Make War On Pessimism

WE ARE ENGAGED IN THE ULTIMATE battle between good and evil, or at least that's a good way to look at it. Pessimism is evil because it causes demoralization. It makes people weak. It allows people with bad intentions to rule those who fear them (or feel demoralized by pessimism). This is an eternal war. Neither side will ever win. And the fight for freedom from both tyranny and pessimism is an uphill battle because natural, built-in forces are working against it. These forces are malicious and capable, functioning as parasites on free people.

Just like the fight to keep your computer free of viruses, this war on pessimism will never end. But that doesn't mean you should stop fighting. Stop and you lose for sure. Fight and keep fighting and you may tip the balance to the good.

This is a game in the most elevated sense of the word. And it's a game worth playing. The fight for political freedom and freedom from pessimism and freedom from viruses on your computer all have the elements of an excellent game. Why do we like games? Because they are challenging and yet we can have victories. It is engaging and satisfying. And what do you do when you've played a computer game and beaten all the levels? Toss it and find a new game.

You'll never have to toss this war on pessimism. It is endlessly challenging, and yet we can constantly have victories and increase our abilities.

The cards are stacked against you. That sounds like bad news, but if you think about it, this is a relief to know. The world is prearranged to make you negative. It is already a triumph that you are as free of pessimism as you are. Now we must help others free themselves too.

Why? Because this is a game worth playing. Freeing others from misery, whether you are helping create democracies in repressed countries, or whether you are helping your son free his mind from the pessimism that bombards him every day, you are pursuing a noble purpose.

Here is the plan of attack:

1. Recognize that pessimism is bad. It's bad for your health, it's bad for your relationships, it impairs your effectiveness in the world, and it feels bad.

2. Learn how to defeat it in yourself. Start here.

3. Motivate others defeat it in themselves.

4. Change people's minds with skill.

Pessimism is naturally contagious. As in the case of democracy, none of us are free until all of us are free. The two biggest sources of pessimism are 1) the people you talk to, and 2) the news media. Learn to help others defeat their own pessimism and help them understand why it is important. And then learn to protect yourself from the news media.

When you see negative headlines, either do something about it, like write your representatives, or alter your thoughts. Do not let it ONLY upset you.

News is not evil. There is a valuable purpose in digging up dirt. People who are doing bad things get exposed and brought to justice. That's useful, and that's the good side of the actions of the news media. But the pessimistic angle is so good at capturing attention, news people tend to use it a lot, and you need to learn to protect yourself from infection by pessimism if you expose yourself to it.

You must fight. You can't just let it ride or it will take you down. There are people on the other side working hard to find the most effective techniques to capture your attention, but those techniques put you in fear, keep you pessimistic, and make you feel defeated, helpless, and cynical. You have to fight against this. Free yourself and maintain your freedom with vigilance and know-how.