Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Art of the Good Life #34 : Mental Relief Work



As we get older, I find that some of my friends are starting to become cranky old men.

A friend who drives for Grab would tell tales of his life and talk about how horrible young people are today and why he feels like punching some of them to show them the error of their ways. I would always tell them that we're too old to right all the wrongs in this world.

At the broad level, a lot of us find themselves complaining, whining and bitching about the injustices of the world. This is often about the events in the Middle East but it can be closer to home in Myanmar.

In this chapter, the author tells us that we're not responsible for all the wrong in this world. He offers five points for our consideration.

First of all, there is nothing much we can do personally. The author takes a nasty jab at the World Economic Forum, saying that objectively they have achieved nothing in spite of having all these resources at their disposal. What more can we expect from an individual.

Second of all, donate money. If you are more effective making money and passing it to the volunteer, don't try to do the volunteer's work directly. 

Thirdly, cut down the amount of news you consume. Watching images of disaster will not help reduce the amount of suffering globally.

Fourthly, understand that the universe is teeming with life and, thus, not too far from evil. Evil is universal and cannot be stamped out.

Finally, you are not responsible for the state of this world.

Richard Feynman calls this "social irresponsibility". Becoming socially irresponsible made him  a happier man !

Another words, you are not Spiderman.

You have no super powers. Hence you do not have to shoulder such great responsibility.

It is way better to simply lead an upright, productive life and don't be a monster.


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