aside from voting, praying, writing letters and showing my opposition to everyone who is promoting violence, hatred, a stupid destructive pseudo-culture of celebrities and so on.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and I feel so discouraged, when I glanced at the New York Times this morning. Bush looks like a fanatic, African students are shot at a bus stop and nothing in the news is worth reading. How do you keep a positive attitude and make a positive difference in people's lives?
2006-09-01 03:02:38 · 20 answers · asked by Zelda Hunter 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The first step would be to stop referring to it as a "Hell on Earth"
I don't know who wrote this but it might help explain...
"You cannot control the world outside, but you can choose what you will bring into yourself. If you do not see anything of value in your life, begin by finding one thing of beauty every day until it becomes a habit."
It seems like sometimes we all spend so much time being negative about things we cannot control or change...that it actually can affect our lives, our health, and the people around us. I have found that by removing the negativity that doesn't ultimately matter and trying to be positive myself (which is so very hard to do, I'll grant you), that the world I inhabit can be a very nice place to live. Now if everyone could just remember that imagine what our world would be like. Yeah I know...
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"
- John Lennon
2006-09-01 03:15:59 · answer #1 · answered by gotalife 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First you are doing the right thing by simply having compassion to these horrible things that the media likes to play background music to. So often I feel that nobody cares but I know if I do then so do others. The last thing u want to do is ignore the problems of the world and bury your head in the sand even though its so much easier then caring. When I feel the negativity over taking me I stop thinking, breathe and smile then find my center again. You would be amazed at how much a smile changes other people's lives as well as your own. Keep that smile and your positivity will be contagious. Best wishes for a very happy birthday and many many more.
2006-09-01 11:23:55 · answer #2 · answered by M eesie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just know that is okay to be happy and enjoy life even though there are horrible things going on in the world. (i hope you had a nice birthday.) you don't have to take on the burdens of the world. you would be better serving it by finding your niche, the thing that makes you happy, and DO IT without looking back!
the only way you can change the world is by living the best life you can, the life that was made for you. you can not change the bad things in the world. but you can bring something positive to it. if everyone did that, good would win.
so turn off the news, (it's biased and sensationalizes anyway), turn off the sad songs, stop fighting and battling, and enjoy the sunshine and blue skies tomorrow, (or the next day). appreciate the good. it is there if you are looking for it.
2006-09-01 23:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's good news: we're limited creatures and are capable only of a limited perspective. It's always a delicate balance between seeking awareness and keeping perspective. If you're feeling overwhelmed (hell on earth), chances are your perspective just needs a little tweaking.
Don't get me wrong, one might feel great about things if one only thought of oneself or awful if all one did was ponder the woes of the human race but neither of those perspectives is healthy or does anyone any good; there's a always a balance to be had.
I used to have a good friend who would draw a circle in the air for me, repeating, "This is your actions," and then draw another circle away from the first circle, "This is their reaction." Then she'd say, "You only have influence over the things YOU do. After that, whatever anyone else does is up to them; there's no use worrying about it."
With that in mind, make sure you're doing good by yourself. Get enough sleep. Get some excercise in. Your emotional state, heck, your BRAIN can't be healthy in an unhealthy body.
Then, start with your own life. Set your life in order (or just clean your desk or something) and see how good it makes you feel. Tell the people you love that you love them and watch them react to the bright spot in their day. Do good things. Be nice to people. Offer to help when you don't feel like it.
You could imagine that you're surrounded by a bubble about 6 feet by 6 feet - your sphere of influence. As you do good things within that bubble, it begins to glow and shed a little light on the world around it.
On the other hand, if you let the darkness in, you'll only have darkness to give.
Reading over that, I realize it sounds kinda new-wavy and lame. We all get bummed out - (hell, I was in a similar state of mind on my last birthday). My point is you have the power to change things, even when it doesn't feel like it.
Good luck.
2006-09-01 10:26:17 · answer #4 · answered by lightholder 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean. What keeps me going is knowing that when I get in that kind of mood - it will pass. I don't want to give you cliches, but mine is Endure and Conquer. Sometimes, I'm in those moods at night, I'll read from my old worn out college World Literature textbook. Looking at how hard people had it in past times, and how the world has always been violent and crazy helps put things in perspective. Then I go to sleep. The next day is brand new and I cheer up and find pleasure in little things, like a blow pop. It's my habit and I adore them cause you suck this candy on a stick and then...there's gum in the middle. :)
2006-09-01 10:14:24 · answer #5 · answered by 5375 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't watch the news-People who create the news make a lot of money by making people miserable. Some just love all the bad news and can't wait to find out about Paris Hilton breaking a finger nail or other bs. Jerry Springer is an artist at exploiting people's misery,Oprah,Maury Polvich,Sally Jesse,court Shows,20/20,Enquirer all just love to dig up pain and suffering and make it seem that there is way more of it than is actually out there.
2006-09-01 10:13:15 · answer #6 · answered by super stud 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can everything to make the world a better place.You cannot change the nature of people,but you can change yourself.You cannot stop the war ,but you can stop the war within youself.You dont have to be ignorant of things happening around,because they are a part of "time".Everything that is happening is just natural,its all pre programmed.If you dont understand what I mean,try to read about Mayan culture ,the significance of the year 2012 ,the rebirth of Christ,reincarnation of Krishna(Buddha),coming of the Quamayat(Islam) ,and so on.Its just a part of the "change" that is occuring .We were born at a time which is called the "Kali Yug" according to Hindu belief,where people have nothing more than "ego".The "I" stands before anything else in the present world.Well,,what you can do is,,make yourself aware of the real forces(nature,time,space).You dont have to be religious ,you just need to be conscious and not being ignorant("ignorance is the cause of all sufferings).
Try to see better things in life---see the nature,its the ultimate force,and the source.
Believe that a better time is coming,and it will come,,prepare yourself.try to be good to one and all.
You can try meditation (its not as easy as it sounds,but you can start with a few minutes)
You can make a difference--not by telling or writing to people.But by changing yourself.
"One in the Whole and Whole in the One"
Wake up each day and smile in the morning.Laugh and talk to yourself,remember your stupidity and reflect on your intelligence.
listen to your heart.
Ok enough of me,,,,,,,rest is on you :),,,,, wishing you all the good things in life
("we wouldnt know happiness if we didnt know sorrow)
2006-09-01 10:22:32 · answer #7 · answered by DEV 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
keep developing that good character the more u win over the better can u Imagine what drove a world leader like john Lennon to heroin ...live and learn patience Mohammad may not of moved the mountain but he taught a high percentage of them morals and how to live in integrity you sound like u might do more then u think happy birthday! and good luck! never quit trying...and don't fool with drugs Lennon could have been less foolish but he was trapped without a friend keep your spirits up balance is the moderation of the great and success-full
2006-09-01 10:22:52 · answer #8 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't you wish we had a fairy godmother to fix the world. Try to focus on the good things in your life tomorrow. You have people who love you, spend time with them. We all get down sometimes and that is OK too. I wish you a very Happy Birthday!
2006-09-01 10:12:24 · answer #9 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I sometimes stop reading the news. It gives me a break. I give myself goals of what I want to accomplish that I wouldn't not normally do for society and volunteer a weekend or something.
2006-09-01 10:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by Karrien Sim Peters 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