1 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:25,820 Speaker 1: Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Here thousands of 2 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:29,340 Speaker 1: hours of Dennis's lectures, courses in classic radio programs, and 3 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:40,100 Speaker 1: to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles, go to Dennisprager dot com. 4 00:00:40,420 --> 00:00:47,979 Speaker 2: It's the Happy Happy Hour, Yes it did. It's the 5 00:00:48,019 --> 00:00:50,819 Speaker 2: Happiness Hour on the Dennis Prager Show. Every week at 6 00:00:50,860 --> 00:00:57,820 Speaker 2: this time, every Friday, an hour devoted the subject of happiness. 7 00:00:57,900 --> 00:01:00,220 Speaker 2: It almost does not matter what is happening in the world. 8 00:01:00,220 --> 00:01:03,020 Speaker 2: I will still devote the hour to the subject of happiness. 9 00:01:03,940 --> 00:01:06,540 Speaker 2: I devoted ten years to writing a book on it. 10 00:01:06,580 --> 00:01:10,300 Speaker 2: Happiness is a serious problem, is the book, and I 11 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:13,060 Speaker 2: changed my life. The intention of the book was to 12 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:15,860 Speaker 2: change the reader's lives, and I hope it has, but 13 00:01:15,980 --> 00:01:19,540 Speaker 2: it really changed my life. I came to realize how 14 00:01:19,620 --> 00:01:23,060 Speaker 2: unbelievably important and happiness is. I used to think of 15 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:25,260 Speaker 2: it as a selfish pursuit. I no longer think of 16 00:01:25,300 --> 00:01:28,820 Speaker 2: it that way, even though it might be in its origins. Hey, 17 00:01:28,860 --> 00:01:31,300 Speaker 2: I want to be happy. The fact is it is 18 00:01:31,340 --> 00:01:34,820 Speaker 2: one of the most altruistic things you can do in 19 00:01:34,860 --> 00:01:39,660 Speaker 2: your life, is to become a happier person. Everyone around 20 00:01:39,740 --> 00:01:43,460 Speaker 2: you will thank you for it. Your children, your spouse, 21 00:01:43,940 --> 00:01:49,500 Speaker 2: your parents, your siblings, your friends, your coworkers, the people 22 00:01:49,540 --> 00:01:54,380 Speaker 2: you're seated next to in an airplane, anyone. We want 23 00:01:54,580 --> 00:01:59,420 Speaker 2: to be around happier people. All of us do. So. 24 00:01:59,620 --> 00:02:01,980 Speaker 2: It is a moral obligation to be as happy as 25 00:02:02,020 --> 00:02:04,260 Speaker 2: you can be, and the world is made better by 26 00:02:04,300 --> 00:02:06,780 Speaker 2: happy people. The unhappy do a lot more damage than 27 00:02:06,820 --> 00:02:09,899 Speaker 2: the happy, even though there are certainly good unhappy people, 28 00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:12,660 Speaker 2: there's no question, but by and large, the people who 29 00:02:12,700 --> 00:02:15,460 Speaker 2: do harm to the world tend to be unhappy anyway. 30 00:02:15,660 --> 00:02:19,420 Speaker 2: That's my opening statement every week on the unbelievable significance 31 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:26,380 Speaker 2: of this subject, happiness. I have a thought for you 32 00:02:26,460 --> 00:02:30,139 Speaker 2: which might sound a little morbid for the Happiness hour, 33 00:02:30,620 --> 00:02:32,980 Speaker 2: but I'm willing to take the risk because if you 34 00:02:33,140 --> 00:02:38,380 Speaker 2: start thinking this way, you will be happier, even though 35 00:02:38,900 --> 00:02:42,780 Speaker 2: it may it's an unhappy thought that will have propelled 36 00:02:43,100 --> 00:02:46,620 Speaker 2: your greater happiness. Is that clear? Nah? It probably isn't, 37 00:02:46,660 --> 00:02:49,260 Speaker 2: but doesn't matter now. I think it's clear. To be 38 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:54,540 Speaker 2: perfectly honest with you and myself. Now, my friends, I 39 00:02:54,660 --> 00:03:00,460 Speaker 2: want you to imagine that you have been told by 40 00:03:01,260 --> 00:03:04,820 Speaker 2: a doctor that you trust, or by a series of 41 00:03:04,860 --> 00:03:08,579 Speaker 2: doctors after a number of second and third opinions that 42 00:03:09,020 --> 00:03:12,780 Speaker 2: it looks like you have a year to live. I 43 00:03:12,820 --> 00:03:16,900 Speaker 2: want you to think of that possibility, and I want 44 00:03:16,900 --> 00:03:22,579 Speaker 2: you to imagine how you would change your life if, 45 00:03:22,660 --> 00:03:27,260 Speaker 2: in fact that is what you believed, that you had 46 00:03:27,380 --> 00:03:31,500 Speaker 2: some terminal illness with about a year to live. And 47 00:03:31,620 --> 00:03:37,820 Speaker 2: my recommendation is that by and large, we live as 48 00:03:37,980 --> 00:03:43,220 Speaker 2: if that has been the news given to us. That 49 00:03:43,300 --> 00:03:46,100 Speaker 2: may sound morbid to you, walk around living as if 50 00:03:46,140 --> 00:03:48,500 Speaker 2: I believe I have a terminal illness, like I'll die 51 00:03:48,540 --> 00:03:52,060 Speaker 2: in a year. But my friends, I do believe that 52 00:03:52,140 --> 00:03:57,020 Speaker 2: it is very constructive, constructive and instructive to do that. 53 00:03:59,060 --> 00:04:01,820 Speaker 2: And what I remember what propelled this. I had mentioned 54 00:04:01,860 --> 00:04:04,460 Speaker 2: this a long time ago, and it really kills me. 55 00:04:04,540 --> 00:04:07,660 Speaker 2: Somebody's got to do the research, because I got to 56 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:11,340 Speaker 2: dig that book up. In the thousands and many thousands 57 00:04:11,340 --> 00:04:16,300 Speaker 2: of books that I have owned, it has gotten lost somewhere. 58 00:04:17,060 --> 00:04:19,859 Speaker 2: But maybe one of you is familiar with this book. 59 00:04:19,900 --> 00:04:22,940 Speaker 2: I would say it must have been written about fifteen 60 00:04:23,020 --> 00:04:27,900 Speaker 2: years ago. A Swiss lawyer was, in fact, a prominent 61 00:04:27,940 --> 00:04:30,180 Speaker 2: Swiss lawyer was told he had a year to live, 62 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:31,659 Speaker 2: and in fact he did have a year to live, 63 00:04:33,260 --> 00:04:36,580 Speaker 2: and he spoke in the book about how he changed 64 00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:39,339 Speaker 2: his life knowing that he had a year to live 65 00:04:40,580 --> 00:04:43,020 Speaker 2: for the better, obviously, and one of the things I 66 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:47,620 Speaker 2: remember was he watched much less television. See. I believe 67 00:04:48,180 --> 00:04:51,500 Speaker 2: that thinking that we as we all do, and of 68 00:04:51,540 --> 00:04:55,659 Speaker 2: course we all do, and it's totally natural to think 69 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:57,540 Speaker 2: that way, that hey, I have more than a year 70 00:04:57,580 --> 00:05:05,420 Speaker 2: to live, you waste time. And remember I am very 71 00:05:05,460 --> 00:05:07,900 Speaker 2: strict about the subject of this hour. This is not 72 00:05:08,020 --> 00:05:13,620 Speaker 2: a morality or ethics hour. It's not a character hour. 73 00:05:13,740 --> 00:05:17,860 Speaker 2: It's a happiness hour. So I am only addressing that 74 00:05:18,100 --> 00:05:22,740 Speaker 2: question of how to increase your happiness, Not your excellence 75 00:05:22,780 --> 00:05:25,339 Speaker 2: as a human being, not your not the development of 76 00:05:25,380 --> 00:05:28,380 Speaker 2: your character that we do a lot of