I have observed that the wealthy feel sorry for themselves a great deal.

Lottery winners. Oh my.

Jack Whittager, the largest single person lottery winner ever (319 million) lived in my parents little town of Hurricane West Virginia. When he won he was a respected business owner and regular church goer, happily married and devoted to his grand daughter Brandi.

Within just a few years his life was ruined. His granddaughter had been killed by her new found "friends," his daughter had died under mysterious conditions, his wife had left him, his house had burned down and his morals were so messed up he was paying waitresses in family restaurants to strip for him. Everyone hated and feared him and he said the money had cursed him.

Jack Whittaker (lottery winner) - Wikipedia
Isn't it strange. I've heard of this. If I had millions and millions, I'd give much away. All to animal causes. If I had a couple of million, it would be a house, a total deluxe enclosed catio And I'd be OK. One crazy thing I'd buy would be a nice large gold bangle bracelet.
 
Much of that self-pity comes from the fact that there are others who are richer. For some, enough is never enough.

“My millions made me feel like a king until some nerdy kid comes along who has BILLIONS. Why shouldn’t I feel sorry for myself?”

I call it the Bill Gates Effect.
Agreed. I say more is never enough. Greed must be horrible.

I think if I had plenty of more money, I'd still thrift shop. I sure did when I was working full time and making nice decent money.
 
That is very true. I think my job is literally killing me even at part time. So some extra cash to quit now would be very helpful to me.

Every day life kills us. We all exist within a finite number of days. Minutes tick by, and (hopefully) we simply don't see it coming.

I am constantly reminded that happiness at a cosmetic level can be fleeting. Like wanting the latest fashion, the latest hair-do, the name brand baked beans. It's all surface stuff. Having these things, are they really happiness? I don't think so, they're just a stone skipping across the surface. If you know poverty, you know survival isn't dependent upon the size of the house, the clothes you wear, and the food you eat. The true value is life itself. And if you have a partner, in the committed love and attention (I've got your back) of another who could have chosen someone else.
 
Every day life kills us. We all exist within a finite number of days. Minutes tick by, and (hopefully) we simply don't see it coming.

I am constantly reminded that happiness at a cosmetic level can be fleeting. Like wanting the latest fashion, the latest hair-do, the name brand baked beans. It's all surface stuff. Having these things, are they really happiness? I don't think so, they're just a stone skipping across the surface. If you know poverty, you know survival isn't dependent upon the size of the house, the clothes you wear, and the food you eat. The true value is life itself. And if you have a partner, in the committed love and attention (I've got your back) of another who could have chosen someone else.
I understand what you are saying about happiness and, of course, in the end, it isn't the material things which are the most important things in your life but, human beings tend to have aspirations. If you have been poor, it is understandable that if you reach a situation in life where you can afford material things like, nice clothes etc, simply being able to have these things, will bring you a sense of achievement, pride and even happiness. Of course though, as you pointed out in another post, what happiness is, is a whole different discussion. :)
 
I do think they carry around many guilt complexes - should I have all this money ; am I being greedy ; am I too selfish ; am I really a good person ; will god still love me et cetcetc
 
StarSong brings up a good point. Seems like almost every week we read about a presumed well to do celebrity (actor, singer, athlete, etc.) that dies suddenly. I would be the ranch that many of these folks didn't get regular check-ups, and thus fate overtook them.

In example, My wife's aunt (ranch owner) passed on from a sudden heart attack (in Walmart!). It was noted that it could have been prevented by a regular physical and stress test. That would have revealed the almost blocked blood vessel, which would have been fixed by a heart stent. Believe me, money was not an issue here!
 
StarSong brings up a good point. Seems like almost every week we read about a presumed well to do celebrity (actor, singer, athlete, etc.) that dies suddenly. I would be the ranch that many of these folks didn't get regular check-ups, and thus fate overtook them.

In example, My wife's aunt (ranch owner) passed on from a sudden heart attack (in Walmart!). It was noted that it could have been prevented by a regular physical and stress test. That would have revealed the almost blocked blood vessel, which would have been fixed by a heart stent. Believe me, money was not an issue here!
I've never even heard of a Physical and stress test... maybe you wife's aunt hadn't either...
 
I'm pretty well aghast at some of the generalizations in this thread.

"I take pity on the wealthy, why, well because they're wealthy. They couldn't possibly be good, caring people and lead a fulfilling, happy life because they're rich."
Well, how did they or theirs amass that kind of money? Think about it.
And, you CAN generalize. Like, everybody knows blacks can't swim.
 
Every day life kills us. We all exist within a finite number of days. Minutes tick by, and (hopefully) we simply don't see it coming.

I am constantly reminded that happiness at a cosmetic level can be fleeting. Like wanting the latest fashion, the latest hair-do, the name brand baked beans. It's all surface stuff. Having these things, are they really happiness? I don't think so, they're just a stone skipping across the surface. If you know poverty, you know survival isn't dependent upon the size of the house, the clothes you wear, and the food you eat. The true value is life itself. And if you have a partner, in the committed love and attention (I've got your back) of another who could have chosen someone else.
I'm on my own and self supporting. What kills me about my job is a 12 hour shift where I leave very tired. But feel like a POS who doesn't belong, I never took one break except my lunch break, while the "supervisor" is out front vaping where she shouldn't be because administration isn't there Saturday. She seems to help her friends and it's very humiliating and downgrading.

I was working the desk a couple times the last few weeks. I was asked by two co-workers for help. Of course I helped them. One did get upset with me because I told the supervisor (same one above) that I wasn't doing the task I had been doing right then, because I was helping K. K. didn't like that and that ticked me off. I can say whatever I want.

I usually don't ask for help but once I had to ask my direct boss. Told her what was going on. She understood and got someone to help me. Well this person was so nasty to me about it, I can't even explain it. I guess she was mad she had to help me for 20 minutes instead of another smoke break. Those are the things that kill me. And then I tell myself how terrible I am.
 
rich people I think try to be happy like the rest of us but they do have more things to worry about - like their monies and losing them? I always thought that Bill Gates was a happy man until he split from his life time partner - but he was attempting to be happy giving some of his money away to charities heh?
 
Isn't Bill building the next generation Nuke Reactors for power stations. Applying for Licenses and permits.
Terra Power and The Omaha wonder owns power stations also. See Its all about Power. Isn't Power the
Number one thing about wealthy. Maybe the wealthy with lil power are just trying to manipulate for more? Haha
 
Last edited:
HollyDolly,
Forgive me for forgetting this Forum has a worldwide audience. Here in the US, getting an annual physical is typical for those with insurance or can afford it. Medicare (eligible post 65) allows for an annual physical, which includes blood/urine lab tests, listening to heart/lungs, etc. And, it calls for an EKG - a non invasive, quick check of the heart's overall condition. If my Wife's Aunt had done this, they would have caught a potential problem and recommended she see a Cardiologist.

A Cardiologist would definitely given her a stress test - which is either done with drugs or on a treadmill. This would have identified the problem, and she very well could have been admitted for stent replacement - thus adding years to her life.

I've had an annual physical since I was in my 30s (thanks mostly to my employer) and continue to do so. Five years ago my Doctor looked at my EKG and said "you need to see a Cardiologist", which I did. Turns out a problem was found and is being treated by meds.
 

Back
Top