don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

'Tell me, Meezter Rrrrick, what brought you to Casablanca?'
'I came here for my health, for the waters.'
'But Meezter Rrrrick, there are no waters in Casablanca.'
'I was misinformed.'

(From the movie "Casablanca," quoted by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. in "The Hand of Time", an interview with Bob Thompson, Washington Post, October 12, 2005; C0 1.) 

The problem with most Americans might be that they are misinformed--they think they can do it. Unfortunately, most can't. Therefore, people make themselves unhappy expecting success in every imaginable but unrealistic way. They seek success at love, at work, at play, at sport, at happiness itself. They have high hopes. This is obviously unrealistic on the face of it--a moment's reflection makes self-evident that this is unrealistic. Very few can do any of these things. Yet, denial is the norm. Reality is too uncomfortable, difficult and basically unpleasant. An "I Can't Do It" mindset never occurs to most people. Too bad--nearly everyone would be much happier with such an attitude. No matter what form reality takes, it is better to face and deal with it. 

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. has famously described himself as an "obviously unhappy" man whose work (twenty books) reflects such a worldview. In the interview cited above, mention is made that "he has tried for decades to kill himself by smoking unfiltered Pall Malls. Periodically, he threatens to sue the cigarettes' makers because he is still breathing." 

If you feel like Vonnegut, unhappy and given to smoking or other nasty habits for dark reasons like self-annihilation, consider an "I Can't Do It" philosophy, instead of unhappiness, suicide and/or denial of reality. This will enable much better physical and psychological outcomes with few or no adverse side effects. 

Consider the bottom line purpose of recognizing the pervasive reality of "I Can't Do It" as a way of dealing with life and all its challenges, tribulations, possibilities, limitations and so on. It is a sensible way to manage reality. 

Reality, of course, takes many forms and can be perceived in endless ways. However, a part of reality that seems off-putting for most (and a cause of much unhappiness) is that life has no self-evident meaning or purpose, save replication of DNA. Reality, I believe, is that nothing matters. Adopt that point of view and what's there to worry about, really?

Of course, "I Can't Do It" is not appreciated. Thus, people get their hopes up. Unrealistic hopes are soon enough dashed, repeatedly. No wonder two-thirds of Americans are overweight and nearly all are overstressed, overmedicated and, like Vonnegut, basically unhappy. A failure to accept reality, particularly our limited place in a world vast and incomprehensible, leads many to adopt creation myths as ultimate truths. Most prefer to think that they have an important role to play in some kind of grand scheme of things. This in turn leads to the creation of imaginary gods, gods who will love us and make things right--in the next world but maybe, if we pray enough, in this one, too. No wonder Kurt Vonnegut, who seeks his own DBRU equivalents only in "mini-epiphanies -- very nice events that last maybe 10 minutes," asserts that the theme of all great books is this: "What a bummer it is to be a human being."

HOW unhappy is Vonnegut? Consider his assessment of our species and his recommendation for dealing with the great problems that confront us: "I think human beings are awful animals. Let's pack it in. Let's stop reproducing. We're wrecking the place."

True, we are wrecking the place. However, I think it's kind of cool to be a human being, even though I agree our species is pretty dreadful. I will henceforth agree to stop reproducing (not a great sacrifice at 67 and having done so twice), but I'd rather not pack it in just yet. For one thing, I don't think I'm personally wrecking the place too much and, for another, I have a short-term purpose. I need to explain the advantages of an "I Can't Do It" philosophy. So it goes.

Be well and always look on the bright side of life. 

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MEANING DOMAIN under the skill area of applied wellness. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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