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[–]la_cues 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

The only winning move is not to play.

I try to live in this mentality.

But it's hard to see those I care about get dragged through life by society and the control mechanisms in place.

There is no beating sense into their heads, there is no lifting the wool from their eyes. It's akin to watching a loved one succumb to addiction.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I try to live in this mentality.

Me too. If the outside world is just a circus and a corrupt mess (and people refuse to listen and still play along despite being aware of this), why even give it serious attention and energy? I've been trying to focus on myself and my mental health over anything else this year; life is way too short, there's so much to enjoy in life if you shut the tv off and stop listening/taking the opinions of others seriously. Worrying about time, getting old, being successful compared 2 ur peers, etc - that shit only prevents you from enjoying now, and when you look back you'll be upset you didn't enjoy the time you did have.

And some things aren't worth the stress. We feel pressured to fight battles that we know are lost causes, because it's the "socially appropriate" thing to do - it's best to just let go of it all. Let go of what society thinks about you and what you should be doing, whatever labels they may put on you, and the expectations of others. When you do that, and are honest with yourself about what you need to be happy, and what brings you joy, life is so much simpler and clear. And for me, I have to be busy or working on a project or something unless I get bored and begin to overthink. I'm not useful to anyone when I'm in that state.

But it's hard to see those I care about get dragged through life by society and the control mechanisms in place.

Honestly, I know what you mean lol. I've tried showing and telling shit to my family too (like when pizza g8 first broke), and they literally called me crazy and told me I needed a break from the internet. They think they know everything about politics and their cognitive dissonance is too strong to break, even among my younger brothers. Then when the #metoo movement broke as well as everything with Jeffery Epstein, they're asking me if I can believe it and if I heard the "news", how Trump is friends with Epstein. They're willing to believe that bit, but not who else Epstein was friends with even if show them a photo. I can be telling them the truth, and showing them objective truths and facts backed by evidence/reliable sources, but unless it's coming from the TV, they don't listen. And damn would they get angry if I didn't agree with them (which is why I stopped talking to them about anything political in general, even if they open the conversation).

I gave up, it's honestly not my responsibility to educate them. My happiness is my responsibility and should be my main prerogative.

[–]lowrads 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

The same guy is responsible for the following aphorism: "Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished."

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Yes!! I love that quote!

As someone who unfortunately has a lot of road blocks in their life that's beyond their control, I find great comfort in this quote. Sometimes things are out of your control; instead of fighting and swimming up-stream against the conditions of your life (which is all I've personally done in the last 5+ years tbh), just accept things are they are and let life carry you.. To some degree, things are pre-destined and life feels better when you accept that. It's what life handed you, it is what it is. If you stop trying to fight against those conditions and just let the river of life carry you, it takes so much weight off one's shoulders..

More of my favorite quotes from him that we've shared here.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 2 insightful - 3 fun2 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

That must be the secret strategy of the American public.

Watching E-news, and letting it go so it gets done...