How do you cope?

That IS the question, isn't it? How does anyone "aware" enough to see it, cope with the knowledge that our world is incredibly controlled, people are trained to be docile little servants, and our money system serves to limit us? Let's not forget that our government is corrupt, we're in useless wars at the expense of innocent people, and the rich hoard money at the expense of the poor.

I've recently started college and one thing I notice is just how focused the people are there. They are completely focused on a career goal and getting there. Let me be perfectly honest, I don't care about school, nor do I care about a career. But let me reiterate, I still do schoolwork and I still career plan. It just feels empty and does not bring me happiness. What does bring me happiness is friends and relationships. I would venture to say that those two things are THE most important things to me, more than everything else, personal relationships and friendships matter most to me. And those DO make me happy. But much of the time, in college, there's a polarity. On one end, you have those who drink and have sex all the time, while on the other end you have those who are totally focused on their studies. There's even a third polarity of people who want to get married ASAP. I'm sort of in the middle of all three, doing what I need to with studies, but wanting to have fun and form meaningful connections with people. And with relationships, I'm not ready to settle down, nor am I someone for 1 night stands.

I guess what it boils down to is that I'm sort of stuck between two paradigms, my own of a self-sustaining society where money is nonexistent, corruption is a thing of the past, and essential resources such as food, water, shelter are available to anyone who desires it. The other paradigm is the current one, where corruption is abundant, greed is good, and we are enslaved by the use of money. So i'm in the odd predicament, like many others, of desiring one society, yet being stuck in another. And society won't change unless people want it to, and they don't. People are happy with their 9-5 jobs, TV's, expensive cars, the "American Dream".

So, I have to live my life like nothing will change, live it in the current model. It really isn't viable to live outside the system. Even if there was, it would be kind of lonely. I've invested some money in the stock market, bought a few shares of Apple (which supposedly has a good upside) and some ETF's (kind of like mutual funds). My hope is one of two things: either this "recovery" will continue and I'll make some money, which I'll reinvest in the hopes of one day getting to the point of a self-sustaining cash flow, therefore earning my own freedom, in a way. OR, the market will tank, resulting in a second Great Depression. I'd much prefer the latter. I know the idea of a second Great Depression might sound terrible, but I only see 1 way out of this mess: the complete collapse of the economic system. If the system would collapse, the "American Dream" would be shattered for many, and with nothing left to lose, people would begin to fight back against the rich and greedy, who got them in this crisis.

If we continue to recover and things return to "normal", with the economy and the chaotic situation of the world, my aspirations are to one day run for public office. I don't want the power, nor the spotlight, but something needs to be done to restore the rule of law and implement a fairer system.

So now back to the original question, how do you cope?

Although physical sensations can be discomforting, it is the fear of the unknown that causes despair.

There are two solutions to this classical problem:

1) Attempt to "know" everything
2)

With the sometimes questionable belief that on the 28 oct 11 or 21 dec 12, the world as we know it will change forever, thats how some of us cope. It does make for a very compromised way of living

How do I cope? LOL! I think you hang out on ATS too much. People who hang out here a lot buy into the hype that we have no freedom, that we're being controlled by some master entity, that our destiny is not our own. The fact is that you ARE free, you ARE in control of your own destiny. I'm in my 50's, so I've been around a while. I don't just "cope", I enjoy life! Life is fantastic!! This isn't a matter of survival, if you think it is then you need to adjust your perspective. It is your choice to either drag yourself through life like it's a miserable slog or to see life for the wonderful adventure that it truly is. My recommendation is to spend less time on here and more time experiencing what life has to offer

How do I cope? I don't. My life is a mess and my spirit is weak. I want to live out of this world but see no way to escape. I'm a failure in the eyes of many, because I never had a career, only worked in part time jobs. People see me with my head in the clouds, always daydreaming and fantasizing about a better world where we all just love each other, no racism, sexism, classism (word?), etc.

I am very unhappy in life for the most part, but only because I cannot see a way to reconcile my dreams with reality. I know this is depressing to read, it's depressing for me to put into words.

I try to learn something from any situation I'm in, so I try to remain optimistic. It used to come easy to me, but now not so much. Everyday I struggle with fear, perceived helplessness, frustration, and uncertainty. It doesn't help that my marriage is basically over but neither one of us will end it officially. But I also struggle with the same feelings you do about the world. Sometimes I actually do think that I'd rather be ignorant of the truths that I've awakened to about our system and the world's ideologies. It was easier a lot of the time (not all the time though, I admit).

I've also quit drinking. I feel better physically, but now I have to learn to deal with life more.

I don't cope very well to say the least.

Honestly this passes through my head on a regular basis and the only way I can think of is to just enjoy the little things. Enjoy your friends and family, enjoy your pets (if you have any), enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy. These thoughts can be a heavy burden but fortunately your not alone and hopefully everything will even out in the end, I am a firm believer in Karma. Look around though, I see many more people, especially our youth, who are waking up and seeing what is going on and how FFFd they are in the future and they dont like it one bit. So just keep your head high, enjoy the little things and try to educate some of your friends to what is going on...hopefully they'll listen.

OP and Ellie too, I understand and empathize with you both.

I'm a born skeptic. I remember when I was very young, in school, being one of the very few to ask "why" and to analyze situations and lessons while everyone else was happy just obeying. I have always read alternative news, always tried to be aware of what's happening in our world and trying to get a clearer image of the ones who pull the strings. I've alienated friends and family attempting to enlighten them. Others I've just stopped trying to be around because I know they have a very material, superficial view of the world. I never had a problem thinking/knowing we were all doomed, it just seemed to me like a natural and inevitable end to our (humanity's) current state.

My son was born 17 months ago. Since then I lie awake nearly every night, thinking about his future and feeling guilty for bringing him into this horrible world. I worry about immunizations, public schooling, radioactive fallout, trying to plan meals and food storage, our horrible economy that most definitely will be passed on to future generations, who will be taxed much more heavily than we are today.



Cope? I write songs, I play music. I try to get out into nature and enjoy the natural beauty of the world - it's so much more relaxing than being indoors, being surrounded by man-made, carcinogen belching, superficial, self-worth negating reality. I volunteer for my local food co-op, and have volunteered for political causes that I identify with in the past (and will continue to do so.) I try to keep busy - I try to change myself and my surroundings for the better, which at least makes me feel like I'm doing something.

The thought remains, perhaps temporarily diluted but there in my mind always.

I think hoping for the world to end is a complete cop out for the weak and lazy. People speculate on all this garbage, the world ending, the rapture, whatever.. There are very real and immediate problems that we face. Maybe the world is fated to end by some prophecy known to ancient man and passed down through the years in cryptic fragments - But maybe people watch too much tv and read too much fiction.

If the world is doomed by a supernatural or astronomical event, I cannot change that. Instead, I focus my energy where it will have an effect. That's how I "cope."

reply to post by mossme89


You recently started college and yet don’t care? Please elaborate. You are accumulating a debt that will follow you through life and affect you if you don’t pay. Are Mom and Dad footing the bill?

I broke free of the Credit card syndrome quite awhile ago, and yes it is hard, but I’m debt free and retired as well, and I’m only in my 40’s. It is possible. Oh yea, I’m a high school drop out to boot. Though I did return to school, I always made sure that I had the cash to pay for each and every course.

I live small and within my means. That is the secret.

Save for your wants and spend on your needs.

reply to post by Ellie Sagan


I have a feeling you are young. I encourage you to keep being optimistic. A defeatist attitude gets you nowhere. Life is hard, but you have to keep plugging away.

That "Pie in the Sky" dreaming mode may wll make you self sustaining one day.

reply to post by mossme89


If I was in your position as a (presumeably) young adult with all options open to you, I would get off the grid and join a community such as Dancing Rabbit. It would be a no-brainer, for me. Instead, I cope by reading a lot, exercising, and getting out of town every now and then. My coping mechanisms aren't very effective and I feel frustrated, discouraged and stressed a lot of the time.

Originally posted by TDawgRex
reply to post by mossme89

 

You recently started college and yet don’t care? Please elaborate. You are accumulating a debt that will follow you through life and affect you if you don’t pay. Are Mom and Dad footing the bill?

I broke free of the Credit card syndrome quite awhile ago, and yes it is hard, but I’m debt free and retired as well, and I’m only in my 40’s. It is possible. Oh yea, I’m a high school drop out to boot. Though I did return to school, I always made sure that I had the cash to pay for each and every course.

I live small and within my means. That is the secret.

Save for your wants and spend on your needs.

I'm still going to college and doing what i need to, it just doesn't make me happy.

The best advice I can give is to 'just do you.' Focus on what your values are and what makes you happy, and don't care about what others are focused on. If you value interpersonal relationships most highly then incorporate them as fully into your life as possible. Make new friends at school, join a club that focuses on making the positive changes you want to see in the world, share your thoughts and ideas openly with others.

Don't worry about changing society. Society is merely composed of individuals, each seeking their own happiness, however misguided. Seek your own and evaluate whether what you believe will bring you happiness is also conducive to the type of world you want to live in, not the type that exists currently. BE the change you want to see. In the words of MJ "If ya wanna make the world a better place, just look at yourself and make a change." Cliche, maybe, but absolutely true. Our power lies within ourselves. No matter what craziness is going on in the world, you ALWAYS have a choice on how you want to react to it. That's how I cope.

reply to post by mossme89


I followed my instincts, not necessarily my dreams. It hasn't steered me wrong yet, though at times I thought it did. Instincts are usually more common sense, whereas dreams are just that, dreams.

My family hardly talked to me after I dropped out, took about 10 years to get communications flowing again, and yes, I do love them.

There have been times that I lived out of my car and other times where I thought I was at the top of my game. Life is always in flux, so you must never get complacent and always look forward, while remembering the lessons of your past, just not dwelling upon them.

reply to post by yeahright


While I am more spiritualist in nature rather than religious, I have always loved that poem/prayer.

It…just…makes…sense. To me anyways.

I can relate a lot. I look around this world and see corruption everywhere. It's being rewarded and praised by so many, even looked up to. So many people, including in so-called wealthy countries, live in poverty. It's the fact that children live in poverty, that's what really gets to me. Why aren't more people talking and doing something about this? They are too consumed with their own lives, with empty tv shows and useless gadgets.

I honestly have very little hope for the future of the world. Wealth is being pushed to the very top of the social hierarchy at an alarming rate, corporations are basically allowed, even championed, to do whatever they want to in the name of profit seemingly without consequences, and governments and political leaders seem to be hellbent on pitting groups of people against each other.

There is a lot of beauty and goodness in this world though, that is what keeps me going. I honestly see beauty almost everywhere I go. But the greed and sadness frankly outweighs these.

I am trying to focus on developing my spiritual side, but am finding it very hard to do so. I want to make life plans and follow through on them, but the fact that we live in such a sad state really gets to me. It's like I feel "whats the point." My best friend tells me that I shouldn't concern myself with things that I can't change - that I shouldn't read the news as much, stuff like that. But I don't want to pretend all is ok. I don't want to live in ignorance.

When it comes down to it, we really are all brothers and sisters. All of us - the good and the bad.

Sounds like you need to be on Prozac or some depression meds.

I'd go see the doctor asap as your displaying all the signs. It helps alot of people who complain of the same things your bringing up and might give you a better outlook on life.

And take a break from reading ATS. Go watch Disney movies instead.

reply to post by kro32


C'mom Kro. No need to troll.

I look at the OP post as a actual question and that they are asking how we cope. They may learn somrthing from the replies.

Younguns' have a hard time these days realizing that life is hard and are freaked out when they enter it.

reply to post by TDawgRex


That's just the thing. I'm not old, old, but I am 40. I've lived a while. I don't like feeling this way, I've always previously been an optimist, to the annoyance of the pessimists in my life. I feel like I've been beaten down by personal circumstances and the state of our world, I don't know how to get back to the "me" I used to be. I know what you mean that it's not a good place to be.

reply to post by TDawgRex


That's not trolling at all and was very solid advice I gave. What he's describing is classic depression and there have been alot of people who have had these symptoms alleviated through the use of minor anti-depressents.

At the very least it would not hurt to try them out and I know many college kids who take some form of it. Starting college is a very confusing time for alot of young adults and can seem very overwhelming going from the protected world from which they came to now being "on their own".

Just saw your other post. Sounds like possible mid-life crisis coming so once again at least go to your doctor and talk with him about possible medical solutions.