Australians, in many ways we are truly rich

Around the same time the article, Foreign Investment Rules by Jo Rea was published on this site, a facebook friend posted this meme. Jo’s article was about how International tribunals deliberating upon breaches of international investment rules by nation states from third world countries do not take into consideration factors such as human rights or the environment which has a detrimental impact upon these nations’ citizens, resources and genuine conservation.

With this meme I believe that my facebook friend was trying to say that only in the wealthy first world countries we have the luxury to go beyond our own or our community’s immediate survival and have the time and resources to radicalise good basic care of animals to become animal rights activists or a campaigner for a vegan lifestyle. I believe that the same could be said for having a hands on approach to good basic conservation efforts and taking that to a level of radical environmentalism at the expense of all other endeavours, even human life itself. 

I can remember back in 1988 when I attended a national youth rally in Canberra where a speaker of some talent told those of us in the forum something like that if you own a car, just your average car that is reliable and if you own a house even if it is a basic cottage and if you are holding down a job even if it is of humble employment; then you are amongst the richest 5% of the world’s population.

Isn’t it just so easy to always look with envy to those few who have greater economic wealth and not see the millions worst off than you? 

But should measurement of wealth only be determined by the amount of dollars in the bank?

I wish to introduce you to a website that is usually brimming with positivity, About Marc and Angel Hack Life and this article from last year, 10 Reasons You Are Rich. It is very short so with apologies I will copy it in full. 

Even in times of financial uncertainty, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
- Henry David Thoreau

1.    You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.

2.    You didn’t go to sleep outside.

3.    You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.

4.    You hardly broke a sweat today.

5.    You didn’t spend a minute in fear.

6.    You have access to clean drinking water.

7.    You have access to medical care.

8.    You have access to the Internet.

9.    You can read.

10.  You have the right to vote.

Some might say you are rich, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have. 

So when you are next complaining about your lot in life try & remember the image above and this fellow trying to source the most essential element for human survival from a puddle that has been trampled by wildlife and would most likely include animal urine and faeces. Perhaps we should turn our mind to how we could help our fellow man which is what Torben Vestergaard of Holland did with his invention of The Lifestraw. Follow the link it’s very interesting.