I don't know...

 

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. You can have an opportunity in front of you but not be prepared to sieze that opportunity. You would then be unlucky. Or you can be prepared and then latch on to the opportunity. You would then be lucky.



To answer the original question, yes, I do feel guilty about my success at times. I don't know if that is right or wrong. I guess it's good in that at least I am thoughtful of others. I guess its also good in that I am staying humble although I do sometimes becomes borderline arrogant.

 

Case in point Bill Gates, college drop out.

 

I guess that depends on the climate of the work place. I bet you most of those workers will be resentful that he drives an NSX, it may affect thier attitudes/work ethic. I say, buy the NSX (I personally would wait for the next Z06) and drive it on the weekends.

 

I am very thankful for what i have where i've been and where im going(i've nearly paid my way through college, i drive an 04, i get to play golf 3-4 days a week and work very little anymore while being in my early 20's) These are all things i controlled with out the help of a silver spoon, i started working 30hr a week at age 13) I feel blessed for my health, a loving family, i have nothing but sympathy for those who are less fortunate because of injustice or bad luck. At the same time i feel no empathy what so ever for someone with lack of motivation to better themselves(ie the factory worker making 8.00) I've taken plenty a night class after working my 50 hours a week, and guess who was sitting next to me? A single mother who works two jobs who still has the time to take night classes to better her life. Sorry if im rambling, but you get what you put in. My best friend from high school could kill me on a SAT by about 200 pts, yet he has no drive in life and will work at a Target for the rest of his life. That is a choice, no something to feel sorry for.

I DO feel very fortunate, and i have all the empathy in the world, for those in indonesia, and in africa...but to juxtapose that what the plight of the blue collar who just lost his job is a joke to me(btw this is coming from the son of an unemployed parent)

 

Amen to everything u said... !

 

I think the original topic was more like "look at all we have in america vs look at what little people have in shitty parts of the world" (i could be wrong). In lots of parts of the world, there is no way out. How would an ethiopian who can barely keep from starving get enough $ to get out and come to america (or some other decent country)?

I know people have been doing it from Vietnam, China, Tailand, etc.... but I am sure there are many parts you just can't get out. Those people have no opportunities to advance or be something.

I joking tell people at my work when they ask about my spending "i didn't tell you guys not to go to college".... they sort of know I am joking, but they also know I am not. I also let them know that I have 17 rental houses... I didn't tell them NOT to buy rental houses....

 

Yes it would depend on the climate of your workplace. However I wouldn't change my lifestyle just to suit or applease others from being hurt or being jealous.

In my case, I don't try to be friends with my employees. I'm friendly with them but I'm not their friend. I put up a barrier so that they clearly know I'm their boss and they are my employees. They don't question my personal life or what I have or don't have. It also makes firing them a lot easier, without the "but you're my buddy" quilt trip.

Thats just me, I understand in other places, there are unions involved and other shit, so the matter is much more complex, like in Scot's case.

 

This is just me...but

I hear a lot of "I"s and "Me"s in this thread.
Perhaps what the original poster was speaking to was "do you ever feel the need to help someone less fortunate than yourself?"
How many of you donate to charity? Who does charity work? Where is your charity $ best spent? That kind of stuff.
Im thankful for what I have. But also know others have problems. I do try to help and that is what helps me feel good for "how good I have it"

 

^good point. I think people responded to the question with "I"s and "Me"s because of the way the question was framed. I too would be interested to know if people feel compelled - for whatever reason - to help out people who are less fortunate than themselves and what form that takes. There are so many ways to help, from donating to volunteering to social action.