#Resilience and hope

[kahztiy]

YD6~34 Festive Seasons Echoes in the Courtroom The Road to Hazyview 

Returning, my sister, Ilona’s borrowed Alfa Romeo, after leaving my boys with and their cousin Brian in Kelvin, their territorial suburb, my mood chugs like a steamroller on hot asphalt. Driving and glancing at the azure sky, appeased the dark storm clouds encroaching my mind. Hopelessness consuming me as I drove back from a clandestine auspex with my boys, contrary to my visitation rights after…

[edwardgdunn]

Overcoming The Sadness Of A Deeply Divided Country

Introduction

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, changing social norms, and polarizing political landscapes, finding happiness can feel like an elusive pursuit. The United States, a nation renowned for its diversity and democratic values, is currently grappling with deep divisions that can take a toll on individuals’ well-being. However, the science of happiness offers profound insights into how we can navigate these turbulent times and cultivate joy amidst adversity. This article delves into the strategies and scientific studies that can help us not only endure but thrive in a divided country like the USA.

Understanding the Divided Landscape

The divisions within the United States are multifaceted, ranging from political affiliations and social ideologies to economic disparities and cultural differences. These divisions have led to heightened tensions, strained relationships, and a sense of disconnection among citizens. To counteract the negative impact of these divisions, it is essential to adopt strategies that promote personal happiness and well-being, even in the face of challenges that seem insurmountable.

The Science of Happiness

Numerous scientific studies have delved into the factors that contribute to human happiness. One particularly relevant study conducted by social psychologists Ed Diener and Shigehiro Oishi in 2017 examined the relationship between political polarization and subjective well-being. The study found that while political polarization was indeed associated with lower life satisfaction, individuals who engaged in activities that fostered positive emotions and a sense of social connection experienced higher levels of well-being, regardless of their political beliefs.

Strategies for Staying Happy in a Divided USA

Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, and journaling, can help individuals stay present and reduce stress. These practices allow us to focus our attention on the present moment, promoting a sense of calm amid the chaos. Additionally, cultivating a sense of gratitude for the positive aspects of life can enhance overall happiness. Regularly reflecting on the things we are thankful for can shift our focus away from divisive issues and promote a more positive outlook.

Limit Exposure to Negativity: While staying informed is important, constant exposure to negative news and social media discussions can contribute to feelings of anxiety and helplessness. Setting healthy boundaries and allocating specific times for news consumption can prevent information overload and reduce stress. Engaging in media fasts or detoxes can also provide a much-needed mental break.

Engage in Acts of Kindness: Research shows that acts of kindness and altruism can have a profound impact on well-being. Engaging in small acts of kindness, whether it’s volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply expressing empathy, can foster a sense of connection and purpose. Not only does this positively affect our own happiness, but it also contributes to a more compassionate and harmonious society.

Promote Open Dialogue: Engaging in respectful and open conversations with individuals who hold differing viewpoints can lead to greater understanding and empathy. Meaningful dialogue can help bridge gaps and humanize those we may see as “opponents.” By seeking to understand others and finding common ground, we can foster a more empathetic and united environment.

Focus on Personal Relationships: Nurturing strong bonds with family and friends provides a sense of belonging and support. Positive relationships can serve as a buffer against the negative effects of societal divisions. Engaging in regular social activities, spending quality time with loved ones, and fostering connections within your community can contribute to a more fulfilling and happier life.

Cultivate Resilience: Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from challenges. Building resilience through activities like exercise, practicing self-compassion, and seeking professional help when needed can enhance emotional well-being. By developing a strong foundation of resilience, individuals are better equipped to navigate the uncertainties and challenges of a divided world.

Find Common Ground: Despite differences in opinion, most people share fundamental values such as family, health, and security. Focusing on common ground can create a sense of unity and diminish the impact of divisive issues. Engaging in activities that promote collaboration and cooperation, such as community projects or volunteer work, can help strengthen bonds and create a more harmonious society.

