It is the false illusion that there is something better out there that makes people unhappy. I am guessing that most people are happy. I choose to drive a jalopy car because I want my money to be used for other things. Christ chose poverty over wealth. And sadly people choose misery over joy. Interestingly the world economy has now shifted to the point that a family of four making $30,000 a year is now in the top 1% of incomes. Those people who think their lot was handed to them can be very unhappy, those of us who understand that we made it what it is are oft content with our efforts.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Your comment WORKS in OUR country but not to the vast majority of people in 3rd world ones. Do you honestly think that people born in abject poverty actually "made it what it is?" To say they chose that "lot in life" and are perfectly content with it, comes across as arrogant and unsympathetic. You seem to be blaming them for something they had no control over. Most of those people have absolutely NO way out! I drive a jalopy ride out of necessity which is dictated by my lack of income. I would much rather prefer a more reliable trustworthy vehicle, which keeps me on edge and worry every day about whether or not it will start or get me where I need to be. And since you brought up Christ (again), He was born in to a simple family to show that He could relate to even the lowest of the low. His mission was not to become a great entrepreneur or amass great wealth, but to go to a cross. He stated regularly that He came to do the work of His Father - which was more of a spiritual work than a physical one.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

It may also be arrogant to assume that they are unhappy. People can be, and are, happy under any circumstance. As long as there are not bombs dropping on their heads. I think most people are happy and are not looking or a "way out" they are looking to enjoy what they have and not be bullied. I bring up Christ because he is a rolemodel for me. He made it very clear to me that poverty is preferred over riches. I never experienced happiness until I stopped chasing riches and started enjoying what I had. http://data.amirite.net/user_images/52ba3de11b7c1.jpg

by Anonymous 10 years ago

If a mother has several starving and/or sick children, are you REALLY suggesting she is smiling and singing songs of praise? And why with Christ do you only choose some of His words and teachings, but then ignore and/or deny others [i.e. his Father was God, he came to forgive sins and take people to heaven, etc.]. If a true role model, would a follower not be concerned about ALL the teachings and implications?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Two different questions. 1) I agree. But poverty, especially in developing countries, does not always mean starving children. It might just mean living in a manner the seems "poor" to us but is perfectly acceptable to that person. To address your OP: I suppose that we can have free will __and__ be happy and have a type of "prosperity" different from the american sense of that ideal. I think people can be very happy without a new minivan and a new Iphone every year. I think people do have free will and control their own future in that they can choose to enjoy what they have or choose to be miserable and what more. And you can enjoy what you have and still strive for improvement, just skip the woe-is-me misery part of the equation. 2) I don't take everything my other role models say as "gospel". I follow most of what Plato said but I don't buy into aristocracy or the sexual attraction to young boys. I follow what Bertrand Russell said, but I don't partake of his womanizing. I think that it is possible to have a role models and still be rational when understanding and digesting their teaching. After all we are all human and flawed, even our role models.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

All other things constant!

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Historically, people make some really bad decisions. Plus you would probably run into someone's destiny that conflicted with your own.

by Anonymous 9 years ago