Why It Is Wrong To Think About Whos Got It Better Than Us

By Kari Ratliff


Many people spend an inordinate amount of time pondering whos got it better than us. They are envious of people that seem to be more successful, that owe more and that live better lifestyles. In the process they often fail to see that they are indeed fortunate and that the vast majority of people living on the planet do not enjoy a fraction of the advantages and privileges that they do.

Thankfulness is one of the key ingredients of true happiness. Many people acknowledge the fact that they are more fortunate than most other people. They are grateful for this good fortune and at the same time they realize that they have done nothing to deserve it. On the other hand, ungrateful people that think they deserve better are often unhappy and discontent.

There are many different ways in which to measure wealth. It is sobering, however, to learn that major aid agencies have determined that less than one tenth of the world population is guaranteed one nutritional meal per day, free access to drinking water, a secure place to sleep and the ability to keep out of the elements. Therefore those people that enjoy these very basic privileges must count themselves as extremely wealthy.

There can be no doubt that the desperately poor is growing in numbers. Aid agencies are unable to cope with the global rise in poverty. Many blame the wealthy for this situation, arguing that too much wealth is seated with too few people. They also claim that there are enough resourced to feed the world, but that the raw greed of the wealthy prevents any attempt at fairness.

Of course, there are many different aspects to wealth and privilege. Churches and spiritual organizations maintain that true wealth lies in a personal relationship between the individual and his or her creator. Many others argue that true wealth can be found in the unconditional love of others and the willingness to serve fellow human beings. The fact remains, however, that each person has to decide what it is that is truly important and meaningful.

It is an unfortunate fact that most of the world still measure wealth in terms of financial strength. Successful people are seen as those with lots of money and the ability to purchase whatever it is that they may want. People that own numerous houses, cars and their own private planes are the ones that are portrayed as true success stories.

The truth of the matter is that most people have much more than they really need. In fact, most people can do much to help those less privileged than they are. Even small, regular donations to reputable aid agencies can go a long way in helping to make life better for those millions of people that are victims of circumstances.

Anybody that takes the time to really think about whos got it better than us will have to admit that very few actually do. Those that own more possessions are not truly wealthier. For many people their wealth can be measured in their own contentment, their health and the loving relationships that they enjoy.




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