I listed all the bad habits I wouldn't adopt. I think most of them still apply. Not sure about not believing everything was better in the old days. With the British economy on the skids and world war three in the offing things look pretty grim right now. Anyhow this was the list:
I refuse to moan and groan.
I refuse to become a grumpy old man.
I refuse to let the world's problems get me down.
I refuse to make mountains out of molehills.
I refuse to turn petty irritations into causes célèbres.
I refuse to complain about my bodily deficiencies.
I refuse to denigrate other people's lives.
I refuse to tell other people what to do.*
I refuse to rant and rave.
I refuse to demonise young people.
I refuse to be cynical.
I refuse to be paranoid.
I refuse to see the worst in people.
I refuse to be nostalgic.
I refuse to believe everything was better in the old days.
I refuse to think that I know best.
I refuse to think life's conspiring against me.
I refuse to be offended by bad manners.
I refuse to be offended.
I refuse to over-react.
*except politicians and bankers obviously
You are the better person, nick. I have and generally always have had a few of those traits! The world does feel as if it's going to hell in a handcart.
ReplyDeleteSandra: I sound like a virtuous goody-goody, which maybe is just what I am!
DeletePlenty of younger people these days moan and groan and are fashionably cynical, and they are champions at being performatively offended by things. They seem to think the problems we have now are the worst that have ever been. Not all of them, but a lot of the ones who make the most noise on the internet. These aren't just issues for us cantankerous old codgers.
ReplyDeleteInfidel: Maybe the young are right to think the current problems (the economy, housing, healthcare etc) are the worst they've ever been. All these things were in a much better state when I was growing up.
DeleteI try not to be too negative but it's hard.
ReplyDeleteMary: It's hard when you come across someone who seems to be a complete dimwit.
DeleteOne good thing about being a hermit--I don't have to deal with any of those things.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: But you must encounter the odd individual who stirs up negative opinions?
Delete