This is an extraordinary period for our economy as it is for the rest of the world. Over the past few months, many Bermudians and residents have felt great anxiety about their jobs, finances and their future.

They are worried about keeping their jobs or finding a new one, paying their rent or renting their home or their apartment so that the rent could assist them in meeting mortgage payments and other obligations.

We are, indeed, in the midst of a serious financial crisis with the collapse of the financial markets and long established and previously prestigious financial institutions across the globe. Almost every other day in the last few months, the news media informs us of yet other well-known company around the world that is in trouble.

Some of these companies are domiciled here in Bermuda. Obviously, we, too, feel the financial and social repercussions.

The world's unemployment figures have risen to their highest levels in decades a very short time, which is leading to greater hardships.

This is a radically different financial landscape than we had even four months ago. The severe pace of this financial storm (or crisis) creates, in some people, a dream-like or fictional feeling of "stop the world, we want to get off".

But, as painful as it is, the reality is we can't get off. At times like this, we need to set aside all that divides us and come together and help those in need.

As I walk the streets and talk to people, I have learned firsthand that their anxiety is very real. They feel helpless in knowing what to do. Their expectation is that the leadership of the country should come together and do something to greatly lessen the impact of the world's economic crisis.

The Government should, again, lead the way and bring the best problem solvers together, which should be made up of political leaders, without regard to political affiliations, business leaders and academics. The focus should be on action that helps grow the economy in a sustainable way.

Let us fill the lives of our people, especially our children, with possibility and hope. In spite of the economic crisis of historic proportions, I believe it is still a very hopeful scene.

Despite the economic and social challenges, there are still tremendous opportunities for those who have a positive attitude, a clear focus, well-defined objectives, self-discipline, and a willingness to embrace what is new and different.

We are at the dawn of the digital age. We are seeing the explosion of new technologies. I am convinced that digital technology, together with democratisation of knowledge, will lead to extraordinary possibilities and innovation in a variety of jobs.

The digital age holds great promise for new, different and exciting areas of employment and for better ways of performing routine tasks.

We are living in exponential times. The Blackberry sent its first commercial text message in December 1992. Today the number of text messages sent and received everyday exceeds the total population of the planet. Also, the number of Internet devices in 1984 was approximately 1,000; in 2008 it exceeds 1 billion.

So I am optimistic, not recklessly so, because I am very conscious of the monumental economic and social challenges we all face. These challenges will confront us particularly as individuals and Bermuda in general as much as they will affect the rest of the world.

We need, in my view, a self-empowerment attitude and confidence in order to take advantage of the opportunities in today's integrated and digitised global market, by using the institutions that are available both on the job and in the community.

Our attitude is a big determining factor if we are to soften the effects of this worldwide economic downturn.

The world has dramatically changed in the last few months. In our attempt to cushion or minimise the economic and social hardships, much will depend on our attitude towards what is new and often different.