Skinny, Rich, and Happy. 

This is the headline of a recent ad, I didn’t even read the ad, but the title caught my eye. I like the idea of all three, a truthful confession however I consider myself happy albeit the skinny and rich do not apply.

Firstly it struck me that health issues aside,  the idea of being skinny as a goal or requirement to being happy is a sad comment about our society’s lack of self confidence and judgmental nature.  I’d love to fit into the jeans I wore ten years ago, but my self worth doesn’t rely on whether someone else’s critical eye. Who care’s what the anonymous person thinks? I care what my family thinks, and they see the real me, and want me to be skinnier for health reasons.

Secondly being rich is very subjective.  I have written about this before, a huge proportion of the world works and tries to survive on LESS THAN 2 DOLLARs a day, they lack food, they lack sanitation, they lack medicines, and hope is hard to come by for the future – forget about driving the last model of Ford.  If you compare yourself to the very rich, yes, you may feel disadvantaged, but if you compare yourself to the tens of millions who will go to sleep after only one meal today, and being lying on a dirt floor – maybe you will enjoy a more positive perspective. LINK TO POVERTY STATISTICS

I felt happy today because I met with an acquaintance of mine, Terry. Terry about 16 months ago was struggling, he was close to being on kidney dialysis to survive.  A friend of his wife offered to donate a kidney to him and she was a good match. He’s now had his transplant about 14 months, first time I’ve seen him since his transplant. Terry is happy,  content, and it added to my day to visit with him.

I choose happiness each day,  don’t let the ads fool you, you don’t have to be skinny and rich to be happy. Happiness is a decision, and it is up to you.

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this post, I’m just thinking out loud.