Happiness???

Posted on by under Economic issues, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, Social commentary

I don’t pay much attention to fools and idiots, but some comments I read by Jeanine Pirro a few days ago took my mind down a path that I want to share with you.  Here’s what she said …

“The people who want us to be petrified that the world is coming to an end — and I think according to some it should already have come to an end — they just want to make sure that we live a minimalist life while they prosper based upon all the money they make from the green energy bill that was touted as the Inflation Reduction Act. And, you know, while we suffer, they don’t want us to have gas stoves, they don’t want us to have fans, they don’t want us to have gas cars and they are just interested in making sure that we’re as miserable as possible. You shouldn’t be eating meat. You shouldn’t be doing anything that we’re doing.”

As I said, I don’t pay much mind to Jeanine Pirro and others of her ilk, but here’s the thing … I’ve heard similar views coming from average, everyday people … people I know personally, people I once thought were intelligent, decent human beings.  Does happiness really depend on owning a gas stove?  One friend acted as if her life was shattered because her new living room furniture was delivered late.  Really???  And the bigger question:  is individual, momentary happiness really more important than saving the environment for all life on Planet Earth?

I remember a long-ago conversation with a friend … I don’t remember the gist of the conversation or what started it, but I plainly remember her saying, “All I want is to be happy.  I have the right to be happy.”

And then there was an interview several years ago, I believe it was televangelist Jim Bakker being interviewed, where when the interviewer asked how he justified his wealth and spending it on such frivolities as private planes, responded that “God wants me to be happy.”  My jaw dropped when I read that.

I find this emphasis on ‘happiness’ a bit off-putting.  Or perhaps it’s in how these people define happiness.  I always liked the Charlie Brown version of happiness …

If happiness requires that you own a gas stove, drive a gas-guzzling SUV, fly to Vegas on vacation, have a jumbo television, and leave a carbon footprint that could be mistaken for Bigfoot’s, then perhaps your priorities are a bit skewed.  We all share this planet … there is no “America First”, there are 8 billion people on the planet, all of whom need breathable air, potable water, sufficient healthy food, and shelter.  How can anyone be ‘happy’ knowing that a large portion of those 8 billion people have no need of a gas stove because they have no food to cook on it?   Oh, and by the way, Jeanine Pirro’s net worth is approximately $14 million … but still she says she’s “suffering”?  Maybe she would like to spend a week living out of a cardboard box on the streets to see what ‘suffering’ actually looks like.

Humans like to brag about their “big brains”, how those brains have enabled them to invent so many wonderful things, but what they fail to realize is most of those inventions, such as airplanes, automobiles, electrical appliances, etc., are contributing to the demise of life on the planet.

I stopped worrying about “happiness” decades ago and learned to settle for contentedness.  Happiness is a moving target and I fail to see how anyone could be happy knowing that just a few miles away, people do not have enough food to eat, or knowing that in another 20 years, their own offspring may struggle for their very survival.

If Ms. Pirro and many others don’t believe that the earth’s environment is on the brink, don’t believe the scientists’ warnings, then perhaps they haven’t stepped outside lately or watched the Weather Channel, seen the reports of massive wildfires, large and frequent storms, flooding, etc.  How can anybody live on this planet in this, the year 2023, and still deny that something is destroying the environment?  How can anybody put their own desire for a gas stove or a private jet above the basic needs of not only their fellow humans, but of every other living species on the planet?

And now, I shall step down off of this soapbox and go pet my kitty for a while to remind myself of what’s really important in this world.

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55 thoughts on “Happiness???”

  2. I think the thing that some are upset about is the hypocrisy of some of the people who shout loudest about the environment but continue to fly around in private planes or sail on their expensive yachts. if they really feel that this is such a big deal, why do they not give up what they’re asking the rest of us to forsake? It’s almost as they have one set of standards for themselves and another for the rest of us. It’s not a matter of happiness or comfort, but one of doing yourself what you’re asking other people to do, to really be in this together, remember that slogan from covid?
    That’s just my thoughts on the matter, given with no disrespect or looking down on others.

