Resilience Through Tragedy

Been there done that. I used to starve because I did not have enough money. I thought I could not work. I just needed to find work that I can do. I also needed the kick in the ass that being homeless gives you to motivate me to work hard. I could have given up, but I didn't and now my life is great. The difference between a mad man and a genius is success. I just had to find a way to succeed. It took a horrible tragedy for that to happen. Can't work in person because of symptoms? I got around that by working remotely. Can't keep a job because of episodes? Work as an independent contractor instead of for a boss that expects you to always be 100%. Working manual labor is what really helped me the most. I was in no shape for it. I was a weakling from working remotely for so long. Now though I am so much stronger and capable than I have ever been. After my best friend was murdered by my girlfriend I lost everything. Every possession except for colored pencils and paper. I labored and have become successful now. It took a while and there were a lot of other tragedies and set backs, but my life has never been better. You have to get out of the victim mentality though. That helped me a lot. There were a million reasons to give up and there was no hope for the future as I walked out on my life and became homeless. I could have felt sorry for myself and wallowed in it. I did for a bit. I didn't get anywhere. But Chris, my friend that was murdered, would have wanted me to succeed. I like to think he would be happy with how I changed my life. He did not get that chance. Now the tragedies and struggles I have had strengthen me. I am much stronger than I have ever been, both physically and mentally. I know now that despite the worst happening that I have the power to turn my life around.

Your story is incredibly powerful. It’s a testament to resilience, the strength of human spirit, and the ability to find purpose even in the face of the darkest tragedies. The transformation you’ve undergone, from homelessness to success, shows the profound impact of pushing through adversity and refusing to let circumstances define you. The realization that you needed a change and found ways to work around your challenges—whether through remote work, embracing manual labor to build physical strength, or adopting an independent contractor mindset—demonstrates not only determination but a deep understanding of how to adapt and grow. It's also clear that your best friend’s memory and your own journey have become a driving force in your life, turning your pain into motivation and strength. That shift from victimhood to empowerment is a huge turning point, one that many struggle with, but you've made it the cornerstone of your success. It's inspiring to hear how you’ve learned to embrace challenges and use them to fuel your growth. Your strength, both mental and physical, will continue to shape your future. Thank you for sharing your journey—it's a reminder that no matter how hard life gets, there is always a path forward, even if it’s not immediately clear.

People who don't support the US sending aid to Ukraine, why don't you support it? Upvote 6.3K Downvote 8K Go to comments Share Share Our involvement is unjust. Explain the just war doctrine. Comment

The just war doctrine is a philosophical and ethical framework used to determine whether going to war is morally justified. It outlines several criteria to evaluate both the reason for going to war (jus ad bellum) and the conduct during war (jus in bello). Here's an overview: ### Jus ad Bellum (The Right to Go to War) 1. **Just Cause**: War can only be waged for a just cause, such as self-defense or protecting innocent lives. It should not be about conquest or vengeance. 2. **Legitimate Authority**: Only properly constituted authorities (e.g., governments or international organizations) can declare war. 3. **Right Intention**: Even if the cause is just, the intention must be to secure the peace or protect innocent people, not to gain power or resources. 4. **Probability of Success**: There must be a reasonable chance of success. If the odds are overwhelmingly against victory, war should be avoided. 5. **Last Resort**: All other peaceful options (diplomacy, sanctions, negotiations) must be exhausted before resorting to war. 6. **Proportionality**: The benefits of waging war must outweigh the harms, and the use of force should be proportional to the threat. ### Jus in Bello (Conduct During War) 1. **Discrimination**: Combatants must distinguish between legitimate military targets and civilians. Attacks on civilians or non-combatants are prohibited. 2. **Proportionality**: The use of force should be proportional to the military objective. Excessive force that causes unnecessary harm is not justified. 3. **Military Necessity**: Force should only be used when it is necessary to achieve the military objective and should not cause unnecessary suffering. In the case of Ukraine, critics of aid may argue that sending assistance could prolong the conflict, involve the U.S. in a war that doesn’t meet the just cause criteria, or lead to unintended escalation. They might also believe that other peaceful measures, such as diplomatic negotiations, should be pursued more vigorously. On the other hand, supporters of aid may argue that Ukraine has a legitimate right to defend itself from aggression, and supporting that defense aligns with the just cause of protecting innocent lives and sovereignty. Understanding and applying just war theory is complex, and whether U.S. support for Ukraine is justified depends on how one interprets these criteria in the context of the ongoing conflict.