Happiness is a State of Mind
Let me put it into perspective!
Happiness is a state of mind.
However, when it comes to Israel and the US there is not much to celebrate in 2023. For Turkiye, it is fifty-fifty.
Israel and the US’s problems originate from the rigid divide in their political specter. In Turkiye, the same divide exists with a similar negative impact.
However, Turkiye seems to be moving forward in life despite difficulties. Whereas Israel and the US do not show much hopeful signs forward.
One reason for that is that regimes in power in Israel and the US are in a limbo. In Turkiye, that problem is taken care of with the 28 May election.
Since I have a stake in all three countries, I have to deal with opposing sides in each. They are all sensitive issues.
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS DOES NOT HELP
In Turkiye, the entire 2022 was a lame duck year until the 28 May 2023 election that cleared the field. Like President Erdogan told President Biden in the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
“I am done. Now, you have to deal with yours.” The US does not have nothing more important until 5 November 2024 but to focus on the toxic election campaign season.
Israel meanwhile has no such five year Turkish or four year American cycles in place. In fact, there is no cycle. Election season has no end. It continues forever.
Happiness is a State of Mind
If happiness is a state of mind then there has to be something to look forward to for everyone in all three countries no matter what side one is.
In the US, Republicans can look forward to winning the White House and the Senate. Democrats can find happiness if the 45th president will not be in the race.
In Israel, those that are protesting past 24 weeks or so in a row can see a compromise from the Netanyahu government in power. Staying in power will do for the other side.
In Turkiye, the opposing side can hope to win the local elections. The party in power will be equally happy if it comes out victorious from the same local elections.
Individual Accomplishments
If happiness is a state of mind, I find it in the personal accomplishments of young athletes. Two examples so far stood out for me this year.
One is an 18 year old soccer player called Arda Guler. He signed with Real Madrid. For those in the know, that is the ultimate team every player would like to be part of.
This Turkish young man starts with one million euro more than Cristiano Renaldo did. Renaldo was also one year older when he signed. Renaldo now is one of the best.
The other is the women's volleyball team from Turkiye. They just defeated the US in the semi final and China in the final to became the world champions for the first time.
In the world ranking too, they eclipsed the Americans with this double win, and took the top slot. Next in their plans is the European championship.
One player in that team is called Melisa Vargas. She was born in Cuba. She finally settled in Turkish citizenship after first switching to Swiss and then to Serbian.
They are all good moments for a state of mind for lot of people.
Happiness is a State of Mind
Israel and the US
Meanwhile, in Israel and the US misery index seemed to be going up and up.
The protestors in Israel believe it is the end of the world if the judicial overhaul takes place. They believe a Jewish state will be over a second time in 2000 year history after 70 years of existence.
In the US, what if the 45th president becomes the 47th president? Will life as we know it end for the half that detest seeing him as a president? As if, past 250 years, the US had a smooth ride.
For example, as a Republican, I survived eight yearsof Barack Obama. I am dreading these four years with Joe Biden as well. In fact, the torture for me continues since 1992. The Clinton and Bus (43) years were nothing to write home.
Happiness is a state of mind. After all, there are presidential elections every four years in the US. So nothing lasts forevever. If I survived since 1992, so can you with another four with the former 45th or some other may even be even worse as you see it fit.
On the other hand, happiness would be state of mind if one were able to think, another Kennedy, like Bobby K to become the 47th, for example.
Evil Minds
However, there are evil minds that are out there to intefered with those that are in the mood of happisness is a state of mind.
In all three countries, these evil minds are in play. Otherwise, silent majorities live their lives peacefully within their own means.
Here are some evidences that will keep hope alive for silent majorities
Israel will prosper despite the current political chaos
Turkiye will continue working with all countries in the region and beyond
The US will finally come to its senses and clean the house in the Congress
Prospects
Israel, Turkiye, and the US
There are good prospects for these countries. However, here is the caveat. They must collaborate.
Israel
No this is not wishful thinking when it comes to Israel which will sign a pipeline deal with Turkiye soon. As a result, it will start exporting natural resources to Europe. Israel has been sitting on them since 2009, having not made a penny to this date. If only voters in Israel had focused on this issue over the past decade, the country was going to be much wealthier by now.
Turkiye
Turkiye just completed three massive trade deals with the likes of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Record breaking numbers reflect win-win but also there is the ripple effect to talk about. Israel for example will be motivated to jump on the bandwagon with Turkiye now, only because UAE and Saudi Arabia are on board. Before, these countries were collaborating with Israel. However, the returns were not as good.
The US
On that note, if Turkiye and Israel, two long time allies of the US are collaborating, why would not the US also jump on this bandwagon? Here is the truth. No matter who is in the Oval Office come January 2025, they will have no choice but to work with Turkiye. I have been preaching this since I published GameChanger in 2020. Nothing has changed ever since. I was right on the money.
Happiness is a State of Mind
Except for the Evil Minds
The rest is nonsense when all the evil minds in the world in the US now focus on Donald Trump like if there is nothing else in the world to go after.
What if 47 becomes the 45, so what? After all, happiness is a state of mind.