Honesty: Does anybody else feel demotivated with life due to the state of society or the world?

originally posted by: FyreByrd
a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14

In your mid-thirties or thereabouts? Tends to be the most materialistic point during life and it requires a choice.

You can't change the world, only your perception of it.

The wolf you feed (by your attention) is the one that wins.

Then there was the buddhist monk, a wandering saddhu type, traveling the world barefoot and trusting to the goodness of others for food and shelter. His feet hurt.

The monk found a piece of leather, stepped on it and sighed in relief. Enlightenment, if I walk on leather - my feet won't hurt any more.

He proceed to seek leather and place it where ever he walk, he became obsessed with finding and walking on leather. He stopped seek food and shelter, even the simple company of others. He was now lonely, hungry and cold and so very tired of "the world" so he sat down, he couldn't go on.

True enlightenmnet came. The monk laughed and took up the leather and fashioned leather sandles and began his journey in comfort and joy.

You're on scheule, keep your feet pointed forward and do the right thing regardless of outcome.

The only thing that you get to take with you, into the 'afterlife', is your state of mind.

I like this post. A very yogic or Buddhist perspective.

I do, however, think that change is possible. It has happened before and will again. The question is how is the best way to make that happen. I think spirituality and recognition of "maya" or the illusory nature of life is important. However, I don't think we should think nothing can be changed. This can cause us to be irresponsible. Like when you have powerful corporate or government leaders failing to use their power for good with any number of topics.

This is a reason I like the Serenity Prayer: "Grant me the serenity, to accept things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." It's actually profound and covers a lot of things in life.

a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14

To thine own self be true.

It could be easy to get negative about the way things are. There's not much that the little man can do now, the divide has gotten so great between the haves and the have nots. Life is great when it's simple. Keep a sharp eye on what's going on in the world, as much as possible, and spend the rest of your time living life. Life is too short to be caught up in what's not right. Searching and learning about things more eternal than this life brings me happiness. Spread a little happiness by smiling. That's a good place to start. Radiate positivity. Laugh. Be in the present moment. Reach out to those less fortunate, empathize with the ones who can't see, or maybe don't have legs to walk, or may be on their last breath in an ICU somewhere at this very moment. The closer you get to death the more you realize what is really important in life.

Yes all I can say. I think about the state of the world and the deception and manipulation and feel helpless and hopeless.

What you are feeling is part of the process after taking the red pill.

Eventually you get over the shock. Until then, what you as shared(thanks for that help for people!) others are doing with helping communities. You are on the right track with that so far. Try to do the best you can whether if it's just something small(helping out, inform people of concerns), etc., or fighting against something bigger(net users coming together to thwart invasive internet legislation). At this point it will take more people to "change" anything.

a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14

The economies and societies are so complex it is hard to figure how they survive, based on deceit at all levels. People wonder why others cannot see what is really going on. If it's not broken don't fix it comes to mind. Most economies eventually crumble for multiple reasons. Most crumble because the members of societies do not want to do physical work anymore. This physical work, creating things that the society really needs, stabilizes the economy and this stabilizes society.

When you export the jobs making essentials and replace these jobs with consumer based jobs the society gets susceptible to a quick downturn. This kind of consumer based society has not worked on a country wide basis for big nations anywhere in the world before. A small country like England with many provinces will succeed but only on the mainland. Even there the people need to be working. The United States is way too big for this to work. Economists know this, but Society ignores these economists who look at historic data.

I see a dangerous situation on the horizon, one which will escalate to a major war again. It seems that people have been led to believe that war boosts the economy, something that was true in the past but that was because it boosted the jobs created by the needs of the military. Now, Military contractors use a lot of automation and do not supply many jobs to the regular people, just some high paying jobs to specialists in their field. So war won't work anymore. Destroying things so they need to be rebuilt is not a wise way to create jobs. The only reason the economy is doing as well as it is seems to be because of natural disasters lately, insurance pays for the rebuilding of structures. What if the weather gets nicer?

Good thread by the way.

It really is disheartening when you get a glimpse into reality and actually see the severe levels of poverty and injustice that plague the world. But as many have said already, it's a matter of letting that knowledge/awareness drag you down/make you feel depressed, or using it as a motivator and a purpose.

I can relate because I work in the non-profit sector, and some of the people we see are so down and out on their luck. And there are always just such a high volume of them, we are only able to truly help a small fraction. Sometimes you build a personal connection with these community members and still are not able to find them assistance, that's one of the most discouraging things ever. What do you say? There isn't much you can say except that you are sorry and you are doing everything you can.

But at the end of the day I know I'm doing what I can and I'm making SOME kind of difference, even if it is seemingly small. Little by little, I know I am making a difference.

Your post really resonated with me because of your background, your schooling, and the perspective you wrote from. Thank you for sharing Quetzalcoatl. Keep the faith and keep making a difference. The world is a better place because of you.

FamCore


a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14

Nope. Life is what you make it. You can chose to be negative, or positive in life, especially when it comes to politics. Most of the people I know who are heavily in to politics or identifying with a specific political affiliation seem to be miserable all the time. Why would anyone want to live like that?

There are plenty of things in life that can get you down on occasion, but you have to learn to address them and let it go. If the state of politics or government is eating at you to the point of being "demotivated" or depressed, take a step back, enjoy some down time, and take inventory of the good in your personal life.

A time out isn't a bad thing, from time to time.

I know exactly what you mean.
I some times wish I could be evil and hartless to.
so I would not sufer and feel so sad.

why dont the Aliens take all the good people to a new world.
if you turn out evil they bring you back.
I only wish....

or beter yet clean up Earth and take the evil ones away.

originally posted by: olaru12

originally posted by: Quetzalcoatl14

originally posted by: whyamIhere
It's just a cycle...

When we get some new leadership. Proud Americans,not wimps.

Things will change. For now, unplug, kick back and turn off the devices.

ATS has required breaks for many of us. It all gets to be too much.

It will all pass...Hang in there. We need you.

Good leadership would help.

But what if my contention is true that to get into office now days you might have to be corrupt?

What is the solution then?

There is no solution except for collapse of the system, then rebuild. Leaders aren't voted into office anymore, they are selected by the corporate elite that are the true puppet masters, powerful and hidden. In a Capitalistic society, everything is kicked to the curb except for profits and greed, which leads to pervasive corruption, manipulation, and ultimate slavery for the proletariat.

Bread and circus time amigo....bring in the clowns!

Um, do you have any idea what "collapse" would mean? It would mean lawlessness, starvation, and marauding gangs of slavers. It would mean watching people die from simple medical emergencies. As bad as things are, what we have now is waaay better than a collapse situation.

Solution when the top is all corrupt?

Build your own top, from the bottom up.

www.sunfell.com...

originally posted by: hoonsince89
I gave up.
Just waiting for it to burn to the ground, then i will take action to rebuild.
There's no point fighting, you cant win, just be a good example, enjoy yourself for the time being, and let it fall on its own.

It's not about winning, it's about doing the right thing ESPECIALLY when you can't win.

See "Don Quixote", "Santiago" by Mike Resnick, hell Joss Whedons "Serenity".

It can not be fixs any more.

Oliver Cromwell
played the key roll in the English Civil War and won.
they beheaded the King of England.

but then he could see that Parliament was totaly corrupt.
so he dismissed the Parliament by force.
he took power him self.

and we had years of pease and order.
that is untill he died.
then the Next King comes creeping back.

that was are best chance ever.

a reply to: olddognewtricks

Yeah, and you will deal with it when and if it happens... most likely die .... what's the big deal you're going to die anyway.

Why waste so much energy and time on something that hasn't happened yet???? Are you doing something to make it better for others???

originally posted by: Quetzalcoatl14

originally posted by: FyreByrd
a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14

In your mid-thirties or thereabouts? Tends to be the most materialistic point during life and it requires a choice.

You can't change the world, only your perception of it.

The wolf you feed (by your attention) is the one that wins.

Then there was the buddhist monk, a wandering saddhu type, traveling the world barefoot and trusting to the goodness of others for food and shelter. His feet hurt.

The monk found a piece of leather, stepped on it and sighed in relief. Enlightenment, if I walk on leather - my feet won't hurt any more.

He proceed to seek leather and place it where ever he walk, he became obsessed with finding and walking on leather. He stopped seek food and shelter, even the simple company of others. He was now lonely, hungry and cold and so very tired of "the world" so he sat down, he couldn't go on.

True enlightenmnet came. The monk laughed and took up the leather and fashioned leather sandles and began his journey in comfort and joy.

You're on scheule, keep your feet pointed forward and do the right thing regardless of outcome.

The only thing that you get to take with you, into the 'afterlife', is your state of mind.

I like this post. A very yogic or Buddhist perspective.

