Staying Optimistic While Being Realistic: Society Articles, #1

By Robbie Newport

This book is a compilation of 13 articles about American society. They were written from Dec. 2022 to November 2023 and published on my website. The subject matter is mostly a critical analysis of our modern American society, focusing on technology, social mores, values, Christian faith, being honest and truthful, and thinking for ourselves in the midst of the brainwashed masses.

Essentially, this is social commentary from a conservative Protestant Christian who doesn't think technology is helping our society progress overall. Despite the criticism, there is still a strong patriotic theme and a willingness to stick in there and fight it out until the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robbie Newport
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223756477

Robbie Newport

Born 1979 in Bend, Oregon. Protestant Christian married man living in Eastern Oregon. Freelance writer, blogger, golf course greenskeeper, small business owner, golfer, truth lover, and history buff.  Website: thelowdown0.blogger.com

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Introduction

This book is a compilation of 13 articles about American society. They were written from Dec. 2022 to November 2023 and published at my website called Business and Society Articles (businessandsocietyarticles.com) and Medium (businessandsocietyarticles.medium.com).

The subject matter is mostly a critical analysis of our modern American society, focusing on technology, social mores, values, Christian faith, being honest and truthful, and thinking for ourselves in the midst of the brainwashed masses.

Essentially, this is social commentary from a conservative Protestant Christian who doesn’t think technology is helping our society progress overall. Despite the criticism, there is still a strong patriotic theme and a willingness to stick in there and fight it out until the end.

Although these sentiments don’t conform to the politically correct and SEO friendly norms of our online world and liberal mainstream society, they might just make readers consider the other side of the argument, the one that is censored and forgotten in the rush to conform for profit and fame.

In the end, hopefully readers will find a love for the truth, which will lead them to the greatest prize of all, sincere faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible. Ultimately, this is my most heartfelt prayer.   

When are We Good Enough?

(Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash)

When is it good enough, and to whom is it good enough for?

This is a question many of us humans struggle with or ponder when we consider the meaning and purpose of our lives. Maybe we don’t consider it deeply enough to understand the underlying motivations, the subconscious impetus that makes us never feel satisfied with our accomplishments.

Everyone has accomplished something if they are alive and getting by each day. If we have learned to dress ourselves, brush our teeth, drive a car, or ride a bicycle, then we have done something at least.

As a child, expectations weren’t as high, and we, along with those around us, were generally happy with the small accomplishments that come with growing up. These expectations grow as we get older, sometimes from others close to us and sometimes from ourselves.

Many times, it is our own expectations of ourselves that really set the tone for our contentment with our accomplishments. Where do these expectations come from we must ask.

The question persists, when is it good enough?

Often, the question is when am I good enough, or what I accomplish?

As a Christian, the question becomes when am I doing enough to fulfill my purpose for God?

Then there are the relationships we have, the family we are part of...

It seems like a never-ending quest to be something or someone, as some vague ideal drives our subconscious thinking.

Young adults are probably the most prone to having this central drive to do something with their lives, as they have just begun to accomplish things. It is when we get older that we start to wonder if this drive is still needed, or if we have done enough to be content with our vague or pointed goals.

Maybe it is when we get older we start to consider this question, but it would be advantageous for younger adults to consider it as well, as they may be driven to do things for the wrong reasons, and in the end, never be satisfied with the results.

On the one hand, there are super lazy people who have no ambition and don’t seem to care about accomplishing anything past mooching off others and getting by with hustling and crime.

On the other hand, there are super ambitious people who falsely think they are going somewhere and becoming someone only to find out when they get there, it isn’t what they thought.

There needs to be a balance.

There needs to be contentment mixed with the drive to achieve modest and healthy goals in life.

I’m not here to tell you what is enough, as this is the question I’m asking. What I’m discussing and wondering is if this question is ever answered on this side of reality, or is it just part of our fallen nature?

There will always be someone bigger, stronger, better looking, who makes more money, has a better job, and nicer stuff, so setting our expectations and standards for accomplishment based on other