On the one hand the average American lives in a state of comfort and wealth that rivals what the richest kings of olden times could not imagine in their wildest dreams.

On the other hand people's happiness is supremely relative. If you make 30,000 dollars a year then you'll be jealous of someone that makes 50k. If you make 50k then you can't afford something like your neighbor who makes 80k. All three of you are jealous of that pompous jerk down the street who inherited millions without having done anything.

Never mind that a lower middle class family has a higher standard of living than Julius Caesar, Helen of Troy and Alexander the great put together. Never mind that if you sent an Ipod back in time a few hundred years it would seem the single greatest artifact conceived in all creation.

But here in the present its just another mp3 player. Prosperity in the American sense means triumphing over the relative middle whatever it happens to be. No its not enough to have more than 90% of the world. No we don't care if your material wealth causes as much misery and suffering across the global economy as the holocaust. It's human nature but there is a simple and effective cure.

Just look around at the world today. Take a look at our country and thank whatever god you choose that you were born here and not somewhere else. Value the tough decision of choosing bacon or sausage in the morning. Many people eat fewer calories in a day than we do at every meal. Praises be that every day you wake up, shower and go to your 'bad' job that you have a bed, hot water and transportation.

Americans, particularly the young ones, are very quick to yearn for fame, fortune and glory. But celebrities spend their time between acting jobs and shows hiding behind their piles of money just trying to live their lives without being hounded all the time. Think about that.

Where does fame and fortune lead? It leads you up but unless you are planning on taking down Bill Gates or Oprah you are never going to hit the absolute top. There will always be people who have more and deserve it less than you.

You will be hard pressed to find someone who can be happy with their life if they try hard and remember that its too short to waste on jealousy and greed for other things. It is hard to find someone like that unless it is you.

Learn more about this author, Seth Keipper.
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