other times, right, 77 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:32,540 Speaker 2: just happiness on happiness alone, I believe, and I will 78 00:05:32,580 --> 00:05:36,180 Speaker 2: give you a number of reasons why if you acted, 79 00:05:37,020 --> 00:05:40,219 Speaker 2: or if you simply asked yourself that question, if I 80 00:05:40,300 --> 00:05:43,740 Speaker 2: had a year to live, what would change in me 81 00:05:43,940 --> 00:05:47,020 Speaker 2: or how would I change my life? That that could 82 00:05:47,140 --> 00:05:52,980 Speaker 2: in fact increase your happiness dramatically. That thinking that we 83 00:05:53,500 --> 00:05:56,980 Speaker 2: have you know, unlimited time or limited but you know 84 00:05:57,660 --> 00:06:01,099 Speaker 2: limited way way down, way, way way up ahead. You 85 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:05,099 Speaker 2: know twenty thirty forty years that it enables you to 86 00:06:05,140 --> 00:06:09,700 Speaker 2: do things that hurt your happiness for example. For example, 87 00:06:10,460 --> 00:06:13,979 Speaker 2: I believe that if you are a parent and you 88 00:06:14,060 --> 00:06:16,620 Speaker 2: were told that you had a year to live, there's 89 00:06:16,660 --> 00:06:18,820 Speaker 2: a very good chance you'd spend more time with your 90 00:06:18,860 --> 00:06:23,140 Speaker 2: kids right now. Why don't you spend more time now 91 00:06:23,260 --> 00:06:31,300 Speaker 2: because you figure you can next year. Ah, I got you. See, 92 00:06:31,340 --> 00:06:33,860 Speaker 2: if you start thinking in the way that I'm suggesting, 93 00:06:34,860 --> 00:06:39,460 Speaker 2: then you undo the damage to your happiness of thinking, oh, 94 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:43,220 Speaker 2: I can do it next year. There's a great phrase, 95 00:06:43,500 --> 00:06:44,860 Speaker 2: let me, let me see if I have it right. 96 00:06:44,900 --> 00:06:49,339 Speaker 2: It is Uh, a prominent rabbi of the Talmud, who 97 00:06:49,420 --> 00:06:54,500 Speaker 2: said do uh, let's see, do not do to others. 98 00:06:54,540 --> 00:06:57,500 Speaker 2: He summarized his religion is do not do to others 99 00:06:57,500 --> 00:07:01,260 Speaker 2: what you don't want done to yourself. The rest is commentary. 100 00:07:01,300 --> 00:07:03,020 Speaker 2: Now go and study. But no, that's not the Oh, 101 00:07:03,140 --> 00:07:05,539 Speaker 2: that's not the one. But then he said, oh, no, 102 00:07:05,660 --> 00:07:07,660 Speaker 2: that's it. No, this is it. It's a different phrase. 103 00:07:07,700 --> 00:07:11,460 Speaker 2: This is it. If I am not for myself, who 104 00:07:11,460 --> 00:07:15,140 Speaker 2: will be for me? If I am only for myself? 105 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:21,860 Speaker 2: What am I? And if not? Now? When? And I 106 00:07:21,900 --> 00:07:24,780 Speaker 2: want you to think of that one if not now, 107 00:07:25,380 --> 00:07:29,900 Speaker 2: when see we think, all right, you know what, I 108 00:07:30,340 --> 00:07:32,180 Speaker 2: don't need that time with the kids now because I 109 00:07:32,620 --> 00:07:34,900 Speaker 2: could do that later, but then they grow up and 110 00:07:34,980 --> 00:07:41,700 Speaker 2: it's over. Especially with children, it needs to be now, especially. 111 00:07:44,180 --> 00:07:47,180 Speaker 2: I have mentioned to you that it has been my policy. 112 00:07:48,300 --> 00:07:50,460 Speaker 2: And I don't say this too to try to offer 113 00:07:50,500 --> 00:07:53,180 Speaker 2: myself as this ideal father heart that is not even 114 00:07:53,180 --> 00:07:56,700 Speaker 2: in my mind. I'm only telling you this because I 115 00:07:57,540 --> 00:08:00,460 Speaker 2: know how difficult it can be for a busy parent. 116 00:08:01,420 --> 00:08:03,220 Speaker 2: But I will tell you that it has worked out 117 00:08:03,260 --> 00:08:06,140 Speaker 2: in my life that basically, I have a policy. I 118 00:08:06,140 --> 00:08:11,060 Speaker 2: have a home office at any time, anytime, any of 119 00:08:11,100 --> 00:08:14,780 Speaker 2: my children come in and start talking to me. And 120 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:19,020 Speaker 2: I realized it very early on as a parent, because 121 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:23,180 Speaker 2: I could always say, and correctly, we'll do it. We'll 122 00:08:23,180 --> 00:08:25,980 Speaker 2: talk later because I'm in the middle of something right now. 123 00:08:26,020 --> 00:08:30,660 Speaker 2: Because I'm always in the middle of something. That's just 124 00:08:30,660 --> 00:08:33,660 Speaker 2: a fact. Any busy person is always in the middle 125 00:08:33,660 --> 00:08:40,020 Speaker 2: of something. So therefore you will always defer that time 126 00:08:40,059 --> 00:08:43,100 Speaker 2: with your child to another time. But next time you'll 127 00:08:43,140 --> 00:08:45,580 Speaker 2: also be in the middle of something, or you'll wait 128 00:08:45,699 --> 00:08:50,939 Speaker 2: to what I what this terrible notion of quality time? Well, 129 00:08:51,020 --> 00:08:54,260 Speaker 2: I won't give time all the time at all, but 130 00:08:54,460 --> 00:08:57,460 Speaker 2: we will definitely have a great family trip in August. 131 00:08:59,140 --> 00:09:02,140 Speaker 2: Now it doesn't work that way. It doesn't. It's great 132 00:09:02,140 --> 00:09:03,860 Speaker 2: to have a family trip in August. But it is 133 00:09:03,940 --> 00:09:08,220 Speaker 2: much better to talk all year round in snippets than 134 00:09:08,260 --> 00:09:10,620 Speaker 2: it is to just have a family trip in August. 135 00:09:10,700 --> 00:09:16,260 Speaker 2: Both are good anyway. One of the things I suspect 136 00:09:16,300 --> 00:09:20,100 Speaker 2: you would change if you adopted my attitude. Hey, I 137 00:09:20,179 --> 00:09:25,260 Speaker 2: may die in the next year, is time with loved ones. 138 00:09:25,420 --> 00:09:27,820 Speaker 2: Not only mean children, could be spouse could be I 139 00:09:27,860 --> 00:09:30,300 Speaker 2: say loved ones, friends too, loved ones. The loved ones 140 00:09:30,380 --> 00:09:35,180 Speaker 2: is a very good phrase. I'll give you another one. 141 00:09:34,780 --> 00:09:38,260 Speaker 2: You may not have spoken to a family member in years. 142 00:09:38,300 --> 00:09:42,980 Speaker 2: You're angry, you have a disconnect. Do you want to 143 00:09:43,060 --> 00:09:47,860 Speaker 2: die having that disconnect unrepaired in some way? It just 144 00:09:47,940 --> 00:09:51,380 Speaker 2: even to be civil with that person. So that's something 145 00:09:51,420 --> 00:09:53,340 Speaker 2: you might want to consider. Now, you know, a lot 146 00:09:53,420 --> 00:09:57,900 Speaker 2: of people die suddenly. A lot of people do and 147 00:09:58,020 --> 00:10:03,300 Speaker 2: car crashes, heart attacks, whatever it might be. I was 148 00:10:03,340 --> 00:10:07,940 Speaker 2: just reading about somebody who is incredible. Oh yeah, is 149 00:10:07,980 --> 00:10:10,140 Speaker 2: a I think it was a football player on a 150 00:10:10,140 --> 00:10:15,780 Speaker 2: local team in southern California. I think there's a twenty 151 00:10:15,860 --> 00:10:20,540 Speaker 2: year old who just or some team who contracted some 152 00:10:20,740 --> 00:10:26,100 Speaker 2: bacterial infection and die twenty year old. This is, you know, fine, 153 00:10:26,140 --> 00:10:30,620 Speaker 2: one day dead the next week. That can happen to 154 00:10:30,660 --> 00:10:32,780 Speaker 2: any of us. And it's important to know that. I 155 00:10:32,820 --> 00:10:35,740 Speaker 2: don't think that it adds to your happiness to walk 156 00:10:35,780 --> 00:10:39,420 Speaker 2: around thinking you're invulnerable to anything happening to you. I 157 00:10:39,460 --> 00:10:42,220 Speaker 2: don't think so. It doesn't. That wouldn't work for me anyway. 