Lately, I’ve been agitated by the news of Trump’s and Elon’s actions. After reading about their antics and the ensuing chaos, it occurred to me that I have absolutely no control over what they do. And, realistically, they have almost no control of what I do.
I’m not even a blip on their radar. Their actions have nothing to do with me.
That’s when it occurred to me that it was time to reread How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World by Harry Browne. I found it in audio format on the Internet Archive and have been listening to it instead of podcasts.
This time around (my third read), I find myself agreeing with almost everything he writes – because I have lived this way for years now. Being retired, widowed, and a loner no doubt make it easier for me to avoid the “traps” Browne outlines in the book including those of: identity, morality, unselfishness, group, government, burning issues and more.
My natural inclination and temperament predispose me to this way of living. For the most part, I don’t care what others think about me. Nor is it my business to judge them or try to change their actions. (I’m not perfect. I still judge – just silently or on my blog.)
Browne says that in any area where you have a goal, there are two routes available to you: Direct and Indirect.
- A Direct alternative is one that requires only direct action by yourself to get a desired result.
- An Indirect alternative requires that you act to make someone else do what is necessary to achieve your objective.
He details with numerous examples how choosing direct alternatives is the best way to get what you want. Oftentimes, it is the only way.
Convincing others to do what you want them to do, aka the indirect alternative, is inefficient at best and impossible at worst.
I learned this many decades ago. I often tell people, if you think you can make someone do something – try it with your kids or your employees and let me know how it goes.
If the news lately has your head spinning with thoughts of worldwide disaster, economic collapse, and political turmoil, I recommend reading this book for a bit of practical philosophy and a pragmatic plan for living.
It’s been quite helpful for me, even the third time around.