We all want to be better people. We all want to do better.
But sometimes, some days, we just need to survive.
External factors show up.
Internal factors bubble up.
There is no instruction manual.
There is no such thing as normal.
As long as you’re not negatively effecting other people, it’s okay to just do what you have to do to make it through to the next day, the next hour, the next minute, the next choice, the next breath.
It’s not just easy, it’s as natural and normal as breathing.
I know I have been guilty of judging others negatively, but what I was actually doing was projecting negative thoughts about my own flaws onto them. And I’m not accessing my long term memory when I think of examples of this.
I’m not sure if becoming more accepting of human nature comes with age or with experience. I just know that as I’ve gotten older, and had more experience interacting with more and more people, I am (slowly) becoming more accepting of the fact that to be human is to be irrational.
I think that if we all take a minute to look back on some of our decisions in just our recent past, we’ll find the actions of an irrational person.
Studying philosophy has helped me with this. Reading books by Robert Greene has specifically helped me with this a lot in recent years.
To accept our human nature, is to be forgiving, to have empathy.
We need more of a lot of things in this world, but empathy, that is something that a majority of us can agree upon. Something free, simple, within all of our ability to control and influence.
Having more compassion for myself and empathy for others is an evergreen new years resolution for me. Being more aware and accepting of the irrationality of human nature has helped provide fuel for my ability to empathize to grow.
Homeownership, a foundation of the economic middle class, a trademark of the American Dream.
So many capitalist bootlickers, who confuse having a comma in their bank account with their class status, love to point to the stock market as a sign of how well the American economy is doing.
We humans love to feel smart and in control.
The modern American economy, this side of The Great Recession is drastically more complex and out of control of the average consumer and worker regardless of if they’re in false class solidarity with the 1%.
Record homelessness means the system is a failed, broken disgrace.
Tent cities becoming an established norm across the country means the American Dream has become a living nightmare.
But it is hard to care about others when we are so busy just trying to keep our heads above water. Trying to make enough to keep ourselves warm, fed, and dry leaves little time or energy to help those who have already fallen through the cracks.
It would just be nice if we stopped lying to ourselves about it. But that would mean a drastic, immediate change in human nature. I’m guess BlackRock will get out of the real estate business before that happens.
As an exercise in building self esteem and self confidence I was recently challenged to list thirty things I like or love about myself. My list is below. I found it to be an effective and pragmatically valuable exercise. I recommend it.
1. BxB XI Experience
2. Pro wrestling experiences
3. Vest in the world
4. Beard
5. Blog
6. Poetry
7. Journaling
8. Meditation practice
9. Weight training
10. Yoga
11. Bracelets
12. House plants
13. Media Communications BA
14. Alcohol tolerance
15. Sense of humor
16. Reading habit
17. Music taste
18. Concert experiences
19. Rave experiences
20. Poker experiences
21. Hair
22. Nightlife Experiences
23. Knowledge of/Taste in entertainment
24. Knowledge of/Taste in sports
25. Study of stoicism & philosophy
26. Study of spirituality
27. Desire for personal development
28. Hallucinogen knowledge/experiences
29. Supplement knowledge/consumption
30. Survival and thriving through grief and depression
Consumerism as a mandatory sign of love, caring, and affection.
That’s the American Way
It certainly is the holiday season in a nutshell for capitalists and their bootlickers.
Don’t dare ask why you have to buy someone something to show you love/care for them. Don’t even ask if there is something they actually need or can tangibly use in their day to day life.
Just buy them something, or you’re a piece of garbage. The more you spend, the better person you are. Whether it’s a lot of little things, a few medium things, or a really big thing. The more you spend, the more you are allowed to feel good about yourself.
Until the next day when you wake up. Until the next week when the holiday is over. Until the next month when the bill(s) come. Until next year…
62% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, but do we dare buy groceries or pay someone else’s bills for the holiday? No, because that would be charity and if they want charity then they can pick themselves up by the boot straps and get a job. Oh they have a job? Well get a second job. Oh they have a second job? Uh…well…stop buying avocado toast and fancy coffee.
Anarchy Journal Constitutional 