158 00:10:43,300 --> 00:10:46,580 Speaker 2: I don't like to delude myself. Anything can happen any 159 00:10:46,660 --> 00:10:49,380 Speaker 2: day to me, or to anybody I love, or to anybody. 160 00:10:50,260 --> 00:10:53,860 Speaker 2: I have much more on this. How does this strike 161 00:10:53,980 --> 00:10:57,420 Speaker 2: you though? Is it morbid to you? Is it enlightening? 162 00:10:57,620 --> 00:11:00,340 Speaker 2: Because the biggest change in you I haven't even come to. 163 00:11:00,940 --> 00:11:03,500 Speaker 2: If you adopt the attitude you have one year to 164 00:11:03,580 --> 00:11:07,540 Speaker 2: live one eighth Prager seven seven six one eight p 165 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:10,740 Speaker 2: r A g e Er seven seven six. You are 166 00:11:10,780 --> 00:11:13,340 Speaker 2: listening to the Happiness Hour on the Dennis Prager Show. 167 00:11:14,900 --> 00:11:18,179 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 168 00:11:23,780 --> 00:11:27,300 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's Timeless Wisdom. 169 00:11:29,340 --> 00:11:33,900 Speaker 2: All right, everybody, Dennis Prager here a very different approach 170 00:11:33,900 --> 00:11:36,860 Speaker 2: here to the subject of happiness on this the Happiness 171 00:11:36,860 --> 00:11:41,700 Speaker 2: Hour on my program, and that is I think that 172 00:11:43,900 --> 00:11:46,459 Speaker 2: if you adopted the attitude that you had a year 173 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:48,340 Speaker 2: to live, as if you had been given that news 174 00:11:48,380 --> 00:11:52,780 Speaker 2: by a doctor and asked yourself, what would change? I 175 00:11:52,820 --> 00:11:58,220 Speaker 2: think that you would actually increase your happiness quite quite dramatically. 176 00:11:59,020 --> 00:12:02,580 Speaker 2: And I spoke about how you well, you just waste 177 00:12:02,660 --> 00:12:05,460 Speaker 2: less time. You would just know I have limited time. 178 00:12:05,460 --> 00:12:07,900 Speaker 2: But you see, My point is we all do have, 179 00:12:08,179 --> 00:12:11,220 Speaker 2: so to speak, a terminal illness. It's called life, and 180 00:12:11,260 --> 00:12:13,860 Speaker 2: we don't know when it'll end. It could end tomorrow 181 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:17,860 Speaker 2: for any of us, any of us. And I wonder, 182 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,459 Speaker 2: by the way, if any of you listen, think, nah, 183 00:12:21,460 --> 00:12:24,620 Speaker 2: it can't happen to you, I really do. It would 184 00:12:24,660 --> 00:12:26,819 Speaker 2: be interesting for me to find out. But in any event, 185 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:32,340 Speaker 2: that attitude can really focus the mind on what is 186 00:12:32,380 --> 00:12:36,300 Speaker 2: good to be a happier person. And I spoke about 187 00:12:36,300 --> 00:12:40,020 Speaker 2: time with children, time with loved ones. Less television would 188 00:12:40,020 --> 00:12:42,940 Speaker 2: be inevitable. But the biggest single thing I think would 189 00:12:42,980 --> 00:12:47,180 Speaker 2: be you would appreciate life. You would be grateful for 190 00:12:47,380 --> 00:12:53,179 Speaker 2: life much more. Anybody given a a a a verdict 191 00:12:53,260 --> 00:12:58,420 Speaker 2: of terminal illness by a doctor appreciates everything. So much more. 192 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:02,500 Speaker 2: And I want to induce that daily appreciation in you 193 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:07,820 Speaker 2: to make you happier, because I have worked on myself 194 00:13:07,820 --> 00:13:11,540 Speaker 2: to have that, and that intensity does pervade my thinking, 195 00:13:11,700 --> 00:13:14,460 Speaker 2: Oh God, I could die tomorrow. Look at this, Look 196 00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:17,660 Speaker 2: at what God do? I appreciate everything? You know, Stop 197 00:13:17,700 --> 00:13:20,500 Speaker 2: and smell the roses. You know that cliche, Well this 198 00:13:20,740 --> 00:13:26,220 Speaker 2: truth to it, because the flowers would become far more 199 00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:28,740 Speaker 2: beautiful if you knew you couldn't see them in a year. 200 00:13:29,780 --> 00:13:33,660 Speaker 2: There's no question about it. I'll talk more about that 201 00:13:33,700 --> 00:13:37,660 Speaker 2: in the moment. Let me take some of your some 202 00:13:37,700 --> 00:13:41,380 Speaker 2: of your calls here, Tom in the Saint Paul, Minnesota 203 00:13:41,420 --> 00:13:44,300 Speaker 2: on the Patriot Welcome to the Happiness Hour on the 204 00:13:44,300 --> 00:13:45,100 Speaker 2: Dennis Prager Show. 205 00:13:45,179 --> 00:13:47,579 Speaker 3: Hi Tom, Hey Dennis, So are you okay? 206 00:13:47,620 --> 00:13:48,020 Speaker 2: Thank you? 207 00:13:48,860 --> 00:13:55,900 Speaker 3: Yeah? When you said time. Eighteen years ago, I had 208 00:13:55,940 --> 00:14:02,900 Speaker 3: a closed head injury and the doctors told my mother 209 00:14:03,020 --> 00:14:06,620 Speaker 3: that I have a five percent chance of living well. 210 00:14:06,620 --> 00:14:09,020 Speaker 3: When I came out of the coma and everything, the 211 00:14:09,100 --> 00:14:12,340 Speaker 3: thing that hit me the hardest was, you know, my 212 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:15,100 Speaker 3: life was I was having a good time. I was 213 00:14:15,140 --> 00:14:18,300 Speaker 3: having fun, but I wasn't happy and how much time 214 00:14:18,780 --> 00:14:22,460 Speaker 3: I was wasting? You know that that I realized that, hey, 215 00:14:22,660 --> 00:14:26,260 Speaker 3: this isn't a finite event that that's taken or this 216 00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:28,620 Speaker 3: isn't an infinite event that's takend place. It's a finite 217 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:32,660 Speaker 3: event that's taken place. And I had to really focus 218 00:14:32,740 --> 00:14:37,660 Speaker 3: myself into doing what I wanted to do. And so you. 219 00:14:37,580 --> 00:14:40,460 Speaker 2: Did less of the frivolous stuff that you had before. 220 00:14:40,340 --> 00:14:41,220 Speaker 3: I stopped it. 221 00:14:41,420 --> 00:14:45,860 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly. Actually, by the way, did you did you? Did? You? Just? 222 00:14:45,900 --> 00:14:46,740 Speaker 2: Did you get married? 223 00:14:47,180 --> 00:14:49,380 Speaker 3: Absolutely? And I could you you. 224 00:14:49,340 --> 00:14:50,700 Speaker 2: Were not married prior to that? 225 00:14:50,900 --> 00:14:51,500 Speaker 3: No, and I was. 226 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:54,020 Speaker 2: I figured that actus they told your mother, not your wife, 227 00:14:54,060 --> 00:14:54,420 Speaker 2: but go on. 228 00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:58,420 Speaker 3: Exactly good thinking. But I was thirty nine years old, 229 00:14:58,460 --> 00:15:00,580 Speaker 3: almost forty when I got married, and I knew the 230 00:15:00,660 --> 00:15:03,300 Speaker 3: woman that I wanted to marry for five years before this. 231 00:15:03,900 --> 00:15:06,940 Speaker 2: But but hey, we could do it in ten years. 232 00:15:07,180 --> 00:15:09,980 Speaker 3: Really, I'm having fun. Don't don't interfere with my That's right. 