Wise words for these times

[OneGrassRoot]

[Pholus]

1. Wonderful thoughts for the day...

[mmonk]

2. Always the thoughtful and compassionate one.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Not always...

but thanks.

[mmonk]

24. Most of the time.

When it counts.

[snappyturtle]

3. Sounds linke a lot of not really getting anywhere.

We recognize the bad around us by acting as if it isn't present.
That does not sound like victory to me.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. No, that's not what he's saying at all.

He's saying that IN SPITE OF all the shit around us, we can choose to recognize and cultivate the good and create more of that, instead of spiraling into a sea of hopelessness which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom and gloom.

That's far from hiding one's head in the sand and acting as if horrors and injustices don't exist.

[HiPointDem]

5. I agree with the sentiment, but I think the larger problem is that most of the population can't

agree on what reality is.

Mainly because they haven't looked very closely, IMO.

So it often works out to "Oh, things aren't *that* bad" as our rights are stolen under our noses.

Maintaining "optimism of the will" in the face of shit, you have to acknowledge the shit. Otherwise the "optimism" is pap.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. I couldn't agree more (I think...lol)

Without getting into a lot of psychobabble, I've always felt the biggest problem is that people aren't honest with themselves, so there's no way we can be honest with one another.

I'm wary (and weary) of those who try to "rise above" the troubles of the world to the degree they don't acknowledge that troubles exist.

I absolutely agree we must acknowledge the troubles before we can attempt to change anything.

Staying mired in the worries and woes without at least attempting to change things seems like a waste of energy to me. Zinn's quote, to me, speaks to the sense of futility so many feel, suggesting a different way to look at it all.

[HiPointDem]

8. Fighting the lies and trying to spread the truth = fighting. If no one's going to join your crusade

because they don't agree with your assessment of the problem, what else can you do besides try to open their eyes?

Since I started paying close attention I've been dumbfounded by the amount of propaganda, selective reporting and sheer lies Americans are subject to.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. It is astounding, appalling, and many more adjectives. :(

I think we all have to find our own way with it, but I choose to proceed as Mr. Zinn suggests: trying to find the positives, and potential solutions, and staying focused in that direction rather than fighting with those who deny the problems exist altogether.

Many of us have come to the conclusion that it's truly futile to engage most people with a right-wing point of view...those who deny poverty, inequality, global warming, etc. That's truly a waste of energy.

[HiPointDem]

17. I'm not necessarily talking about people with a right-wing point of view. I know plenty of nice

liberals who don't think it's that bad, who supported the crackdown on civil liberties after 911, who assume that because we have social services there is a safety net to catch people, who assume that because the media says social security is failing, it must be so, who think that because they haven't done anything wrong they have nothing to fear from surveillance technologies, etc. etc.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Absolutely...I agree. :) n/t

[raouldukelives]

23. 100% nt

[snappyturtle]

9. Get real....we've been doing that. Sorry I guess

I'm not in the best of moods. Creating a better place is good and all and satisfying to a point however without going after the horrors and injustices, as you put it, nothing changes in the end. imho

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Hmmm...perhaps I'm not communicating well.

It wouldn't be the first time.

I'm not saying to NOT address the horrors and injustices. I'm not saying that at all, nor do I feel Mr. Zinn is.

We must acknowledge it and expose it to the best of our ability and work to change it.

If people choose to be consumed by the horrors and atrocities as they fight AGAINST what exists -- as opposed to fighting FOR more justice and a better world, recognizing we have the potential to do better as a species -- that is indeed their choice.

There is a difference, though I understand many won't feel there is and think I'm just spouting nonsense.

[lunatica]

14. I got it when you first posted it

Sometimes trying to explain subtle and deeply nuanced quotes is very difficult. There is a universe of difference between those who are in denial and those who acknowledge facts as they are and choose to change things by injecting a positive energy rather than being swept away with negativity.

One can see that children are starving in Africa and rail against it and do nothing in abdication to 'the facts' or one can do what they can to ameliorate the situation right now knowing that in time the problem could be fixed if something were done about it.

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Thank you. And the quote in your signature...

is spot on.

[snappyturtle]

25. Well, I'll agree with that! We need to do both. nt

[Odin2005]

7. That is my own attitude precisely, thanks!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Good for you, Odin2005!

[blueml]

12. Wise words

Good stuff. People always to dependable and hopefully. we always depend to other people.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Welcome to DU, blueml!

[marshall gaines]

16. hopefully

hopefully, when a light is shined on hatred, it will wither and die before it consumes us all. hopefully

[magical thyme]

19. Always do your best.

Toltec wisdom, one of the four agreements with yourself. Your best will not be the same very day. You may be tired or sick, in which case your best will be much less than on a day when you are rested and filled with energy. But always do the best you can in any given moment.


Right Action. Buddhism, one step of the 8-fold path.

[OneGrassRoot]

20. Speaking of wise words, I love The Four Agreements

This is the wisdom I've tried to impart to my daughter. Thank you, magical thyme.


The Four Agreements are:

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.


http://www.toltecspirit.com/