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Nero's avatar

This reminds me the message of James Gunn’s Superman movie

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Keir Brown's avatar

I use negative thoughts as a reminder to look around and notice the beauty and rare gift of life, and knowing your alive. Negative thoughts are a signal, and an opportunity to reset, to flex the muscle of gratitude.

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therealnewyorker's avatar

I often use the saying in my job “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good”. There is such a thing as good enough and that’s what I strive for now

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Lynn k Ingalls's avatar

Thank you for reminding me how important acceptance is. My world is bigger when I allow others to thrive.

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Martin Pahlmblad's avatar

That spoke to me. Thank you!

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Esme's avatar

“Even good people act from self-interest or bad judgment. But that doesn't mean they're evil.”

No, that doesn’t make them evil, but their self-interest and bad judgment can and does bring real evil upon both themselves and others.

We must all be aware of our personal grievances, and not use them to justify vengeance or pettiness against others. Because such a response does move us in the direction of evil.

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Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

There’s a lot of wisdom here, especially the reminder that perfection is a trap dressed in noble clothes. But I also think we have to be careful not to turn philosophy into a pep talk for surviving dysfunction.

Some of us aren’t waiting for perfect because we're foolish. We’re waiting because we’ve been punished for showing up imperfect. That hesitation isn’t always ego. Sometimes it’s trauma. Sometimes it’s wisdom in disguise.

And when we say things like “everyone acts from self-interest,” we risk normalizing harm instead of calling it what it is. Grace matters. But so does accountability.

I agree — life is messy. People are unpredictable. But the goal isn’t just to tolerate the mess. It’s to name it, transform it, and make sure we’re not handing down the same wound to the next person trying to climb out.

There’s no light without a darkness to push against. But some of that darkness isn’t just inside us. It was built. And someone profits when we learn to blame ourselves for struggling inside it.

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