Friday 6 April 2012

Poverty Can Buy You Happiness

I saw this photo of a family in India and I thought awww. They look so happy and contented despite being squashed onto a motorcycle. Shows sometimes that the poorest people are the ones who can appreciate the simple things in life.




15 comments:

  1. What a happy bunch they all are, except for the little one up front who looks bemused by it all. Don't think the dog is enjoying any of this though.

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    1. Will! Nice to have you back on FA. I actually just noticed the little boy in the front because you mentioned it - you have a strong sense of observation. Yes, the dog looks slightly cheesed off. Just waiting for the trip to be over ASAP, lol. Thanks for your comment.

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  2. The picture is absolutely fantastic! I think a more appropriate title would be 'circumstances need not define your happiness'. They are fully enjoying the ride, each others company and the company of the pet. They are not allowing their lack of space/limited circumstances or stress to make them forget the good basic things that they have. Keeping in mind and being thankful for such basics helps us live life to its fullest on a daily basis.

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    1. Thanks Dlaw for your ever faithful comments! The title is just an attention-grabbing gimmick; you need not pay attention to it. Happiness is achieved not bought.

      You are spot. Gratitude for the simple gifts in life goes a long way. People need to learn to enjoy and live in the moment.

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  3. Really impressive pictures which kind of denote what the simplicity of life should look like. I would agree with @DLaw with the choice of the title.

    However, I don't think either poverty or wealth can buy happiness. Happiness in my view is what people make of their individual circumstances as opposed to what they have or haven't got.

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    1. Naija4life! It is good to have you back. I hope your break during lent proved rewarding. I need to visit your site for the latest.

      Yes, happiness boils down to mindset. Some people have the world's treasures at their feet yet they are sad.

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    2. Spot on Naija4Life: happiness in life is an attitude. Hope you'll be writing in to teach us how/what principles to adopt to be happy on a daily basis!

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  4. Absolutely splendid! This is contentment redefined! Happiness should not be bought and to our politicians cum rulers - We tend to develop leaders with a fragmented, piecemeal, hit and miss approach. They focus on one area, or one attribute, or one facet of leadership believing that is all they need to make us happy.
    Leadership is much more complex than that. Trying to develop leaders this way is like trying to become a professional golfer by only practicing your putting. The best golfers are total golfers—they excel at driving, approach shots, sand shots, pitching, chipping and putting. They also must possess the confidence and mental strength to perform in the heat of competition. The same is true for leaders.

    Employee engagement, continuous improvement and change management are all vital parts of effective leadership development - and should be included in every organization's strategic plans. Empowering rather than overpowering is the way peak performing companies win the hearts and minds of their people and maximize their potential.
    Thank you Oluchi for this...
    We should learn to be happy!
    Judyke Uchenna

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  5. Wow Judyke - what an analysis! It's great to see you on Fresh Angle. Hope to see a lot more of you. Happiness should not be bought, indeed. Corrupt leaders embezzle millions in a bid to buy happiness; if only they knew that the best things in life are free. They don't need to acquire mansions to achieve happiness.

    Many thanks for your comment.

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  6. Empowerment, a nice word. It keys in with Jesus instruction that we should lay down our lives for each other (John 15:13).
    The challenge that the word has in the context of politics in Nigeria can be summarised in a simple question: 'is it possible to empower everyone, including ourselves?' It seems that there cannot be power given without some sacrifice (see 1 John 3:1-7 & John 13:1-17). The Anti-Apartheid movement and Nelson Mandela's sacrifice; the price paid by Martin Luther King in contributing to the black renaissance in the USA all illustrate this.
    In Nigeria government is not yet seen as a place to make a contribution or sacrifice to empower others. Until that philosophy is corrected, well...
    Any suggestions on what corrective medicine might work at the moment? As in talking to Nigerians in this emerging decade, the one thing they're united in is having given up hope in bringin about positive change in the country

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  7. Hey just found your blog through a post on the nairaland site so i thought i'd post a comment. You have a lovely little blog. If you have any spare time please take a look at mine, if you like it or know of anyone who may be interested in reading it please pass on my url;

    www.emma-louwagstaff.blogspot.co.uk

    Thank you :)

    E-L xo

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  8. I appreciate your comment Emma-Lou. I looked at your blog and it has some very good tips on fashion and beauty. I definitely will be visiting it.

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  9. Sometimes there's more fun when 3 people share a plate of food than eating from their individual plates. Poverty is a state of the mind. You are only poor when you regard yourself as poor. When this happens, you attract every single form of negativity that life has to offer (you get sad, stingy, frustrated).

    What the economy says about poverty doesn't really matter. What matters is what you say about yourself.
    Happiness, joy, friendship, love and unity are intangible, money can't buy them. Some rich people wish they were poor just to have that peace of mind that seems to be common among the poor. Poor people wish to be rich because they believe money can buy everything. Nah! It doesn't work that way. Happiness comes from within and that's what this family seem to know.
    I completely agree with your title, poverty can buy happiness (indirectly).
    A short post, but sweet.

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  10. Sometimes there's more fun when 3 people share a plate of food than eating from their individual plates. Poverty is a state of the mind. You are only poor when you regard yourself as poor. When this happens, you attract every single form of negativity that life has to offer (you get sad, stingy, frustrated).

    What the economy says about poverty doesn't really matter. What matters is what you say about yourself.
    Happiness, joy, friendship, love and unity are intangible, money can't buy them. Some rich people wish they were poor just to have that peace of mind that seems to be common among the poor. Poor people wish to be rich because they believe money can buy everything. Nah! It doesn't work that way. Happiness comes from within and that's what this family seem to know.
    I completely agree with your title, poverty can buy happiness (indirectly).
    A short post, but sweet.

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  11. Lanre, wow, I love your analysis. 'Poverty is a state of the mind' - that's powerful. In life we can make one of either choices: let our circumstances define us or define our circumstances. It's clear to see what choice the family have made.

    Many thanks for your comment.

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