I bet $500 that I could boost my friends' happiness in a week; all ended up happy, I thought it was a significant triumph. Yet, one reader strongly contested my view.
The world is full of people who are either optimistic, pessimistic, or pragmatic. These comments and thoughts clearly show which way Travis and the other individual trend. I try to be outwardly pragmatic at worst and hopefully a little optimistic, even if I'm feeling pessimistic about something internally. Life is too short to burn so much energy being negative or dealing with negative people.
The world is a better place and more horrific. It can be both. Go back and read a newspaper from 100 years ago - it will contain all the same issues of today: strong political nonsense, glamorized celebrity, new technologies that are revolutionizing the world, killings, births, marriages, advancements, and devastations. People are allowed and deserve to be happy - in spite of the world's happenings. Someone is suffering somewhere at all hours of the day and you are not aware. And when you are made aware (usually due to a hyper sensitive 24/7 news cycle) it is a choice whether or not to do anything about it and whether or not to let it affect you personally. Both views are valid - and create strong debate and opinion. Having said that - It makes me happy to see you taking the time and wanting to improve the lives of others. Kudos to you!
I am hyper-aware of the world around me. I HAVE to find the good in order to not drown in despair from current events and some past ones. The world is better AND worse; but we have to find balance in how we see it and how we deal with it. We can both be a beacon for others and live in a way that makes life better. That is a privilege for us. It is a challenge if you’re a good, empathetic human - but finding the good isn’t necessarily wearing blinders. It’s what you do with it. Positivity = hope. And we all need that.
I was not offended by your offer, and took you up on it as a chance to challenge myself, and possibly improve my life in a small way. Being "happy" is such a relative state of being - part of the reason I took you up on the challenge was because I WANTED to be happier - I wanted my stress to be less than it was, I wanted to intentionally spend time each day trying to change that. While remotely related to the angry feedback you received, just wanted to say your challenge was not in vain, nor frivolous, but instead helped me develop a path to better managing stress (and hopefully others) Of course the world is a distressing place right now - things are a mess, everywhere. We can bitch about that or we can find ways to manage either collectively or alone. I like a mix of both. And I can't live with being in a severe state of anger 24-7, nor do I want to/choose to. People need to breathe.
As an Oxford elementary educator and Coach at the Oxford High School I agree with how many other readers here have commented. The world is a mix of both good and evil. Always has been. Evil is more prevalent among those close to it (in proximity, thought, due to mental illness, or depending upon the relationship to the instance of evil itself). Likewise it could be because of technological advances spreading an influx of bad news like wildfire. But, that doesn’t mean we should detain the positive, good, hope, light, and love from those suffering, or anyone else.
I sure do my best everyday not to leave my students and athletes in Oxford without hope, even with all that they have endured. From what I can see, they NEED it. The community NEEDS it.
I believe that if you are privileged to have the ability to be the light for others in some way, then that is your responsibility.
Thank you, Karlee, for your thoughtful response. Your perspective as an educator and coach directly impacted by the tragedies at Oxford is incredibly valuable and grounding.
I appreciate your reminder that the world has always been a complex tapestry of good and evil. It’s true that with today's technology, we're more connected than ever to both the brightest and darkest parts of human experience. Your point about the rapid spread of bad news does resonate deeply with me—it can certainly skew our perception of reality.
The role of those who can shed light in dark times is a profound responsibility, and I am reminded through your words that it is a privilege to even have the platform to attempt such a thing. I agree wholeheartedly that when we have the ability to bring hope and positivity, we must embrace that role with both hands.
Thank you again for your insights. They serve as a critical reminder of the balance we must strive to maintain between acknowledging the harsh realities many face and fostering the hope and positivity that communities like Oxford desperately need.
Looking forward to continuing this conversation and learning more from each other. Are you gonna be at shuffle board on Friday?
Seems your views are more data driven and theirs are based on their experiences. I think if you took someone from now and put them back in the past they would really miss the present and if you took someone from the past and put them in today's world their minds would be blown and they'd feel like our world is amazing, while to the reader's point it is not perfect.
The world is full of people who are either optimistic, pessimistic, or pragmatic. These comments and thoughts clearly show which way Travis and the other individual trend. I try to be outwardly pragmatic at worst and hopefully a little optimistic, even if I'm feeling pessimistic about something internally. Life is too short to burn so much energy being negative or dealing with negative people.
I’ve always loved the quote: “pessimists get to be right. Optimists get to be rich”
The world is a better place and more horrific. It can be both. Go back and read a newspaper from 100 years ago - it will contain all the same issues of today: strong political nonsense, glamorized celebrity, new technologies that are revolutionizing the world, killings, births, marriages, advancements, and devastations. People are allowed and deserve to be happy - in spite of the world's happenings. Someone is suffering somewhere at all hours of the day and you are not aware. And when you are made aware (usually due to a hyper sensitive 24/7 news cycle) it is a choice whether or not to do anything about it and whether or not to let it affect you personally. Both views are valid - and create strong debate and opinion. Having said that - It makes me happy to see you taking the time and wanting to improve the lives of others. Kudos to you!
Thank you so much for sharing those great thoughts. 🙏
I am hyper-aware of the world around me. I HAVE to find the good in order to not drown in despair from current events and some past ones. The world is better AND worse; but we have to find balance in how we see it and how we deal with it. We can both be a beacon for others and live in a way that makes life better. That is a privilege for us. It is a challenge if you’re a good, empathetic human - but finding the good isn’t necessarily wearing blinders. It’s what you do with it. Positivity = hope. And we all need that.
Really fantastic Mary. Thank you for sharing that. ❤️
I was not offended by your offer, and took you up on it as a chance to challenge myself, and possibly improve my life in a small way. Being "happy" is such a relative state of being - part of the reason I took you up on the challenge was because I WANTED to be happier - I wanted my stress to be less than it was, I wanted to intentionally spend time each day trying to change that. While remotely related to the angry feedback you received, just wanted to say your challenge was not in vain, nor frivolous, but instead helped me develop a path to better managing stress (and hopefully others) Of course the world is a distressing place right now - things are a mess, everywhere. We can bitch about that or we can find ways to manage either collectively or alone. I like a mix of both. And I can't live with being in a severe state of anger 24-7, nor do I want to/choose to. People need to breathe.
As an Oxford elementary educator and Coach at the Oxford High School I agree with how many other readers here have commented. The world is a mix of both good and evil. Always has been. Evil is more prevalent among those close to it (in proximity, thought, due to mental illness, or depending upon the relationship to the instance of evil itself). Likewise it could be because of technological advances spreading an influx of bad news like wildfire. But, that doesn’t mean we should detain the positive, good, hope, light, and love from those suffering, or anyone else.
I sure do my best everyday not to leave my students and athletes in Oxford without hope, even with all that they have endured. From what I can see, they NEED it. The community NEEDS it.
I believe that if you are privileged to have the ability to be the light for others in some way, then that is your responsibility.
Thank you, Karlee, for your thoughtful response. Your perspective as an educator and coach directly impacted by the tragedies at Oxford is incredibly valuable and grounding.
I appreciate your reminder that the world has always been a complex tapestry of good and evil. It’s true that with today's technology, we're more connected than ever to both the brightest and darkest parts of human experience. Your point about the rapid spread of bad news does resonate deeply with me—it can certainly skew our perception of reality.
The role of those who can shed light in dark times is a profound responsibility, and I am reminded through your words that it is a privilege to even have the platform to attempt such a thing. I agree wholeheartedly that when we have the ability to bring hope and positivity, we must embrace that role with both hands.
Thank you again for your insights. They serve as a critical reminder of the balance we must strive to maintain between acknowledging the harsh realities many face and fostering the hope and positivity that communities like Oxford desperately need.
Looking forward to continuing this conversation and learning more from each other. Are you gonna be at shuffle board on Friday?
Seems your views are more data driven and theirs are based on their experiences. I think if you took someone from now and put them back in the past they would really miss the present and if you took someone from the past and put them in today's world their minds would be blown and they'd feel like our world is amazing, while to the reader's point it is not perfect.
Great points! Thank you David.