Guest Voices

'To Do' List Gets Shorter, Harder

Just asking this question makes me nervous. Of course, I torture myself with it all the time.
As a Greek, that's part of my DNA (Socrates: "the unexamined life is not worth living"). As an Orthodox Christian, it's part of my faith. Even the best of us, I know, are saddled with sin -- and pride is the mother of them all. Complacency is right up there too.

I'm also superstitious and don't like to tempt fate. So the short answer -- the only possible answer, really -- is no. There are a whole lot of things about my life I wish I could change, improve, alter or eradicate.

I wish I had more patience, less anxiety, deeper faith. I'd like to care less about what other people think and worry more about what other people need. I hate how much harder it is to stay in shape now that I'm solidly middle-aged -- and I'd be a better person if my blackberry broke down more often.

But I also know how lucky I am. Lucky to have found love after 40 -- with a wife who gets me, grounds me and has given us two little girls who make our family complete. Lucky to have work that engages me, rewards me and, on good days, makes a difference. Lucky to live in fascinating times -- in a country that, even on bad days, has a genius for liberty and regeneration.

Satisfied? Never. Grateful? Forever.

George Stephanopoulos is the Chief Washington Correspondent for ABC News and anchor of ABC's Sunday morning program, "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." He served in the Clinton administration as the senior adviser to the president for policy and strategy.

By George Stephanopoulos |  May 18, 2007; 9:47 AM ET
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Posted by: Gxzkiwe | December 13, 2007 6:53 AM
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Posted by: icyzla | June 30, 2007 5:10 AM
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Posted by: icyzla | June 30, 2007 5:09 AM
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Ever just have a hard time sharing someone's outrage?

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 11:52 PM
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"I hate how much harder it is to stay in shape now that I'm solidly middle-aged"

George, you insensitive prick!!!! Do you know how many people are starving to death all over the world? And your problem is that you can't get a six pack because you eat too many $60 steaks at some fancy restaurant and the fridge in your multi-million gourmet kitchen is always full of expensive food????

Posted by: Anonymous | May 17, 2007 11:45 PM
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Georges father is a priest, He comes from humbel beginnings....AHEPA gave him a scolarship to go to school...He has worked very hard for what he has...Hard Work, even if it means two jobs...

Posted by: Bill Constantine | May 17, 2007 11:43 PM
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Georges father is a priest, He comes from humbel beginnings....AHEPA gave him a scolarship to go to school...He has worked very hard for what he has...Hard Work, even if it means two jobs...

Posted by: Bill Constantine | May 17, 2007 11:43 PM
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Actually, it appears she said a few things at times that don't mesh so well with the saintly image. A little exercise does do wonders. :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 9:08 PM
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Which, I suppose is why Mother Theresa spent so much time on her elliptical trainer. She had to keep her gluteous maximus toned for the poor masses.

Posted by: Rod Bickles | May 17, 2007 8:35 PM
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Hey, people like quotations, here, let's have one, while Greekness is in play:


"Whoever judges anything else to be evil, (save acts of the will) let distress be his, and mourning, lamentation, misfortune. And yet, though we suffer punishments so severe, we cannot refrain.

"Remember what the poet says about the stranger:
'stranger, though baser man than thou should come,
He must be honoured, for the hand of Zeus
Guards stranger folk and poor." --Odyssey, XIV. 56

"One should be ready to apply this to a father."

--Epictetus, Discourses..

:)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 7:47 PM
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says george: ' . . . I'd like to care less about what other people think and worry more about what other people need. I hate how much harder it is to stay in shape now that I'm solidly middle-aged - . . . '

Do other people need him to stay in shape? Is George ironically showing us how easily pride overtakes us.

Posted by: Rod Bickles | May 17, 2007 7:46 PM
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Jacob, the Mythbusters busted that one. Actually, the echo is "swallowed" by the original quack. Weird, huh?

BTW, four years of Latin was easier to understand than most of your posts. Praise the Goddess Gaby is here to translate. But I'll keep trying; you leave diamonds and rubies now and then. :-) Blessed Be!

Posted by: wiccan | May 17, 2007 7:30 PM
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So happens I've paid close atention to certain ducks and their echoes. I've developed a fondness, actually. :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 7:20 PM
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Hey, I haven't actually looked into the ethnicity thing on all the candidates, but not only is Obama a neat guy with Irish in him, he kinda shows it. Appropriately, as in, "WTF is that all about anyway?" :)


Anyway, Gaby. Who doesn't listen to the 'madmen' their society produces is a fool. :)


People that are taught they have something to lose by seeming mad, rationalize what's rattling around the American dreamscape.

I say to Jacob: You've spoken. Can you *sing?* :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 6:14 PM
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I wonder if you wouldn't feel better about your life if you had continued your original pursuit to make America a little better, rather than have cashed out to be a virtual game show host while lobbing softballs to politicians who know they can spin their way to the end of their segment on your television show.

