Can people be poor and happy?

Midnight Pete said:

If it's possible to be rich and miserable, it's possible to be poor and happy.


It's definitely possible to be rich and miserable-- mo' money mo' problems.

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I've been quite poor and I have made good money in the past, believe me, I was happier with a little scratch in my pocket.

Like the old saying goes, "I've been rich and I've been poor - rich is better."

Kathryn said:

Like the old saying goes, "I've been rich and I've been poor - rich is better."

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Rich people disgust me. Shallow, nasrcissistic, materialistic whores.

Midnight Pete said:

Rich people disgust me. Shallow, nasrcissistic, materialistic whores.

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Hey, Pete, put some perspective on this, will ya? What's rich to you? Just how rich does someone have to be in your book to be automatically shallow, narcissistic, and a materialistic whore?

Just to give YOU some perspective, you are living in the lap of luxury compared to most people in this world. Wonder what the poor sods think of YOU?

List of countries by per capita personal income - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kathryn said:

Hey, Pete, put some perspective on this, will ya? What's rich to you? Just how rich does someone have to be in your book to be automatically shallow, narcissistic, and a materialistic whore?

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Ever see the Real Housewives of Orange County?

Just to give YOU some perspective, you are living in the lap of luxury compared to most people in this world.

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No doubt about that.

Wonder what the poor sods think of YOU?

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I am really not that far away from being a mentally-ill hobo. I'm on social assistance, I'm broke, unemployed, single, and have no car. I met some poor sods down at the community outreach centre last night and consider myself one of them. We had a little church service and then some dinner. Very rewarding spiritually.

There, but for the grace of God goeth I.

Midnight Pete said:

There, but for the grace of God goeth I.

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[QUOTEEver see the Real Housewives of Orange County?

][/QUOTE]

No, but I'm pretty picky about what I put in my head.

I'm assuming they are millionaires? So - what about people who make $100,000 a year - are they so rich that they are narcissistic, materialistic whores? What about those who make $150,000? What about $200,000? You get my point - just how rich does someone have to be in order to be judged a materialistic whore deserving of your hate?

I am really not that far away from being a mentally-ill hobo. I'm on social assistance, I'm broke, unemployed, single, and have no car. I met some poor sods down at the community outreach centre last night and consider myself one of them. We had a little church service and then some dinner. Very rewarding spiritually.

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Whenever I do volunteer work with the homeless or at the women's shelter, I consider myself "one of them" as well. That's because they are human and so am I. But I am sure they consider me to be very wealthy.

It's all a matter of perspective. I went to a Christmas party last year at one of the most opulent mansions I've ever been in. I literally couldn't believe the sheer wealth of this family. And compared to them, I am definitely small potatoes.

Why was I even there? Well, because the owners serve on the same board as I do with a local community outreach program, and the party was for the board members. This particular family pours hundreds of thousands of dollars into community outreach programs every year - most directed at children from low income families. They are wealthy, yes - amazingly so, really. In fact, I think what amazed me about their house is that in all my interactions with them, I had no idea of their level of personal wealth, because they are so down to earth. Hard workers, jeans and t-shirt sort of folks.

Interesting.

There but for grace of God goeth I. I mean that 100%.

I'm 31 years old and most guys my age would kill themselves if they had to live my life.

Midnight Pete said:

There but for grace of God goeth I. I mean that 100%.

I'm 31 years old and most guys my age would kill themselves if they had to live my life.

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You might be surprised how many people lead quiet lives of desperation.

I take it you have no wife and kids?

Take your life,
and now add to it the responsibility of children,
and why not throw in a donkey of a spouse to boot.
(and no money to simply throw at a lawyer to end your nightmare of a (monogamous) "marriage")

If you ever come into any money
I'll take it.
That way you can keep the high road free and clear.

UltraViolet said:

You might be surprised how many people lead quiet lives of desperation.

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I have known a few. They are my people.

I take it you have no wife and kids? [/quote]

No, but I do have a couple of nieces.

Take your life,

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and now add to it the responsibility of children,
and why not throw in a donkey of a spouse to boot.
(and no money to simply throw at a lawyer to end your nightmare of a (monogamous) "marriage")

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Actually, I'm very happy not to have children. Kids deserve a capable father and I don't think I can ever be that. I'm glad I've never gotten anyone pregnant. What my soul longs for is a wife/girlfriend/partner, someone "at my level."

If you ever come into any money
I'll take it.
That way you can keep the high road free and clear.[/quote]

Money can't buy happiness...
if you have love, you are rich...

Kathryn said:

I'm assuming they are millionaires? So - what about people who make $100,000 a year - are they so rich that they are narcissistic, materialistic whores? What about those who make $150,000? What about $200,000? You get my point - just how rich does someone have to be in order to be judged a materialistic whore deserving of your hate?

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His strong rhetoric aside, it depends how they spend it, not what they make.

Penumbra said:

His strong rhetoric aside, it depends how they spend it, not what they make.

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I agree with your statement completely. That's not at all what Pete said, though.

I don't think that money alone is the answer to Pete's issues. I mean that genuinely. Look at people who win the lottery. Their character and habits don't change with the arrival of that money.

We are who we are - regardless of wealth or the lack thereof.

Of course - having money can (not DOES, but CAN) relieve some stress. We're not at our best when we're literally worried about the next meal or whether the electricity will be cut off today. But money or the lack of money is not any sort of excuse for ongoing poor decision making or lack of character.

My happiness isn't based on money, never has been. I've had more money than I have now, and I've had less, but my happiness has never changed. There would be things that could be taken away from me which I think would cause my happiness to disappear.

Concentrate living on your Spiritually side. Then, you'll know that being POOR sinner will most certainly enrich your soul. So, be thankful and happy that you are POOR - sinner.

great pictures! thank you for sharing.

i find happiness in my family and animals.. i am cheerful when i see they're happy.

There's a saying in my country which says that "The basis of a man's wealth is on how many friends he has." and "The true source of happiness is love"

These posts made me so happy! It isn't WHAT you have in your life, it is WHO you have and how you treasure them!

I have money and I'm pretty happy.

Yes, just look at Buddhist monks, or Hindu swamis. They seem to be content with their non-material life.