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Everyday ethics: Sweating the big stuff

According to a panel of international scientists we are 90 seconds to midnight on the famous Doomsday Clock, which measures how close we are as a species to extinction.

Columnist John Morgan
Columnist John Morgan
Author
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I realize it’s best for living a relatively happy life to follow the advice of Richard Carlson in his best selling book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.”

I’ve tried to adopt his guidance in everyday life, refraining from complaining while waiting in line for longer than necessary while the clerk chats with a friend for what seems like an eternity.  I don’t even yell at a driver who pulls ahead of me to take a parking spot I eyed long before him,

Every day there are dozens of events or people who will cause one to sweat the small stuff. In the corners of life where most of us live so-called small stuff is the rule, not the exception.

The problem I’m having these days is sweating the big stuff that keeps me awake at night and over which I have little control except writing or phoning those who do have some ability to do something about what bothers me.

According to a panel of international scientists we are 90 seconds to midnight on the famous Doomsday Clock, which measures how close we are as a species to extinction. Maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists the clock is closer to midnight than it’s ever been in its more than 75-year history.

Take the issue of climate change.  We know it’s happening not only because of what reputable scientists tell us but what we are experiencing with its impact. We even know how to lessen the negative impact of climate change but seem unwilling to muster the will to temporarily reduce our needs to make long-lasting positive changes to save our planet.

And don’t mention wars to seize land by whatever means necessary. Russia is the prime culprit here, waging a war against the Ukrainian people using whatever means it can. I fear that unless stopped, Russia will try to take over other countries to reestablish its empire.

And when I hear people talking about the benefits of living in a dictatorship, that makes me wonder if they know what happens in countries where dictators rule — the suppression of individual rights, freedom and creativity, not to mention jail time or worse for dissenters..

There are other big  issues that weigh heavily on me.  For example, immigration, funding of political campaigns, the Supreme Court, voting rights, social media, etc., etc., etc. — to name only a few. I’m sure you can add others.

Perhaps the best we can do is roll up our sleeves and give time and resources to help those who are trying to work on addressing the big issues.

But it takes patience and a long-term commitment to see real change. Long ago I was involved in voter registration efforts, especially in the South, where numerous barriers were removed to enable greater access to vote, especially among minority groups. Now, decades later, these same rights are being denied.

Perhaps it’s the same old story told in Greek mythology and popularized in Albert Camus’ book “The Myth of Sisyphus,” in which Zeus forces the main character to push a boulder up a hill and when he nears the top the boulder rolls back and he is forced to start over again. That’s the human condition.

But Camus concludes that while frustrating, the act of trying is what makes us worthy of praise. We learn that within us is what Camus calls an “invincible summer” that gives strength and courage to seek what is good no matter how many times we fail.

Life is not always about winning, but how you play the game. And playing the game keeps things and us vibrant and alive to struggle another day on our quest to reach the rop.

John C. Morgan is an author and teacher whose columns may be found at www.readingeagle.com  He can be reached at drjohncmorgan@yahoo.com