Are you happy? You should be.

[Will E Worm]

This story is supposed to make me happy?

Drugs, alcohol, or just wanting to party a lot will make you homeless. Also, voting for Obama.

America has homeless shelters and pell grants. :hatsoff:

Life.

Is terrible. Unless you have money.

This thread made me think about the "First World Problems" memes.

America has not been a "first" world country in a long time.

 

[D-rock]

On one hand I'm sure that if offered a chance for a better life the homeless people would jump at it. I'm sure there are a lot of things they are rightfully unhappy about that didn't show in the short time you saw them. Also, just because some people have more than the very least doesn't mean they have it good, especially when it's within people's power to make things better for most everybody. Quality of life shouldn't be judged against the lowest common denominator.

On the other it's also often true of human nature that we take what they have for granted, and don't appreciate it like we should until it's no longer there.

 

[DR. B]

my kidneys.... I've worked in dialysis for 19 years and I hear sad stories how children, women and men, young to old lose their kidney functions. But yet I still go out about every night drinking my ass off, smoking cigarettes and weed, and an occasional teener with a hooker. Dialysis basically sucks. These people are on a machine for 3-4 hours of their time and they have to be or it's death. Nikki, for some odd reason, your story is making me think twice about me destroying my body.

 

[PlumpRump]

America has not been a "first" world country in a long time.

Touché. Well played, Worm.

 

[alexpnz]

Is terrible. Unless you have money.

Honestly, the most profound thing you have said on here in 4 years.

 

[STDiva]

lol life.

 

[Harley Spencer]

My health and the people closest to me that help me with simple things, like giving me a ride to work, a ride to pick up cigs, a ride to the mall, wherever.

I smoke and I know it's bad for me. Very, very bad. It's my resolution to quit smoking by the end of 2012. It'll be tough, but if I do it, I'll be so proud of myself.

One of my most favorite quotes ever is from The Brave One: "You shouldn't smoke. It'll kill you. You have to find a way to live. Now, that's hard."

As for the car rides.. I don't drive. My parents never taught me, save for taking me out one single time to drive. But I'm making excuses for myself, as I could learn from other family members and friends. If my guy didn't drive and take me all these places that I like to go, I'd be taking buses and taxis every day to get to and from work and to do my grocery shopping and the like.

 

[Whit]

My health and the people closest to me that help me with simple things, like giving me a ride to work, a ride to pick up cigs, a ride to the mall, wherever.

I smoke and I know it's bad for me. Very, very bad. It's my resolution to quit smoking by the end of 2012. It'll be tough, but if I do it, I'll be so proud of myself.

One of my most favorite quotes ever is from The Brave One: "You shouldn't smoke. It'll kill you. You have to find a way to live. Now, that's hard."

As for the car rides.. I don't drive. My parents never taught me, save for taking me out one single time to drive. But I'm making excuses for myself, as I could learn from other family members and friends. If my guy didn't drive and take me all these places that I like to go, I'd be taking buses and taxis every day to get to and from work and to do my grocery shopping and the like.

Boy, you're a lot of trouble!

 

[Harley Spencer]

Boy, you're a lot of trouble!

I know, I know. But am I worth it?

 

[Whit]

Harley Spencer[/URL][/B], post: 6599830, member: 579739"]I know, I know. But am I worth it?

I don't know, I'm not getting any of the benefits!

 

[Tittyman5000]

When I was a teenager If I saw two bums doing that I would of went for water balloons or fireworks but now that Im older I think what of that was me, so I throw them Porno Mags and some doobies impdaddy:

 

[squallumz]

When I was a teenager If I saw two bums doing that I would of went for water balloons or fireworks but now that Im older I think what of that was me, so I throw them Porno Mags and some doobies impdaddy:

remind me to dress down around you.

 

[Tittyman5000]

I think I will do a social experiment one day and get real dirty wear old torn moldy clothes, really bad shoes and let my beard grow for a month, then to see how people treat our fellow man, stand on a corner and beg for anything, I wonder how many would lend a hand

 

[squallumz]

I think I will do a social experiment one day and get real dirty wear old torn moldy clothes, really bad shoes and let my beard grow for a month, then to see how people treat our fellow man, stand on a corner and beg for anything, I wonder how many would lend a hand

get out of my closet.

