"In his book Bonds That Make Us Free, philosopher C. Terry Warner writes, “To take up a hard, resentful attitude toward others is to have to live in a resented world, a world full of people who oppose and threaten us. How they are in our eyes is reflective of how we are.”"
Avoiding the development of a hard, resentful attitude: definitely a challenge to the longtime activist, who is not seeing the kind of improvement he is working on.
Also reminiscent of the Exodus story, where God "hardened the heart" of Pharaoh. This is our challenge today too. Or at least one of the major internal ones.
I look forward to your essays weekly. Each and every one has a profound affect on my learnings and discipline and to understand others with compassion whom I may disagree. But unfortunately, like another commentator stated, I lost a lot of friends who didn’t understand or would not tolerate my opinions. I never, ever foster my views on others, but will defend myself and speak up when challenged.
Thanks very much for this essay, and your previous one. The Stockdale Paradox, after I first got to know about it earlier this year, has made a big impact in my life. Oddly, it codified the feeling I had already developed against the rising authoritarianism of the past couple of years, with their lockdowns and mandates, and my complete estrangement from friends and colleagues who held conflicting points of view. During the darkest days of the COVID 'emergency' I reconciled myself to being confined to the gulag, to the forced medical procedure, rather than bow down to state-sponsored terror and propaganda. Subsequently, I read the story of Admiral Stockdale, and had a eureka moment. This feeling of prevailing against overwhelming odds with a grim yet carefree determination, resonated completely with how I felt and my attitude to whatever the future might bring. It freed me from any kind of attachment to events I could not control. It seems allied to Stoicism, don't you think? A kind of robust Stoicism at any rate.
Thank you! Yes, aligned with Stoicism. Epictetus advised us to "act our part with honor" no matter what the circumstances. And I like your phrase, "carefree determination."
"In his book Bonds That Make Us Free, philosopher C. Terry Warner writes, “To take up a hard, resentful attitude toward others is to have to live in a resented world, a world full of people who oppose and threaten us. How they are in our eyes is reflective of how we are.”"
Avoiding the development of a hard, resentful attitude: definitely a challenge to the longtime activist, who is not seeing the kind of improvement he is working on.
Also reminiscent of the Exodus story, where God "hardened the heart" of Pharaoh. This is our challenge today too. Or at least one of the major internal ones.
For sure, this is a challenge. Warner's book is a fantastic read.
I look forward to your essays weekly. Each and every one has a profound affect on my learnings and discipline and to understand others with compassion whom I may disagree. But unfortunately, like another commentator stated, I lost a lot of friends who didn’t understand or would not tolerate my opinions. I never, ever foster my views on others, but will defend myself and speak up when challenged.
Mike, Thank you. The future of society depends on the willingness of you and others to speak with compassion and firmness.
Thanks very much for this essay, and your previous one. The Stockdale Paradox, after I first got to know about it earlier this year, has made a big impact in my life. Oddly, it codified the feeling I had already developed against the rising authoritarianism of the past couple of years, with their lockdowns and mandates, and my complete estrangement from friends and colleagues who held conflicting points of view. During the darkest days of the COVID 'emergency' I reconciled myself to being confined to the gulag, to the forced medical procedure, rather than bow down to state-sponsored terror and propaganda. Subsequently, I read the story of Admiral Stockdale, and had a eureka moment. This feeling of prevailing against overwhelming odds with a grim yet carefree determination, resonated completely with how I felt and my attitude to whatever the future might bring. It freed me from any kind of attachment to events I could not control. It seems allied to Stoicism, don't you think? A kind of robust Stoicism at any rate.
Thank you! Yes, aligned with Stoicism. Epictetus advised us to "act our part with honor" no matter what the circumstances. And I like your phrase, "carefree determination."
As always, I'm impressed by the number of works you've read and draw from to illustrate a particular interesting point.
JdL, I appreciate the kind note. Thank you!