233 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:12,060 Speaker 2: I'm having fun. But I'm not happy, you know. 234 00:15:12,140 --> 00:15:15,620 Speaker 3: And my head injury was I was had my butt 235 00:15:15,620 --> 00:15:17,980 Speaker 3: beat in a bar, and you know, when I came 236 00:15:18,020 --> 00:15:19,660 Speaker 3: out of the comb, I thought, what a hell of 237 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:20,420 Speaker 3: a way to die. 238 00:15:20,740 --> 00:15:24,100 Speaker 2: You know, Yeah, it isn't dignified. I will admit, Tom, 239 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:27,260 Speaker 2: that's a critically important call, for which I thank you. 240 00:15:27,300 --> 00:15:30,780 Speaker 2: That is exactly right. As a perfect example, let's go 241 00:15:30,860 --> 00:15:34,260 Speaker 2: to more of your calls. Julian in North Hollywood, California, 242 00:15:34,260 --> 00:15:38,020 Speaker 2: on KRLA eight seventy. Hello, Hey Dennis, I love you man, 243 00:15:38,140 --> 00:15:39,020 Speaker 2: thank you so much. 244 00:15:39,300 --> 00:15:41,180 Speaker 4: I hate to say I disagree with you on this one, 245 00:15:41,220 --> 00:15:43,900 Speaker 4: but I work with drug addicts here in Los Angeles. Yes, 246 00:15:44,620 --> 00:15:48,460 Speaker 4: and too many of them like to say, what's their motto? 247 00:15:48,620 --> 00:15:50,540 Speaker 4: I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, so I'm 248 00:15:50,580 --> 00:15:53,780 Speaker 4: going to do this methanhetamine, this cocaine today. 249 00:15:54,900 --> 00:15:57,900 Speaker 2: That's a very good point. I'm not sure we're in disagreement. 250 00:15:57,940 --> 00:16:00,060 Speaker 2: There may well be people who will decide, hey, I 251 00:16:00,100 --> 00:16:02,220 Speaker 2: have one year to live, it's a great idea to 252 00:16:02,260 --> 00:16:07,420 Speaker 2: go on drugs. But I suspect that they're already on 253 00:16:07,540 --> 00:16:12,740 Speaker 2: drugs and they use that reasoning to keep themselves addicted. 254 00:16:13,420 --> 00:16:16,660 Speaker 2: I don't think that anybody chooses to be addicted based 255 00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:19,540 Speaker 2: on the notion. I don't know any if anyone told 256 00:16:19,540 --> 00:16:21,500 Speaker 2: you have a year to live and they immediately went 257 00:16:21,500 --> 00:16:22,780 Speaker 2: out to get some cocaine. 258 00:16:24,220 --> 00:16:26,420 Speaker 4: Well, I mean, I think of heroin addicts that I've 259 00:16:26,420 --> 00:16:31,300 Speaker 4: worked with and Wow, they will definitely be sober for 260 00:16:31,460 --> 00:16:33,540 Speaker 4: years and then get some kind of news like this 261 00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:35,500 Speaker 4: and then they go on what I call it rounder. 262 00:16:35,700 --> 00:16:41,220 Speaker 2: I believe that because they were already they were controlling themselves, 263 00:16:42,220 --> 00:16:45,300 Speaker 2: but they had already been addicted. You're and you're right. 264 00:16:45,460 --> 00:16:47,820 Speaker 2: We're not in any disagreement. I think you're right. There 265 00:16:47,860 --> 00:16:50,940 Speaker 2: probably is a percentage of people that may may do 266 00:16:51,060 --> 00:16:53,620 Speaker 2: some very irresponsible things as a result. 267 00:16:53,940 --> 00:16:57,460 Speaker 4: Well, it is irresponsible going to be synonymous with self destructive, 268 00:16:57,540 --> 00:16:59,180 Speaker 4: like jumping out of airplanes. 269 00:16:58,660 --> 00:17:01,580 Speaker 2: With a parent. That's it. Well, well, that's not self destructive. 270 00:17:01,620 --> 00:17:05,780 Speaker 2: Most people survive that. That's not an issue. But no, no, 271 00:17:05,859 --> 00:17:08,300 Speaker 2: whatever it is, you're right, they may do. That's correct. 272 00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:10,340 Speaker 2: There may be people who will do and by the way, 273 00:17:10,379 --> 00:17:13,859 Speaker 2: I'm not saying that they shouldn't. If you feel that 274 00:17:13,940 --> 00:17:16,540 Speaker 2: the greatest happiness you could achieve in your life, knowing 275 00:17:16,540 --> 00:17:19,619 Speaker 2: you have a year left, is to take tremendous gambles 276 00:17:19,619 --> 00:17:22,499 Speaker 2: with your life, then you know, so be it. I 277 00:17:22,619 --> 00:17:24,859 Speaker 2: have to take the risk giving this advice that some 278 00:17:24,899 --> 00:17:27,340 Speaker 2: people will use it in ways I don't want. I think. 279 00:17:27,899 --> 00:17:30,820 Speaker 2: I think ninety nine percent of people thinking they had 280 00:17:30,820 --> 00:17:33,820 Speaker 2: a year to live would live life better and more intensely, 281 00:17:34,260 --> 00:17:38,500 Speaker 2: not more foolishly interesting. Okay, so we're not in all 282 00:17:38,540 --> 00:17:41,459 Speaker 2: in disagreement, my friend. You're right, there is that percentage 283 00:17:41,500 --> 00:17:44,980 Speaker 2: of people, but I'm not. I you know, And that's 284 00:17:45,020 --> 00:17:47,100 Speaker 2: the way it is. There's there's no way around it. 285 00:17:47,659 --> 00:17:49,539 Speaker 2: By the way, and thank you. This is very important 286 00:17:49,540 --> 00:17:52,699 Speaker 2: because I want people to understand my approach. Generally. I 287 00:17:53,260 --> 00:17:58,139 Speaker 2: am told frequently that some ideas that I present will 288 00:17:58,179 --> 00:18:02,379 Speaker 2: be used by some people irresponsibly. I agree when I 289 00:18:02,459 --> 00:18:04,419 Speaker 2: tell for example, and I think of this because I 290 00:18:04,540 --> 00:18:07,939 Speaker 2: just got an email on this about somebody who's so 291 00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:10,899 Speaker 2: I don't know, but if someone listening to my show said, well, 292 00:18:11,699 --> 00:18:13,899 Speaker 2: her friend or his friend I don't remember even as 293 00:18:13,939 --> 00:18:16,299 Speaker 2: a he or she wrote it. But this woman friend 294 00:18:16,379 --> 00:18:19,419 Speaker 2: her husband had had been unfaithful to her. Now she 295 00:18:19,899 --> 00:18:24,139 Speaker 2: wants to divorce. What you know, and this the letter 296 00:18:24,139 --> 00:18:26,740 Speaker 2: writer knows that I don't believe that infidelity should lead 297 00:18:26,780 --> 00:18:30,340 Speaker 2: automatically to divorce. Now, when I say that, people often 298 00:18:30,379 --> 00:18:32,580 Speaker 2: write to me, ah, now you're giving a green light 299 00:18:32,699 --> 00:18:37,220 Speaker 2: for people to cheat on their spouses because you say 300 00:18:37,219 --> 00:18:41,659 Speaker 2: that people shouldn't automatically divorce. Listen, if somebody listens to 301 00:18:41,780 --> 00:18:45,659 Speaker 2: that phrase of mine. Don't automatically divorce and throw away 302 00:18:45,699 --> 00:18:49,139 Speaker 2: all those wonderful years and anahot and and and break 303 00:18:49,219 --> 00:18:52,780 Speaker 2: up a family because your spouse committed an infidelity. If 304 00:18:52,780 --> 00:18:55,020 Speaker 2: somebody gathers from that ah now I have a green 305 00:18:55,060 --> 00:18:57,619 Speaker 2: light to commit an infidelity. There's nothing I can do. 306 00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:01,139 Speaker 2: I have to talk to the majority of people who 307 00:19:01,139 --> 00:19:04,699 Speaker 2: will take the advice and and run with it responsibly, 308 00:19:05,219 --> 00:19:08,179 Speaker 2: like with this idea of one more year to your life. 309 00:19:08,540 --> 00:19:12,499 Speaker 2: But it's very important what Julian said, I and I 310 00:19:12,540 --> 00:19:16,179 Speaker 2: thank you for it. Okay, let's take more here. Let's 311 00:19:16,219 --> 00:19:20,420 Speaker 2: go to John and Pocatello, Idaho. John Dennis Prager. 