 

[STDiva]

I think I will do a social experiment one day and get real dirty wear old torn moldy clothes, really bad shoes and let my beard grow for a month, then to see how people treat our fellow man, stand on a corner and beg for anything, I wonder how many would lend a hand

I think you'd be surprised. Some people who aren't homeless beg for change and pull in 15-20 grand a year. Untaxed. People are more generous than you think.

 

[PirateKing]

I'd be happier if the world didn't have so many stupid people. I used to be okay with them but I seem to be encountering stupidity more frequently lately. And it's not just "oh minor brain lapse" stupidy, it's "alcohol is flammable?!" stupid or "i never stalked anyone who i was scared of" stupid.

 

[Alyssa Rose]

I've pretty much given up trying to find happiness in my life. After years of looking for it and not finding it I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna just stumble upon it one day. What I've found that sort of fills the gap (not replaces it) is doing things for others. I've been known to give large amounts of money to people if I see that they have a need, and I'm able to help them financially. I can't say that I feel happiness doing it, but it gives me some sort of personal satisfaction. I don't do it for love towards people, because I tend to dislike people in general, but more because it helps fill a void in my life. Meh. Whatever.

You should never give up on happiness.

goes to show you. they're bums. but they still hitting that wacky tobaccy!

if i was homeless, and i had a joint, life would be juuuuust fine.

I mean, it could've been vodka in that water bottle :dunno:

IMO happiness is the opposite of loneliness. I'm happy enough to eat good food and sleep under a roof because I never had much growing up so I learned look at things from a positive perspective and realize value in solidarity. The pursuit of happiness is a cognitive. You'll never really feel happy if you don't realize what you have.

I get what you mean, I feel like I try to catch myself when I start to take things for granted. I remind myself that it's not worth getting upset over that fact that I just dropped my ice cream cone because hey you know what? At least I got a few licks before it fell.

My parents make a joke about how I like individuals, but I hate humanity. Honestly, I can't think of a better way to describe it.

I like that quote

Some might tell me to grow up, but I take my videogames for granted.

At least you realize that you take them for granted

I've never tried to take anything for granted. I am grateful for everything I have, and if something ever happened and I lose everything I own, while I would be sad at first, I believe I have the power to start everything over from stratch.

This board is familiar with the problems in my life. I have been homeless. I have been without a car. I've been without a job, twice now in the past four years, and I'm currently laid off as of two weeks ago. Just yesterday I received my 54th job rejection so far for 2012.

Life does throw us for a curveball sometimes. If we swing and hit it, that's awesome! If we swing and miss, we get more chances. There is always someone worse off than we are. Just like Nikki said, these guys had absolutely thing. While I was homeless, I couch hopped from place to place. I had a roof over my head and friends that fed me and asked for not a single thing in return.

I'm sorry you've been going through so much but I'm glad you have such awesome people in your life who can help you when you're down & out.

I have brief moments of unhappiness, but they are very brief. There is too much amazing stuff going on, and the simple things make me happy.

Simple things really are the best

Food. So many ppl today can't afford and don't have food and i've wasted food before. Good food that so many starving ppl would love to have. So I learned not to waste food because I may never see a next meal again.

THIS!! Seriously, I went to the movie theatre tonight and when I came out I saw the trash can overflowing with stuff, I actually stopped to take a picture because in there was 3 uneaten, I mean not even touched pretzels.. It's like crazy to me how much food people waste.

There's a difference between "happy" and "thankful".....

Definitely, but I believe in order to be happy, you have to be thankful.

Sssshhh, dont tell big business this, we might just see the collapse of the stock exchange if it gets out.
Sarcasm here. Me and my wife have actually started practicing this. We keep picking one thing out every other month to see what we can get rid of. So far we have cut out a car payment, a phone bill, and I just started a little garden. When we get a few more things paid off we are going to try and stop working as much. I have gone to part time and am home with my kids more now. I love hearing the come bounding in my room yell/whispering "Dad make me french toast".

