“How happy are we?”, by Owen Collins
I was playing golf in Florida in early March of this year when my cell phone rang and on the other end was Ed Raleigh, one of my closest friends, calling from Breathitt County . He said that an article and poem that I had written had been published in the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association News.
I knew that I had not submitted an article to KRTA and did not immediately recognize the content of what Ed was describing, but as he continued to read what had been published in the News, it gradually dawned on me as to what might have happened. When I send Rabbi Columns to the BCV to be published, I copy various persons, one of whom is Mary May of Wolfe County who is also a board member of KRTA. She apparently suggested it.
Honored and humbled to have this exposure, I am also pleased that this reflects positively on the editorial page of the BCV, because it first appeared in July, 2007 in the BCV. If you have read it before, please skip to the closing, in italics.
Do you ever wonder why Americans who have one of the highest living standards in the world seem so unhappy? Moaning and complaining about the garbage that was not picked up or the number of vehicles that impede our travel or the high cost of gasoline or the taxes we have to pay or those who litter our highways or those who buy scratch off lottery tickets and hold us up in check out lines or the weather that is too hot, too cold, too dry?
Robert J. Samuelson, writing in Investors Business Daily on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in an article entitled, “Why Prosperity Hasn’t Closed Happiness Gap” offers some interesting insights into our condition. Citing the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, he finds that the happiness quotient of Americans is stuck in neutral, comparing 1977 to 2006.
This is an era when material wealth has blossomed: more cars, more money, more homes. Life expectancy is now 78, up from 74. Major medical advances, particularly in the treatment of heart related problems. Many are alive today who would not be if the clock were rolled back 60 years. Yet, we are no happier, perhaps more unhappy! Why?
One thing for sure: Material possessions do not bring lasting happiness. Build a big house; someone will build a bigger one. Buy a fast car; someone else will buy a faster one. Amass millions; someone will have more. Robert Frank in Falling Behind, argues that: “Rising affluence condemns us to self-defeating consumption contests.”
To put this in perspective, I have heard several wealthy individuals, whose health was failing, say that they would give every penny they had for a day of pain free, healthy living.
The Bible—you know that old book that is made fun of today by so many in our society—warns against trying to find happiness in material things. The rich young ruler, the farmer with the barns, the teachings of Jesus.
Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman: all followed suit. Thoreau said, “A person is rich in proportion to those things he does not want.” If material possessions are a dead end, what offers more promise in our pursuit of happiness? Samuelson says, “We ultimately get satisfaction from our relations with family and friends, the love we give or receive, the meaning we find in work, service, religion, or hobbies.”
What about marriage? Is this institution that is supposedly out of date and under pressure from the left a good place to look for happiness? According to this latest survey, it is! Forty-two per cent of married couples say they are very happy, compared to 18 percent of those divorced.
“Tell Me”
Tell me not of your money hoarded,
Or how much you are worth.
Tell me about your family,
Your children and your grandchildren.
Talk to me not of your cars and trucks
That shine oh so bright.
Tell me about your friend
That a million dollars would not buy.
Speak to me not about yachts
And trips around the world.
I want to hear of your faith
And someone you have endeared.
Show me not your tombstone,
How large and imposingly high.
How have you helped mankind,
A more fitting marker as you lie! oc I stopped by the Voice recently and engaged James David in a discussion concerning the political contenders for President, and I was surprised and gratified that he and I were on the same page concerning all three. One is unprincipled; one is dangerously connected to militancy against the US government; and one is pushing the upper echelons of age for such an all consuming job. James David is highly intelligent and balanced in his viewpoint! And, Bobby and I hope that James R. will see the error of his way!
Note from James David: As my dad, James R., has said, “If we all share the same viewpoint, odds are only one of us is doing the thinking.” I must agree. Owen and I did in fact engage in political discussion—strange territory for me for sure. I acknowledged that Obama’s relationship with Rev. Wright has done him no good, and that Hillary’s awkward account on the Bosnian tarmac has put her in a bad light. I also agreed that McCain’s age presents him as a questionable candidate. .
With that being said, I certainly believe our invasion of Iraq, coupled with our partial pullout of Afghanistan, will go down in history as two of the world’s greatest tactical blunders. I do have hope in Obama’s vision for America, and believe Hillary could be a good president, especially with Bill looking over her shoulder (I say at risk of sounding chauvinistic). I further believe McCain is an honorable patriot; I’m just not sure America can withstand more of the Bush Administration’s failed policies.
As far as Dad’s viewpoints are concerned, I couldn’t agree with him more. I’m sure I’m somewhat biased, but I’ve never known any mortal with more wisdom, astuteness, insight and good judgment than that of my father (I say at risk of leading people to believe only one of us is doing the thinking).
I appreciate Owen’s kind words and I also appreciate his perceptive observations, as I do Bobby’s. Being able to express ourselves in open forum without fear of alienation or bullying retaliation is a bulwark that keeps freedom’s beach from washing away. Of course the loss of our beaches could be caused by global warming…I’ll leave that to Dad, Bobby, Owen and others.
As my dad, James R., has said, “If we all share the same viewpoint, odds are only one of us is doing the thinking.” I must agree. Owen and I did in fact engage in political discussion—strange territory for me for sure. I acknowledged that Obama’s relationship with Rev. Wright has done him no good, and that Hillary’s awkward account on the Bosnian tarmac has put her in a bad light. I also agreed that McCain’s age presents him as a questionable candidate. .
