Comments on: HAPPY PLANET INDEX

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:13:40 +0000

She was indeed, wmmbb. She was very wise, but not perfect. Who among us is? Her wisdom looms large in the book. More later for sure.

By: wmmbb

wmmbb — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:52:38 +0000

Your mother was evidently very wise, Judith.

Writing a book is big project – all the best with that. I expect to hear more in due course.

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:10:27 +0000

By the way, as you well know, the reaping and sowing goes for the positive and negative. My mother used to say “now we have to pray for crop failures” once the negative has been sown. Grace is available too.

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:08:20 +0000

“The aggressive nature of man is not so much a given as a deeply imbued condition. By stopping violence within ourselves from taking form and expression, and diverting anger into productive channels, we might begin to change – who knows where that might lead.”

This is a powerful statement, wmmbb, as well as the “karma” one. We definitely sow what we reap and influence situations for years to come even after we are no longer physically on the earth. Thank you for these words. You are a fine writer and thinker.

I have not been visiting as I had, as I am writing a book and have been busy with other businesses. But you are not too far from my mind and I hope that all is well with your health. I know that you do not believe in the power of prayer, but as I do I continue to pray for you. Peace and love…

By: wmmbb

wmmbb — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:19:57 +0000

No we don’t Judith, we are too territorial for that. Some of us, I have to be careful not to suggest I speak for everyone, do not keep our hearts open, and perhaps the resulting karma will get us in the end.

The aggressive nature of man is not so much a given as a deeply imbued condition. By stopping violence within ourselves from taking form and expression, and diverting anger into productive channels, we might begin to change – who knows where that might lead.
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By the way, thanks for all your comments. I know there is an amount of work in making them. Feel welcome to make them at any time. Sometimes, I am inclined to make comments, but I do not feel competent to make them, and that applies to your posts and those of Colleen. I am regularly reading what you are both writing though.

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:31:44 +0000

Dubious indeed. While I am for peace, I cannot help but to wonder about the aggressive nature of man without the threat of a defense or death. Do you leave your doors open at night? I don’t. But there was a time where it was very possible to do so. Don’t know if there is a happiness link here.

By: wmmbb

wmmbb — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:58:19 +0000

Colleen, I suppose if the index is created around the three criteria those countries with low carbon footprints and reasonable life expectancy will be favored. For example, Canada and Australia will probably be down the list just on the basis of per capita carbon dioxide emissions

By: Col

Col — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:44:46 +0000

I must admit to being surprised at the conclusions.

By: wmmbb

wmmbb — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:47:26 +0000

Thanks for the inside information, Rad. I do not have your direct experience of the Dominican Republic, so your report is a useful corrective for me.

It looks like the HPI needs some refinement, but I still think it is a worthwhile thing to do. In my case I just then to look at the financial outcome, perhaps as a result of a series of transactions, without regard to the other costs involved which could be social and environmental.

By: Rad

Rad — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:25:07 +0000

I call BS on this survey. The Dominican Republic, while a beautiful country that I love and miss has been anything but happy in the last five years. All the criminals deported form the US end right back in those streets savaging the country! Nothing is scarier than coming up to a red light at night while driving hoping that someone doesn’t pull a gun on you.