other, more subtle signs: the advent of new journalism intersecting with those witnessing the event and readers at the same time. This makes for a much more accurate, less biased reporting and it becomes the basis for direct influence of government decisions. Over the past few months we have seen many, many times old structures of power and interest being revealed. We watch the government, policymakers and leading institution in action and provided interest and an internet access, all information needed can be found with a few key-strokes. We are connected and we are able to communicate with just about anyone in any corner of this earth. Information is power and this power is at our fingertips, ready to be taken on and inspire our own actions and decisions.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”