Defined By What We Are Not

On another blog, a blogger was complaining about their lack of cash and the self loathing that it causes.

Someone in the comments wrote that they are "not defined by (their) bank account".

Rubbish.  Trash.  Untrue.

We as human beings, especially as Americans, are defined by what we do not have.

If we do not have enough cash, that makes life much more difficult, and defines us and what we can and cannot do.

If we do not have a partner, that makes social situations sometimes awkward, and it defines who we are in the company of our peers.

If we do not have a job, we lack a place in society, and our opinions are automatically discounted.

If we do not have health care,  we live in fear of accident and illness, and we wonder what we can and cannot do.

The absence of something defines who we are, what we do, and often...how happy we can be.

Money doesn't buy happiness or love, but...it makes life a lot easier, and when life is easier, we can be happier.

The commenter was an idiot...but I suppose I am as well for being concerned about this.