I totally smiled for a good 5 minutes after reading that last sentence. How cute!

The two things that I've taken for granted for much of my life: my health and relationships. But in recent years I've been trying to do better on both counts.

BTW, I liked Nikki's story. It sounds like those two guys didn't have much (or anything) in the way of material possessions. But they did have a real friendship with each other. Family and (real) friends are worth more than we often realize. Also, it's interesting how what's a problem to one person would be a luxury to someone else. When I was in banking, I'd pass homeless people while driving through D.C. And when I'd get to the office, I'd hear people whining about having to get their BMW serviced or their kids' private school tuition.

Exactly, were all guilty of it, and I'm not saying we should never complain about anything but if we could just try to look on the more positive side of things more often I feel like it would greatly effect our overall happiness ya know?

On one hand I'm sure that if offered a chance for a better life the homeless people would jump at it. I'm sure there are a lot of things they are rightfully unhappy about that didn't show in the short time you saw them. Also, just because some people have more than the very least doesn't mean they have it good, especially when it's within people's power to make things better for most everybody. Quality of life shouldn't be judged against the lowest common denominator.

On the other it's also often true of human nature that we take what they have for granted, and don't appreciate it like we should until it's no longer there.

I totally agree, there are a lot of people who are going through really difficult times but at the very least, they're alive and if nothing else at least there's that to be thankful for.

my kidneys.... I've worked in dialysis for 19 years and I hear sad stories how children, women and men, young to old lose their kidney functions. But yet I still go out about every night drinking my ass off, smoking cigarettes and weed, and an occasional teener with a hooker. Dialysis basically sucks. These people are on a machine for 3-4 hours of their time and they have to be or it's death. Nikki, for some odd reason, your story is making me think twice about me destroying my body.

My grandpa had to do dialysis for the year before he died and it was such an awful experience. You should definitely try taking better care of your body now, while you're still able.. On second thought, so should I..

When I was a teenager If I saw two bums doing that I would of went for water balloons or fireworks but now that Im older I think what of that was me, so I throw them Porno Mags and some doobies impdaddy:

LOL They'd probably be a helluva lot more grateful for that than the sandwiches I plan on bringing them after work tomorrow night lol

I think I will do a social experiment one day and get real dirty wear old torn moldy clothes, really bad shoes and let my beard grow for a month, then to see how people treat our fellow man, stand on a corner and beg for anything, I wonder how many would lend a hand

I think it depends on the homeless person.. If I see a homeless person who really isn't bothering anybody, who isn't asking for money or holding a sign, I usually give them food or money if I have it.. If there is a homeless person with a story that is obviously BS, I usually offer them some type of food, if they take it they take it, if not they don't really need my help ya know?

I think you'd be surprised. Some people who aren't homeless beg for change and pull in 15-20 grand a year. Untaxed. People are more generous than you think.

Definitely.

I'd be happier if the world didn't have so many stupid people. I used to be okay with them but I seem to be encountering stupidity more frequently lately. And it's not just "oh minor brain lapse" stupidy, it's "alcohol is flammable?!" stupid or "i never stalked anyone who i was scared of" stupid.

Wait... Alcohol is flammable???

 

[Supafly]

When I was a teenager, I felt so sorry for myself. Found out I was an epileptic at the age of thirteen, and I sat sorry in my room, and told me, I won't be allowed to get a drivers license, I won't get to get an exchange student year like both of my sisters, no exotic trips to other countries, all too dangerous, and so on.

Oh, and after watching some porn movies, I told myself, damn, I can't have sex! See these people screaming and moaning, that is too dangerous, too!

Well, later years I tried sex with my first girlfriend and it went fantastic and that took care of that

Years later worked in a day care unit for severly handicapped people and I had a woman in the group I worked in, who had epilepsy so bad she had to both wear an bicyclists helmet at all times and drive around in a wheelchair. And she was dosed with anticonvulsivums so she was still conscious, which meant they had to accept she had fits every other day.

That took care of my selfpity.

 

[georges]

partially happy, I will be more happy when I will have a better job and more money

 

[Supafly]

partially happy, I will be more happy when I will have a better job and more money

Can you specify on what your job is?