Some of us are born in the developed world, with the right melanin, afforded a stable two parent family, the chance to attend higher education, and own property, access to healthcare, in a land where they have never experienced pollution, war, famine or persecution.
That's 83 million lucky, privileged, people.
I personally know a few, and they are no happier, wiser or saner than us plebeians.
Here is what A.I. said
"If we conservatively estimate that:
17% live in highly developed, safe countries.
Of that 17%, perhaps one-third to one-half have the combination of a stable two-parent upbringing and access to higher education.
Of that group, only a fraction (the top earners) reach a consistent six-figure salary and property ownership.
Most sociological estimates of the "global elite" or the upper-middle class (defined by similar metrics of stability, education, and relative wealth) suggest that this group represents less than 5% of the total global population, and likely closer to 1% to 2% when you strictly enforce the "six-figure salary" and "stable two-parent home" requirements globally."
As for the rest of us that weren't dealt a Royal Flush, we do our best without harming others.
My biggest lesson from my Buddhist practice is gratitude. I used to feel hard done by....sorry for myself, until I started counting my blessings.
While I did come from a broken home, and have lived in poverty for my lifetime, I am lucky to be born in this place and time.
Because I understand the measure of my privilege, I dedicated my life to helping others.
I was the poor, fat, stinky, lonely girl who sat at the back of the class, was never invited to birthday parties and chased by the boys in school just to be beaten up; so I focused on 'rescuing" stray animals, and plants. I was six when my sister was born, and became her caretaker, as my single mother was busy with books, politics, protests, coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol.
I became very proficient at housework, sewing, and did everything for my family except pay the bills. I learned to care for my health when, at age 8, my gall bladder was inflamed. The doctor said to stop eating too much fat, so I found ways to eat healthy in spite of my mother's Ukrainian diet of sour cream, butter, perogies and kolbesssa. My granny showed me which weeds to make a soothing tea and how to grow tomatoes.
In my extended family, I was the black sheep. I would sit by myself in a corner and draw, play with the cat, or find an insect to watch. I stopped being invited to holidays, weddings, and other celebrations because I became a hippy and couldn't relate to the family much. They knew nothing about veganism, mystical arts, theology, herbs, or indigenous and alternative lifestyles. I stopped following pop culture from 1979 to 1989.
Because of this, I have spent much of my life alone making art, gardening or rescuing and supporting the vulnerable, always in gratitude. I am blessed.
