Happiness in Perspective

We were having a discussion in our house about who is ultimately responsible for the success of a child, the system or the parent?  We were rather divided on the answer so perhaps, because everyone’s point of view is both subjective and objective, it is a little of both.  But finally the responsibility of the “child”.

       Some of the thoughts came, brace yourself, from a discussion on “Real Time with Bill Mahar” where they were discussing whether or not the time for Affirmative Action was over.   Then we discussed how the cost of living was completely out of balance from 4 decades ago.  In 1974 you could rent a decent apartment for $60 a month, when minimum weekly pay was $60 a week.  In other words, rent was one quarter of your monthly income.  Today rent takes a minimum pay three quarters of one’s monthly paycheque.  What hope has anyone for getting ahead in savings with such a small leftover income?

       But alongside this economic fact is the educational fact that something like 15 to 20% of high school students drop out or receive a marginal education and more than 30% of first year university students drop out.  This seems a very high percentage to me because to get a well paying job in these times a person requires education beyond high school whether it be at university or trade college.  Rarely does one get a great job with only street smarts.  Parents need to instill educational expectations into their children at an early age and participate in the process all along the way so they won’t be discourage.  Life is tough and so is school but perseverance is a virtue that cannot be ignored.

       Finally and most importantly, carpe diem, my friends, carpe diem.  It is up to the individual to make their life happen in the way they want it to go.  So if you want to be happy, you have to put your mind to the idea of Happiness and what that looks like to you.  Seize the day, my friends, seize the day.