Betsy,

This is perhaps the worst article you have ever written – which is quite a feat, I might add. I feel sorry for Emmanuel. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know that the woman who sponsored her wrote an article in a major metropolitan newspaper condemning her work ethic.

First off, don’t you think American society is much too materialistic? We are so focused on consuming that we spend little time connecting with our families. Furthermore, research shows that work is causing more and more divorces within our society (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article740123.ece). If Americans took Emmanuel’s advice, maybe they would be happier. And maybe you would be, too.

You ridicule Emmanuel’s response to your poorly phrased question about careers in France. Did you ask her that question in English? Probably. Remember, Betsy, that English is her second language. Moreover, she’s a teenager. Don’t you think that she might have a more carefree worldview than a divorced, bitter, middle-aged mother like yourself.

I really feel sorry for your children. You think that you are such a smart, pragmatic parent. But you’re the total opposite.

Fondly,

Penn

Hi Betsy:
I regularly read your column in our Sunday paper, here in Killeen Texas. I have a few comments to make about the Gross National Happiness column. I like what you said about thinking of doing work as an act of service. When all is said and done, there is something in us that needs to be useful in some way, shape, or form. Not all of us are lucky enough to be doing what we love or like, however your comments, give a zen-like quality to pushing hamburgers at McDonalds or carrying the grocery bags out for someone who’s had a rough day.

However, you seem to miss the point “of measuring gross national happiness.” Perhaps the point is that contentment or other intangibles in one’s life (in one’s country) is more important than the accumulation of material goods or financial achievement.

Here’s a link to Ted Talks video on Ted.com that talks about measuring happiness and other intangibles. You may not agree, but if you listen I think it will give you some food for thought like it did for me.

http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html

Regards,
Michelle E.

Thanks for writing, Michelle. Just so you know, I think personal joy is far more important than accumulating material goods. I just DON’T think the “government” can or should possibly measure something so personal for each of us!

And Penn, I don’t know if you will be happy or bummed to know that far from being “bitter” I have a very high personal happiness factor! I was not making fun of Emmanuel (trust me, it was clear over the time she was with us that she was reflecting a French worldview) as much as I was commenting on her worldview! And, in fact, what I couldn’t get into more in my piece is that one reason Sarkozy wants to move to a “happiness” factor is because the French economy is tanking so badly because socialism is – surprise! – failing there. When a whole raft of folks want to gather at bistros and let other people work so they themselves can relax, of course that kind of “happiness” can’t be sustained.

Thanks for writing! – Betsy