Tryin' Real Hard To Be The Shepard
- Michael Long
- Aug 28
- 1 min read
When I wrote "Taming The Molecule of More," I wanted people to learn two things: First, how to fix dopamine-driven problems like obsession with online gaming, porn, and news; and, second, that the complete answer requires us to find meaning in our lives.
Much of this begins with turning your attention beyond yourself.
In an essay in today's NY Times, the author gets the right direction but the oh-so-wrong target. She suggests, at least by my reading, we are wise to work not on kindness toward other individuals but primarily on global issues in broad terms. That's incorrect. (And a dopamine-driven error, the desire for order and control at a distance.)
The way compassion helps its giver is the hopeful and healing connection it forms between the giver and receiver. The way it helps the recipient is obvious. Writing a check or waving a sign has effects downstream but you won't feel them except as self-satisfaction.
There is nothing more immediately impactful than looking in someone's eyes and saying, "Here I am. Let me help." I myself am not very good at it, but I'm trying.
Sure, this way is for just one person, just one family at a time. But if more of us did this, the effects would be huge--and our view of the world and our role in it would change a whole lot faster.
As Jules put it in "Pulp Fiction"--bet you never thought about that movie this way!--"But I'm tryin' real hard, Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd."
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