The Power of Perspective: Finding Happiness and Overcoming Oppression

The Power of Perspective: Finding Happiness and Overcoming Oppression

From Slavery in North Korea to Jeff Bezos’s Gulfstream. The word oppression here was defined to mean things like making ninety cents on the dollar compared with men, or being only the vice president of a Fortune 500 company rather than the CEO, or how male-dominated office culture doesn’t make it safe for women to cry. As much as I tried to have compassion, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I started to believe, as I still do now, that the only way to think for yourself is to ignore the mainstream media, and largely forget the daily news cycle, and connect instead with the great minds of the past, who know all of our problems better than we do ourselves.

What Makes You Happy. But what actually brings happiness is the contrast between what you have now and whatever you were just doing. The best drink you will ever taste is a glass of tap water when you’re thirsty. The best food you will ever eat is fast food when you’re starving. The best massage you will ever feel is sitting on a couch after a long run. The best sleep you will ever experience is when your newborn finally sleeps through the night. The contrast, not the amount, is what makes you happy. Happiness is a fleeting emotion, because it’s triggered by a contrast in circumstances, but you quickly adapt to whatever new circumstances you’re in. Shackleton’s second hot meal, second bath, and second night’s sleep probably felt 1% as amazing. When you realize how powerful expectations are, you put as much effort into keeping them low as you do into improving your circumstances. Happiness, contentment, joy … all of those things come from experiencing a gap between expectations and reality.

In our pursuit of happiness and overcoming oppression, it becomes evident that perspective plays a crucial role. Whether it be the struggles faced by individuals in oppressive societies or the daily battles against gender inequality, our perspective shapes how we perceive and respond to these challenges. It is through understanding the power of perspective that we can truly find happiness and work towards overcoming oppression.

Oppression, in its various forms, can be disheartening and overwhelming. However, by disconnecting from the mainstream media and instead seeking wisdom from the great minds of the past, we can gain a broader perspective on the issues we face. These great minds, through their writings and philosophies, offer insights into the human condition and provide guidance on how to navigate through challenging times. By learning from their wisdom, we can develop a clearer understanding of our own struggles and find the strength to overcome them.

Similarly, when it comes to happiness, our perspective plays a vital role. It is not the quantity or magnitude of what we have that brings us happiness, but rather the contrast between our current circumstances and what we have experienced before. The simple pleasures in life, such as a glass of tap water when we're thirsty or a hot meal after a day of hunger, highlight the power of contrast in eliciting happiness. By appreciating the gaps between our expectations and reality, we can find contentment and joy in even the simplest of moments.

In our pursuit of happiness and the fight against oppression, here are three actionable pieces of advice to consider:

1. Practice gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by regularly reflecting on the things you have and the privileges you enjoy. This helps to shift your focus towards the positives in your life and creates a sense of contentment, reducing the impact of oppressive circumstances.

2. Seek diverse perspectives: Engage with diverse voices and perspectives to broaden your understanding of the world. By embracing different viewpoints, you can challenge your own biases and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding oppression. This empowers you to contribute to meaningful change.

3. Set realistic expectations: Recognize the power of expectations in shaping your happiness. Rather than constantly striving for more or comparing yourself to others, focus on setting realistic expectations for yourself and appreciating the gaps between those expectations and your reality. This allows for a more balanced and fulfilling experience of happiness.

In conclusion, the power of perspective cannot be underestimated in both finding happiness and overcoming oppression. By disconnecting from the mainstream media and seeking wisdom from the past, we can gain a broader understanding of the challenges we face. Additionally, by appreciating the contrast between our expectations and reality, we can find contentment and joy in even the simplest of moments. Through practicing gratitude, seeking diverse perspectives, and setting realistic expectations, we can actively work towards personal happiness and contribute to the fight against oppression.