312 00:19:20,139 --> 00:19:23,299 Speaker 5: Hello, NFL, love your show. It's great, thanks to My 313 00:19:23,340 --> 00:19:26,619 Speaker 5: mom was just diagnosed with the second for the second time, 314 00:19:26,659 --> 00:19:30,139 Speaker 5: with cancer, and I think one of the keys is 315 00:19:30,179 --> 00:19:33,419 Speaker 5: that she's trying not to concentrate on her illness and 316 00:19:33,459 --> 00:19:36,979 Speaker 5: she wants to hear about my son, her grandchild, and 317 00:19:37,060 --> 00:19:40,419 Speaker 5: about his day. And it's such a new concept because 318 00:19:40,419 --> 00:19:43,540 Speaker 5: we have so many statistics on living nowadays and how 319 00:19:43,580 --> 00:19:45,179 Speaker 5: long a person can live. 320 00:19:45,459 --> 00:19:47,979 Speaker 2: Well, that's what she needs to know. She needs to 321 00:19:48,020 --> 00:19:51,220 Speaker 2: know that you know that having cancer the second time 322 00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:55,459 Speaker 2: is hardly an automatic death warrant. True that that's the truth. 323 00:19:55,459 --> 00:19:58,540 Speaker 2: You're not fooling her. She has every reason to have hope. 324 00:19:58,659 --> 00:20:00,899 Speaker 2: We'll be back in a moment. I'm sorry about that, John, 325 00:20:00,939 --> 00:20:02,379 Speaker 2: I really am. We'll be back in a moment. 326 00:20:03,340 --> 00:20:06,659 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 327 00:20:12,219 --> 00:20:17,260 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's Timeless Wisdom. 328 00:20:17,300 --> 00:20:19,820 Speaker 2: All right, everybody, it's important for me to take calls 329 00:20:19,820 --> 00:20:22,660 Speaker 2: on the subject because it's I need it. I need 330 00:20:22,699 --> 00:20:24,659 Speaker 2: it to be clear to you because it's it's a 331 00:20:24,699 --> 00:20:27,539 Speaker 2: different way of thinking, and I don't want you to 332 00:20:27,580 --> 00:20:30,859 Speaker 2: take it to a point of sickness. Obviously. What I'm 333 00:20:30,899 --> 00:20:33,859 Speaker 2: suggesting here on this the happiness hour. And you know, 334 00:20:33,979 --> 00:20:37,580 Speaker 2: for the happiness hour, it's almost sounds unhappy, but it 335 00:20:37,659 --> 00:20:42,019 Speaker 2: is not. I want to heighten your love of life, 336 00:20:42,219 --> 00:20:45,179 Speaker 2: your appreciation of everything that is out there, from from 337 00:20:45,260 --> 00:20:48,539 Speaker 2: the sunset to your children. And one way to do 338 00:20:48,619 --> 00:20:51,780 Speaker 2: it is to realize that you can die at any moment. 339 00:20:51,859 --> 00:20:54,179 Speaker 2: And I know that sounds morbid, and we live in 340 00:20:54,260 --> 00:20:56,700 Speaker 2: denial of that fact. But I don't I don't know, 341 00:20:56,820 --> 00:20:59,419 Speaker 2: I don't know why. I mean, you read about the 342 00:20:59,500 --> 00:21:01,779 Speaker 2: tens of thousands of people who die every year in 343 00:21:01,820 --> 00:21:04,459 Speaker 2: car crashes. They woke up that day and they died 344 00:21:04,699 --> 00:21:08,180 Speaker 2: later that day. And I don't believe for a second. 345 00:21:08,659 --> 00:21:10,899 Speaker 2: And you know how strongly I believe in God, but 346 00:21:11,020 --> 00:21:15,339 Speaker 2: I don't believe that I have this, this, this warranty 347 00:21:15,580 --> 00:21:18,899 Speaker 2: from heaven that that won't happen to me. That's why 348 00:21:18,899 --> 00:21:25,139 Speaker 2: I wear seat belts, and so I, long ago in 349 00:21:25,179 --> 00:21:27,340 Speaker 2: my life, decide to wait a minute, my God, if 350 00:21:27,379 --> 00:21:29,859 Speaker 2: I can go any day, man, I want to have 351 00:21:29,939 --> 00:21:34,419 Speaker 2: this as experience, as intensely as possible. Now, Please don't 352 00:21:34,459 --> 00:21:36,819 Speaker 2: think for a moment. I don't waste any time. Believe me, 353 00:21:36,939 --> 00:21:41,060 Speaker 2: I do you know I fully acknowledge my I don't 354 00:21:41,060 --> 00:21:44,100 Speaker 2: know if addiction is not the word, but my love 355 00:21:44,179 --> 00:21:49,179 Speaker 2: of Spider Solitaire on the computer and reading stereo journals 356 00:21:49,179 --> 00:21:51,619 Speaker 2: and so on. And I'm not sure I would change that. Frankly, 357 00:21:52,060 --> 00:21:53,899 Speaker 2: if I had a year ago, I might. I might. 358 00:21:53,979 --> 00:21:56,740 Speaker 2: In fact, I would become more intense about getting out 359 00:21:56,780 --> 00:22:01,340 Speaker 2: certain works that I want published. But putting that aside, 360 00:22:02,619 --> 00:22:06,619 Speaker 2: we have to live as if we might perish within 361 00:22:06,659 --> 00:22:10,219 Speaker 2: the next year. We have to because that makes you 362 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:14,179 Speaker 2: love and appreciate what you have and not daudal because 363 00:22:14,219 --> 00:22:16,020 Speaker 2: the time may come and it's too late. You don't 364 00:22:16,020 --> 00:22:21,379 Speaker 2: spend time with your kids. Now, that's it, they're not kids. Long, Okay, 365 00:22:21,820 --> 00:22:23,899 Speaker 2: let's go to some more of your calls. One to 366 00:22:23,979 --> 00:22:31,820 Speaker 2: eight Prager seven, seven to six and Aaron in Minneapolis, 367 00:22:31,820 --> 00:22:35,580 Speaker 2: Dennis Prager, Hello, Hi, Erin, Hi, Dennis. Hi. 368 00:22:36,459 --> 00:22:38,499 Speaker 6: To make a long story short, I've lived a pretty 369 00:22:38,540 --> 00:22:42,819 Speaker 6: full life. I've dealt with some tragedies, the death of 370 00:22:42,859 --> 00:22:45,619 Speaker 6: my first child, pretty senseless tragedy. 371 00:22:46,060 --> 00:22:47,379 Speaker 2: What happened, what happened? 372 00:22:48,659 --> 00:22:50,899 Speaker 6: Well, to make a long story short, he got tangled 373 00:22:50,979 --> 00:22:54,179 Speaker 6: up in some clothesline in the backyard and basically hung himself. 374 00:22:54,219 --> 00:22:56,379 Speaker 6: This was back in nineteen eighty seven, so I've had 375 00:22:56,419 --> 00:22:57,180 Speaker 6: a lot of time to. 376 00:22:57,340 --> 00:23:01,179 Speaker 2: How old was he two and a half. I'm very sorry, 377 00:23:01,219 --> 00:23:01,699 Speaker 2: Go ahead. 378 00:23:02,820 --> 00:23:09,740 Speaker 6: I've also dealt with alcoholism, drug abuse in my family, infidelity, 379 00:23:09,780 --> 00:23:13,179 Speaker 6: pretty much the entire gambit. At forty one years old, 380 00:23:13,659 --> 00:23:16,820 Speaker 6: I'm pretty satisfied with my life. I've lived a pretty 381 00:23:16,820 --> 00:23:19,299 Speaker 6: full life, and I know that a giant rock can 382 00:23:19,340 --> 00:23:21,500 Speaker 6: fall from the sky tomorrow and wipe us all out. 383 00:23:22,260 --> 00:23:24,100 Speaker 6: So I do my best not to get too worked 384 00:23:24,179 --> 00:23:26,540 Speaker 6: up about the minutia U huh, that's right. 385 00:23:26,580 --> 00:23:28,779 Speaker 2: That's a good one. Alan. We got to put that down. 386 00:23:28,859 --> 00:23:31,699 Speaker 2: It's one of the that's one of the good consequences. 387 00:23:31,780 --> 00:23:34,540 Speaker 2: You don't get worked up about minutia. I like that. 388 00:23:34,659 --> 00:23:35,139 Speaker 2: Go ahead. 