The Current Backdrop of Negativity<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n I follow a number of international thought-leaders and also consume selective non-MSM news. But online there is a deluge of negativity, from the economy to health concerns, nuclear to politics, woke insanity and everything else. So trawling online is aptly named \u201cDoomscrolling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A guest on Tucker Carlson mentioned the other day that there has been a noticeable increase in evil, worldwide. Everybody feels it. On X it is \u201ca race to the bottom\u201d \u2013 intensely negative and ugly response to any thread \u2013 that makes any interaction pointless. A sign of the times we are in? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Is this all merely negative confirmation bias? Or is there indeed something spiritually rotten at the core of civilization today? A monster eating itself? The personal existential crisis writ large? Hopeless Nihilism. A spiritual war, if you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sickness seems literally everywhere. Personal political and public. It feels overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Intergrated solutions in all three dimensions of mind body and spirit. Of the INDIVIDUAL. This is my model. The individual and the family is the building block of society, NOT the other way around. You can only change yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All living things require oxygen, nutrients and water. But we are more than mere plants. We require an existential meaning to be happy. A overarching reason to exist, strive and prosper. Imagine if you had a dog but never walked it – no matter the quality of the food it would not be happy. Humans need love, care, discipline and effort in all three dimensions \u2013 Mind, Body and Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where we should put in effort \/ positive actions. In creating a better world for ourselves and our loved ones. We start with working on improving ourselves \u2013 a constant process. History in rich in stories of such great women and men – leaders and heroes; big and small. In every field of human endeavor from Science to War, from every land on earth. Read some biographies – you will feel small by comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are all somewhere on a spectrum in these three dimensions, and we all have our specific priorities – making money, ambition, family, being sociable, sport training, helping others and so on. \u201cSuccess\u201d is subjective to the individual. Perhaps when we are in agreement in all three areas, we are \u201cintegrated\u201d, and therefore have integrity? Naturally all three areas are inextricably intertwined and improvement in any ONE area will affect us positively in ALL areas. So it is fruitful to examine ourselves. In which of the following areas are you challenged to improve yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you do some form of regular exercise; eat a largely healthy (unprocessed, whole food) diet; stretch and take your body on outings, dances, walks, and participate in various activities that are healthy and positive? Have you cut back on junk foods, sugar and alcohol? Do you get sufficient sleep? (This can actually be improved upon with winding down deliberately, regular bedtimes, not eating for some hours before bedtime, and so on. This is my current work in progress.) Most people understand this in general terms, and are perhaps aware of areas where they can improve, such as cutting back on snacks or quitting smoking. But there is always room for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people are also aware of the battle between staying positive, versus the intimidating daily onslaught of anxiety, depression, negativity and hopelessness. There are of course a variety of calming \/ self-soothing techniques such as meditation, assertiveness training, grounding, rehearsal training, self-talk (\u201cRelax! This thing will soon be over,\u201d \u201cYou can just say no\u201d) and so on. This is fundamental – to rule our own thinking. And this is underpinned by our core beliefs. Thus a poor self-image is difficult to overcome, and legitimate self-mastery, competence and confidence is only gradually built over time. A positive family background is a massive help, but whoever you are …<\/p>\n\n\n\n …In order to regulate your emotions, be a productive member of society and move in a positive direction \u2013 such as earning a living, doing the things that make you happy, paying the bills, helping others in some way, deciding to let the past things go and just moving on. The alternative is a life spinning out of control, substance abuse, eccentricity, misery and negativity. Pity the recluse, addict or vagrant who has no desire to do anything to improve, and is thus worthless to themselves or anyone else. Ever noticed that their thinking is confused, incoherent and unsystematic? They are surviving but not prospering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all need to have some fun, be reasonably content with ourselves, and have a robust, positive self-image, love and be loved. Innumerable great books exist on this subject; with countless areas of investigation. Where can YOU improve?<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a deep breath. Pause. Prepare for newness and read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n So. Your health is one of your most precious possessions \u2013 it makes sense to constantly work on some aspect of it. Find one of the many areas in which you can grow, and get busy. For myself, there are many areas in which I still try to improve myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all need to learn new things to stay young and fresh. Here is random list of fun activities for you to try. What stops you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose three things on this list. Perhaps do something you have never done before?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get rid of pills and find natural solutions\/therapies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prioritise healthy eating, exercise and sleep<\/p>\n\n\n\n LEARN TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY in some of its many forms<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy a good book<\/p>\n\n\n\n Study a self-improvement book<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy creating some form of art or visiting galleries and exhibitions<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen to music you enjoy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dance \u2013 somewhere, somehow … dance, even if you can\u2019t<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eat out \u2013 try a new food<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join a gym, and attend regularly, finding an exercise you can commit to<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn to cook some of the things you love to eat. Start with one recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hike somewhere in nature. Concentrate on enjoying it<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to the theater<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deliberately enjoy a sunset<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laugh<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prank someone<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go for a walk in your neighborhood<\/p>\n\n\n\n Play with a pet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do a drama class \u2013 get in touch with your feelings<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deep breathing \u2013 by yourself or on a walk<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leave your cellphone behind one day<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn one good magic trick<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore a new locality<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try a wine or a beer tasting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speak to a stranger and listen<\/p>\n\n\n\n A long beach walk<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do it alone alone or with someone. The list is endless. As is the beauty and joy of life. Find your own unique authenticity and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Current Backdrop of Negativity I follow a number of international thought-leaders and also consume selective non-MSM news. But online there is a deluge of negativity, from the economy to health concerns, nuclear to politics, woke insanity and everything else. So trawling online is aptly named \u201cDoomscrolling.\u201d A guest on Tucker Carlson mentioned the other […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=211"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":222,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211\/revisions\/222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/despair2meaning.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}So how about … <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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So then what ARE the Solutions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HEALTH. Of Mind, Body and Spirit<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBODY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MIND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You need to take habitual control of your thinking.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SPIRIT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no clear separation between philosophy, psychology, beliefs and religion and the emotions… and of course the specifics will vary. Personally I do not believe in corporate religion, but in a living relationship with the Almighty, which brings me much stability and happiness. Understandably this subject is too vast and controversial to unpack here. But this area is critical to our well being. You will need humility to tread the path and sincerity to find your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCHALLENGE YOURSELF!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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