What years the world has seen recently! But isn't it the same with certain periods over various era, World Wars I & II, Bubonic Plague, Spanish Flu, 1976 Tangshan earthquake and Famines? What I mean is, the world has seen very challenging times over history, difficult years came and went. So will the new year see easing of some crisis the world is facing?
According to Professor Roel Beetsma, prof of macroeconomics at the University of Amsterdam: "The number of crises has increased since the start of the century......since world war II, we have never seen such complicated situation." I guess many will agree with him . In fact it seems like a perfect storm with a confluence of Covid, never ending Ukraine War where both sides seem to enter into a death duel and the increasingly frightening impact of Climate Change.
Higher cost of living and climate change is wrecking misery to millions around the world. Almost everyone other than the wealthy feels the impact. How does one remain calm and happy when surrounded by such bleakness?
When visiting an 89 year old aunt we had a discussion as to why many young couples decide not to have kids. I explained to her that all the world in turmoil may be deterring them from having children. She retorted that the world has it own problems but your life still has to go on (including your descendants' as well I suppose).
Still I agree with her. It's impractical to wish for a perfect world to feel happy. We just have to be zen about forces beyond our control and watch our sense of bleakness comes and goes. As Sigmund Freud puts it "Much will be gained if you succeed in transforming your hysterical misery into ordinary unhappiness".
As per my aunt life goes on and we should find purpose just doing what we are born to do, be it your job, your vocation or being a parent/son/daughter.
Happy New Year,
BUT above all, 'Don't feel bad if you are unhappy'.
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