389 00:23:35,659 --> 00:23:39,939 Speaker 6: Most recently, I've been working a job I as a 390 00:23:39,979 --> 00:23:42,580 Speaker 6: fry cook for about the last two and a half years, 391 00:23:43,020 --> 00:23:44,980 Speaker 6: and there was an individual in the store that made 392 00:23:44,979 --> 00:23:49,139 Speaker 6: the job pretty much hell for me and for other 393 00:23:49,219 --> 00:23:52,219 Speaker 6: co workers. I know of six people that I could 394 00:23:52,300 --> 00:23:54,580 Speaker 6: name that he drove away from there just because of 395 00:23:54,580 --> 00:23:57,219 Speaker 6: his personality. But I put up with it because I 396 00:23:57,219 --> 00:24:00,379 Speaker 6: have to pay my bills. But I decided within the 397 00:24:00,419 --> 00:24:01,859 Speaker 6: last few months that I had to get out of 398 00:24:01,899 --> 00:24:05,060 Speaker 6: there because it was harmful to me. I'm not very healthy, 399 00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:08,020 Speaker 6: i don't live a very healthy lifestyle, and I'm doing 400 00:24:08,020 --> 00:24:10,139 Speaker 6: everything I can to eliminate stress. So I had to 401 00:24:10,219 --> 00:24:10,939 Speaker 6: quit this job. 402 00:24:11,619 --> 00:24:11,780 Speaker 2: Now. 403 00:24:11,820 --> 00:24:14,379 Speaker 6: I did everything I could for as long as I could. 404 00:24:14,419 --> 00:24:16,459 Speaker 6: I tried to line up other employment ahead of time, 405 00:24:17,020 --> 00:24:22,819 Speaker 6: and it just I mean, there are guarantees. I reached 406 00:24:22,859 --> 00:24:26,459 Speaker 6: the end of my notice date and I still didn't 407 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:28,180 Speaker 6: have a job. No, I have another one lined up. 408 00:24:28,500 --> 00:24:30,260 Speaker 6: It looks real good. I got a chance to get 409 00:24:30,300 --> 00:24:35,100 Speaker 6: into it. However, my wife tends to get really upset 410 00:24:36,260 --> 00:24:38,019 Speaker 6: over things like this, because. 411 00:24:37,899 --> 00:24:39,459 Speaker 2: You mean over you're not having a job. 412 00:24:39,659 --> 00:24:41,779 Speaker 6: Yeah, she's very afraid of the unknown. I thinks are 413 00:24:41,780 --> 00:24:42,899 Speaker 6: pretty good right now I'm looking for. 414 00:24:43,020 --> 00:24:48,540 Speaker 2: The reason is women are the primal nest keeper, and 415 00:24:48,659 --> 00:24:52,740 Speaker 2: when there aren't twigs to make the nest, they there 416 00:24:52,820 --> 00:24:57,340 Speaker 2: is an internal panic. It is very although it is upsetting, 417 00:24:57,379 --> 00:25:00,379 Speaker 2: and I understand that, and I'm not defending. I'm explaining 418 00:25:00,859 --> 00:25:04,100 Speaker 2: because that is her natural instinct. What will happen to 419 00:25:04,260 --> 00:25:08,419 Speaker 2: this nest? You have children? Yes, well, it's particularly it's 420 00:25:08,540 --> 00:25:10,779 Speaker 2: particularly exacerbated by that fact. 421 00:25:11,379 --> 00:25:13,859 Speaker 6: Oh, I understand that. But see now, because I don't 422 00:25:13,899 --> 00:25:16,500 Speaker 6: get worked up about it, she thinks I'm either patronizing 423 00:25:16,540 --> 00:25:19,180 Speaker 6: her or that I just don't care. And I'm unable 424 00:25:19,179 --> 00:25:21,340 Speaker 6: to make her understand. I've already the that we're going 425 00:25:21,340 --> 00:25:22,580 Speaker 6: to okay counseling. 426 00:25:22,939 --> 00:25:24,819 Speaker 2: Yeah you should, and I'll tell you. You know, this 427 00:25:24,899 --> 00:25:26,739 Speaker 2: is one of those painful moments for me because I 428 00:25:26,739 --> 00:25:28,219 Speaker 2: would love to sit with the two of you for 429 00:25:28,260 --> 00:25:33,179 Speaker 2: an hour. I really would, because you know, I would 430 00:25:33,179 --> 00:25:35,699 Speaker 2: love to hear her side, but I've heard yours, and 431 00:25:35,739 --> 00:25:38,459 Speaker 2: I and I have great sympathy. We'll be back in 432 00:25:38,500 --> 00:25:43,540 Speaker 2: a moment. Much more on this subject coming up. All righty, 433 00:25:43,659 --> 00:25:47,739 Speaker 2: my friend's Dennis Prager here. And you know, whenever I 434 00:25:48,179 --> 00:25:54,060 Speaker 2: read about people, you know dying, and I had mentioned 435 00:25:55,060 --> 00:26:01,259 Speaker 2: just earlier about Jerry Nackman of MSNBC just dying at 436 00:26:01,300 --> 00:26:04,179 Speaker 2: fifty seven, and man, I knew fairly well, didn't know 437 00:26:04,219 --> 00:26:08,060 Speaker 2: he had cancers. Apparently it was diagnosed a year ago. 438 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:09,980 Speaker 2: He had spoken eight months ago, but he didn't mention 439 00:26:10,020 --> 00:26:13,139 Speaker 2: it to me. And he was fifty seven years old, 440 00:26:13,179 --> 00:26:15,340 Speaker 2: and you know, he had every reason to assume he'd 441 00:26:15,340 --> 00:26:19,299 Speaker 2: live another forty years, thirty years, forty years? Why not? Absolutely? 442 00:26:19,300 --> 00:26:21,739 Speaker 2: Why not? I mean, that's the way it should be. 443 00:26:22,899 --> 00:26:25,820 Speaker 2: But for millions of people it isn't. And all I'm 444 00:26:25,859 --> 00:26:28,139 Speaker 2: saying to you, and I don't mean to depress you, 445 00:26:29,020 --> 00:26:30,459 Speaker 2: that's the last thing I want to do in the 446 00:26:30,500 --> 00:26:33,739 Speaker 2: happiness hour, but I do want to rivet your mind 447 00:26:33,899 --> 00:26:38,260 Speaker 2: on what do you do with your life and how 448 00:26:38,419 --> 00:26:42,139 Speaker 2: you would focus on what's important? What did that other 449 00:26:42,219 --> 00:26:45,619 Speaker 2: man say about, you know, not being overtaken or overwhelmed 450 00:26:45,619 --> 00:26:48,659 Speaker 2: by minutia. That's why it drives me nuts when people 451 00:26:48,739 --> 00:26:52,540 Speaker 2: get unhappy by things that are relatively trivial or get 452 00:26:52,619 --> 00:26:56,820 Speaker 2: upset by that stuff. There's not enough time to ask anybody. 453 00:26:56,859 --> 00:27:00,300 Speaker 2: Ask anyone who's in the you know, later stages of life, 454 00:27:01,219 --> 00:27:04,460 Speaker 2: ask them a change, changes that have taken place now. 455 00:27:04,619 --> 00:27:06,699 Speaker 2: Almost all tell you no, they don't let the little 456 00:27:06,699 --> 00:27:09,739 Speaker 2: stuff bother them as much, because as you get older, 457 00:27:09,780 --> 00:27:13,939 Speaker 2: you face your mortality more readily. It's just a fact. 458 00:27:14,939 --> 00:27:17,139 Speaker 2: And so the little stuff you know that really drove 459 00:27:17,219 --> 00:27:21,019 Speaker 2: you nuts twenty thirty, forty fifty years ago just doesn't 460 00:27:21,020 --> 00:27:25,619 Speaker 2: anymore because you have a better perspective on what really matters. 461 00:27:26,139 --> 00:27:28,420 Speaker 2: And I'm telling you the same. With gratitude. You to 462 00:27:28,459 --> 00:27:31,619 Speaker 2: just drive down the street, and you take in people better. 463 00:27:31,699 --> 00:27:34,899 Speaker 2: Everything becomes heightened. It's like if you lose your sight, 464 00:27:35,020 --> 00:27:39,619 Speaker 2: your hearing is so much, it is so heightened. You 465 00:27:39,659 --> 00:27:42,019 Speaker 2: have such better hearing. If you, if you, if you, 466 00:27:42,219 --> 00:27:45,780 Speaker 2: if you can't see. That's, by the way, why I 467 00:27:46,020 --> 00:27:47,939 Speaker 2: like when I really have the time to listen to 468 00:27:47,939 --> 00:27:50,659 Speaker 2: my music, not not while I'm working, but to actually 469 00:27:50,739 --> 00:27:54,020 Speaker 2: just listen. I almost always close my eyes. I hear 470 00:27:54,060 --> 00:27:58,019 Speaker 2: the music better. Even at live concerts, I close my eyes. 471 00:27:58,179 --> 00:28:02,580 Speaker 2: I hear more that's going on. It's you heighten your 472 00:28:02,659 --> 00:28:06,220 Speaker 2: sensations when you are deprived of another. If you think 473 00:28:06,260 --> 00:28:10,179 Speaker 2: you'll be deprived of your life, you really heighten your sensations. 