Even if there’s an underlying order to all of existence, it seems readily evident that we can be placed in such a depth of darkness that this underlying order becomes inconsequential. (If you don’t want to comb through historic atrocities, you could always watch “Bone Tomahawk.”)
However, what seems to consistently lift the spirit is when someone honestly assesses their present situation, and does what they can to improve their lot. The idea of a worthy challenge that one can conquer (even if it it’s small) apparently will generate solace in the darkest of circumstances. This seems to be supported by psychology, as well as anecdotes of prisoners and documented horrors.
This simplifies things for me; it shifts my focus away from proving some grand truth, and to the immediate question of “What do I do now, with what I’ve got in front of me?”
Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 
My favorite line: “what seems to consistently lift the spirit is when someone honestly assesses their present situation, and does what they can to improve their lot.”
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Thanks! But I’m really just rephrasing what others have already stated. 🙂
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I agree. I’ve seen many folks that are considered poor actually have the brightest dispositions. They’ve made the best out of their situation, by appreciating what they have in spite of their limitations and taking whatever steps they can for continual improvement. This is opposed to those sitting around and playing at self-pity or overtly whining because they don’t have what others have.
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To me it’s not even a judgment of worth; it’s simply a practical thing to do. If I have immediate issues I can tend to that will clearly advance my strategic aims, why not tend to them? If I don’t, then I’m just waiting for life and events to make things harder for me to achieve my aims, while others achieve theirs. Spot on, brother.
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‘Judge not, lest ye be judged ‘ 😉
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Exactly. Let’s just solve problems and be nice to each other. Simple but difficult, right? The Art of Life, haha!
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