HOPE for the best and expect the WORST and you'll not be disappointed!

by Terry 13 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Terry

  Bad things do happen for a reason. Here is the reason.

  For bad things not to happen only good things would always be happening.

  Then, "good" would lose relative distinction with less "good". The less good would start to look bad in comparison.

  Suddenly, what use to seem only good would be bad by contrast.

  Is this crazy talk?

  No way!

  The poor in America have bathrooms with flush toilets, microwave ovens, TV, satellite service, refrigerators, ovens, automatic legal rights, free medical treatment and social nets to fall back on. These are America's downtrodden!

  Contrast this "awful state" with the majority of the world where there are no toilets, no clean drinking water, no technology or medical treatment.

  What is a "good" day like in a backward town in Africa where AIDS is spreading and children are wandering the streets with no parents and bloated bellies?

  You see, what is "good" is pretty much relative. So is what is "bad".

  Bad things happen to us because we expect better things...much better things....and don't get them.
• 

  fifi40

  Hmmmmmmmmmmm..........now where have I heard this before.
• 

  WTWizard

  Hopefully this doesn't mean that we are doomed to see 7 million Witlesses. That would be horrible. The worst would be to see the 2007 service year report with something like 7.5 million Witlesses and huge waiting lists for studies, with every publisher having 40 of 50 studies. And for sure I would not like that one bit.

  I hope for the best: having the Tower come crashing down. I would like to see the 2007 report come out with nothing but zeros in all columns. Short of that, I would like to see negative growth in every single country including Nigeria. Realistically, I am expecting to see more of the same. I look for something between 6.8 and 7.2 million peak for the 2007 service year.

  For those 6.8-7.2 million members, things are going to look a lot worse than for those who still have their freedom. Like money, freedom could be relative. We look at the regulators in this country, and complain. Then we see the rules that are present at the Watchtower Society and see what tyranny actually is like.
• 

  MidwichCuckoo

  So - is the increase in the Anointed a good thing, or a bad thing? lol

  I know what you mean Terry -years ago I studied Sociology, and the definition of 'poverty' (in UK) changed what USED to be poverty is now called 'Absolute Poverty' as poverty now means having all basic luxury!
• 

  Terry

  I know what you mean Terry -years ago I studied Sociology, and the definition of 'poverty' (in UK) changed what USED to be poverty is now called 'Absolute Poverty' as poverty now means having all basic luxury!

  I drove through the poorest section of my city yesterday and saw satellite dishes on practically every roof!

  I saw a couple of the most destitute people on their front porch in rags talking on their cellphone!

  I also saw some really nice cars (better than mine) parked in driveways.

  Poverty ain't wot it used to be, guvnor!
• 

  Clam

  Then, "good" would lose relative distinction with less "good". The less good would start to look bad in comparison.

  Suddenly, what use to seem only good would be bad by contrast.

  Interesting. If one were to argue a case for the existence of a heaven: a perfect place, it would, using your logic make sense to have an imperfect earth; somewhere to observe or experience the bad and thus keep the ying and yang, albeit separated by dimension. That's it! That's the reason why we're here. Or riding on a cliche, are there some who only see good, and some who only see bad?

  Clam
• 

  LittleToe

  "Hope for the best but expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed" was a motto my mother raised me with. Thusfar it has worked.
• 

  peggy

  I expect the WORST, everyday! I run through my mind, every bad event that could possibly happen for the day. When it doesn't happen? It is the BEST day ever!

  Only problem? My therapist says I have anxiety? Can you say NEUROTIC! HA HA!!!!

  Peg
• 

  golf2

  My experience in life has taught me to make the most of given situations. Having been a high steelworker for many decades, the possibility of having something going wrong on a construction site was part of the job. This wrong was usually caused by negligence. We had weekly safety meetings and if YOU failed to heed safety standards, you would hear about it. Your life and the lives of your fellow workers depended on following safety standards.
  
  What were the 911 victims lastly thinking about?
  
  Golf
• 

  Dagney

  I expect the best everyday, and stopped hoping.

  I agree...there are a lot more people around my area that drive better cars, have better toys...I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Maybe I have better shoes.