How to find yourself? What to do to be happy in the modern world? These questions have become especially relevant now. People have always strived for happiness, but in the 21st century of digitalization, the Internet and social media, more and more people suffer from depression. It would seem that humanity has many benefits of civilization that can be used for its development, but the situation is dramatically different. So how can you avoid information noise and enjoy life? We discussed these topics with a professor of Anglo-American University in Prague, Robert Warren.
Robert, how to develop yourself to be more modern?
I think it’s necessary not to close yourself from anything is going on. It’s difficult to know who you are. You should keep your eyes open. And you should communicate with people who are engage and not incurious. You can get involved in a group or in organizations who are actively participating in a modern way. It can be artificial intelligence, social media and etc. You have a million ways to stay engage. You can learn from others and stay informed.
Why people who have less possibilities often can be happier than people who can get more?
I think it’s prejudice. It’s more important to understand how to be happy in a busy world. I think it's necessary to pay attention how you feel, what is affecting your life, is your job is much for you, is your boss really stressing you out, what expectations you have from yourself, are you realistic, how mush pressure are you putting on yourself? People should have good people around them, comfortable psychological atmosphere to make sure that they are honest with themselves. People shouldn’t allow their expectations to ruin life and destroy them. They should respect yourself.
Why we have a lot of stereotypes and prejudice in the modern world? Why some people accept other people as they are, while others think they can impose their opinions on others?
Ignorance brings fear. Fear brings such behaviour, for example aggression, inappropriate reaction. If you don’t understand something you fear it. It is important to try to understand what is unknown to you. It often becomes clear that there was nothing unusual about what you didn’t understand before. If you choose not to ignore your fear, you will realize that things can be simple. For example, you see a wound on your leg, but you don't know what it is. You start to screw yourself up, increasing your fear. But you just have to go to the doctor and understand that this is an ordinary trifle, and life will immediately become easier.
Do you think it is necessary to learn different points of view in order to find the truth? Or does the truth come from other sources?
Yes, it is definitely necessary. But if you put two people with opposite points of view next to each other, then you still won't hear the truth. For example, on television, various debates are often shown, thus trying to find the truth, but this never works. To understand someone else's point of view, you must first understand why and how a person came to this point of view. You need to set aside your opinion and completely immerse yourself in understanding what a person with different beliefs is telling you. To come up with an ideal idea, you need to have serious arguments and facts. If you say it’s right because you just think so, it’s not going to work. Life is very subjective. You work with students and you love it. Oh yes, I love my job.
Why do you think some people are so unhappy with their jobs? Why do they do this if they hate it?
I think they do it because they hate themselves. I came across this.
Sometimes they just can't find themselves. Because it is very difficult to answer the question of who you are. There are many things you can do to figure out who you are and what you want, what makes you happy. But sometimes people just can't do what they like, for various reasons: because of corruption, because of an aggressive society, because of prejudice. And sometimes a person, due to life circumstances, simply does not have a choice. I think that people often work where they do not like, because they do not understand that they can do something else. This can happen, for example, as a result of a certain upbringing.
Someone thinks that work is their life, and someone goes to work only to earn money and do what is pleasurable. Both paths have a right to exist. Let's be honest, life is great. If this is not the case for you, try to understand why and try to fix it.
So how do you find yourself and your path?
If I knew this, I would become a billionaire. I think you need to try. Try and not be afraid. If you are afraid of life, then life will simply swallow you. Life is changeable, you have to try and try and then you will find what resonates with you. For example, I am self-centred, but I use my ego in a peaceful way - giving lectures. It's always important to be in the process and do what brings happiness.
