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I am among those people who has lived in poverty in Brazil. I was not among those who were poor, but I established friendships with some of them. One advantage was that I could walk around late at night and I would not be harmed by crime. Another was that I received a lesson for life.

Poverty is a word I am not very fond of. The reason is that I learned that people who are poor, may be rich in other ways. For me poverty is both the material condition of life as well as a person's well being. I am aware this is not the common understanding of the world, but in the western part of the world, our attention is often materialistic. I believe this is wrong.

Down in Brazil, I came to know a couple who were very poor. They were selling things on the street, and they worked pretty much all day. Their income was low and they did not always have enough money. But they were always happy. Their situation did not prevent them from smiling, joking and having a good time. I used to take a beer or two every night with them, after they had pretty much worked all day, and we always had a good time. Occasionally, of course, they would say something about what was not going so good, but I think people in the west do that too.

This story was not unique. Once I sat down next to a few Brazilians who were unquestionably poor. They were drinking wine and after a few minutes, they asked me "do you want some?" I did want to try that wine because it looked incredibly cheap. But I suppose I also wanted to experience the moment. So I said yes and one of them took off to get me a glass.

That win was definitely the cheapest wine I have ever tasted. But it was fun and I had a time I will remember. They were all happy, although I suspect they also did not know where they would get their food the next day. Regardless, we were talking until they suddenly had to take off.

Seeing these people have such a good time made me reflect on how life is in the rich parts of the world. When I am walking around my city, I see few people smiling, although we have every reason to smile. We are lucky in the western, developed part of the world, but I am not sure we realize it. There is always something wrong with society and something to complain about. There is simply always something wrong.

In terms of happiness, I think we may very well be the poor ones. Many Brazilians may not have everything they want, but they find happiness regardless. And finding happiness may be the most important thing you can do.

Learn more about this author, J. Hoff.
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