Letters to the Editor

• Learn to not care

  [Read the article: What's the best method for a painless suicide?]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  I actually found myself in similar straits. A relative died and left me a bundle, which brought out the beast in other family members who thought they deserved a chunk of the money. Anyhow, regardless of whatever snarky "poor baby" remarks others make, society just isn't cut out for people with more financial reserves than folks living paycheck to paycheck.

  Being wealthy DOES cause problems. Sometimes you can't separate friends from people who want things from you. Most people who have modest income will resent the hell out of your not having to work and being able to travel and pursue hobbies, so it can be very difficult to make friends. Probably the worst part is all the people, including your family members, who will blithely assume you can't have any problems because you have money. Nobody who isn't wealthy will want to hear about any of them.

  Best solution I've found? Lie. You don't have to work because you invested money in the stock market and did "pretty well". Don't spend money on ostentatious things like cars or jewelry you'll have to explain to people who'll be resentful. Buy your clothes at Target. If you travel, become a photographer who sells pictures to magazines sometimes; then you can go on at length about how you can "write everything off your taxes."

  Realize you don't have to please other people. I vote for whomever said 'travel'. It really can cure a lot of what ails you. Folks in other countries can be a lot less judgmental; also, being exposed to the genuine poverty and need in other countries may put things in perspective real fast. Many other countries aren't as spiritually vapid as the U.S., also. Billions of dollars won't pay for the all the health care and food needed in South America or Africa, so why not go down there and find something productive to do with your money. If all else fails, spend a lot of time outside. A big field in Russia or somewhere doesn't care who you are or what you've done. Get good at some athletic enterprise that involves not as much thinking as doing.

  You're awfully hard on yourself. A lot of this stuff probably IS society-based; your problem isn't with yourself, it's with learning how to give a lot less of a flying crap what other people think. Sure, having friends is great, and if you lie to make them feel at ease at first, eventually they may accept your reality. If you travel a lot you may meet others in your same situation. Good luck.

  Permalink Monday, March 6, 2006 11:40 AM