Politics and the art of happiness

[bill718]

THOUGHTS FROM AN INDEPENDENT

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

Cases in point: 2 guys from my generation (baby boomers) have led generally happy lives because they do what they love. One is a Chiropractor (one of my medical billing clients) the other is a professional chess player, and the captain of the American chess team in the last 4 Olympiads. One Conservative, One Liberal. Both of whom I'm proud to call my friends. They watch a little news everyday and vote every 2 years, but steer clear of political discussions, and instead focus instead on their life's work.

As Steve Jobs once said: Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work, is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

 

[Mac1958]

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

It does seem as though when people succumb to a political ideology, they become consumed by it. And it certainly seems to sap joy out of their lives and replace it with hate and anger.

 

[Dekster]

THOUGHTS FROM AN INDEPENDENT

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

Cases in point: 2 guys from my generation (baby boomers) have led generally happy lives because they do what they love. One is a Chiropractor (one of my medical billing clients) the other is a professional chess player, and the captain of the American chess team in the last 4 Olympiads. One Conservative, One Liberal. Both of whom I'm proud to call my friends. They watch a little news everyday and vote every 2 years, but steer clear of political discussions, and instead focus instead on their life's work.

As Steve Jobs once said: Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work, is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

Steve jobs died a miserable death from cancer. I am not sure his advice about happiness worked out for him.

 

[Ricky LIbtardo]

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

It does seem as though when people succumb to a political ideology, they become consumed by it. And it certainly seems to sap joy out of their lives and replace it with hate and anger.

You described the Democrat party perfectly. Republicans don't "succumb" to Socialistic group think and class war. Conservatives are much happier as they don't waste time trying to vilify the successful, they see the success of others as inspiration.

 

[Mac1958]

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

It does seem as though when people succumb to a political ideology, they become consumed by it. And it certainly seems to sap joy out of their lives and replace it with hate and anger.

You described the Democrat party perfectly. Republicans don't "succumb" to Socialistic group think and class war. Conservatives are much happier as they don't waste time trying to vilify the successful, they see the success of others as inspiration.

One of the primary symptoms of succumbing to an ideology is selective myopia, only seeing good in one's tribe and only the bad in the other tribe.

Another, and usually a byproduct of the first symptom, is an abject refusal hold one's own tribe accountable.

 

[harmonica]

...Mama says happiness is magic rays of sunshine that come down when you are feeling blue

 

[Ricky LIbtardo]

As an older guy, I'd like to share some advice about being happier, and it is this: Don't dwell too heavily on politics.

It does seem as though when people succumb to a political ideology, they become consumed by it. And it certainly seems to sap joy out of their lives and replace it with hate and anger.

You described the Democrat party perfectly. Republicans don't "succumb" to Socialistic group think and class war. Conservatives are much happier as they don't waste time trying to vilify the successful, they see the success of others as inspiration.

One of the primary symptoms of succumbing to an ideology is selective myopia, only seeing good in one's tribe and only the bad in the other tribe.

Another, and usually a byproduct of the first symptom, is an abject refusal hold one's own tribe accountable.

Go ahead, mac, show the class a post where you're holding your Socialist tribe accountable.

 

[Mac1958]

Go ahead, mac, show the class a post where you're holding your Socialist tribe accountable.

Thanks for asking!

Just pop over to the Search engine, and type in "regressive" and my name. Here's what you'll find - zillions of posts of me squabbling with Regressive Lefties here: Search results for query: regressive

Oops! I'll bet you thought you "had" me there, huh slugger?

 

[Ricky LIbtardo]

Go ahead, mac, show the class a post where you're holding your Socialist tribe accountable.

Thanks for asking!

Just pop over to the Search engine, and type in "regressive" and my name. Here's what you'll find - zillions of posts of me squabbling with Regressive Lefties here: Search results for query: regressive

Oops! I'll bet you thought you "had" me there, huh slugger?

no, I could care less. It doesn't change a thing in my statement. We both know what I said was true, Socialists are the ones filled with hate and envy, Conservatives are the ones looking at the glass half full.

 

[Mac1958]

Go ahead, mac, show the class a post where you're holding your Socialist tribe accountable.

Thanks for asking!

Just pop over to the Search engine, and type in "regressive" and my name. Here's what you'll find - zillions of posts of me squabbling with Regressive Lefties here: Search results for query: regressive

Oops! I'll bet you thought you "had" me there, huh slugger?

no, I could care less. It doesn't change a thing in my statement. We both know what I said was true, Socialists are the ones filled with hate and envy, Conservatives are the ones looking at the glass half full.

From your hardcore right wing perspective, I'm sure that's reality.

Personally, I see myriad similar behaviors being sprayed from both ends.