Would love to know what you consider your best days that have actually made a difference to anyone, other than your executive producer.

In recently re-watching "The War Room", we saw a guy who seemed to be idealistic and thought the country was worth fighting for.

Watching your failure, along with the rest of the media, in the run-up to the Iraq war, refusing to consider cultural differences or geographical history, you seem to have gotten fat and lazy, and have ended up merely Dick Morris, but with a greater need to be loved by not wanting to offend anyone.

It gives me no pleasure at all to have come to these conclusions.

Posted by: filmex | May 17, 2007 6:04 PM
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Well said, George. I admire what you have achieved. Heading to Afghanistan to pursue my legend and your advice/sentiment reaffirmed and reassured me of my thinking and goals.


Thanks

Posted by: Hazaraman | May 17, 2007 5:27 PM
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I couldn't believe the comment you made to Obama - first saying that he had a cool style - and then asking if that was in part due to "his race". This is so dumb and so racist I don't know where to begin. For one - if he is half black African and half white American - what "race" is he? I assume that you would say he's black and that all black people are cool. You are an idiot.

Posted by: Anonymous | May 17, 2007 4:48 PM
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Brendan,

Money is not everything. I know lots of people who have money, but happy they are not.

Posted by: Gaby | May 17, 2007 4:10 PM
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Dude, you're a rich tv star.
Of course you're happy, you wipe your butt with $5.00 bills. WTF do you know about poverty and struggle? You're rich and you have been for some time now.

Give me a column by a homeless AIDS victim saying the same things and I'll be impressed.

Ooooh, the rich guy is satisfied and happy. Big f-ing deal. I'd be happy if I had your money too.

Posted by: brendan | May 17, 2007 3:49 PM
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Tonka "Warm heart" & "Cyber eyes" Ya Ya. Praise Eclat"i" & ALL!

Posted by: Anonymous | May 17, 2007 3:41 PM
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Paganplace,

I know, I studued Jacob for quite some time before I ever addressed him. At first I just shook my head in disbelief, but the more I read his posts, the more I was able to peice together what he is saying. He believes a lot like me, so now I can actually interpret what he is saying. WEll, most of the time.... ;0)

Posted by: Gaby | May 17, 2007 3:35 PM
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One Question GEORGE....
What the hell were you thinking when you asked Obama did his "coolness" have anything to do with race???? It was a stupid question and you should be ashamed and embarresed as a "journalist". I've watched you over the years and it seems the light goes dimmer as you move to the right. Yon need to pull some of the old Pre-Clinton tapes and review them. You weren't as professional but you were a damn sight more interesting.

Posted by: TJFRMLA | May 17, 2007 3:28 PM
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I usually pride myself on being conversant in that language, Gaby, but this one's been tough. :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 2:54 PM
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Jacob, my friend, take a bow, you are gathering a following!!!!!

Posted by: Gaby | May 17, 2007 2:49 PM
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Jacob:


YOU DA MAN!

Posted by: Russell D. | May 17, 2007 2:37 PM
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*bright laughter.*

"Quantum entanglement."

Ah!
Does look like that, doesn't it. :)

I think I finally get what you're on about, Jacob. :) Blessed be, man, that's great. :)

'Love never dies.'

Kind of sums it up, don't it? :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 17, 2007 2:31 PM
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Jacob said:

"LOVE is Heart felt Warmth." Yes, it is Brother Jacob! And I can feel IT almost all the time now.

I like George's essay, but I have thought long and hard about whether I would alter, change or eradicate any of my life and the answer is no. If I would, I'd alter my history and I wouldn't be who I am. Improve? Yes, there is always room for improvement!

I led a turbulent life with lots of ups and downs, moving halfway across the world, and finally coming to rest. I have searched my soul for a long time, and now, when I look into the mirror I am at peace with myself.

Posted by: Gaby | May 17, 2007 2:00 PM
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Albert Camus said, "but what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?"

I think that temperment is partly, even largely, genetic, and that people are born with a predisposition to be happy or unhappy.

Posted by: Daniel | May 17, 2007 12:25 PM
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George,

We miss your wife on the big screen. She is an underrated gem of a actress.

Kind of a looker too.

Posted by: Movie Fan | May 17, 2007 11:17 AM
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The human condition does not easily lead to happiness. That is why irrational religions and philosophies are attractive. The honest man should find happiness in facing the coldness of the Universe with courage. Existentialism is not dead; it is the only answer.

Posted by: candide | May 17, 2007 11:13 AM
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Life is always easier when you have a great wife, job, money, health and everything seems to be coming your way. It's fun to be happy and at peace. Many are not that satisfied with life and want more. It's called human nature. We work hard pay our bills and go on with ourselves in a fuzzy fog of "if onlys". Many are just seeing it through from month to month, one paycheck away from homeless. Scary life is for some and for others it's all pudding.

Posted by: jwest | May 17, 2007 11:00 AM
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