Categories: general-nonsense
Tags: General Nonsense
Date: 15 August 2009 11:54:57
The Guardian Weekend has gone all Bridget Jones today, with an issue focussing on "How to be Happy Right Now". It's Psychologies gone all weekend supplement basically. Have to say I love this type of pop psychology, and not only because I'm a sociologist who knows how much it can wind "real psychologists" up.
The first article is Oliver Burkeman slating the positive thinking philosophy in "How to Feel Up in a Downturn". It's an article which makes some good, common sensical points about books like "Think and Grow Rich" and The Secret. He points out that with people with low self esteem repeating certain mantras makes them feel worse not better. He also suggests it is uncritically accepting the ethos of these books is what has fuelled our consumer, debt ridden lifestyles. He argues that although it might be corny and embarassing gratitude journalling might be more useful. The very sensible conclusions which he reaches are: "Remember to be grateful. Spend your money on experiences, not objects. Volunteer. Nurture your relationships. Spend time in nature. Make sure you encounter new people and places. And never assume that you know what will make you happy."
Later on in the magazine you find "7 steps to instant happiness". The seven steps are: be positive, be brave, meditate, be kind to yourself, use your pessimism, find a calling and act happy.
Reading through this I had to smile. Thinking about Christianity and what it teaches so much of this is within it. Looking at the tradition of the church, together with the bible this is what it's all about. It's more evidence I think of how our fixation with things like who happens to be shagging who or what type of music makes the church rock gets in the way of us seeing the big picture. God has given us this advice on how to live and Jesus life showed us how to be put it into action....
A final thing I'd add is be ready to take a sideways look at life, embrassing the humour in the everyday. On this note I liked the description of Greenbelt that was in the Guide section of todays Guardian.
"Greenbelt (28-31 Aug, Cheletenham) combines music (Athlete, Royskopp and Cornershop) with the arts (Billy Childish) and lots of leftfield christianity (Messy Church)". If Messy Church is what the Guardian considers leftfield christianity then goodness knows what they'd make of some of the worship line up at this years festival.
Seriously though it was good to see Greenbelt getting recognition as a festival in the Guide.