I think this captures perfectly the best way to approach a very difficult time. Be engaged and informed, do your best to make the country and the world a better place, and at the same time don't become totally obsessed by what you can't change to the point of despair, go on and live your life to the fullest.
Like other readers, this essay was exactly what I needed to read tonight (New Year's Eve). In the past few years, I have also turned to "Meditations." And I have re-read Viktor Frankl, who also asked how we can live a meaningful life during dark times. I keep this quote on my laptop: "everything can be taken from man (sic) but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
I will be carrying that quote with me into 2022 and I will also be carrying this quote from Anne Lamott: "the world is always going to be dangerous, and people get badly banged up, but how can there be more meaning than helping each other stand up in the wind and stay warm?"
I choose to live with gratitude, so I will end by saying thank you, Yascha. Persuasion is a light for me in a dark time and it is a source of courage and compassion. Thank you for fighting the Good Fight and yes, I will join you! I wish you, and the entire Persuasion community, a Healthy and Happy New Year. May it be so.
I hope I can do this, and will endeavor to. It’s hard for me not to despair about the prospect of our democracy collapsing, or being hollowed out to the extent that it’s a democracy in name only - for example, with sham elections where the people’s votes don’t count unless they support the result those in power want. I’m less despairing about COVID, since I, too, believe we can and will learn to live with it as it becomes endemic, still taking all the reasonable precautions we can (I’m vaxxed and boosted, and will get more vaccine shots if needed).
I agree with you Laurie, I think most people would. I try to make plans if the worst happens, there are options usually, and at the same time live life every day. HNY!!!
Appreciated this essay, Yascha. One thing you didn't write (maybe out of modesty?) is the incredible courage it takes to press on fighting for liberalism in this era, especially in the face of so much disappointment and so many setbacks. I know I take heart from the path you and others have illuminated. It gave me the courage to quit my job, pursue my own fight for liberalism, seek out a new community of thoughtful people who care deeply about the freedoms, progress, and humanity that liberal society affords, and begin a cautious but meaningful path forward to support better education for young kids. I suspect that, like me, there are a great many people coming to grips with their own values and are quietly gathering their courage to act.
Nice essay. I would add this: the market will save the U.S. from deep political instability. Not Wall Street, but the dinner table. Any faction that seriously disrupts the economy will quickly find itself out of power.
I think this captures perfectly the best way to approach a very difficult time. Be engaged and informed, do your best to make the country and the world a better place, and at the same time don't become totally obsessed by what you can't change to the point of despair, go on and live your life to the fullest.
This essay was exactly what I needed to read tonight going into the new year. Thank you, Yashca.
This was wonderful. Thank you.
Like other readers, this essay was exactly what I needed to read tonight (New Year's Eve). In the past few years, I have also turned to "Meditations." And I have re-read Viktor Frankl, who also asked how we can live a meaningful life during dark times. I keep this quote on my laptop: "everything can be taken from man (sic) but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
I will be carrying that quote with me into 2022 and I will also be carrying this quote from Anne Lamott: "the world is always going to be dangerous, and people get badly banged up, but how can there be more meaning than helping each other stand up in the wind and stay warm?"
I choose to live with gratitude, so I will end by saying thank you, Yascha. Persuasion is a light for me in a dark time and it is a source of courage and compassion. Thank you for fighting the Good Fight and yes, I will join you! I wish you, and the entire Persuasion community, a Healthy and Happy New Year. May it be so.
I want to second Beth's comments.
Jerome
A wonderful and uplifting piece. I plan to strive to live by these sound philosophical guidelines. Many thanks for founding Persuasion.
I hope I can do this, and will endeavor to. It’s hard for me not to despair about the prospect of our democracy collapsing, or being hollowed out to the extent that it’s a democracy in name only - for example, with sham elections where the people’s votes don’t count unless they support the result those in power want. I’m less despairing about COVID, since I, too, believe we can and will learn to live with it as it becomes endemic, still taking all the reasonable precautions we can (I’m vaxxed and boosted, and will get more vaccine shots if needed).
I agree with you Laurie, I think most people would. I try to make plans if the worst happens, there are options usually, and at the same time live life every day. HNY!!!
Thank you for this , it is exactly how I plan to face this 2022 so it was good to read this reinforcement . And yes I ll join in that fight
Appreciated this essay, Yascha. One thing you didn't write (maybe out of modesty?) is the incredible courage it takes to press on fighting for liberalism in this era, especially in the face of so much disappointment and so many setbacks. I know I take heart from the path you and others have illuminated. It gave me the courage to quit my job, pursue my own fight for liberalism, seek out a new community of thoughtful people who care deeply about the freedoms, progress, and humanity that liberal society affords, and begin a cautious but meaningful path forward to support better education for young kids. I suspect that, like me, there are a great many people coming to grips with their own values and are quietly gathering their courage to act.
Keep up your great work while taking care of yourself as you plan to do. Love the Stoics. esp. Epictetus.
Thank you for saying what we have all been feeling
Nice essay. I would add this: the market will save the U.S. from deep political instability. Not Wall Street, but the dinner table. Any faction that seriously disrupts the economy will quickly find itself out of power.