Wealth hasn't brought happiness for James Packer
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326093)
Rockingham, Australia
March 21, 2018 4:53am CST
I just commented on a post by Sivaramakrishnan A (@Shiva49 ). I’ll put the link at the bottom. The post was about how to be happy and I was reminded of a news item which has just surfaced. James Packer is the son of media mogul Kerry Packer and is rated as around the 7th richest man in Australia with a net worth assessed as A$5.00 billion.
However he has just resigned as a director of Crown Resorts, which owns, among other things, casinos in Melbourne and Perth. The reason for his resignation has been stated as being due to ‘mental health issues’. He has spoken of suffering from depression before.
This is very sad and is another example of wealth not necessarily bringing happiness.
Edit: having said all the above, it can be difficult to stay happy and focussed if you don't know where your next meal is coming from. I guess I'm just really surprised that this guy can be SO rich but still in a bad place mentally.
The photo is of my mother and sister and could, I think, be entitled ‘happiness’.
Going by comments on social media posts I get a perception that people are frustrated but then I feel the happy ones are less vocal and combative. I am...
16 people like this
17 responses
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
21 Mar 18
i guess it's the same with celebrities. they say they're not sure if people really like them, or just out to use them.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Mar 18
@hereandthere Yes so they are always a bit suspicious about a person's motives in being nice to them.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118546)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Mar 18
Some of the most miserable people on earth are also some of the wealthiest people on earth.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118546)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Mar 18
@JudyEv I neve thought about it from that angle...when you're rich, you tend to have a lot of fake friends! That right there would make me miserable, sad and depressed.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 18
@moffittjc I went to a Bob Dylan concert and it was like he really didn't want to be there. I read somewhere that he has never had time to develop any hobbies or many friends and touring is pretty much all he knows. It doesn't really matter if he doesn't perform well as he has enough money for his needs but he gets bored at home so off he goes on tour. Pity for his audience when he's having a bad night though.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Mar 18
No matter how much or less you have, happiness comes from within.
Rich people often do not have friends because people tend to use them. Not many people are willing to pay for a rich mans dinner.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Mar 18
Better to be miserable rich than miserable poor.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26220)
• Singapore
21 Mar 18
That reminds me. One was given the option to choose one boon from the two offered:
Immense wealth but a life of unhappiness or a life of contentment and happiness with no wealth.
The man opted for the first reasoning I know what it is to be poor! siva
2 people like this
@shaggin (71663)
• United States
21 Mar 18
Money can buy a lot of things and I think I would feel a little happier if I never have to worry about money but I do suffer from depression which I take medication for and no amount of money is going to change that. The medicine only do so much.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130077)
• India
22 Mar 18
Wealth has nothing to do with happiness. I have said this before and that is it is not how much one has but what one makes of what one has is the route to happiness.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130077)
• India
22 Mar 18
@JudyEv When wants become needs that is the time one should stay alert.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
22 Mar 18
lovely photo! ..
I feel very sad for James Packer .. I feel that his depression really started from when he's very young.. All that privileges didn't bring him happiness and peace of mind ..Yes indeed, sometimes we wonder why so much comfort doesn't really bring comfort ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
22 Mar 18
@JudyEv thanks! .. I just got back from the Philippines .. we have a very poor internet connection in our little town over there..
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 18
@epiffanie Well, I'm glad that was the reason and not something 'bad'.
@Letranknight2015 (51537)
• Philippines
21 Mar 18
Wow even with that amount of money, he's still not HAPPY? wow I think that being contented about what we still have.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 18
I guess mental illness is not something you'd choose. I really don't understand depression very well.
@teamfreak16 (43420)
• Denver, Colorado
1 May 18
Depression doesn't pick and choose. I am a Bipolar with severe depression. I totally understand. Too bad most people don't.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 18
I know you don't want pity but I'm sorry you're suffering from these conditions. Vin plays social golf with 7 guys, four of whom are Vietnam vets and all TPI (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated). It doesn't outwardly affect some of them but one is going through a really rough spot at the moment. There seems to be nothing any of us can do that helps. And of course we feel for his wife too who is a lovely supportive person and who has already cut him down from the rafters once.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43420)
• Denver, Colorado
1 May 18
@JudyEv - Playing golf regularly probably helps immensely. It's one reason I ride my bike so much. It gives me something positive on which to focus.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
22 Mar 18
I am reminded of a quote by Jim Carrey who said;
"I wish everyone could be rich and famous so that they will know it is not the answer."
:-)
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
22 Mar 18
Living in a luxurious life is good but living in a simple , happy and contented life is much better.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326093)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Mar 18
Luxury isn't much help if you are depressed all the time.
@snowy22315 (170404)
• United States
21 Mar 18
I think being connected with others is one of the secrets of happiness, and also making up your mind that you will look for what is right and not what is wrong with your life.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
21 Mar 18
i guess happiness, joy, contentment, and peace of mind are 4 different things.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26220)
• Singapore
21 Mar 18
Thank you Judy for linking to my post.
I worked in the finance area all my life and had the opportunity to be close with some very wealthy.
Their approach to life is different with less of humaneness and empathy.
I know this is less so in countries like Australia where the class differences are less pronounced.
For people like me, wealth cannot mean more of happiness although one needs basic comforts.
James Packer might not have attuned himself to the high life or would have seen it as distanced from real life.
It takes courage too to step away from what he is used to - the power and influence that comes with wealth and also to admit that he is human after all - siva
1 person likes this
