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The Wis-dumb of Pogo

Badger Johnson

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Remember that comic strip by Walt Kelly?

Kellyposter1970.jpg


How true this is. I'm now wondering if most of the negative aspects of human behavior are simply that we do not believe we deserve to be happy.

Thus we 'self-sabotage'. Look at your behaviors, how many of them are 'counter-productive'. Bad habits. Bad actions in which you feel guilty while doing them (yelling at your loving spouse).

Look at some of the blood-lust we see here from time to time (everyone feels it, even the more laid-back posters). I think it's a reaction to trying to insure one's happiness, paradoxically, at the point of a gun. (it's complicated).

We're angry and we want to do things which will ultimately not solve anything and will even get us -into- more trouble. We protest 'it's our right, dammit, to be peaceful!'. What I'm going to do is examine my beliefs and actions and see if I can't 'fix' this propensity. If you see some 'light' here, then you're welcome to ponder it with me. :)

So, anyway, just a random thought on a cloudy Monday morning...
 
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georg jetson

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Remember that comic strip by Walt Kelly?

Kellyposter1970.jpg


How true this is. I'm now wondering if most of the negative aspects of human behavior are simply that we do not believe we deserve to be happy.

Thus we 'self-sabotage'. Look at your behaviors, how many of them are 'counter-productive'. Bad habits. Bad actions in which you feel guilty while doing them (yelling at your loving spouse).

Look at some of the blood-lust we see here from time to time (everyone feels it, even the more laid-back posters). I think it's a reaction to trying to insure one's happiness, paradoxically, at the point of a gun. (it's complicated).

We're angry and we want to do things which will ultimately not solve anything and will even get us -into- more trouble. We protest 'it's our right, dammit, to be peaceful!'. What I'm going to do is examine my beliefs and actions and see if I can't 'fix' this propensity. If you see some 'light' here, then you're welcome to ponder it with me. :)

So, anyway, just a random thought on a cloudy Monday morning...

This issue has been addressed and resolved 2000 years ago. Get a copy of the King James Bible and spend your cloudy Mondays reading.
 

thebigsd

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This issue has been addressed and resolved 2000 years ago. Get a copy of the King James Bible and spend your cloudy Mondays reading.

Or any other fiction book...

It is indeed the pursuit of happiness. Most people don't know when they are happy or what makes them happy. They try to make themselves happy by buying the newest things, using drugs, stealing, etc... Me? I am just happy to be alive.
 
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georg jetson

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Or any other fiction book...

It is indeed the pursuit of happiness. Most people don't know when they are happy or what makes them happy. They try to make themselves happy by buying the newest things, using drugs, stealing, etc... Me? I am just happy to be alive.

...Implying the Bible to be fiction... lol!! Well... it is convenient to some to consider it such.
 

SFCRetired

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Or any other fiction book...

It is indeed the pursuit of happiness. Most people don't know when they are happy or what makes them happy. They try to make themselves happy by buying the newest things, using drugs, stealing, etc... Me? I am just happy to be alive.

Interesting how many archaeological finds back up events of both the Old and New Testaments. Pretty good for a work of fiction, wouldn't you say?

Had you ever been in the Sinai Peninsula or any of those locations mentioned in the Bible, you would have much stronger doubts about it being fiction. Trust me; I've been there and it is an experience.

Bottom line is this: I would rather live my life believing in God, and patterning my life accordingly, and die only to find there is no God than to live my life not believing in God, die, and find out there is a God.
 

Badger Johnson

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Or any other fiction book...

It is indeed the pursuit of happiness. Most people don't know when they are happy or what makes them happy. They try to make themselves happy by buying the newest things, using drugs, stealing, etc... Me? I am just happy to be alive.

Of all the responses (there's no 'right' or 'wrong' reply, here) this one resonates with me the most.

By 'deserve to be happy' I don't me a human right or a constitutional right to prosperity, I mean walking around with a virtual cloud over your head thinking you are not 'good enough' to be happy, to deserve a good feeling and have good friendships. It's a sense of feeling negative about yourself. It's internal and not an external 'legislated' thing.

Some talk about not playing 'negative tapes'. ("I'm a klutz, I'm clumsy, I've never been skilled, can't shoot straight"). These internal ruminations can be self-defeating. They make one a grouch, cause one to lash out. But if we look at our lives we should all be VERY happy to be alive.

