It wasn’t until the other night did I truly realize that upon entering the real world I was in fact about to submit myself to a losing battle. Granted, the job market was the worst it had been in 30 years but that wasn’t what was bothering me. Instead it was the realization that American ideals do not support a life of happiness. Prosperity yes but happiness, absolutely not. And if I didn’t act fast I would be indebted to a life of working harder and harder until I became burnt out and old. Only then could I finally retire, but the problem was that I would not be able to do a single thing. I would be too old. Worth it? Nah…

It was a Friday evening and I had decided to take a Salsa dance class. While most people would benefit from a dance class by learning well, to dance… I didn’t. Let’s face it; I’m a robot when it comes to dancing. But I did realize something else very important. And for some reason it took a dance class for me to realize it. While dancing with a very lovely woman I asked her, “How is it that you dance so well? You must have had practice”. I must admit I was slightly embarrassed with my shoddy skills versus hers. So I felt it necessary to break the ice by cutting to the chase. And of course she answered, “I spent the past semester in Spain, we went out to clubs dancing like every night”. “Do you wish you were there still?” I replied. “Yes, of course! It’s so much nicer over there. Life is so much more enjoyable” She said with great enthusiasm.

These days that’s all I ever hear from people. It seems that no matter how long someone is in another country they don’t want to leave. So perhaps it’s that the new experience is novel and exciting. Is this why people enjoy being in foreign countries so much? Because I am skeptical my first reaction was to disprove my own finding by reflecting on this aspect. While America is certainly a great country its social expectations are less than favorable. There is simply too much pressure to perform and act in front of others. As a child I spent a good part of my life in Great Britain. With its lush countryside and relaxed culture it certainly puts America into perspective.

The truth is that it is so much more relaxing. On top of that I have also traveled to many other countries in Europe and my findings are consistent throughout. Everything seems to come with ease. People are more down to earth, less materialistic, and friendlier. Being able to sit back and enjoy the present moment is one of the greatest pleasures I enjoy when visiting these countries. Whether it’s enjoying tea in the presence of old friends or swimming in the clear warm waters of St. Tropez, everything is great. Then the time comes when I return once again to America. Reality sinks in and somehow all the stupid little things in life become “important”. But it doesn’t stop there. It never ends.

So let’s take a look at the past for a second. Back in the 50’s it was required that only the male figure head of the family provide for his wife and kids. He made more than enough to put a roof over his families head, food on the table, and a car in the garage. But as time progressed American culture and its citizens got greedy. They wanted bigger houses, more cars, and more money overall. So their house size increased by 50%, they got another car (sometimes 2), and in their absence they lavished their kids with expensive toys. Now like dad, mom was required to work as well. Now both parents are involved in a 9-5 job and sometimes work longer than this. Yet they still have kids… And here’s where it gets even scarier. A sociological finding states that in upper middle class families the mothers and fathers said they got more satisfaction from work than the home. They would rather work their stressful jobs than take care of their children. American’s are working harder and harder for what? So they can buy their neglected child a brand new BMW? Where does the madness end? American’s have forgotten how to enjoy life. Instead they rush around like chickens with their heads cut off bickering over unimportant crap only to be late to yet another ‘bored’ meeting. What is truly enjoyed in life has been forgotten…

An article in Business Week outlines the world’s happiest countries (http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/happiest_countries/index_01.htm) where America was ranked a surprising 23rd. Among the countries that were ranked among the top 13 there was a general trend that applied to most of them. A relaxed/laid-back pace of life and a good balance between work/life is evident. This I fear has all but dissipated in America.

Let us not forget: It’s all about work/life balance not work/work balance.

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