Hey my friend, great post! Yes, I agree entirely .. the system is set up to subvert our true path and to distract us from our internal wisdom, the constant noise and red tape often renders us deaf to our inner voice and leaves us questioning and fearful of the future. I feel that life is akin to a river that wants to take each of us in a certain direction, we can spend our time swimming against it's current and worrying about it's every twist and turn or find a way to quiet the mind and go with the flow .. understanding that every river leads to the sea.
I too was drawn into these negative thought patterns and perceptions of power and materialistic success that society softly whispers in your ear. It's hard work un-programming yourself, to reclaim your mind .. my main point of advice would be to be mindful of your thoughts. If you look back over your life (well certainly mine) we can see that life has a habit of hiding it's greatest opportunities amongst it's darkest times, it's not so much that we have these down times that define's who we are but how we rise to the occasion.
If something negative happens to me I've trained my brain to look into the future and think about how in the long term this could have a positive outcome, to be mindful that when I start to dwell on the negative to think about all the positive things that I have. The nueral pathways of the brain are in a constant state of reformation and flux, equally these pathways can become set according to daily patterns, habits and thought processes. New pathways can be set by an intent to change i.e you can train your brain to accommodate different patterns of thought and behaviour, it's not easy and we are a work in progress but by utilising a conscious effort to be mindful and in control of our thoughts we can free ourselves from the chains that have been placed upon us. Thanks again @flauwy
Very good advise, to look into the future for the positive benefits of that experience. And going with the flow is always something that leads to amazing results!