The question is 'how do you achieve this feeling?"

Sometimes, I try to look around at those less fortunate and sometimes, I just try and surround myself with some good friends. I think 'positively', I repeat self-affirmations when riding my bike.

But we really don't know what makes any individual capable of 'happiness'. Many rich and famous people are miserable.

Look at www.DickProenneke.com. How was he able to be happy and not lonely. There's much to learn here.

Thanks for the replies!

$.02
 

SFCRetired

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I think we define this as "riches" of a different sort. I'll be the first to tell you that I don't have a whole lot of money, so I'm not rich by that definition.

I'll also tell you that I am one of the richest men I know. How can that be? Very simple: I've done just about everything in this life that I ever wanted to do. I had two successful careers. Even more important is the fact that I've been privileged to love and be loved by two wonderful women. I've managed to keep a roof over our heads, food on our table, and clothes on our backs. I've got two children and two stepchildren that I think the world of and who, I'm convinced, think the same of me. There's also the grandkids that think the sun rises because I tell it to!! I've got an old car that is holding together quite well (knock on wood) and gets me where I want to go.

Most important, I've get pretty good health for someone my age who has lived the life I've lived (and smoked for as many years as I did). There's a lot of men who worked at what I worked at who are no longer here. Some of them died very young.

Yep, I'm pretty darn happy. I've lived a good life and I feel that I'm still living a pretty good life.
 

Badger Johnson

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^^That's great and is really a hallmark of a happy man. One who can appreciate what he has.

The 'root cause' of unhappiness still eludes us. You've post 'what' you've done, but think about the work-a-holic. He has all you do and is still not happy.

To me it's the 'how' of appreciation. The 'how' of not taking for granted. The 'how' of being able to truly look around you and be free from guilt, dread, the 'same-old-same-old'.

To those who ARE happy, we scratch our heads and say 'how can you not be happy, given you have a good life, health, and enough to get by'.

The how includes 'daily affirmations', 'doing due diligence', 'thinking of your partner (and kids) first'.

The how includes truly finding love and that means not to 'settle' but to keep looking until you find it; find your soul-mate, perhaps.

I'm with a great partner, but it's a daily struggle to keep it 'fresh', keep it from being 'rote', prove your love in your actions every day. To do this we talk about it. We openly have 'sessions' where we say 'I feel...'. I feel you took me for granted on Thursday, can you mirror me on that and help 'fix' it.

So:
1. Daily affirmations (silent positive thoughts, repeated like a mantra)
2. Daily mirroring with your partner. "This is what I'm hearing you say..."
3. Doing the 'right thing', even if it hurts a little (hurt egos must go away)
4. Losing your 'ego'
5. Being able to 'empty your cup' to taste my 'wine'.

...and so on.

Why do I bother, why do I seek the 'root cause' of my happiness (or my distress)? Because my partner is worth it.

This is the partner I carry with (here's how OCDO is pertinent), and whose life I would save, who I would take a bullet for. It makes it all very 'real' and cogent. They talk about 'working' on your relationship. I hope I've shown 'how' I do it. And...I know every day I must improve it a little. If you really love someone, believe me, it's not a chore, it's a pleasure. :)

$0.02
 

georg jetson

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The 'root cause' of unhappiness still eludes us. You've post 'what' you've done, but think about the work-a-holic. He has all you do and is still not happy.

It does not elude "us". It may elude you, hence this thread...

The Creator designed us as unique individuals, however, with many similarities. The search for the 'root cause' of happiness must begin with an attempt at understanding the Creator. It is inescapable...
 

Ruby

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Happiness is an internal attitude evinced in our everyday living. You cannot fill up an empty feeling inside with outside stuff; it has never worked and never will, not if true, genuine happiness is what you are after. Do I evince this attitude all the time? Certainly not, I'm as human as anyone else. But basically I consider myself to be a very happy person, that is my basic nature.

I believe one of the characteristics of true happiness is an acceptance of our own lives the way they are: no whining and no complaining. That doesn't mean that we can't improve our own lives because we can, but in order to do that, we have to accept, even love, who we are and what we are. And self acceptance is one of the hardest things to do, at least for me.

I don't believe that happiness is something you can pursue. the more you chase it, the further away it goes. A very wise person once said, " There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way." There are people living in this world with far less material possesions than most Americans, and yet they have been found to be some of the happiest people on the planet. Most Americans haven't seemed to get that yet.

I also agree with georg jetson. I have a strong believe in God and the power of prayer. Do I get everything I ask God for? Of course not! But I am blessed with the things I need and some of the things I want. We all have far more blessings than we are consciously aware of. I am not a particularly religious person, but consider myself a spiritual person. I CHOOSE to believe in God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ, and I have had clear evidence in my own life to support my belief. That said, I respect the choices of other people when it comes to religion and spritual beliefs.

Just my thoughts on the subject. Happiness is one of those elusive things that we know more what it isn't than what it is, and it's not the same for everyone. I am convinced though that it has very little to do with "stuff". "Stuff " may make a person happy for a while, but it gradually fades. True happiness never does fade away, but you are not in a state of euphoria all the time either. I'm just happy to be part of life; the older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know and how little that matters.
 

Tawnos

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Interesting how many archaeological finds back up events of both the Old and New Testaments. Pretty good for a work of fiction, wouldn't you say?

Except that there's no evidence of the Egyptians enslaving the Israelites, there's no evidence of a census being taken in the fashion claimed in the NT, there's no evidence of worldwide darkness, or a worldwide flood, or any number of other supposed historical truths.

There's also the amusing take on it, P&T's BS
 

SFCRetired

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Except that there's no evidence of the Egyptians enslaving the Israelites, there's no evidence of a census being taken in the fashion claimed in the NT, there's no evidence of worldwide darkness, or a worldwide flood, or any number of other supposed historical truths.

There's also the amusing take on it, P&T's BS

1. Go back up and read the bottom line I put in the post you quoted.

2. Actually there is some evidence of the Egyptians enslaving the Habirus, as they were known then. You do your own research.

3. I will grant that there are some tales told in the Bible that are oral tradition and not historical fact. That said, there are many historically accurate accounts. Personally, I would give a pretty penny to know what was in the Great Library of Alexandria that caused the early Christian elders to instigate its burning.
 

Tawnos

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1. Go back up and read the bottom line I put in the post you quoted.
Pascal's wager is as dumb and boring now as it ever was. You make the assumption that Yahweh is the only possible god, yet there are thousands of other possible gods that have been believed in throughout human history. What makes you decide to believe in that one over Mithra or Thor or Zeus or to follow the Buddha or worship cows? What if the god isn't one of any that have been believed in, but does exist and punishes those who exhibited blind faith and rewards those who followed reason to the logical conclusion of the null hypothesis?

The point is, Pascal's wager is worse than useless, and trying to state your beliefs are good or bad because of such a futile undertaking is silly. You are creating a false bisection of choices, when there are a myriad variety of choices and consequences possible.

2. Actually there is some evidence of the Egyptians enslaving the Habirus, as they were known then. You do your own research.
I have done my own research, it's why I made that statement. You are making the claim that it's true, so provide citations. I have not seen any evidence that the nation of Israel was enslaved by Egypt, that a single man helped overthrow that rule (and there's certainly no record of the various curses that are written about), and there's no evidence of things like the battle of Jericho, or the rest of the driving out of the Canaanites.

What I'm saying isn't that the bible is devoid of historical truth, but that it is not a reliable source of history. This link goes over it in much more detail than I care to.

3. I will grant that there are some tales told in the Bible that are oral tradition and not historical fact. That said, there are many historically accurate accounts. Personally, I would give a pretty penny to know what was in the Great Library of Alexandria that caused the early Christian elders to instigate its burning.
How can you separate the myth from reality?
 

Brass Magnet

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The Bible: Based on a true story. I think that describes it better. :D BTW, Twanos has "religion", "jesus", "god" and "bible" bookmarked for instant search results so that he will be attracted to any threads with those words in them. May I suggest that you use a code word when taking on religious subjects.....:lol:

Anyway, all I need to feel content, and therefore be at least pretty happy, is to know that I can do what I want. In other words, freedom makes people happy. Liberty is what makes possible the "pursuit of happiness". Let's put it this way: If I know I could do something to better my situtation, I'm happy, even if I don't decide to follow through with it for some reason. Just the knowledge that I have the choice alone, and know I won't be thwarted by some bad actors or the government at every turn makes me happy. It may sound a little funny but the movie "The Matrix" makes good on this point. "The problem is choice". The machines couldn't keep people happy and connected to their tubes, even in a utopia.

Just a few examples are, it might make you happy to:

Get a dog: But you need to pay for a license and check the regulations in your area. Oh, and they aren't allowed in the park.

Start a business from your home: But you'd better check the zoning laws and make sure you have all the legal permits, a tax number and an LLC to CYA. Then, there's the cost to rezone (if the board approves it) or pay for some sort of "cottage industry" permit that doesn't allow any retail sales.

Start investing in the stock market: But you should know that if you buy and sell the same stock in a day you need to have $25,000 minimum in a margin account or the SEC will be suspending your account and/or knocking on your door.

Buy some milk from the farmer next door.....but what about the taxes on it? Oh, and that's raw milk and the state and federal government say you can't drink that.

Be responsible by putting in a new septic system: But permits and tests will cost you thousands, and you can't do it yourself even if it's inspected, it's got to be done by a state licensed contractor.

Tinker with a car: But if it's sitting on your property it's an eyesore and you could get a fine. Don't mess with anything that could make it louder or quieter or change the emissions either or your in big trouble. Hey, does that have a salvaged title? Oh, no, doesn't matter that it just got wet, you'll need a full state inspection.

Buy a golf cart for your property: But don't even think of crossing the road with that. It can't be registered as vehicle and it's not an ATV so you can get a "catch 22" ticket for either.

Buy a few silver coins: But even though they are issued by the U.S. mint as legal tender you have to pay sales tax on those in your state. Oh, and if you make any "profit" (even though it's caused by inflation) on that, it's gotta be taxed. You aren't allowed to protect your money from the government's over-printing.

Make a few home improvements: But you'd better get a building permit so they know you did thing safely and up to par and how else are they going to know how much to tax you next time your property taxes are due?

Shoot an animal causing damage to property: But this one could get you into real trouble if you aren't the actual land owner and the animal is "protected" like a woodchuck in WI. Thankfully after hours of perusing regulations I found that I could, in fact; legally shoot a beaver that was damming up my creek.



These are just a few things I've personally run into in the last few years. This is what makes me an angry discontent. Not other people, not my situation; the fact that I'm not free to run my life the way I see fit as long as I don't hurt anyone else.
 
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Tawnos

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The Bible: Based on a true story. I think that describes it better. :D BTW, Twanos has "religion", "jesus", "god" and "bible" bookmarked for instant search results so that he will be attracted to any threads with those words in them. May I suggest that you use a code word when taking on religious subjects.....:lol:
The Bible: Based on a true story (in the movie sense of the word "based", and the fox news/CNN (depending on your political leanings) sense of the word "true"). ;)

I just read every thread in the social lounge, so... good luck with the codewords.

Also, my nickname is spelled "Tawnos"
 

thebigsd

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I'm very happy, the Rams lost last night. I'll be even happier if those darned 49ers win their next game and the rest of the NFC West loses theirs. I see a very happy next several months. Unless of course the 9ers get back to last years ways.

You should post this in the Football thread in the Social Lounge...lol
 

Brass Magnet

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The Bible: Based on a true story (in the movie sense of the word "based", and the fox news/CNN (depending on your political leanings) sense of the word "true"). ;)

Some of the stories are true; most likely, or at least based on a story that might be based on a true story like Noah and the flood versus the Epic of Gilgamesh. ;)

I just read every thread in the social lounge, so... good luck with the codewords.
Foiled again.......:uhoh:
Also, my nickname is spelled "Tawnos"
Sorry, freudian slip. ;):lol: In all seriousness, mea culpa.
 
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georg jetson

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? What I'm saying isn't that the bible is devoid of historical truth, but that it is not a reliable source of history.

How can you separate the myth from reality?

It is unfortunate that this thread has gotten hijacked over an "is the Bible true" argument. When I initially mentioned it, I intended to give my .02 about a source of happiness. Happiness will depend on your belief system. One's belief system is the essence of who they are...

No one can come to the table with undeniable proof when speaking of the "things not seen". However, it is the personal, individual discovery of those things not seen that warms the heart.

I quote the above for this reason... though it is an impossibility for a person to PROVE that the Bible IS a reliable source of history, it is most assuredly the same impossibility to show it is NOT a reliable source of history. Thus is the dilemma for those of us without the gift of time travel.
 
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