“…In the game of comparative suffering, we cannot compete! In The Suffering Olympics, the Ingalls have won…and we reconcile the mystery of our better situation by diminishing the struggles that are ours…the real struggles, those beyond the search for a satisfactory afternoon snack. Because we were born into situations with opportunities and resources greater than most every generation before ours [and it’s true, we live with more ease than practically anyone, in the history of civilization] because we enjoy this privilege, we gloss over our hurt and need. Failing to grapple meaningfully with our own suffering – whatever it might be – we carefully guard its existence from any public admission, condemning ourselves to `persist in malaise….””
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