474 00:28:10,659 --> 00:28:16,940 Speaker 2: Alrighty David and Louisville on WGTK, Hello David, Yeah. 475 00:28:16,739 --> 00:28:21,379 Speaker 7: Good afternoon, that this super programed, Dennis, thank you. At eighteen, 476 00:28:21,500 --> 00:28:24,819 Speaker 7: I volunteered for the draft, and shortly thereafter found myself 477 00:28:24,820 --> 00:28:28,779 Speaker 7: in the eighty second Airborne Division. It wonderfully concentrated my 478 00:28:28,979 --> 00:28:32,499 Speaker 7: mind on the fact that I might get sent into 479 00:28:32,500 --> 00:28:35,659 Speaker 7: combat or I could die in a parachute jump. And 480 00:28:35,739 --> 00:28:38,140 Speaker 7: it was a blessing that is carried I'm sixty one 481 00:28:38,260 --> 00:28:40,940 Speaker 7: now that blessing is carried through all my life, that 482 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:43,620 Speaker 7: every morning when I get up might be my last 483 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:44,340 Speaker 7: day alive. 484 00:28:45,180 --> 00:28:49,099 Speaker 2: That's a very important call. You were forced at a 485 00:28:49,140 --> 00:28:51,700 Speaker 2: young age to know your mortal Yes, and it was. 486 00:28:51,900 --> 00:28:53,299 Speaker 7: But it was a blessing, that's right. 487 00:28:53,380 --> 00:28:57,340 Speaker 2: It is a blessing that's exactly right. And a silly, 488 00:28:57,500 --> 00:29:01,860 Speaker 2: a silly romantic view of life that denies these realities 489 00:29:01,900 --> 00:29:03,100 Speaker 2: doesn't make you happier. 490 00:29:03,620 --> 00:29:07,180 Speaker 7: Right. And incidentally, on the subject of losing one sense 491 00:29:07,260 --> 00:29:10,779 Speaker 7: and another when improving, my wife and I took up 492 00:29:10,820 --> 00:29:13,980 Speaker 7: a long time ago scuba diving when we lived in Massachusetts. 493 00:29:14,340 --> 00:29:17,300 Speaker 7: You can't hear anything on scuba except your own bubbles, 494 00:29:17,540 --> 00:29:20,259 Speaker 7: but you certainly see things much more intensely. 495 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:23,700 Speaker 2: That's an interest. I never heard that. That's a very 496 00:29:23,739 --> 00:29:28,539 Speaker 2: good example. Listen, I thank you, David, Well. 497 00:29:28,380 --> 00:29:29,780 Speaker 7: Thank you for a super show. 498 00:29:29,900 --> 00:29:32,700 Speaker 2: Yeah coming, Well, thank you. It's very sweet of you. Well, 499 00:29:33,180 --> 00:29:36,860 Speaker 2: that's right. I would be very interesting to know about 500 00:29:36,900 --> 00:29:40,500 Speaker 2: folks who have fought in wars at the young age, 501 00:29:41,780 --> 00:29:45,660 Speaker 2: how it affects their happiness later, not in terms of 502 00:29:45,700 --> 00:29:48,459 Speaker 2: the fighting, but in terms of the realizing that you 503 00:29:48,540 --> 00:29:52,580 Speaker 2: can go at any given time. That's very interesting. Alrighty, 504 00:29:52,860 --> 00:29:59,660 Speaker 2: let's go two. Let's see here. Ed in Redondo Beach, California, 505 00:29:59,780 --> 00:30:02,380 Speaker 2: Ed Dennis prage'er high. 506 00:30:02,900 --> 00:30:03,100 Speaker 3: Hello. 507 00:30:03,300 --> 00:30:05,700 Speaker 2: Hello, Ed, you're on the Dennis. 508 00:30:05,860 --> 00:30:06,780 Speaker 8: Thanks for taking my call. 509 00:30:06,860 --> 00:30:07,180 Speaker 2: Dennis. 510 00:30:07,219 --> 00:30:08,900 Speaker 8: I just wanted to comment. We kind of touched on 511 00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:11,300 Speaker 8: the last couple of calls, but I think it would 512 00:30:11,340 --> 00:30:13,820 Speaker 8: be misleading to a lot of the callers to think 513 00:30:14,300 --> 00:30:15,940 Speaker 8: that you need to live your life as if you 514 00:30:15,979 --> 00:30:19,579 Speaker 8: had a year to live, Because while that may prioritize 515 00:30:19,620 --> 00:30:22,380 Speaker 8: things and it might help you not sweat the big stuff, 516 00:30:22,739 --> 00:30:27,059 Speaker 8: suppose after a years the doctor says, well, misdiagnosis, you 517 00:30:27,100 --> 00:30:28,940 Speaker 8: have fifty more years to live. 518 00:30:29,060 --> 00:30:29,460 Speaker 2: That's right. 519 00:30:29,459 --> 00:30:32,219 Speaker 8: Thus, people don't live for a year. They got to work. 520 00:30:32,219 --> 00:30:34,340 Speaker 8: They got a plan for fifty years, put their kids 521 00:30:34,380 --> 00:30:37,380 Speaker 8: through college. So to sit there and say that, you. 522 00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:40,500 Speaker 2: Know, well, wait a minute, why wouldn't you wait if 523 00:30:40,540 --> 00:30:43,540 Speaker 2: you had kids and you wanted them to go to college, 524 00:30:43,580 --> 00:30:46,380 Speaker 2: why would knowing you had a year to live, change 525 00:30:46,739 --> 00:30:48,180 Speaker 2: your planning for your children. 526 00:30:48,420 --> 00:30:49,219 Speaker 3: It would be because you. 527 00:30:49,180 --> 00:30:53,700 Speaker 8: Would make a lot more a lot less effort to 528 00:30:53,860 --> 00:30:55,700 Speaker 8: earn more money, you know. 529 00:30:56,459 --> 00:30:59,219 Speaker 2: All right, all right, this is a great call. Now, okay, 530 00:30:59,300 --> 00:31:01,500 Speaker 2: let's say that happen, and what would you do? Would 531 00:31:01,540 --> 00:31:04,260 Speaker 2: you let travel more? Let's say what would you do? 532 00:31:04,979 --> 00:31:07,979 Speaker 8: Always there? I would do pretty much what callers have said, 533 00:31:08,020 --> 00:31:10,780 Speaker 8: spend more time with them and take that as the priority. 534 00:31:12,060 --> 00:31:12,739 Speaker 5: Yes, I should. 535 00:31:12,979 --> 00:31:15,780 Speaker 2: Okay, then you know what, that's what you should do. Now. 536 00:31:16,660 --> 00:31:19,219 Speaker 8: But if you did that, yes, you would somehow I 537 00:31:19,260 --> 00:31:19,900 Speaker 8: mean nothing. 538 00:31:19,900 --> 00:31:21,700 Speaker 2: You won't send them Wait wait, wait, then you won't 539 00:31:21,700 --> 00:31:23,980 Speaker 2: send them to an expensive college. You ask any kid 540 00:31:23,979 --> 00:31:25,979 Speaker 2: in the world you want more time with dad or 541 00:31:26,020 --> 00:31:29,940 Speaker 2: to go to an expensive college. This is the call 542 00:31:30,020 --> 00:31:33,900 Speaker 2: of the hour. I can't dead. I can't overstate how 543 00:31:33,940 --> 00:31:36,779 Speaker 2: important this is. You have made the case for me 544 00:31:36,979 --> 00:31:41,019 Speaker 2: in a way I never thought of. Yes, if parents 545 00:31:41,060 --> 00:31:43,700 Speaker 2: are spending less time with their children in order to 546 00:31:43,739 --> 00:31:47,940 Speaker 2: send them to college later, they are making a terrible decision. 547 00:31:49,459 --> 00:31:51,100 Speaker 8: I don't think it's that cut and dry. 548 00:31:51,300 --> 00:31:53,660 Speaker 2: But no, no, Well, but you're you're the one. Wait wait, wait, 549 00:31:53,700 --> 00:31:55,980 Speaker 2: you're the one who offered me that cut and dry scenario. 550 00:31:56,420 --> 00:31:58,220 Speaker 8: You're taking it to the extreme that that's the only 551 00:31:58,260 --> 00:32:00,060 Speaker 8: reason why I worked is to send them to college. 552 00:32:00,140 --> 00:32:00,940 Speaker 8: That's not true. 553 00:32:01,219 --> 00:32:06,180 Speaker 2: I wouldn't say that any Oh, you would still do that. 554 00:32:06,300 --> 00:32:08,499 Speaker 2: You're not going to deprive your children of a house 555 00:32:08,540 --> 00:32:10,700 Speaker 2: if you have a year to live, but you might 556 00:32:10,780 --> 00:32:14,660 Speaker 2: deprive them of college of college expenses. And that's okay, 557 00:32:15,459 --> 00:32:16,060 Speaker 2: I understand. 