Ways to deal with the stress of the world
 

Greetings and salutations everyone, Riceguy here. I'm a somewhat new use to the forums and, despite not having posted extensively, I have been overwhelmed by the sense of community I have experienced so far.

Over the past couple of days I have found myself becoming introspective and philosophical about the state of the world and mankind as a whole. I don't remember exactly what prompted it; odds are good it was a news story or the like illustrating the depths of human cruelty or stupidity, but the cause is irregardless.

My mind as of late has been flooded with paradoxes about human emotion, such as our capacity for savageness and apathy in equal parts, and my mental debate has left me feeling cynical about the world and rather "blue".

Thus, my question to those who are willing to answer: What is it that keeps you going in life? What are the little things that make the world seem not so bad after all?

I've always found that, for me, gardening helps me to deal with the stress of our world. There is nothing so pure as digging your hands into the soil and creating new life and beauty. Unfortunately, college has forced me to tend nothing more then a windowbox, but it serves its purpose nicely, and I'm quite proud of it.

I'm not certain if this is an appropriate question for the Advice Board, but I figured that posting it would be worth a shot. I eagerly await to hear everyone's input.

I tend to have a positivie outlook on life. It is really the simple things that keep you happy. From gardening to biking, or hiking, or even just staring at a paint for hours on end. I would just suggest finding a hobby or anything you enjoy, and pursuing that.

I stopped worrying about other people so much, and focused more on what I was doing things seemed to improve for me mentally and emotionally. Keep the whole world in perspective, but work on making your little part of the world a better place for you and the people around you, and you will feel better in the long run.

It's easy to get down on the world as a whole, especially if you watch/read alot of news.

I take walks usually, and soak in what I see and hear. I see children at play, couples holding hands and the glory of nature. Sometimes I fly a kite or dangle my feet in a mountain stream.

Then I remember there is good in the world.

Perhaps if you look at it this way.
The news that you see/read is of events that are abnormal, and on most days there isn't enough of that to fill a full hour. With that being said there must be enough good things going on that we just take it for granted as normal. Good wins.

What keeps me going? Lots of things....the belly laughs from my two year old....a sloppy kiss from my big stupid dog when I'm down...hearing I love you when you don't expect it....a smile from a stranger. There is lots of good in the world to balance the bad, sometimes you just have to search harder to find it. For every bad news story there are ten ones of good deeds that you never hear about.
Enjoy the small moments in life for one day you will realize they were the big ones.

lately, i've really wanted to go and shoot a gun. i think it may give me back some of that power i feel i dont really have right now.

I also feel the same a lot of times. I guess the good is hard to find sometimes but they're still there.

Maybe we try so hard to see the big things that makes us happy making us forget about the little things. I hope I'm making sense here :)

Meditation & Simple Appreciation are what have worked for me.

With meditation, I can calm my mind and limit its tendencies to run wild - which sometimes puts me in a bad mood, especially when i unconciously start focusing my attention on negative things. meditation gives me the clarity of mind to begin to appreciate what is good in my life

Concious purposeful appreciation of every day things (a soft bed, a warm shower, a nice dream, decent food, even an interesting or challenging chapter of my school text) is a great, natural and healthy mood elevator.

Gardening is also something that is very spiritual and fulfilling for me. Anything that you enjoy intrinsically (simply the act itself) is something that you should pursue, for it will most deffinitely bring purpose into your life if you allow it. (I would suggest that you spend time meditating with the plants in your windowbox)

Here at Pomona College in Los Angeles we have a college-sponsored farm where we grow fruits and vegetables. where do you go to school? I guess you don't have any such thing going on over there, like a co-op or anything?

Yeah stop worrying about the world and do things to make yourself happy. Definitely get into more hobbies. I second meditation. Maybe you should take a yoga or pilates class. It'll help you relax and clear your mind, not to mention keep you in shape.

I meditate and play pool, not to mention 5 hours a day on TFP.

My mom's advice was always,"If you don't have control over it, don't worry yourself over it." I am a hs math teacher in an apathetic age, so I have a drink, I work out by myself and I go tanning. I also listen to CDs with headphones and I sometimes watch my kids sleep. I feel there is so much peace in silence after a hard day's work. They are truly beautiful, Angels. Goodnight, all.

I think the world is great. Sure, I get pissed off at things, and I am often bothered by senseless violence and suffering, but all in all I think living is a beautiful experience.

When I hear about some of the nastier things that take place, I deal with it by knowing that I am going to try to fix a few of those things. I do what I can now, and as I grow, my means to do so will only increase.

oh yeah, and it helps to be somewhat selfish and concerned with your own desires, rather than every body elses.

I just turn off the TV, put away the paper/magazines, turn off the computer and play with my 2 year old daughter. It's great to see the world through her eyes when she doesn't have to worry about it all.

Porn works for the 5 minutes that you are doing it.

Remember life sucks only if you want it to suck. If you want to smile - just smile... want to have some fun? Force yourself to shut down your box, stand up, and do a little dance, go outside... just go... and do something.

Stay young. I mean, i'm only 22, but really i'm about 8.

Have some fun. A quick fix for me is going to the bathroom and- rather than pulling to the side or out or above, I pull my pants and boxers all the way down to my ankles, like we all used to do when we were little. Take a bubble bath with that cheap mr. bubbles shit and have a good time. go find a good girl or guy (whichever is "good" to you.) and start something bigger and better. enjoy!

i learnt how to juggle...balls, clubs and whatever else i can get my hangs on :) poi is also really good i find for relaxing and for getting your mind off all the stresses that around around....i find when i do poi for an hour or so before an exam i walk in really focussed and switched on....

www.homeofpoi.com if anyones interesed....

This is a nice thread.. I'll second what was said before. Even though there are big problems in the world, especially on the news, we tend only to hear about the bad, as the good things in the world tend not to be as sensational, in your face, and screaming for you attention. In the end, we only have any free will, control or choice within our own personal sphere, and it isn't hard to plant seeds of kindness for others as you go. Times when I've been down, sometimes a small act of kindness by someone else can turn my whole perspective around. Meditation is nice, music is nice, just reminding myself that I live in a beautiful world, and that one day hopefully the kinks will be worked out, gives me some peace of mind.

Life is what you make of it. If you make yourself the center of all that is bad in the world/your life, then you'll just get bogged down.

I'm always just happy if I wake up in the morning, everything else after that point is what I make of it.

You can do what I do to relieve stress, smoke a couple cigarettes on a drive with a good CD.. oh wait, that's a horrible idea.. fucking cigarettes...

This says it all for me, only I'm 29. I do find that it helps to see the humor in situations where I've been treated as a human toilet by others. ;)

i like to go shoot a gun. skeet shooting is great because it's a sport and it relieves stress with that whole power thing with a gun ;D

Wow, just did a search on this forum and this is one of seven mentions of POI!

I've just taken up Poi three weeks ago, and I think it is fab. Had been juggling and unicycling for 10 years and have been looking for a new challenge to take up. Poi has filled the gap! :thumbsup: