For every shadow there must be light

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For every shadow there must be light

Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff coined the slogan “For every light that shines, a shadow falls” as part of his audio drama, Shadow Falls. The reverse is true and worth thinking about. For every shadow, there must be light, else it’d be pure darkness.

This past year was a tumultuous year. Next year promises even more change, some chaos, and economic harbingers that are less than comforting. That said, the coming year can also be the very best year you’ve ever had. We’ve talked about it recently on an episode of Marketing Over Coffee, and I’ve talked about other advance preparations on the Financial Aid Podcast.

Ultimately, when times are bad, when things get ugly, you have three basic choices:

1. Do nothing and hope that the river of life doesn’t send you over a waterfall.

2. Deny that anything’s wrong in the hope that your delusions will become truth.

3. Take positive action to prepare others and yourself for trouble and find ways to leverage the troubling times.

I’m shooting for camp 3. I’ve outlined the dangers ahead – with 3 trillion –5 trillion possibly at severe risk (bear in mind we are an economy of roughly $14 trillion), you have to prepare for rough times. Cash is king, debt is your enemy, liquidity is an advantage, tied-up assets are not. Mobility is important, as is network reach. Always have a backup plan.

You can also be a source of inspiration and power in your community, whether offline or online.

Now is the time to step up your community involvement if possible. Get out there, be visible, be involved. Have involvement with as many people as possible – as Mitch Joel says, DO talk to strangers, because the ninja method advocates having as many people in your network as possible so you can get different perspectives, have your ear to the ground, and see things coming from very far away.

Be on top of changes – know what’s changing, know who brings the harbingers of change. Subscribe to lots of blogs and read the best quality ones voraciously, because when winds shift, you want to be in front of the change, catching the wind and sailing past danger.

Grow and develop your sphere of personal power. In your community of friends, do you know what their superpowers are? How can they complement you, and more importantly, how can you complement them?

The ninja of old were renowned for their seemingly supernatural powers, chief among them the ability to foretell the future. Most of that wasn’t supernatural – it was having a strong network. You have access to a network that the ninja grandmasters of old would have traded their right arms for – a global, decentralized, instant information network. What does it tell you – and if it isn’t telling you what you need to know to avoid danger and embrace prosperity, how can you change your network to fulfill that function?

For every shadow there must be light.

Are you ready to shine?

Side bar: The Chinese word for crisis, weiji, does not mean “danger and opportunity”. Kennedy screwed that one up, that cliche about the word for crisis meaning danger and opportunity. Weiji means danger and a crucial point. It’s more like the point at which you’re in a barrel approaching the waterfall’s edge. You’re just about to go over. You don’t think about trying to go fishing for opportunity – your goal is not to die.


Comments

8 responses to “For every shadow there must be light”

  1. Although it’s going to be a tough year, I feel as though I’m somewhat more prepared than many of my peers. I consume content about technology news, and economics, like the Financial Aid Podcast and Marketing Over Coffee. I learn from the content, and hope it pushes me in a better direction in life. At the same time, people are watching TV more hours a day than before.

    I don’t really have a point with this comment. I just feel fortunate that on the Internet today, I can choose to consume content *beneficial* to my daily living, rather than *harmful*.

  2. Although it’s going to be a tough year, I feel as though I’m somewhat more prepared than many of my peers. I consume content about technology news, and economics, like the Financial Aid Podcast and Marketing Over Coffee. I learn from the content, and hope it pushes me in a better direction in life. At the same time, people are watching TV more hours a day than before.

    I don’t really have a point with this comment. I just feel fortunate that on the Internet today, I can choose to consume content *beneficial* to my daily living, rather than *harmful*.

  3. Chris, the skill to be able to see like the ninja is the key. It’s the reach of the network that provides the information that causes you to eliminate debt, focus on cash, become mobile and have that back up plan.

    The second thing you mentioned that stood out was “liquidity is an advantage.” While I understand the reference was to money matters, the ability to live “liquid” is a must when times are uncertain. The ability to adapt to any situation that presents itself. Movement (or mobility) and adaption is the key.

    Thanks for being in front of change! Great post!

    David Finch

  4. Chris, the skill to be able to see like the ninja is the key. It’s the reach of the network that provides the information that causes you to eliminate debt, focus on cash, become mobile and have that back up plan.

    The second thing you mentioned that stood out was “liquidity is an advantage.” While I understand the reference was to money matters, the ability to live “liquid” is a must when times are uncertain. The ability to adapt to any situation that presents itself. Movement (or mobility) and adaption is the key.

    Thanks for being in front of change! Great post!

    David Finch

  5. Excellent post. Those that don’t lead have no idea how lonely and sometimes scary it can be take positive action in the face of the rest of the crowd just not knowing, yet, that you are right. To all the Christopher’s of the world, be brave as long as you can. Everyone is welcome to join me in camp 3, but you have to bring the marshmallows.

  6. Excellent post. Those that don’t lead have no idea how lonely and sometimes scary it can be take positive action in the face of the rest of the crowd just not knowing, yet, that you are right. To all the Christopher’s of the world, be brave as long as you can. Everyone is welcome to join me in camp 3, but you have to bring the marshmallows.

  7. Awesome post. One of my favourite maxims from my self-defense coach, Tony Blauer, was: “those who hesitate will meditate horizontally.”

    In a time of crisis, action is always better than in-action.

    A positive mental attitude with focus in the sharpest weapon.

  8. Awesome post. One of my favourite maxims from my self-defense coach, Tony Blauer, was: “those who hesitate will meditate horizontally.”

    In a time of crisis, action is always better than in-action.

    A positive mental attitude with focus in the sharpest weapon.

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