Source: cbr.com
Thought for the Week: Fairness Is Overrated
“The world isn’t fair, Calvin.”
“I know, Dad, but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favor?”
~Bill Watterson
There’s great wisdom, I think, in learning to stop expecting fairness. By which we generally mean what Calvin means, getting what we want. Which, when we think that way, can never really be enough–because we never stop wanting things. Still, the problem isn’t wanting fairness (especially when it’s fairness for others), it’s hitching our personal happiness to it. Why?
Because fairness isn’t the key to happiness. The happiest people in the world aren’t those who’ve gotten “the long end of the stick,” but those who are happy simply to have a piece of the stick. Not those who can afford to go anywhere in their private jet. But those who can look up at the sky, and say, “All this beauty–and I get to look at it for free anytime I want!”
“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.” ~Oscar Wilde
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Calvin and Hobbs inspired me to have children but I’m really glad I didn’t get a little Calvin, my daughters were challenging enough 😊
;>)
Great point, Mitch :0)
Thanks, Pamela. 🧡
Fairness is overrated because gratitude is underrated?
That’s a great point, Todd.
I’m experiencing the short end of the stick a lot lately. But last night I said “Satan, you’re a liar and the truth isn’t in you, so I’m going to praise Him in this trial anyway”. And that’s what I’m doing! Life isn’t fair, but it’s a beautiful gift God gave me and I’ll praise Him while treasuring the piece of the stick I’m blessed with. Thank you for sharing this profound truth and for the beautiful perspective.
~Kelli
Now, that’s a healthy perspective, Kelli❣
Always loved Calvin and Hobbs!
I grew up knowing life wasn’t fair as it was told to me frequently by my dad! However, I now know that fairness and being blessed are not the same. Fairness relies on the world and other people’s actions towards me. Blessings rely on God’s goodness and unchanging love. 😊
Amen, Lynn.
I always told my kids life isn’t fair, but it’s our goal to make it a little more fair for everybody
Great dad-words, Mark!
Whatever is God’s will is fair. 😁
I agree with Mr, Oscar Wilde about the whole fairness deal! Life is not level, equal or fair yet we live on the best we can.
Exactly, Robert. And good to hear from you.
My girls used to say That’s not fair if one of them got new shoes or some other needed item. I asked them if they wanted fairness or sameness? I could get them both new shoes when K needed them but H would have to wait until K needed new shoes before she could get a pair. That would mean she might wear shoes too small waiting until her sister needed new shoes. I said that is sameness. Fairness is when their needs are met in a timely fashion. So if K got new shoes and H didn’t need them then H waited. When H needed new shoes, unless K needed them at the same time she would wait. That is fair. But I reminded them life in general isn’t fair and that was a good thing because we lived a very nice life and if life was fair our standard of living would dramatically drop. It also meant God wouldn’t forgive our sins.
Wise mom-words, Dede!
I love Anne Sewell’s quote from Black Beauty: “Do your best, And leave the rest, Twill all come right Some day or night,”
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Great point. I loved Calvin & Hobbes as a kid. While everyone else was absorbed in the fantasy worlds of DC and Marvel, I was constantly reading the entire collection of this series.
Yep, there’s a lot more than meets the eye in those little cartoons.
Appreciate this! ❤️😉❤️
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Calvin don’t want more Kelvin.
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Look at it like that, I totally agree. Long life to all the happy people in an unfair world🤩
Amen, Ortensia!
I agree with DeDe. A strict interpretation of “fair” would mean everyone gets the same thing at the same time. But that would only work for a little while, because some would take good care of their “new shoes,” but others would leave them out in the rain. Then the, “That’s not fair” complaints would start all over again.
Oh, so true, David!
Counting your blessings.
Time-proven advice.
There’s often a lot of wisdom to be found in Calvin and Hobbes.
There is indeed, Christina.
Amen, good word!
Thank you, Lisa.
Yep, fair comment!
👏👏👏 magnificently put!
Thank you! (May I ask your name?)
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It’s a hard truth to swallow.
I remember explaining this to my kids and grandkids many, many times.