Things are Better than You Think

[Koolau]

I read the news, and shudder thinking what if it were me in the news. Now, I have been through some hardship in life, but at this old age, I just want some peace and quiet before I croak.

Watching local news lately, I'm glad I never watched local news back when I was a tourist in the Islands. I never would have moved here. So much of the really bad stuff is centered around activities that I've never been involved in and am very unlikely to ever be affected by (except through my taxes.)

The one thing that has surprised me most is the apparent level of local corruption. I've simply not been prepared for that. So I try to keep focused on the amazing beauty I am privileged to see every day, the ability to skip the weather report most days, the smiling faces I encounter every time I go out and the sense of well-being that the climate imparts on most folks here. It really is Paradise. Still, it has people and they will occasionally disappoint. YMMV

 

[NW-Bound]

... So much of the really bad stuff is centered around activities that I've never been involved in and am very unlikely to ever be affected by (except through my taxes.)...

It pays to know about the bad stuff and associated activities to stay away from them.

I don't want to go through life being oblivious of what's happening even if it does not directly affect me now, because it may later.

 

[CaptTom]

I don't want to go through life being oblivious of what's happening even if it does not directly affect me now, because it may later.

So very true! Freedom isn't free, and we all need to stay involved, protect it and maybe even fight for it, or we lose it.

But that doesn't mean we need to dwell on the histrionics that the click-bait media spin up. Know the facts, call out injustice and dishonesty when we see it, and vote our conscience, not our party.

Then appreciate all we have.

 

[Markola]

^^^^ That is the challenge, isn’t it? I’d describe the goal as monitoring how to stay informed without letting the left or right Angertainment industry infect the peace of your one brief life too much. I once knew an older guy who was as joyful as they come. One time I complained to him about some political news and he responded, “And you can’t do a damn thing about it.” It took me back but I try to remember that comment when I feel the cortisol saturation happening while scanning my online news, and I stay the heck away from cable. We don’t even have it.

 

[Fermion]

I don't want to go through life being oblivious of what's happening even if it does not directly affect me now, because it may later.

There was some famous quote about that...one sec.

Ah, here it is:

"First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me"

 

[Koolau]

It pays to know about the bad stuff and associated activities to stay away from them.

I don't want to go through life being oblivious of what's happening even if it does not directly affect me now, because it may later.

Yes, in our case (and I would assume most people) the "bad stuff" happens in certain places. By now, we know where those places are and avoid them. Also, my gut is pretty effective in warning of danger.

 

[eytonxav]

Keep 'em...life is so much better now.

When Murrow was on the air a middle-class family would be lucky to have one (change the oil every month or you throw a rod) vehicle.

And it would almost certainly be a sedan, not something as versatile as a SUV.

Small homes like something out of "A Christmas Story" were the norm.

At best you'd have a balky coal furnace as in that movie as well, not instant heat as with my gas furnace, not to mention central A/C.

If you wanted to cool off back then you had to head to your town's one movie theater...hope you like at least one of the two movies playing.

Is it really? Back then I would say, life was simpler and we were happy and grateful for everything we had. You seem to be referring to how technological progress has made things better, but from my perspective there is a much greater amount of discontent and division in our country present day compared to those earlier times. The political parties would largely work together back then to make things better for everyone vs the propaganda, division, corruption and do anything to remain in power that we have today. News was also more balanced and not obviously pushing a biased narrative. Now we are lucky when the news spends 30 sec of their broadcast with a feel good story.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks for the interesting discussion.