“Happiness is the voice of optimism, of faith, of simple, steadfast love. No cynic or pessimist can be really happy. A cynic is a man who is morally near-sighted, – and brags about it. He sees the evil in his own heart, and thinks he sees the world. He lets a mote in his eye eclipse the sun. An incurable cynic is an individual who should long for death, – for life cannot bring him happiness, death might. The keynote of Bismarck’s lack of happiness was his profound distrust of human nature.” ~ William George Jordan
The distrust of human nature is the raison d’être for most of the political, cultural and social institutions we have on earth. While I agree as to their necessity in the present state, I do not believe that we should allow ourselves to be satisfied with the state as it is. Instead, we should always strive for a higher and more perfect expression of the inner greatness that could and should be emphasized and drawn forth from the individual.
The more effective we are at nourishing the noble expression in each one, the less dependent we shall be on external compensatory structures to ensure security, productivity and liberty. When I watch the news, I have wonder how effective we’ve been at cultivating the highest and finest in people? It seems our present efforts are falling terribly short.
The world is dominated by the spirit of the cynic. Great men and women have come and gone throughout history and their presence tends to make a splash with innumerable ripples, but the cynic dismisses such revelations of greatness as groundlessly optimistic pipe dreams. Fortunately for life, for us, true happiness, the expression of truth and the brilliance of true living are not easily forgotten.
My post today is in appreciation of the efforts made by those few people through history who made a difference, who refused to compromise and who answered the inner call to greatness. You know the type. Men and women who maintain their composure and dedication no matter how hard the going gets. Those who after years of fighting for a higher standard answer the calls of the adversary for retreat with “Retreat, hell…I just got here!”
Gregory Hake 
This post uniquely touches into the heart of what we should be thankful for this Independence Day weekend. Bravo!
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It’s doesn’t take a brilliant mind to be able to point out something that’s wrong, negative or lacking. Cynics always think they know and see everything about a situation or person. They can also tend think that the person who takes the high road and sees what is right in a situation is blind, ignorant or just plain simple. I’m with you in congratulation those who have set a high standard in their living and also doing the same in mine.
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I also feel that people are inherently noble. It doesn’t mean that they are going to act that way necessarily, but the fundamental nature of people has to be trusted to even make life worth living. If you can’t trust others, you certainly can’t trust yourself and thus life just becomes a game to see who wins with the most toys. That’s one possible scenario at least.
If we feel people are noble, then we can inspire that quality in them – that’s what is kindled when we have those moments of realization where we feel we can rise to a new level of conduct or awareness. The ability to become inspired reflects the capacity of trust we carry. The cynic cannot be inspired, no matter how much evidence is presented to the contrary.
Allow me to join you in your rejoice to those brave souls across the centuries who have answered the inner call to greatness! Salud!
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One of the finest gifts that we can be to others is through encouragement, genuine encouragement. It is amazing what and who people can become through the encouragement (and often examples) of others. The thing about this is that you can’t give what you don’t have; in other words, if you are not encouraging yourself first then it is impossible to genuinely encourage others. Why not develop the habit of seeing what you can become instead of what you can’t become!
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So often those who do “see the cup half full” rather than “half empty” are not only challenged but ostracized as being fools or naive relative to their views. The world is such a “mixed bag” and it takes courage and determination to overcome the cynicsm that is deeply embedded in human consciousness. The fear of standing out, “lopping off the tall poppy” is ever present and tends to dull the enthusiasm and light that is inherant in all of us. We should appreciate those who have made the way of greatness available to us, giving example to the potential that lies within all of us. Each victory we have individually over cynicism and each person who stands before the adversay and refuses to give in, will lead us to a new and exciting world, one where “happiness and greatness” are the norm and the cynic, an uncommon fool. Where can I begin? Here and now! Thank you.
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Cynicism is the residual feeling of having abandoned one’s own sense of noble purpose, and thereby betraying the reason for one’s existence. From that point, the objective becomes a matter of justifying that tragic abandonment on the basis of seemingly ample evidence gleaned from the world that, after all “it is impossible to succeed, to live up to such a high standard, to maintain one’s integrity in a corrupt world,” etc.
To deliberately acknowledge and hold sacred, under pressure, what is highest, to give oneself to that rather than to the self-defeating spirits of discouragement and dismay – here is the attitude and approach that exposes the world to light. I much appreciate these posts in that regard – a light on the path!
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Retreat is never an option. The point comes for each one where even in the greatest of successes, it seen clearly as another new beginning, and more importantly…..A greater opportunity for a depth of appreciation for all that got one to that point.
I greatly appreciate your words this morning and awnser your call clearly without reserve…..”I shall not back down, it is you oh wicked one that should retreat, get thee hence!!!!”
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I think one of the reasons that great men and women made the impressions that they did is because thankfully not everybody in the world is a cynic. There are those people who long to show greatness, and can use the inspiration provided by those who came before as a starting point.
Widespread cynicism is dangerous, because it is a self fulfilling prophecy. Human nature is the way it is right now, but that is only because there are those that allow it to be that way. If someone is determined to be better than that, they will be, and that ability is available to everyone.
Those great people of the past that made ripples should really be the norm, and not the exception.
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I agree. Virtually everything in the world today is a mixed bag and it takes a special person to be able to sift through the mixture without becoming subject to disappointment, disdain or dyspepsia! I am saddened when I see comedians, for instance, with penetrating insight early in their career matched with an irrepressible ebullience become cynical and bitter over time as they are worn down by the follies, inconsistencies and disappointments in the world around them.
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I’ve noticed that also with comedians over the years. Exposing the ludicrous inconsistencies and oddities of the human condition is funny…until it isn’t! I suppose initially it seems that if one can recognize the foolishmess it makes one wise in contrast, but that isn’t necessarily so. We must, certainly, wake up to the fallacies and illusions that are commonly held up as the norm, but if we don’t live from a different place, more is the gloom for us!
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How to keep from being worn down without wandering into the fields of denial? This is an important concern particularly as a person gets older. We have to keep clear the wellspring within that is a constant source of steadfast faith, happiness and courage. This only happens when we allow it to flow forth into the world in appreciation, kindness and encouragement for others. Your posts are inspiring and I love too reading the insightful comments others make in reply!
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Even as a child I never found Eeyore particularly entertaining. I thought Winnie had more fun with Tigger and Owl. Great post, thanks.
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Cute. Thanks.
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Brilliant expose of this insidious epidemic of feint of heart!
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I love the spirit in your words. I have always thought as the cynic as the perverbial “wet blanket”; with no fire in their own heart, they try to extinguish the fire in others. Many try to masquerade their acrimony with humor; some reach to sound just more “grounded” or seem a realist, in fact they are not only the devis’s advocate but his minions.
Give me and let me be the friend, who doesn’t care to know the odds, as all we see are endless possibilities.
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“Many try to masquerade their acrimony with humor; some reach to sound just more “grounded” or seem a realist, in fact they are not only the devis’s advocate but his minions.” Love that perspective. Thank you.
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“hell, i just got here” – love this post!
at the end of a long road trip yesterday my two year old grinning ear to ear jumped forward and announced to the car – “I made it!” – love that spirit.
more of us could focus on “yes I can” and looking to provide the best of who we can be in every situation.
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