I was looking at some old articles that I had previously posted on one of my other sites. It’s fun to look back and see how things have changed! I wrote this one in December 2012! I want you to think about that when you read this! This article is 12 1/2 years old. How has it aged?
Can you remember where you were 12 years ago? 12 years ago, Obama was reelected. We were dealing with Benghazi. Facebook was going public! We were dealing with Hurricane Sandy and the fallout of the Occupy Movements from 2011! Man how time flies!
Can you remember how you felt? More than likely you would have agreed with me 12 years ago! How much more now? One question I would ask is how long can people stay frustrated? Apparently a long time! Below is the original post.
For the longest time I thought it was just me. At times I feel like I’m on the edge, walking the fine line of “surely people can’t be so stupid” and “maybe I’m reading too much into this.” Life goes on; work, kids, sport practices, taking out the trash, paying the bills, it’s all the same. But there is a subtle change, maybe not subtle for others, but I’m starting to sense it more and more. The crowd is getting frustrated.
You’ve been there before, standing in line at the premier of the movie you’ve been waiting for…and then someone cuts in line. People in line start to look at each other and roll their eyes. They take it! And if you’re the peaceful type, you rationalize that it is only one or two people. But it still sticks in your crawl. Then someone else does it. The line starts to chat it up, “Hey buddy, the end of the line is back here!” Then someone else walks up…before they cross the barrier, people are barking and your blood is boiling too! Shouldn’t the theater have someone watching out and enforcing the line? Heck, they put the barriers out for a reason!
Now multiply this feeling by the people who are “awake” here in America. Haven’t you caught yourself saying, “shouldn’t someone be saying or doing something about this?” Soon, you’ll be able to multiple this sentiment by the “sheeple” too! Eventually, they will wake up. By then, they won’t want answers, they will want blood.
To be honest, I can’t pinpoint MY frustration. I really haven’t been hit by the economy like others. I feel blessed! Except for the occasional nail in the tire or dealing with the cell phone provider, things are good. So what is it?
The Thick Red Line…I Mean Tape?
I work in education. I love it. I love working with kids, seeing them grow and learn and finally getting it. I like influencing their behavior, trying to help them see how their negative behavior isn’t beneficial to them and that making good decisions is important. But I hate education too. It’s not in the scope of this article to lay it all out, but let me just say, it’s not the teachers! Yes, there are a few bad apples. But the teachers that I have worked with are quality. I know this might be rare where you are, but it’s the truth.
As an educational leader, I monitor the curriculum that we are teaching. I don’t see socialism hidden inside the curriculum. I don’t even see too much multiculturalism being taught. We are though, a pretty conservative bunch down here. We all talked about the unions in Chicago a while back and couldn’t believe what we were hearing and seeing! Thank goodness the unions aren’t entrenched down here in Texas! The teachers I know just want to help students learn, plain and simple! I can’t say that for everyone though, so check your local public education system.
I had three different professors in graduate school allude to the fact that there was a conspiracy to keep the masses dumbed down. Most of us believe this already. But to have three different professors in three different instances bring this up… They all started talking about it and then would catch themselves. Uh huh! The corporations need their worker bees! Oh don’t let me go on..I’ll start rambling…
The system is created to fail or at least to stay mediocre. I believe all the red tape that we encounter is to make it hard for us to do what we need to do. We know that a student needs a certain service…but we need to try this first, then fill out this piece of paperwork, wait nine weeks, then try this, then get this person involved, then have another meeting and then… Just get out of the way and let us do what we need to do! Decisions need to be made on a local level! Even people in the district office aren’t on the front lines!
And I’m sure this is happening in your line of work too! Government regulations, state initiatives, blah, blah, blah! Things we didn’t ask for, but are forced to do because some idiot didn’t get his Stretch Armstrong for Christmas one year! The road called frustration is long.
Passion vs. I Just Don’t Care
I don’t want to just get by. I’m passionate about what I do. I can’t just go punch a time clock. But the frustration causes me to not care sometimes. I fight against it! I hate feeling like this. But all the crap can make even the most passionate person start to not care.
Maybe that is what is happening? People are fighting against what they know needs to be done and the inability to do it. It causes this inner struggle, bi-polar fight, which leads to MORE frustration. We need to remember why we are doing what we are doing. We need to have goals, a mission, focus. If you don’t have these, you’ll be lost, lost and frustrated. How many of those people do you know out there?
Behaving Badly
Then again there are the tons of people who just do the wrong thing. I mean come on! People just think that they can do whatever or act however they want and not have consequences. Then, I pay for it! You pay for it! That’s right…go ahead have babies, get on food stamps, I’ll willingly/forcibly fork out the funds for your irresponsibility. If you want to have babies, go ahead…but don’t expect me and all the other responsible people out there to be your sugar daddy!
Don’t get me started on people with credit card debt galore and then choose bankruptcy. I have a budget, plan and think about my big purchases.
