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I don't mind the right wing part, since I identify (my woke word of the day) as right wing. I may not be as extreme as he is, but I know surprisingly little about him. Never listened to him.
I just don't value when people of his ilk over-simplify issues. I'm about as well put together as a 30-something male can be. If everything in life was based on merit, hard work, and integrity alone, then I'd idealistically be crushing everything that comes my way. But life isn't simple, it's incredibly nuanced and complex. Hard work, honor, and good deeds alone do not guarantee a modicum of success. When you over simplify matters in these terms, it comes across as dismissive to the larger, systemic issues that come into play in our daily lives. Again, J.P. is not the worst flavor out there and is not nearly as predatory as other self-help gurus. But life is not as simple as x + y = z as they try to portray it.
I just don't value when people of his ilk over-simplify issues. I'm about as well put together as a 30-something male can be. If everything in life was based on merit, hard work, and integrity alone, then I'd idealistically be crushing everything that comes my way. But life isn't simple, it's incredibly nuanced and complex. Hard work, honor, and good deeds alone do not guarantee a modicum of success. When you over simplify matters in these terms, it comes across as dismissive to the larger, systemic issues that come into play in our daily lives. Again, J.P. is not the worst flavor out there and is not nearly as predatory as other self-help gurus. But life is not as simple as x + y = z as they try to portray it.
Well said. Agree with everything and you are absolutely spot on based on my own experience speaking as someone 2 decades older than you. Merit, hard work, and integrity still resulted in a lot of unavoidable disappointment and pain, being treated unfairly, etc., so clearly it's not enough. Good you recognize it. I know it sounds a bit cynical also, but it is the reality, unfortunately.
Maybe the answer really does lie in our own hands.
I think we have to ask ourselves what is different about those who feel they have a successful life and those who feel they dont. Maybe the answer has been found by some people but it is difficult to tell others what has been found if they cannot relate - either because their life circumstances are so different or their attitude to life is totally different.
I think the answer lies in us being grateful for what we already have and then we will receive more of that stuff. I know it is what many religions say, but I also think there is a heap of truth in that philosophy. Many people believe, and it is an occult 'truth' that energy follows intention, and it is also the basis for prayer too. So with that in mind, it should follow that the more you focus on good things happening to you, then the more good things will be attracted into your life.
Start with identifying three small things you are grateful for at the end of each day. Does not matter how small, the point is to focus on the good things which have happened in the day and then hopefully more good things will happen. Are you willing to try it for a few weeks and see what happens?
I think we don't find meaning. That implies it's something that lies without. If it is, that means that for happiness to happen we are dependent on what happens outside ourselves. And we all know the world, people and circumstances are ever changing and too unstable to be dependent upon to be our source of stability.
If we define our condition by what circumstances dictate we are forever at the control of unpredictable forces and their lack of mercy.
So instead of finding meaning we create it from within. This is where our sphere of influence lies, where we make the difference between being content and unhappy not some outside factor.
Learning to switch from an external locus of control to an internal locus of control is the first step in creating a sufficient amount of meaning in your life.
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