Rich Folk, Poor Folk

[MorelCabin]

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your family!





Ahhh if only my hubby would have bought in the country like I wanted to...we'd still be rich...I'm really missing my chickens...

 

[kcsunshine]

Isn't it wonderful just how "rich" we are?

 

[FarmerChick]

cool sentiment but I like my pool, I like my porch and lanterns, I like many of what I own..LOL..I sure don't think I am poor or lacking in any way because I have things.

I have seen this before many times on forums all over. I guess I am immune to the sentiment a bit now...haha




In general:
Many a person with money and 'alot of stuff' and big homes and fancy cars are super happy and wonderful people and contribute to society and are just as "rich" as SS people in their way of life with their families.

 

[big brown horse]

It is all relative. I think I'm rich, I have exactly EVERYTHING I ever wanted. Everyday I wake up happy, everyday!!

I don't have an issue with anyone who is super rich, they make great FRIENDS!!!

 

[hikerchick]

Being rich doesn't stop you from owning dogs or property as far as I know; it doesn't stop you from growing food if that is what you want to do.

I would rather have money and do those things that to be poor and do them. It just makes more sense.

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with having nice things. I don't understand the mentality that poor people are so morally superior to wealthier people, or so much better off. If it helps you to sleep, keep telling yourself that poverty is preferable to wealth. I don't think there is anyone on this board who wouldn't enjoy having more money.

 

[Wildsky]

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with having nice things. I don't understand the mentality that poor people are so morally superior to wealthier people, or so much better off. If it helps you to sleep, keep telling yourself that poverty is preferable to wealth. .

Some people always have to be a downers for some reason. One of these days' I'll figure it out. Probably to make themselves feel better. And I am not trying to start an argument, just stating a fact as I see it.


I loved the story, makes you look around and see things a little differently.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I think the moral is it doesn't take loads of money to make someone rich.

An individual's riches can be measured differently.

I have 7 acres, I feel I'm rich.

I have a husband who loves me and five beautiful children, I feel I'm rich.

I live in an old single wide trailer, that's paid for, I feel I'm rich.

I have 1 Alpaca, 2 cats, 3 dogs, 4 turkeys, 4 cattle, 11 rabbits, 18 ducks, 75 chickens. I feel I'm rich.

I have very little money, but I feel I'm rich.

I have some wonderful friends, and the gift of laughter, I feel I'm rich.

I think it's all about perspective.

 

[freemotion]

MC, I loved that story! It was obviously not a slam on people who have more, it was a story of perspective and what is really important.

I didn't see a slam on people with more. I saw wisdom in a little boy reminding his dad, as we all need reminders, of what is most important....what money cannot buy.

 

[delia_peterson]

MC, I loved that story! It was obviously not a slam on people who have more, it was a story of perspective and what is really important.

I didn't see a slam on people with more. I saw wisdom in a little boy reminding his dad, as we all need reminders, of what is most important....what money cannot buy.

I agree with Free.....

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

I think the moral is it doesn't take loads of money to make someone rich..

thanks for saying this QA!!

i like the perspective thing too - after butchering some turkeys and lambs last year, one of my buddy said "dontcha love having a freezer full of meat? doesnt it make you feel rich!?!"

i loved that he said that - especially since we were all standing there in barn clothes and covered in blood-n-stuff.

i know folks who have two incomes, live paycheck to paycheck, and have to wait to buy groceries until their next payday. but they look down on us b/c we farm and have teased us, using derogatory terms. but our problem tonite?? we have too many choices about what to eat for dinner and we cant decide. who's rich? who's poor? i like that kid's perspective and he'd probably say us.

as for who wants more money - right now, not me. my tax gal (who also does financial planning) very nearly had a stroke when i told her my 'financial goal' for the next couple years was to make zero income. she still cant wrap her head around it. i like to tell her about it just to watch her eyes bug out of her head.

i'm not sure its a moral high ground but rather supports the values that some of us have...a difference of priorities and a reluctance to buy into consumerism.

is it wrong to want nice things? nope. but its also not wrong NOT to have more stuff...wanting what you have is an important skill. otherwise, this wouldnt be the SS site it would be 'lifestyles of the rich and not famous.'