Post by achamian on Nov 8, 2011 3:06:48 GMT -6
We all get disheartened sometimes and if we let it, this mood can settle in and we defeat ourselves. Just today, I was considering all of the people who get in the way of progressive change because they are ignorant (willfully or not), hateful, corrupt, and/or fearful of change. Sure the majority of people are pretty disgruntled with the state of affairs, but many of them don't see the corporate stranglehold on our democracy as the problem.
Anyway, the question is how to avoid getting to discouraged. In my particular case, I look at the thousands of people who have been tirelessly protesting these last weeks. I try to remember the movements that started from a minority and ended up succeeding in changing our country (civil rights, women's rights). Finally, I remember that there is a constant war being fought to educate people and raise the collective political and social awareness, and that historically, we are on the winning side - the side that seeks to defeat centralized power. So that's my little pep talk I need to give myself sometimes.
I thought it would be a productive exercise to invite you folks to post reasons that you get in a defeatist mood, and what you do to counter it (or if you are stuck in it, maybe others can help). I find it often helps knowing you're not the only one thinking these things. Be as specific or general as you like.
Anyway, the question is how to avoid getting to discouraged. In my particular case, I look at the thousands of people who have been tirelessly protesting these last weeks. I try to remember the movements that started from a minority and ended up succeeding in changing our country (civil rights, women's rights). Finally, I remember that there is a constant war being fought to educate people and raise the collective political and social awareness, and that historically, we are on the winning side - the side that seeks to defeat centralized power. So that's my little pep talk I need to give myself sometimes.
I thought it would be a productive exercise to invite you folks to post reasons that you get in a defeatist mood, and what you do to counter it (or if you are stuck in it, maybe others can help). I find it often helps knowing you're not the only one thinking these things. Be as specific or general as you like.