On a personal level, it ain't so bad

[DAL357]

Once in a while it's nice for me to assess how things are going that are mostly within my immediate control, and I'm not doing too badly: I have a son I'm proud of who's growing into a fine young man; I have a job that pays decently; my bills, what little they consist of, are paid up to date; my health appears to be pretty good; and I have my dearly-loved shooting hobby.
Sure, I could kvetch about this or that local or national problem, and I do at times, the trick is to keep things in perspective. It's like I always tell my son: living well is the best revenge, and the best way to do that is to not be Madison Avenue's tool, and be highly selective as to what news is read and reacted to. If I'm in a perpetual funk about what is going on in the world and what The Powers That Be are doing overtly and covertly, they've won. That doesn't mean I have a Pollyannaish view of things, but I've found I am much happier when keeping outside manipulation by any party, organization, or entity at bay.

Thanks for letting me get that off of my chest.

[Sawin]

I'm not too far removed from you in that perspective, DAL357.... Life as i know it, has been very good to me the last decade! I am as happy as I have ever been and am extremely blessed, but i caution you not to forget the old idiom, "All it takes for evil to flourish, is for good men to do nothing." Stay positive and a bright light on your circle of influence, but please don't intentionally keep your head in the sand.

[Sawin]

My general perspective, cliff notes edition:

Don't bury your head in the sand, control what is inside your control, don't worry about what isn't. Take on things that are a bit above your comfort zone to further yourself. Don't take the easy road - take on evil to the extent that you can handle it. Take some time to prepare for the worst, but anticipate the normal. Don't even waste a minute of breath or sweat in consideration of things that are truly outside of your control, disasters, international politics, etc. Beyond your contribution in a group effort, why waste your time bitching about it over a bar table? Not going to make any difference.

Yup

[BushMasterBoy]

Either you screw the system...or the system screws you.

[Sawin]

Either you screw the system...or the system screws you.

I disagree, but suspect that's a discussion for another thread.

[blacklabel]

Foxtrot nailed it.

[cstone]

Not always as easy to live as it is to read, but this comes to mind for me.

Philippians 4:11-13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

[68Charger]

My general perspective, cliff notes edition:

Don't bury your head in the sand, control what is inside your control, don't worry about what isn't. Take on things that are a bit above your comfort zone to further yourself. Don't take the easy road - take on evil to the extent that you can handle it. Take some time to prepare for the worst, but anticipate the normal. Don't even waste a minute of breath or sweat in consideration of things that are truly outside of your control, disasters, international politics, etc. Beyond your contribution in a group effort, why waste your time bitching about it over a bar table? Not going to make any difference.

The super-abbreviated version: "Don't sweat the petty stuff, but always pet the sweaty stuff" (open to some loose interpretation)

And to backup cstone's post: James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

[Great-Kazoo]

The super-abbreviated version: "Don't sweat the petty stuff, but always pet the sweaty stuff" (open to some loose interpretation)

And to backup cstone's post: James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

A Stitch in Time, Saves Nine.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I just learned a coworker's son died while we were both TDY last week. 28 year old former Marine who was going to college. I can't imagine what he's going through and nothing I've ever gone through can compare to the pain and anguish a parent must feel when having to bury his/her children. Nothing about my life can get me down when I think of people going through stuff like this.