Can Fame or Fortune Bring Happiness?

I was watching the biography of Errol Flynn last weekend. This famous actor had everything: looks, fame, fortune, & women. Unfortunately, he discovered the hard way that these don’t make him immune from other problems, such as frivolous lawsuits & dishonest accountants. He became despondent, and abused alcohol and drugs. He developed liver problems and, in his 50’s, died of a heart attack. He’s not alone. Other celebrities had it all, such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, etc. But they all died due to substance abuse. So everyone is asking, “Why could people, who have it all, be so unhappy?” That’s because everybody assumed that fame or fortune can bring happiness. That’s what the media wants you and I to believe. Apparently this isn’t true. So what is the true source of happiness? I won’t attempt to answer that for you. Each of you will need to seek & discover that answer for yourselves.

Why Talk About Political Issues?

Others have asked me why I include political issues in this blog. What's the connection between politics and living a meaningful life? In order to live a more meaningful life, one would need the freedom to pursue a meaningful life. So if this freedom is denied to a person, then an injustice is being committed against that person. Such a person would not be happy. For example, when African-Americans were sold as slaves, their freedom to live genuinely human lives were denied to them. When a child is aborted, the child's right & freedom to live a meaningful life is denied to that child. When a disabled person's life is terminated, such as Terri Schiavo's life, then her freedom to live a meaningful life is also being denied. There are several cases of people, in similar or worse condition than her, who were able to recover with rehabilitation. Terri was denied rehabilitation. In conclusion, freedom and justice are required in order for people to pursue a more meaningful life. These issues happen to be considered "political" issues also. Therefore, it becomes necessary to address these "political" issues if they interfere with a person's legitimate pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life.