OK, Time For A Reality Break - It's Bad
We can’t allow ourselves to become debilitated believing the worst possible thing is right around the corner. First of all, it probably is, so there’s nothing you can do to stop it. If you believe it will be implemented by the State, what power do you possess to halt the march forward? Sure, little skirmishes can be won here and there. But it’s all delaying the inevitable.
I would hope that after witnessing the reactions to Russia’s move into eastern Ukraine and the Roe v. Wade leak, most would realize that relying upon masses of people to have sane, rational reactions when it comes to politics is a joke at this point. I don’t even need to mention COVID, ‘The Summer of Love’ or the January 6th reaction. Undoubtedly, masses - and I mean tens of millions- of people organizing and demanding sanity in politics isn’t going to happen without major pain like widespread hunger. But at that point, the people with rumbling bellies will have passed the rational stage and jumped to desperation.
I do believe things will eventually right themselves. This country went through a Great Depression where things were materially worse than they are now. But material loss isn’t the problem. We are suffering a spiritual war. Even atheists and agnostics I know are having conversations with me about demonic possession, about “principalities and powers” and “spiritual wickedness in high places”. Honestly, I see this as a breakthrough. If you’ve watched the way the masses have acted over the last 2+ years and haven’t questioned whether something else was at work, I’d be shocked. (This is the point where people are going to want to link me videos of people talking about demon possession and yada, yada, yada. Please don’t.)
As I said above, I do believe things are going to get better. We have proof from the past. But in the meantime, start thinking about how you’re preparing yourself for the battle ahead. Call it the Fourth Turning or whatever makes you feel special like you know something someone else doesn’t. But prepare! Anyone telling you Fauci’s days are numbered or the government is about to be rescued by a secret cabal is selling you something. Save that time and energy for the coming fight. Because it’s coming!
I will have more to come on this. It’s only the beginning.
I find practicing Stoic principles help me keep my head about things and not become black pilled on the future of our society. Having a realistic understanding of the things that are in my control and the things that are not makes me far more effective in preparation for what is clearly coming
a few relevant quotes for the war, maybe useful to some
Ecclesiastes 3:15
That which hath seen is now; and that which is to be hath already been
or Dylan 1980;
Many try to stop me, shake me up in my mind
Say, “Prove to me that He is Lord, show me a sign”
What kind of sign they need when it all come from within
When what’s lost has been found, what’s to come has already been?
or Kingsnorth 2022; (copied with assumed permission)
The right kind of warrior takes on his own internal demons before he sails out to take on those of others. He takes his stand, and stands his ground, without giving into to the nihil of the age. He cleaves to what he believes in without falling into the traps laid by partisanship, anger and self-righteousness. Most of all, he works to to clear out his own inner junkyard so that he can go searching for truth - and recognize it when he finds it. His war is against the worst of himself and for the best of the world, and what he is fighting for is the love he so often fails at. His most effective weapon is sacrifice.
This is easier written than practiced, of course. But I think it might be the way through. ‘No one is obliged to take part in the spiritual crises of a society’, wrote the philosopher Eric Voegelin. ‘On the contrary, everyone is obliged to avoid the folly and live his life in order.’ If there is better advice for living through the reign of quantity, or surviving the hyperreal culture wars, I haven’t found it yet.