"The Second Mountain": David Brooks on valuing relationships over personal success

[@lotsalaughs8829]

David, you have always been my favorite conservative columnist because you straight forward and honest ( I am progressive politically and have always been - we are about the same age). Thanks for sharing your story. It is so important for everyone to realize what is really important in this life!

[@dlg5485]

@David You are clearly a part of the problem and probably need his message more than anyone. Thoughtless political partisanship is one of the causes of the despair he is speaking about. It's one thing to support and believe in a left or right agenda IF you've thought it thru and really understand what you're advocating for. However, it's an entirely different thing to just brainlessly follow a political party without helping to steer its agenda and hold it accountable.

[@TheJanet4321]

He is so right. I hope the right people pay attention to what he's saying. Can't wait to read the book. Great guy.

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

I lean very far left, but try to remain open to carefully-considered opposing viewpoints. David Brooks is someone whose opinion I *always* welcome hearing. Now I see where the compassion and wisdom I sense in him comes from. Thank you for sharing your perspective, David! ❤️

[@Albertangelo123]

A decent man with a decent message. I hope the President reads the book.

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

I am now 70. And retired from the 'nine to five grind'..and thank the good Lord for that! I have had four short stories published. I married for the first time at 60 to a delightful gentleman. We will soon be moving back to my husband's home city of New Orleans, where I will be mentoring youth at risk, starting a non-profit, continuing to write, and who knows what else? Furthermore, I am not alone: robust seniors among us, and we are many...do not each and every one suffer from dementia. We are not all immobile, frail, and simply sitting on the sidelines as out life battery runs down. The talents and energies we have are a huge untapped well. I am so weary of the juven-ocracy which often surrounds us.

[@mightbesherwood1313]

Such positivity, right up to that last sentence. Reconsider that. After all, you value youth - you mentor them. You are not volunteering to help seniors with dementia - you are distinguishing (distancing) yourself from them. Make sure you don't become a judgemental missionary, and best of luck with all of it.

[@FromTheHeart2]

Cynthia Hawkins I want to be like you when I grow up. Literally. Thank you for showing the way

[@dodalton1]

The book is fantastic. I adore David Brooks' writings. Just beautiful.

[@lizlorraine463]

Love this. Relationships mean with your siblings, friends, spouse, kids, extended family members, parents. Does not mean only marriage or partner. I will get this book. Life is difficult, but relationships makes it wondrous.

[@johnarthurs1622]

You really are an amazing man David!

[@jeni688]

Such a lovely video and interview and then such lousy comments here. I really like David Brooks !

[@Logiconfire]

Mr Mid Lie Crisis. Divorce your wife, marry a much younger woman, and then write a book on morality.

[@soulpeaceartemk5859]

Want that book!!!😊

[@getbook9003]

www.ebay.com/itm/The-second-mountain-the-quest-a-moral-life-By-david-brooks-book-only-pdf-/254209582589?pageci=78376b10-5b0b-4198-a729-d4853bfe14e5&epid=16030271309

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Looking very very nice...Thank you...

[@StrongFives]

This is helpful information thank you David Brooks. I wonder if humans are the only form of life in the universe capable of defining and experiencing virtue and if so that would imply humanity = morality, it is what distinguishes us from the stars, planets, animals, and plants. I wonder if we really appreciate the power we have to restrict destructive and harmful impulses and desires through self-control and how helpless the rest of the universe is, compelled by these forces and unable to even know what it means to suffer. How much better off would humanity be if everyone woke to the self-centered question "How can I be the best person I can be today" and then realized, day by day, how comprehensive the answer of virtue is. Only one way to find out.

[@johnstewart7025]

I think it would be better if we could raise our children to learn this way of life. But, from personal experience, life seems so relatively easy and "intoxicating" that whatever you are taught is taken for granted, and then thrown out the window as we feel our way forward. I seem to remember "creating my life" or building a life and "finding out who I was." I went through what Brooks describes as a mid-life crisis when I was 30.

[@cherylcarlson3315]

But that isn't the end of some lives, there is a cliff one is thrown off of when you develop an invisible rare disease that bowls down the first mountain when you can't work and turns the second mountain into sand sliding over you as you struggle to understand how a misfolded protein inside a muscle cell can cause such global fatigue and weakness. Doing the right things all your life to promote heath and moral integrity, to be a good friend to others is no match for Myositis damage to a life. This valley is so, so deep.

[@johnstewart7025]

true, but faith tells people that the mountain is just as high. I have been reading a lot of second hand theology and philosophy. The Buddhists and Hindus want us to believe that we are "one with the universe" or Atman. Through various yogas or Zen practices they seek to force you to accept that this is true. Christians tell you to help others and that after you do that, you will look back and realize that you feel better by treating everyone as though we are all part of God (the universe). I know that despite serious problems that spiritual practice does help a lot. Maintaining the practice through good times and bad times keeps our spirits in shape.

[@v.britton4445]

If only the GOP would get it.

[@jimkozubek4026]

Yes.

[@janedoe1146]

They'll gladly exploit David Brooks' message though. Great pretenders.

[@gregorypollard5908]

I want Both parties to read it

[@ericworiax1277]

Dude, if you could have gone to church with me years ago you wouldn't have wasted years and a marriage to have to write a book the Word covers well many times over. It's also the book on looking forward to age and death that you'll find no where else.

[@mathetem]

It all depends on the condition of your heart, some will need a donkey to turn a corner while others only need a moments notice.

[@dlg5485]

This topic has nothing to do with religion or faith. It's simply about the sad state of the human condition. In fact, I'd say religion is a big contributor to the problem, dividing people into camps based on SELF-righteousness. No one needs religion or faith to be happy, fulfilled or good. What you really need, first and foremost, is a connection to community. That is what is missing today.

[@janedoe1146]

Timely book with all the division Trump has created. Unfortunately it's going to take a mountain moving to get us together. I've lost a lot of friends since Trump has been put up on a pedestal by those very friends. Because of this Trump nightmare there are friends and family i will not associate with again. I see some of them so clearly now, and others are so disappointing.

[@yesmissfrancon]

David Brooks cashing in on Centrists' sympathies. Let us see some charitable giving. Maybe that would make you feel better about yourself more than defending mean-spirited conservative policies. This book is going to finance a very nice retirement home.

[@bubb5225]

yesmissfrancon In a better society there would be no charities. You wouldn’t need them. That must be our aim for the 21st century. Why doesn’t David Brooks write about that?

[@yesmissfrancon]

@@bubb5225 good point. Besides, the administrators of nonprofits and other charitable organizations enrich themselves while the oppressed continue to suffer.

[@stewartprofessionalservice9806]

Canadian eh? Get out out of here. He is sounding like a Christian in his ethical examination here, brilliant. Get out there bro. My ex is a canook. Maybe Republican positions no longer fit his rhetoric in the middle. Step moms may actually spoil the kids, and we all win.

[@vwhisp1394]

"Conservatives" hear your brethren.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

Brooks is a charlatan.

[@dlg5485]

I don't think you know what that word means.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

@@dlg5485 I should have used mountebank.

[@SULLA_1]

plaigiarized maslows hierarchy of needs.

[@brendamcbrien2554]

Why are you so concerned about "service" and love when you turn around and "attack" the president...really...?!!

[@lenblack1462]

So, criticism of Trump is attacking?

[@lostcat9lives322]

Conservative hypocrite.