Engage in Positive Hobbies: Pursuing hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment, whether it’s art, music, gardening, or sports, can provide an emotional escape from the stresses of societal divisions. Engaging in activities that you are passionate about can stimulate positive emotions and serve as a creative outlet, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

Conclusion

Navigating happiness in a divided country like the USA requires a deliberate and proactive approach. While the challenges of polarization and division are real, scientific studies highlight the power of positive emotions, social connections, and mindful practices in promoting well-being. By adopting strategies that prioritize personal happiness and foster unity, individuals can rise above the divisiveness, contribute to a more harmonious society, and ultimately lead fulfilling and joyful lives.

Remember, happiness is not a passive pursuit but an active choice we make each day. Even in the face of division, uncertainty, and adversity, we have the power to cultivate our own sense of well-being and contribute positively to the world around us. Through mindfulness, empathy, resilience, and a commitment to fostering positive relationships, we can not only weather the storm of division but also create a brighter and more united future for ourselves and generations to come.

Check out the podcast episode…

Check out the Happiness 2.0 Podcast — https://podcast.edwardgdunn.com/

Happiness 2.0 Blog — https://edwardgdunn.com/blog

[escapetrekker]

Finding Your Place In the World

For a considerable time, I grappled with uncertainties regarding my life’s purpose and pondered my significance within the larger context of the world. This prompted me to formulate a plan of exploring diverse locales, with the intention of discovering environments where I could harmoniously assimilate and briefly relish moments of contentment. This prompts an intriguing question: Do you hold the…

[in-tenebris-et-in-solitudine]

[lilybug-02]

New Goal Acquired!

Bug Fact: The scarlet lily beetle (or better yet the lily bug ;P) is a leaf beetle that eats the leaves, stem, buds, and flowers of lilies.

First || Prev // Next

Masterpost

[directactionforhope]

"Starting this month [June 2024], thousands of young people will begin doing climate-related work around the West as part of a new service-based federal jobs program, the American Climate Corps, or ACC. The jobs they do will vary, from wildland firefighters and “lawn busters” to urban farm fellows and traditional ecological knowledge stewards. Some will work on food security or energy conservation in cities, while others will tackle invasive species and stream restoration on public land. 

The Climate Corps was modeled on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, with the goal of eventually creating tens of thousands of jobs while simultaneously addressing the impacts of climate change. 

Applications were released on Earth Day, and Maggie Thomas, President Joe Biden’s special assistant on climate, told High Country News that the program’s website has already had hundreds of thousands of views. Since its launch, nearly 250 jobs across the West have been posted, accounting for more than half of all the listed ACC positions. 

“Obviously, the West is facing tremendous impacts of climate change,” Thomas said. “It’s changing faster than many other parts of the country. If you look at wildfire, if you look at extreme heat, there are so many impacts. I think that there’s a huge role for the American Climate Corps to be tackling those crises.”  

Most of the current positions are staffed through state or nonprofit entities, such as the Montana Conservation Corps or Great Basin Institute, many of which work in partnership with federal agencies that manage public lands across the West. In New Mexico, for example, members of Conservation Legacy’s Ecological Monitoring Crew will help the Bureau of Land Management collect soil and vegetation data. In Oregon, young people will join the U.S. Department of Agriculture, working in firefighting, fuel reduction and timber management in national forests. 

New jobs are being added regularly. Deadlines for summer positions have largely passed, but new postings for hundreds more positions are due later this year or on a rolling basis, such as the Working Lands Program, which is focused on “climate-smart agriculture.”  ...

On the ACC website, applicants can sort jobs by state, work environment and focus area, such as “Indigenous knowledge reclamation” or “food waste reduction.” Job descriptions include an hourly pay equivalent — some corps jobs pay weekly or term-based stipends instead of an hourly wage — and benefits. The site is fairly user-friendly, in part owing to suggestions made by the young people who participated in the ACC listening sessions earlier this year...

