Researchers have found that people are happier who do not watch T.V. I would add to that list one more item: newspapers.
In today’s local Tribune appeared a column by a curmudgeon columnist Lon Allan apparently reveling in his own cheapness. If that we’re enough, he looked on rather dispassionately towards his daughter who just lost both her home and her job. Apparently, he felt she deserved it. He came from that generation that had a lot, graduated high school in the 50’s, walked into good jobs and never, never had much stress into their lives until their children raised on ‘unconditional love’ and a parental neglect then came along to haunt them in the 60’s. I know so many of these folks who are more concerned about the price of gas on the Winnebago and the drop in their investments than their grand kid on drugs.
So what is there to be thankful for, Lon? Here are a few thoughts on making your life and the lives of others better:
1) YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE in your life and the lives of others for the better. It’s easy to believe that as one individual among millions that your voice will not be heard, but you can. And even if you don’t make a dent on the national level, you can make a giant positive change at home, if you work at it. Believe this and it will become so.
2) LOVE IS NOT BLIND, nor is it deft. Mean what you say, and say what you mean. Families that are open and honest with each other are happier and carry less baggage. It won’t prevent hard feelings, but then everyone knows where everyone stands. Life then can go on.
3) EVERYONE NEEDS A LEG UP. Sir Isaac Newton made this famous thought commonplace: “If I can see further than anyone else, it is only because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.” Few people go very far without support and mentors. If you support and mentor someone, it can change your world and theirs. It’s not a handout that people really need, it’s a leg up.
4) NURTURING COURAGE in someone today is helping them overcome future obstacles tomorrow. Famous turn-of-the-century Psychologist William James addressed the philosophical question: does the bear make me afraid or am I afraid when I see a bear? Professor James said that we are either afraid or we are not, implying that it is our reaction or control of ourselves that makes all the difference. As Mark Twain once wrote,”Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear–not absence of fear.”
So, work for a positive influence and change in your life and the lives of those you love, help those you can and be thankful for the bounty and the miracles you have.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Roger Freberg
I look above to the picture from Evan Maloney’s documentary “Indoctrinate U.” As for me, I am truly thankful that I am not that chubby anymore!