And All The Other Stuff
And don’t forget all the other stuff out there! Let’s jump off the cliff already, run modern medicine into the ground, give more of the country away to foreigners, allow stupid politicians to continue to get elected and then say “we need to show them who the boss is” when they continue to vote to take our liberties. And just tax me already, launch the missiles and occupy something! You know they are going to do it. This can go on and on and on, but my eye is twitching and I’ve developed a tick. I’m going to go drink some chamomile tea and relax.
Peace,
Todd
P.S. – If you are frustrated and just need to vent a little…or a lot…go ahead in the comments section below. I’ll approve your post right after I send the government some more money. TS
Todd, I hear you my friend! I’m all about justice and fairness. This world is none of the above! I get P off at the same things. It’s hard. I thank you for trying to help others with your knowledge and wisdom in preparing us for the unknown collapse. We are living in a spiritual war. Taking place in a physical world. The Bible is our instruction book for life. I’m sure you know this already my friend. 😀
God has a plan for all our lives. You are walking in His plan it seems. All we can do is prepare. Physically, mentally, and most importantly spiritually. We all must be born again by accepting Jesus and asking Him to forgive us of our sins. He will change our hearts and minds. In turn we must prepare on earth for disaster. We are not to sit back and wait. He gives us wisdom and common sense to prepare. Until we leave this earth we are to care for our loved ones and friends. That’s what preppers do. Stay strong my friend and thanks for all you do.
Chris,
I’ve been thinking a lot about spiritual war lately. I agree that we are in one for sure! It’s easy to forget that when you are in the middle of the junk.
Todd
Todd, Your rant reminds me of my wonderful LH. I learned so much critical thinking from him during our 27 years of marriage. I miss that leadership, strength and sounding board of someone who was so passionate and logical (Italian NYer). I learned that there is logic vs emotion. I allow myself that emotional passion but then have to switch to logic or I’ll drive myself crazy! Through one of the persons I follow via YT or news threads or podcasts (I don’t remember where), I really gained a perspective of what, who, or how much I could affect. Stay aware and informed but understand that I really can only directly affect 1st my personal situation (safety, health, shelter, etc), 2nd my family (must be through conversations since all are minimum 4+ hours away), then local community, etc, etc. Point is: control what you can. Business taught me that I can only control my own Attitude and Actions. By staying aware and informed, I’m better at responding, not reacting. To me, “responding ” is an informed logical response, vs “reacting” which implies a more emotional process. Stuff happens; how I handle it is based on my knowledge, training, and attitude. That’s my 67yo female rant! All you had said is Totally right on the money. Love it! Too bad I’m in SW VA. Can’t grab a coffee and grind away on these topics too easily. Stay as you are 🙂
Thanks for comment Barbara! I would love to sit down for a coffee one day! 😉
Todd
Thank you for showing we teachers are not all what people see/hear on the MSM. I work hard to help my students, build relationships with them, and try to guide them toward a better future. It’s so frustrating when I see/hear how we teachers are all so bad an teaching all these wrong curriculum. Thank you for everything you do, both helping to prepare us and for what you do for your kids.
Thanks Sue! I appreciate you!
Todd
I find your description from 12 years ago relevant as to right now. I live in the very urban Tampa Bay Area as a native and have seen traffic grow denser as well as people in general. I do stay prepared for whatever the weather throws our way but suspect that most people do not. At one point I was required to assist when emergency evacuations happened but am happy to say that is no longer the case – most people have no appreciation and no preparation. One event that will take major preparation on my part will be for whatever happens in November. I know how I want it to go, but think that regardless of the outcome it will be rough, again increasing the frustration.
Jerry,
As I was reading the old post, I found it very relevant too. I guess my surprise is how long it’s been and realizing many people have been in this state of frustration for that long!
Hang in there!
Peace
Todd
Todd (buddy),
The article as written is a “come talk me off the ledge moment”. I know thats not the case but many of your subscribers can relate! We are frustrated, but to think this “slow burn” has been going on for 12 years is the eye opener. The Occupy movement to Autonomous zones has made the rule of law questionable at best. The complete and open attack on rights, liberties, and common sense by legislative people should open everyones eyes.
If you need a breather from life, volunteer in a group to help your neighborhood or something that just makes people happy using that service. (hint-skip the food lines and the addicted crowd, thats for professionals)
When it rains, I fight back with an umbrella, When it snows, I fight back with a shovel.
Keep your tools clean and ready and maybe you need more tools??
Jeff
Jeff,
I think getting outside and volunteering is a great idea! It helps you see things from another persepective!
Todd
Great article Todd! I’ve been wondering for the last couple weeks how staying frustrated (or in my case outright angry at times) may take its toll over time. I’m generally a happy person with a “zest for life” but think about how subconsciously staying constantly frustrated and angry affects our health. I think coping mechanisms for this might be what another commenter alluded to by focusing on what I can control. Also, physical exercise helps me so much from the neck up.
Anyway, just my two cents. Your wisdom is always appreciated.
Jeff,
I think about the health side of it too! I think you are on the right path to focusing on your areas of influence vs areas of concern.
Todd