The sessions helped determine other priorities as well, Thomas said, including creating good-paying jobs that could lead to long-term careers, as well as alignment with the president’s Justice40 initiative, which mandates that at least 40% of federal climate funds must go to marginalized communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution. 

High Country News found that 30% of jobs listed across the West have explicit justice and equity language, from affordable housing in low-income communities to Indigenous knowledge and cultural reclamation for Native youth...

While the administration aims for all positions to pay at least $15 an hour, the lowest-paid position in the West is currently listed at $11 an hour. Benefits also vary widely, though most include an education benefit, and, in some cases, health care, child care and housing. 

All corps members will have access to pre-apprenticeship curriculum through the North America’s Building Trades Union. Matthew Mayers, director of the Green Workers Alliance, called this an important step for young people who want to pursue union jobs in renewable energy. Some members will also be eligible for the federal pathways program, which was recently expanded to increase opportunities for permanent positions in the federal government...

 “To think that there will be young people in every community across the country working on climate solutions and really being equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce of the future,” Thomas said, “to me, that is going to be an incredible thing to see.”"

-via High Country News, June 6, 2024

--

Note: You can browse Climate Corps job postings here, on the Climate Corps website. There are currently 314 jobs posted at time of writing!

Also, it says the goal is to pay at least $15 an hour for all jobs (not 100% meeting that goal rn), but lots of postings pay higher than that, including some over $20/hour!!

[coline7373]

"For Life and Light."

Pffffiuuuuu... I didn't thought I would finish it in time but I did! *fist pump*

Just in time to thank the @codywanfirstkissbingo 's mods for such lovely prompts and to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and/or Winter's Holidays!!!!!!!!!

Big love sent to everyone!!!

💖❄🎄💖🌞💖🎄❄💖

[its-ate-oclock-somewhere]

Futamono Flower Meaning

So you're telling me that the very night after Will whore Graham sent someone to murder Hannibal simp Lecter, the man created this?!

[somnimagus]

My page for @kairizine. It was such a huge honor to be part of this wonderful book with everyone, I had so much fun!

[id in alt!]

[bluest-fluff]

May you be filled up with hope, again and again and again. Slowly but surely, assured no matter how tenuously so, like the waiting out of the flood in the rainfall. As many times as you need, as many times as you are knocked down and emptied of it, as we human beings often are. May the patience to hold out for the hope to fill you always prevail, and may it return to fill you up, indeed.

[petrichor-moss-and-lightning]

The Mountain Goats, “Heel Turn 2” // Topaz Winters, ��battlefield” // Lilith Kerr (me) // The Mountain Goats, “This Year” // e.e. cummings // Tumblr user @girlroach // Angus & Julia Stone, “Make it Out Alive” // Gang of Youths, “Achilles Come Down” // Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive” // Mary Oliver // Dylan Thomas, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” // Richard Siken, “Snow and Dirty Rain” // Lilith Kerr (me) // Lilith Kerr (me), “rebirth” from unloving the knife (2023) // Gwendolyn Brooks, “To the Young Who Want to Die” // Lilith Kerr (me again; sorry, I was running out of material lmao) // Tumblr user @daisies-on-a-cup // The Mountain Goats, “Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1”

[l1linya]

SWAP DOL AU!!! by @just-dol-headshots

I asked and you answered with an okay so.. I hope you like the fanart!!

Featuring: Sydney the loner, Robin the bully, Whitney the faithful , and Kylar the 'orphan'(???)

Extra v

[magicshop]

his smile could cure the world ♡ [for @morshiberna ♡]

cr. 0613data

[skitskatdacat63]

"We need to find more performance, I think we've underdelivered in the last three events."

[kiindr]

it takes courage to be kind. it takes effort to be kind. no, it does not cost $0 to be kind. Kindness is a choice. Sometimes, a hard one. But people still make it and that's what keeps the world going.

[exy-shmexy]

Going insane, going crazy

All of the trilogy is gonna hurt me