You are so right. That's why people come here from other places. We really do have a lot here in the US. Even poor people here have access to electricity and running water. Just a thought.
This is an excellent comment. I thought this even as I wrote about feeling "poor." Although I've not had the opportunity to visit a third-world country, I've read several poignant books like "The Condition of the Working Class in England," "The Jungle," or even "Nickle and Dimed in America." When I begin to feel sorry for myself, I simply remember those books and my perspective re-adjusts itself right away.
i love visiting my family members in s.e. asia, not because it makes me feel rich in comparison, but because seeing how they live shows me that happiness is not tied to having lots of money. the simple life that they lead, warmth in the family, respect in the community, these things money can't buy.
i may be rich financially, but i am poor in comparison in terms of life experiences, having meaningful friendships and contacts, belongingness in a community, respect from my fellow citizens, etc etc.
so when we feel poor, we should ask ourselves, "does being rich bring me more happiness?"
i can't wait to get out of NYC.
sorry.. bad grammar.
"will being rich bring me more happiness?"
is that better?
You guys all make excellent points. Like Mapgirl said, people come to the US to make a better life. My parents did. And I agree with James, who highlighted the definition of what makes a person rich. Surely, money isn't the only measure of richness. But I used material wealth as an example, since others wrote in about feeling poor because of things they did not have.
Great post.
=) I'm one of the bloggers writing about being poor right now too. IMO poor is a state of mind. (I tend to use poor and ghetto synonymously) When you think of yourself as poor you make 'poor' decisions and well you stay poor! (Now replace poor with Ghetto.. See how that works?)
BYP - Brown Young and Poor (or Ghetto)
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