    Liked by 3 people

    • On this I agree with you, Scott. Yes, it IS hypocrisy … but the hypocrisy of some doesn’t give us all the right or reason to simply ignore what’s being done to further destroy this planet — the only one suitable for human life. And for the record, I think that most of us who are shouting about the environment ARE doing what we can to change our habits, our lifestyles, to reduce our carbon footprint. Yes, there are those like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and a few hundred others who are thumbing their noses at us, but most of us are trying.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Jill, good post. Two comments. The Jim Bakker comment to Ted Koppel on “Nightline” was “The Lord wanted me to have nice things.” My response is simple “But, the Lord did not mean for you to screw people over to pay for them.” He went to jail for fraud for scamming contributors.

    The other is more personal. I had a health scare many years ago and was hooked up to all these monitors in the ER waiting for my wife to visit. I can assure you and your readers, when I was hooked up to monitors like that, I did NOT think about work, possessions, money, etc. What I thought about was seeing my kids grow up, get married and have families. I thought of walking my daughter down the aisle and holding my wife’s hand as we walked on a beach.

    Once you have enough money to put a roof over your heads, feed and clothe your family, and pay living expenses, the marginal return on having more money wanes. Quoting the documentary movie “I Am,” “Money does not buy happiness, but the absence of money can make you unhappy.”

    Keith

    Liked by 5 people

    • Thanks, Keith. And thanks for clarifying that interview with Jim Bakker … it’s been a while and I couldn’t remember all the details. Yes, in my view people like Bakker and Osteen are the scum of the earth, taking money from people, many of whom can ill afford it, and spending it on a life of luxury rather than feeding the poor or sheltering the homeless.

      Your personal experience is indeed one of awakening, of realizing what is really important when you fear you might lose it all. Although, knowing you as I do from our years-long blogging friendship, I suspect your priorities were always pretty sound.

      I fully agree … for me, once the needs are met, then it’s time to use whatever excess money we have to help others … and I don’t mean by funding the arts or donating for a new stadium, as some do. Whenever we can, our extra dollars go to World Central Kitchen, or the local homeless shelter or local food pantry, or sometimes St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Sadly, our “extra dollars” are few as compared to some people’s, but those people would prefer to buy another yacht or mansion or take a trip to … outer space! Sigh.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Let’s face it. A lot of people are selfish greedy arrogant fools and getting more so.
    As for happiness, I agree totally that there is a difference between contentment and happiness. It’s subtle. The super wealthy may be content in their luxuries and lifestyles, but almost every one of them lack what I call joy. Trump and his ilk have never felt a day of joy in their miserable lives. Joy is more about love, being a decent caring person, being a good steward towards your community and the planet as a whole and being understanding and involved in the plight of others less fortunate, even if just in small ways.

    There’s an innate meanness and arrogance in these people like Perro. Lots of them on Fox. All arrogant, nasty and claiming to be Christian.

    Maybe that is the new Christian..who knows anymore.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Excess of anything can cause unhappiness. I learned through experience that there is such a thing as too much prime rib. Money need not bring on unhappiness, there are rich people who understand enough that is why they shun attention.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you, Mary! I fully agree … far too many people today can see no further than that which personally and immediately affects them. And as such, they seem not to care about the tens of thousands of people in this country alone who will put their children to bed hungry tonight, or forego urgent medical care because they cannot afford it. We are a greedy society … I think the same is true of all western societies today. It depresses me to realize how little people care anymore about others. We have become what I often call a “me-istic” society. Sigh.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. They deserve pity as much as opprobrium. The have fallen prey to capitals need to make a sale. They have been misled into believing that happiness is a warm gun. Happiness is one of the easiest things to earn. Just treat others with kindness and generosity. David Lynch taught me long ago how to do art in the consumer’s realm. Happiness costs $1. I’m currently working a job that takes me by an ice cream store. I’m in the process of getting new teeth to make eating pleasant again but for now mush is comfort food. So I consistently order the same peanut butter double malt shake when visiting. Waiting with cheerfulness and patience when I get my drink I tip them a dollar. They choose to test my patience by making me a malt that requires 5 minutes of melt time before it comes through the straw. Happiness all around for a dollar.
    That MLK guy knew a thing or two.

    Liked by 2 people

    • I think sometimes that I am just a cold, heartless bitch, especially when it comes to people who have plenty and cannot even be bothered to lend a hand to those who don’t. You are so right that happiness, or at least a sense of contentment, is best achieved by being kind and helping others. Congratulations on the new teeth … I’m envious, but I cannot justify the cost. I’m also envious of the peanut-butter double malt shake! The way to my heart is through a jar of peanut butter! Yes, MLK was a wise man — we need more like him.

      Liked by 2 people

      • I was taught that that is the true selling point of America. One can be whatever one wants to be.
        Can’t get no satisfaction in America. You get a Geo. Washington a Ben Franklin a MLK or even a Jamie Raskin and you want another.

        Liked by 2 people

        • That “selling point” should be worded thusly: “America, where one who is white, Christian, straight, male, and not born into poverty can become whatever he wants to be.”

          Yep, I’m greedy … I want more like the ones you mention and fewer like Trump, Musk, Carlson, et al.

          Liked by 1 person

          • Nature seems to prefer ballance. Perhaps the good needs the bad. I would like to judge but I find hypocrisy distasteful. I’ve been to the bar at the top of Churchill Downs with Howard Cosell during the Kentucky Derby and eaten lunch at Lebanon Correctional Institution with the general population post the Lucasville riot. People are neither good nor bad they are just people. Success comes with a mixed bag. Too much regret will overshadow any happiness if you let it. You can like something even when it makes you sad.

            Liked by 1 person

            • Well … I would agree to the extent that I don’t think anybody is all good or all bad, I think all people are some combination of good and bad, selfless and greedy, etc. But I do think some people tend to be more evil than not, and some more good than not. And when those that are more evil than not are in positions whereby they have the wherewithal to injure thousands or maybe even millions of others, then I think we have a duty to speak out.

              Liked by 1 person

              • I agree. Your opinions are valuable because they are yours. All of my own are tainted. While I personally think you to gloomy you enlighten mine thinking.

                Liked by 1 person

                • Believe it or not, I used to be called a ‘cockeyed optimist’ and a ‘Pollyana’. Time and seeing the ways of the world conquered that and yeah, today I am a bit gloomy, but … I make no excuses. I cannot turn away from the ills I see in this world. As Popeye used to say, “I yam what I yam …” And while you and I don’t see eye-to-eye on some things, I’m glad for you keep coming back. Perhaps we can learn from each other, eh?

                  Liked by 1 person

  10. This is what I’ve seen too. These people who deny climate change, justify everything from fossil fuel abuses to gun violence, they live in a fools paradise! Not in touch with reality at all.

    Liked by 4 people

  11. People are becoming very spoilt and precious. They need to realise that 20000 children die daily from lack of food and medicine and people at advanced age are happy to wake up each day.

    Liked by 4 people

  12. I see the same thing over here, and I am certain that the elite and the rich are to blame. How are ordinary people supposed to feel guilty about using their cars or trips to see relatives, when our Prime Minister flies 40 miles each way to a meeting using helicopter?

    I am not a climate change denier, but I do understand why people are upset about various actions and policies, and I am going to try to explain why.

    Like why the King needs his own train, and a fleet of aircraft and helicopters, to make short trips around Britain. Just so he can boast about his Green credentials, and plant a few trees.

    Why should people be careful about electricity use when government buildings are ablaze with lights even when nobody is working in them at night?

    Billionaires fly into Space for fun and leisure, but working people are told not to take foreign holidays to save the planet. Presidents and world leaders use private jets to fly to international summits for a 2-day meeting that could be held remotely on zoom, then tell us that we should buy an expensive electric car that working people cannot afford.

    When Joe Biden came to Cornwall in 2021, a number of aircraft brought 17 vehicles for his entourage just to drive 38 miles to a small village from the airport. He also brought along four hundred (YES 400!) Secret Service personnel. How did they get there? Aircraft of course.

    If they continue to refuse to lead by example, then people are going to say “Why not me, if they can do it?”

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 6 people

  13. Pingback: Happiness??? | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

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