How to stay hopeful

[Snowman9000]

This has been great.  But, I need to revise my question.  I'm not wanting to avoid thinking about political philosophy, libertarianism, freedom, and what's going on in the country and the world.  I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to be aware and engaged in those areas and be hopeful and optimistic.  And if so, how?  What is there to be optimistic about?  Are there any authors, blogs, sites which cultivate an optimistic libertarian outlook?  Or is that an oxymoron?

I think some of the replies have already touched on this a bit, but I wanted to push more in this direction rather than looking at diversions.  Thanks!

PS: I have not had time to read all the linked items, so my apologies if they go right to this question.

[Tortoise]

Are there any authors, blogs, sites which cultivate an optimistic libertarian outlook?  Or is that an oxymoron?

It's not an oxymoron at all. Read books and essays by Jeffrey Tucker. He's one of the most positive, optimistic libertarian writers I know of.

I don't think I've ever felt down or discouraged after reading something by Tucker. He's very much a find-freedom-in-your-own-life kind of guy.

[notsheigetz]

An article addressing this very subject by Walter Block this morning.....

http://lewrockwell.com/block/block215.html

Personally, I'm an "if the glass is at the halfway mark then by definition it is both half full and half empty so what is your point" kind of person.

[Mountaineer]

For me, I try to focus on some of these ideas (shown below) but find that it is so easy to get sucked back into the "crisis of the day, week, year" type thinking.  However, I still try and find a bit of peace when I'm successful.  Some of these ideas have already been expressed in the above posts but I thought I'd give a shot at putting them in my words.

1. Focus on things I can control vs. things I can't.

2. Keep the big picture in mind at all times to help avoid becoming mired in mental tactical turmoil.  For me, that is focusing on the message of Christianity:  God created everything good but we screwed it up almost immediately by falling for Satan's lies.  God promised he would save us - He did via Jesus Christ.  Christ came to earth to be a perfect sacrifice to atone for all our sins, was killed on the cross, was resurected, and saved those of us who repent of our sins and do not reject His gifts.  The Holy Spirit helps me from damning myself to eternal Hell.  Studying God's Holy Scriptures is a process that for me that is stimulating and rewarding; I have not yet become bored, and hope that I never do.

3. Studying Scripture, Biblical history, and theology helps me from turning inward (focusing on me and extracting all I can get from this world) and keeps me focused outward on God's gifts and how I can be a servant to others. 

I have come to believe that the gift of Grace and studying the Word is what keeps me at peace in spite of all my daily struggles and somewhat able to screen out all the "noise" from the sensational news of the day.  I have to live in the world but do not have to be of it.  Maybe my ideas will help someone else.

... Mountaineer

[Kriegsspiel]

LETS GO