A lot of unhappy people about


Have you noticed an increasing number of people whinging, complaining, just not happy, feeling very negative about life and some are even quite angry.

Nothing seems to please them.

They are unhappy about all sorts of things. It can range from the the cost of their electricity, how much food costs to the price of petrol.  And everyone is blaming the government -- perhaps because they have no one else to blame.

I wonder if people complained as much during the depression, or did they just get on with living quietly.

Interestedly . . . the thing that appears to make people most unhappy is the cost of living . . . but the cost of living has not increased dramatically.  Most of what we buy has not gone up exponentially at all.  However, the Opposition party (and the media) have jumped on this "feeling" that people have and banged away at the message of doom and gloom for months.  If a society is told enough times that it is glum, they will end up believing it, whether or not the facts support it. 

But, in saying that the cost of living has not increased very much - we have inflicted some pain on ourselves - the problem is, we all want to live beyond our means -- we want the big house (that costs more to heat and cool), we want the second car (that requires petrol, insurances, tyres etc), we want that overseas holiday (because everyone else is going), we would love to own 2 or 3 TVs (isn't that the norm),  why not buy some more clothes this season (it's only going on credit) and perhaps buy take-away as we do not have time to cook.  Our wants are larger than the money coming in and therefore many people struggling to pay their basic bills and expect the government to provide assistances. 

Of course there are people in genuine need, the unemployed, the elderly, the low income earner, but how we choose to spend our earnings needs to be considered with some thought.   If we lived within our means, have mortgages that we could afford, quite happy with one car and ate healthy meals at home . . . we could easily afford all pay our bills plus a little for savings. I don't think many people understand the concept of being frugal.  As my mother use to say "if you can't afford it, don't buy it".

Would there be less whinging, complaining and general unhappiness if people owned less, bought less, wanted less, lived a much more simpler life and a Christ-centred existences?  Or are we in an era of complaining about anything and blaming the government for our woes.

Is this the result of a Godless society?  With God, all things are possible and nothing looks bleak, "be anxious for nothing".


Joy cometh in the morning
Psalm 30:5

Perhaps this sums it all up - "Paradox of our time" by Dr Moorehead, 1990

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.


These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Comments

  1. It's true, we do need to be careful with how we spend our money. We try to live a frugal as we possibly can here. I can say, however, that costs have risen in certain areas (e.g., food, medical, etc.), which makes it difficult to stay within our budget on just the necessities. Though one should not complain about a certain standard of living if they are living frivolously, sometimes, one has no choice but to pay the higher prices if costs have increased beyond their control.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never knowing what is around the corner I was always taught (where possible) to put a little away for that "rainy day", I don't think people think like that much any more. If things go wrong they reach for their credit cards and worry later about paying it back.

      Delete
  2. Frugal living is an absolute necessity around here, but even then, that doesn't mean we're able to put money away into savings accounts. Some of us just live from pay-cheque to pay-cheque. Not that it feels that way, because somehow or another the Lord always provides for ever need and then lavishes us with blessings besides... And not necessarily monetary ones. Joy doesn't come from a fat bank account, and nor does it come from 'things'. Joy comes from the Lord and from giving our lives to valuable pursuits and priceless people. :)

    I love that quote Jo - it really does sum up our tragic world.

    Oh, and I don't think there would be less complaining if people owned less or bought less... The Children of Israel couldn't stop complaining in the wilderness, and all they had was what they could transport with themselves out of Egypt. ;) I think it's just the nature of humans - and it all comes from pride. People always think they deserve more, are owed more, or are more important than their means, not matter how little or much that is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True - we whinge about anything when you think about it - what a happier place it would be if we didn't do it anymore!!! I do it, I have to admit, but try and stop myself when I realise I have done it, but it gets so commonplace that sometimes i don't even realise I have complained or whinged about something!!

      I always tell my children that a "hug" or "kind word" costs nothing so we should do it far more often. Sadly we don't.

      I thought you would like the ending of the poem - it is rather nice.

      Delete
  3. Great post, Joluise... we are on the same page here for sure! :D Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post and that powerful quote at the end! Convicting for sure!
    Thanks for this Jo:)
    I agree with Clara, it's part of human nature and we need to remind ourselves to focus on God and be thankful as its the opposite of whingeing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that is the problem, we forget to be thankful for what we have, as it could always be far worse. I just loved that quote - very powerful and puts all in perspective.

      Delete

Post a Comment