558 00:32:16,140 --> 00:32:19,059 Speaker 8: But you also, like a caller earlier, said, look, you 559 00:32:19,100 --> 00:32:21,339 Speaker 8: know the junkies say, well, if I'm live a year, 560 00:32:21,380 --> 00:32:24,219 Speaker 8: then I'm gonna go wild. Well that may be true. 561 00:32:24,580 --> 00:32:25,779 Speaker 8: You know, if you only have a year to live, 562 00:32:25,860 --> 00:32:27,219 Speaker 8: or you're gonna go to the gym and work on 563 00:32:27,260 --> 00:32:29,459 Speaker 8: your body to make sure laugh a long time, or 564 00:32:29,700 --> 00:32:31,460 Speaker 8: are you going to pick out on donuts? I mean, 565 00:32:31,660 --> 00:32:33,459 Speaker 8: if you only have a year to plan. That'd be 566 00:32:33,459 --> 00:32:35,620 Speaker 8: one thing. I think it's more of a better point 567 00:32:35,700 --> 00:32:38,220 Speaker 8: to say, you know what, take the things that are 568 00:32:38,300 --> 00:32:40,900 Speaker 8: important for a year and try to make them a lifetime. 569 00:32:40,900 --> 00:32:42,260 Speaker 8: But you can't do all of it. 570 00:32:42,780 --> 00:32:46,900 Speaker 2: Yeah, all right, listen, you're you're right in the theory. 571 00:32:47,100 --> 00:32:49,900 Speaker 2: In reality, I don't suspect that people told that they 572 00:32:49,900 --> 00:32:52,260 Speaker 2: have a year to live spend the year picking out 573 00:32:52,300 --> 00:32:55,299 Speaker 2: on donuts. They might, I don't know. I don't know. 574 00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:57,900 Speaker 2: They might not. For one reason is because there is 575 00:32:57,979 --> 00:33:00,780 Speaker 2: still a hope that everyone should have. If I take 576 00:33:00,820 --> 00:33:02,820 Speaker 2: care of my body, I might live more than a year. 577 00:33:03,459 --> 00:33:05,740 Speaker 2: We'll be back in a moment, but that college point 578 00:33:05,780 --> 00:33:07,660 Speaker 2: I want to develop as soon as we come back 579 00:33:08,060 --> 00:33:10,540 Speaker 2: on the Happiness Hour on the Dennis Prager Show. Back 580 00:33:10,540 --> 00:33:11,060 Speaker 2: in a moment. 581 00:33:12,260 --> 00:33:15,660 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 582 00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:24,660 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Cragor's Timeless Wisdom. 583 00:33:25,219 --> 00:33:27,979 Speaker 2: All right, my friends, So I already reached the final 584 00:33:28,020 --> 00:33:31,540 Speaker 2: segment of the Happiness Hour, and I tell you the 585 00:33:31,620 --> 00:33:35,580 Speaker 2: last call is very important, and I understand the every point, 586 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:38,099 Speaker 2: every point any of you made has been valid. By 587 00:33:38,140 --> 00:33:42,420 Speaker 2: the way, there's not big disagreement here, but I I 588 00:33:42,979 --> 00:33:48,019 Speaker 2: the last call does necessitate the following. If you are 589 00:33:48,140 --> 00:33:53,459 Speaker 2: spending less time with your children or your child because 590 00:33:53,620 --> 00:33:56,499 Speaker 2: you are working so hard in order to be able 591 00:33:56,540 --> 00:33:59,059 Speaker 2: to send them to college. Now, if it's so hard 592 00:33:59,100 --> 00:34:01,940 Speaker 2: in order to be able to sustain a home, I 593 00:34:02,420 --> 00:34:06,860 Speaker 2: understand that, and I understand the needs to earn money. 594 00:34:06,900 --> 00:34:10,860 Speaker 2: I utterly relate to it. And it's you can't have 595 00:34:10,980 --> 00:34:13,220 Speaker 2: all the time you want with a child and work 596 00:34:14,340 --> 00:34:16,540 Speaker 2: a lot. I mean, that's that's true. I understand that, 597 00:34:16,660 --> 00:34:20,299 Speaker 2: and it's only sympathy you get from me. But if 598 00:34:20,340 --> 00:34:24,939 Speaker 2: in fact it is, well, you know, I'm working, I'm 599 00:34:24,940 --> 00:34:28,020 Speaker 2: depriving myself of my time with my child or my 600 00:34:28,140 --> 00:34:31,379 Speaker 2: children in order to earn the money so that they 601 00:34:31,420 --> 00:34:35,940 Speaker 2: can go to college. Spend the time, and worry about 602 00:34:35,940 --> 00:34:41,379 Speaker 2: college later. There are free colleges, and there are inexpensive colleges. 603 00:34:42,779 --> 00:34:45,940 Speaker 2: It is infinitely better. I did you hear the interview 604 00:34:45,980 --> 00:34:51,980 Speaker 2: I had with doctor halliwell, this child psychiatrist, it was 605 00:34:52,100 --> 00:34:56,580 Speaker 2: they were gems coming from his mouth. How this false god. 606 00:34:56,660 --> 00:34:59,820 Speaker 2: He called it the false idol of grades, good grades 607 00:34:59,859 --> 00:35:03,259 Speaker 2: and good good schools, and what it does to the 608 00:35:03,299 --> 00:35:08,939 Speaker 2: happiness of children. Infinitely infinitely better that your child have 609 00:35:09,060 --> 00:35:12,020 Speaker 2: time with you now than that you have the funds 610 00:35:12,060 --> 00:35:15,940 Speaker 2: to send your child to Princeton later, better your local 611 00:35:15,980 --> 00:35:23,060 Speaker 2: community college later, and time with you throughout the child childhood, 612 00:35:22,580 --> 00:35:28,060 Speaker 2: then less time with you and money for Princeton or 613 00:35:28,100 --> 00:35:34,339 Speaker 2: any other college. So don't think that way. Remember I 614 00:35:34,500 --> 00:35:37,339 Speaker 2: started by saying, imagine you were going to die in 615 00:35:37,380 --> 00:35:41,219 Speaker 2: a year. You got that news, it will focus your 616 00:35:41,259 --> 00:35:46,460 Speaker 2: gratitude on everything. You have your attention on sunsets and people, 617 00:35:46,900 --> 00:35:50,099 Speaker 2: and you will enjoy people, and you will know what's 618 00:35:50,140 --> 00:35:53,979 Speaker 2: important and what's trivial. And the fact is we are 619 00:35:54,180 --> 00:35:58,100 Speaker 2: all in that situation because there is a single person 620 00:35:58,219 --> 00:36:00,899 Speaker 2: listening to me who knows for sure that they will 621 00:36:00,940 --> 00:36:03,700 Speaker 2: be around next year. I don't care what your age. 622 00:36:03,739 --> 00:36:07,219 Speaker 2: If it's fifteen or if it's ninety five, we don't know. 623 00:36:07,660 --> 00:36:13,899 Speaker 2: I don't know. Fixing one's attention, one's gaze on that 624 00:36:14,060 --> 00:36:19,820 Speaker 2: fact can have a tremendous impact on leading a more happy, 625 00:36:20,180 --> 00:36:26,899 Speaker 2: full life, reconciling with people you're alienated from, appreciating sunsets, 626 00:36:28,100 --> 00:36:32,300 Speaker 2: spending time with loved ones. That's why I raised this issue. 627 00:36:32,420 --> 00:36:35,899 Speaker 2: Judy randolh Lynn, Chris Jim and everybody else is trying 628 00:36:35,900 --> 00:36:38,580 Speaker 2: to get in. Please forgive me. I know you have 629 00:36:38,620 --> 00:36:40,140 Speaker 2: a lot to say and I would look forward to 630 00:36:40,180 --> 00:36:44,580 Speaker 2: your emails through Dennisprager dot com. Don't go away, my friends, 631 00:36:45,180 --> 00:36:49,020 Speaker 2: we continue on the Dennis Prager Show. Happiness to you. 632 00:36:50,180 --> 00:36:54,499 Speaker 1: This has been timeless wisdom with Dennis Prager. Visit Dennisprager 633 00:36:54,540 --> 00:36:58,100 Speaker 1: dot com for thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, 634 00:36:58,140 --> 00:37:02,779 Speaker 1: and classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles.