‘Don’t Worry. Be Happy. Insouciance is the best revenge.’

By Kate Callen

I am always delighted to get an assignment from Frank Gormlie. Writing for the OB Rag is the best reporting gig I’ve ever had. But when Frank asked us to think about the aspects of democracy we will miss if Donald Trump is elected, my brain shut down. I just could not go there.

In 2016, the prospect of Trump becoming president was unthinkable. Eight years later, it’s all we seem to think about.

It’s making us despondent. And here’s the kicker: It might not even happen. We’re obsessing about something that might not take place.

Some years back, I left Catholicism for Stoicism, and I traded the Baltimore Catechism for the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. (If you’re interested, the best translation by far is “The Emperor’s Handbook” by David and Scot Hicks.)

Marcus Aurelius has never gone out of vogue. Professional sports coaches and tech moguls swear by him. These are not silly or gullible people. They have learned that
if you want to prevail in the long run, you must govern your emotions instead of letting them govern you.

Self-discipline is hard work. It takes time to make it a habit. But the payoffs are huge. Keeping anxiety at bay will help you sleep longer and age slower. And if the worst happens, you will be better equipped to handle the chaos because you have trained yourself not to freak out.

Here are three adages from “The Emperor’s Handbook” that can help us navigate the road ahead:

“When facing whatever happens outside your control, be calm.” There’s nothing we can do to affect the outcome. At some later point, we may have to take action – speak out, join coalitions, attend rallies, write checks. For now, we should watch and wait.

“Bad luck borne nobly is good luck.” In this random universe where anything can happen at any time, perseverance is coin of the realm. This is especially true for democracy, which was engineered for resilience. The tables will turn. They always do.

“The best revenge is not to do as they do.” Donald Trump loves to be hated. He wants us to agonize over his threats of retribution. Let’s not indulge him.

Here’s one more adage from another philosopher-king. Despite his personal flaws, Thomas Jefferson was a bona-fide political genius. He was the principal author of
the Declaration of Independence. He helped invent a system of self-rule that is considered civilization’s greatest achievement.

Jefferson’s singular gift was supreme self-possession. He was always several steps ahead of his rivals. He summed up his modus operandi this way:

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

So relax. Take a break from 24/7 news. You live in a spectacularly beautiful city.

Get some fresh air. Go for a walk on the beach. Don’t worry. Be happy.

[Editordude: I’m not as smart as Kate and I had to look it up;  “Insouciance” = lighthearted unconcern : nonchalance]