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A patriotic tale.

This one starts with a lesson from abroad. I wonder if we’re going about this the wrong way… responding to the economic crisis, that is.

Charlemagne (big man on a horse, ruled most of Western Europe 1200 years ago) recognized that while rivers often serve as borders or boundaries it is mountains that separate people more effectively. This has much to do with vision. Many alpine communities, parts of Switzerland are a good example, functioned in relative isolation for many years and developed different cultures and dialects from the people in the next valley until modern forms of communication arrived.

The economic crisis has effectively locked us into a virtual valley culture influenced by the only information, apparently, available to us. That information is largely one-sided and even if much of it is factual the associated ripples of discussion, opinion, speculation and gossip grow from and reflect the general tone of the centre which is that things are bad. Until someone climbs over the mountain and brings news from the next valley nothing is likely to change. The good news is that this valley we’re in is only ‘virtual’, it’s not real. We are in the modern era and we do have many forms of communication which can enable us to discover and see things for ourselves and decide if we want to fall in with the prevailing tone or challenge it, adopt a more positive attitude and look for more favourable solutions. More good news is that we have history to learn from and be emboldened and inspired by. Look at what this country has stood up against and overcome in the last century.

In two world wars and particularly the second Great Britain was under the severest of military threats but it did not give in and it did not fall. Yes, huge amounts of money and troops from the USA and elsewhere ensured an allied victory but the people of Great Britain stood up to be counted in an amazing demonstration of courage, determination and also creativity. From the diversity of the Dunkirk flotilla to the contribution of the women-folk in the factories to the resourcefulness of wartime engineers, and the unwavering leadership of Winston Churchill, this nation showed incredible spirit, unity and backbone.

Going a little further back we resisted invasion from France and, further back still, Spain. As a ‘modern’ nation we’ve never been invaded. The indomitable spirit of our ancestors is still alive even if temporarily obscured by a few clouds of pessimism and fear at the moment.

We should never forget, we are a nation of thinkers, inventors, explorers, entrepreneurs and stout defenders!

We do not have to have our lives determined by failing institutions, uncertain politicians and a shallow sound-byte media piling up bad news. There are millions of us with all sorts of resources, capabilities and histories of success and professionalism in business, education, medicine, sports and many other fields. Do we really have to buy into the fear and just batten down the hatches for the next few years till we’re told that we’ve been rescued? I don’t think so.

Adversity can crush but history is full of evidence showing that it also unites. Modern forms of communication make uniting and co-operating easier. This puts some powerful forces into our hands to spread good news when we hear it or to pool resources.

Here are some facts to consider in relation to property (a sector that the media were quick to write off as finished):

This is not an unhealthy situation. There are still ways for your money to work very profitably for you.

Co-operative projects like the Ant Fund pool resources, however small, into a powerful force.

Shared initiatives like FFPLite provide a regular monthly return as well as the benefit of longer term growth.

BOTH GIVE EXCELLENT RETURNS and they’re run by people you can talk to and even come and visit if you wish. Get in touch and get started.