In April 2015 I wrote A MANIFESTO ON HAPPINESS. This week I wrote ANOTHER MANIFESTO ON HAPPINESS. Drawing from these two personal declarations, I struggle mightily with tolerance for quiescence and duplicity. I have considerable difficulty understanding how any one individual, given the opportunity, would not choose to learn how to live. Yet I look around and see many individuals, with opportunity, choosing quiescence, duplicity, and ignorance. This sounds harsh. It is harsh. It is what I see.

Perhaps I need to better understand that many individuals are afraid. And that many individuals are afraid to admit to being afraid. Based on recent feedback, in this moment I am uncertain if I am one of these individuals; or not. In this moment I can see multiple past moments in which I chose quiescence, duplicity, and ignorance. In this moment I can foresee the potential for multiple future moments in which I will choose quiescence, duplicity, and ignorance. This sounds harsh. It is harsh. It is what I see.

And herein lies the larger difficulty. If I am aware of my personal uncertainty; and if I am aware of my personal ignorance; and if I struggle mightily with tolerance for another's ignorance; then how am I to express my frustrations, ingenuously. How am I to move beyond this newfound, debilitating self-vilification...

...Except to first heighten my tolerance for the widespread quiescence and duplicity I see in all directions; including within.

Is there another choice?

I cannot compel or coerce or legislate knowledge over mindlessness; presence over absence; skepticism over groupthink; uncertainty over blindness; tolerance over malice.

I cannot compel or coerce or legislate flexibility over clinginess; hard work over easy; discretion over thoughtlessness; humor over drama; transcendence over comfort.

I cannot compel or coerce or legislate an all-hands-on-deck search for wisdom.

I see no other choice.I must heighten my tolerance for the widespread quiescence and duplicity I see in all directions; including within.

I must endeavor to expand this compassion equitably; even when the effort does not appear to be equitable. I cannot know, with any degree of certainty, another's level of effort. So, I also cannot know, with any degree of certainty, how my effort compares. And in this regard, I will never attain a completely objective perspective. But with critical analysis, that includes feedback and a "minimize harm" component, I believe that I can heighten my tolerance, in all directions; including within.

I need not compel or coerce or legislate my Humanity. My Humanity comes shining through daily in the mistakes I make; in the alternative I choose; in the effort I put forth; in the apathy, malice, and hatred I express in my thoughts, words, and actions; and in the tolerance, compassion, and love I express in my thoughts, words and actions.

I need not compel or coerce or legislate my Humanity. My Humanity comes shining through in the moment. In this moment.

Enough said?

... ... ... ... ...

Enough said.