I do, however, think that change is possible. It has happened before and will again. The question is how is the best way to make that happen. I think spirituality and recognition of "maya" or the illusory nature of life is important. However, I don't think we should think nothing can be changed. This can cause us to be irresponsible. Like when you have powerful corporate or government leaders failing to use their power for good with any number of topics.

This is a reason I like the Serenity Prayer: "Grant me the serenity, to accept things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." It's actually profound and covers a lot of things in life.

I too think change is possible - it's not only possible but certain - LOL. But to be truly effective in the world, one on one with others - requires we chance ourselves.

Our world is the collective manifestation of the thoughts and actions of all 7 billion of us and the times are so depressing just because so many will not or can not (obstanence, fear, poverty, for many reasons) take personal responsibility to do the work (personal work) to hold up their end of the collective.

You can't overthrow outside control until you first overthrow your own conditioned mind. Even a little effort in that direction changes your perception of the world and the world will respond.

And there is another prayer used in 12 step circles, I like even better: The Set Aside Prayer

Dear God,
please set aside everything I think I know
About myself,
this book,
my disease,
these steps,
and especially about you dear God
so that I might have an open mind And a new experience with all these things.
Please help me to see the truth.

I'm not keen on the God stuff and change it for my use - but it doesn't matter - it's about trying to approach each new situation and people without prejudice and fear and see what is true at the intersection of Here & Now.

I do sometimes, but its usually short-lived. Cheerfulness keeps creeping in. ; )

Does anybody feel demoralized with life due to the state of world & society?

Since I was 14 years old, & getting worse by the day.

originally posted by: Themarkedone
The solution to a peaceful prosperous society has evaded us for thousands of years, unfortunately I imagine it will continue to do so.

Power, authority, is necessary to keep society in line, but with that power comes opportunity for corruption and we are greedy as a species. Many can't resist the temptation to unethically turn things in their favour.

As time progresses, this issue will only get worse, every civilization has its inevitable end, our time will come too.

Agree wirh this.

When I look at the top news stories of the day, I feel the need to double check a calender. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I definitely think we're on a slow skid into Dystopia...our politics is broken, our representatives are corrupt, our systems are inept, our infrastructure is crumbling, our wealth is gone, our culture is depraved, our families are dysfunctional and our citizens walk around looking more like refugees.

I can't decide if I should go all Sarah Connor and prepare my kids for the inevitable or should I keep clinging to traditional values and what's left of normal...

originally posted by: kosmicjack

originally posted by: Themarkedone
The solution to a peaceful prosperous society has evaded us for thousands of years, unfortunately I imagine it will continue to do so.

Power, authority, is necessary to keep society in line, but with that power comes opportunity for corruption and we are greedy as a species. Many can't resist the temptation to unethically turn things in their favour.

As time progresses, this issue will only get worse, every civilization has its inevitable end, our time will come too.

I definitely think we're on a slow skid into Dystopia...our politics is broken, our representatives are corrupt, our systems are inept, our infrastructure is crumbling, our wealth is gone, our culture is depraved, our families are dysfunctional and our citizens walk around looking more like refugees.

I can't decide if I should go all Sarah Connor and prepare my kids for the inevitable or should I keep clinging to traditional values and what's left of normal...

Wow, well said! I couldn't agree more.

OP...I S&F'd your thread even before I had the time to read it. Just for the thread title. I read it, and said "Yes".
How sad. There was a time in my life when I thought this world was just wonderful.

jacygirl

originally posted by: olddognewtricks

originally posted by: olaru12

originally posted by: Quetzalcoatl14

originally posted by: whyamIhere
It's just a cycle...

When we get some new leadership. Proud Americans,not wimps.

Things will change. For now, unplug, kick back and turn off the devices.

ATS has required breaks for many of us. It all gets to be too much.

It will all pass...Hang in there. We need you.

Good leadership would help.

But what if my contention is true that to get into office now days you might have to be corrupt?

What is the solution then?

There is no solution except for collapse of the system, then rebuild. Leaders aren't voted into office anymore, they are selected by the corporate elite that are the true puppet masters, powerful and hidden. In a Capitalistic society, everything is kicked to the curb except for profits and greed, which leads to pervasive corruption, manipulation, and ultimate slavery for the proletariat.

Bread and circus time amigo....bring in the clowns!

Um, do you have any idea what "collapse" would mean? It would mean lawlessness, starvation, and marauding gangs of slavers. It would mean watching people die from simple medical emergencies. As bad as things are, what we have now is waaay better than a collapse situation.

This sounds better than waking up every day as an unwilling slave surrounded by willing slaves.