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Finding Joy in the Small Things

"Should we be laugh or cry in the face of despair?"

Democritus, the philosopher guy

I can't quite pin down why, but that question sticks in my mind, even three weeks after we watched that video. In the video, Democritus claims that the disappointment that the world brings can be taken as a baseline, so anything above that is a highlight, something to be celebrated. I do have some issues with this philosophy, such as the inherent complacency of the philosophy that doesn't drive change, or how it is far easier to say from a place of privilege and security (Democritus was a party guy, after all). Despite this, we are still left with the initial question. So, how should we get through life? 

Do we ignore what's wrong? 

Work to make it better? 

Live in despair?



Personally, gratitude is the way to go. Now, before you groan at this often cliche statement (with it being thanksgiving break and all), hear me out. Just finding small reasons to be thankful or happy or to laugh has, at least for me, brightened up plenty of days. Maybe there's some music you like, or a funny thing that happened, or a webcomic you follow. I think we ought to treasure these things, no matter how insignificant it seems to anyone else. It's your happiness we're talking about here, so who cares what anyone else might think of it. Sometimes, it might even seem like its a distraction from how much the world sucks, but I don't think being happy about some things necessitates ignorance of everything else. And yes, I am quite aware of how close this is to Democritus' line of thinking, but hey, I think there's enough difference in wording, and its not like he's going to sue me or anything so, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

John "I guess I'm a bit of a philosopher myself" *Sips water from a wine glass* Wong


This is starting to drag a bit, so better stop while I'm ahead, right? Anyway, enjoy thanksgiving break or whatever, relax, spend time with family, do college apps if that's something you (or your parents) wanna do. You know, I'm never really sure how to end these th-

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