1 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:25,820 Speaker 1: Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Here thousands of 2 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:29,340 Speaker 1: hours of Dennis's lectures, courses in classic radio programs, and 3 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:40,340 Speaker 1: to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles, go to Dennisprager dot com. 4 00:00:40,659 --> 00:00:45,499 Speaker 2: It's the Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy or yestitute. Hey, everybody, 5 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:49,420 Speaker 2: it's the Happiness Hour on the Dennis Prager Show every week. 6 00:00:50,860 --> 00:00:54,900 Speaker 2: Forgive me, but come hell or high water or for 7 00:00:54,980 --> 00:01:00,779 Speaker 2: that matter, blood frogs, lice, swarming flies, hail, you name it. 8 00:01:03,060 --> 00:01:06,460 Speaker 2: We talk about happiness this hour because happier people make 9 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:09,260 Speaker 2: the world better, all right, That's simple as that. Ask 10 00:01:09,340 --> 00:01:11,580 Speaker 2: anybody who was raised by an unhappy parent, and you 11 00:01:11,620 --> 00:01:14,260 Speaker 2: will know how important happiness is. Ask anybody married to 12 00:01:14,300 --> 00:01:16,940 Speaker 2: an unhappy spouse. You will find out how important happiness is. 13 00:01:17,380 --> 00:01:21,059 Speaker 2: Ask anybody who has an unhappy coworker, how happy happy? 14 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:24,340 Speaker 2: Pardon pattern today, and you'll handthen no. See So, no 15 00:01:24,380 --> 00:01:28,220 Speaker 2: matter what, in all seriousness, it is the biggest. Happy 16 00:01:28,260 --> 00:01:31,140 Speaker 2: people generally make the world better, and the world is 17 00:01:31,180 --> 00:01:34,260 Speaker 2: made worse by people who generally are unhappy. Not that 18 00:01:34,340 --> 00:01:36,940 Speaker 2: all unhappy people make the world worse. Some unhappy people 19 00:01:36,940 --> 00:01:39,100 Speaker 2: do a lot of good, but all the people who 20 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:41,660 Speaker 2: do harm are unhappy. Let's put it that way as 21 00:01:41,660 --> 00:01:46,060 Speaker 2: a general rule, So happiness is huge. Now I have 22 00:01:46,180 --> 00:01:52,020 Speaker 2: a totally a total departure from the norm. The norm 23 00:01:52,140 --> 00:01:54,460 Speaker 2: is I offer you one of the ideas, usually from 24 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:56,780 Speaker 2: my book Happiness is a serious problem. And if you 25 00:01:56,820 --> 00:01:59,740 Speaker 2: haven't read that and you like this hour, I'm a 26 00:01:59,780 --> 00:02:04,300 Speaker 2: little perplexed why you wouldn't read the book. But anyway, 27 00:02:04,940 --> 00:02:06,500 Speaker 2: I'm not here to blame you. I'm just here to 28 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:10,459 Speaker 2: tell you what exists. Happiness is a serious problem by 29 00:02:10,500 --> 00:02:15,420 Speaker 2: Dennis Prager HarperCollins. Now this is totally different this hour. 30 00:02:16,300 --> 00:02:19,700 Speaker 2: I am here to ask a question of all my 31 00:02:19,820 --> 00:02:25,300 Speaker 2: listeners who are over, and I'm picking an arbitrary age 32 00:02:25,419 --> 00:02:32,140 Speaker 2: later in life of seventy five mm, I do seventy 33 00:02:33,420 --> 00:02:36,900 Speaker 2: seventy five. I want you, if you are seventy five 34 00:02:37,060 --> 00:02:41,540 Speaker 2: or over, to tell all the people younger than you 35 00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:45,900 Speaker 2: the following. You can now listen, don't dial in till 36 00:02:45,940 --> 00:02:50,180 Speaker 2: you hear, and you young people knew the rest of 37 00:02:50,220 --> 00:02:54,220 Speaker 2: you under seventy five, fifty five, forty five, thirty five, 38 00:02:54,300 --> 00:03:00,380 Speaker 2: twenty five. We in this society value wisdom so little 39 00:03:00,660 --> 00:03:04,660 Speaker 2: that we don't make use of a potential enormous resource. 40 00:03:05,500 --> 00:03:10,220 Speaker 2: Older people, they have lived life. Do they have nothing 41 00:03:10,620 --> 00:03:13,660 Speaker 2: to say to us? Have they learned nothing? Now? By 42 00:03:13,700 --> 00:03:16,340 Speaker 2: the way, there are undoubtedly older people who are truly 43 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:20,139 Speaker 2: fool fools. There's no fool like an old fool. The 44 00:03:20,260 --> 00:03:24,580 Speaker 2: some some saying goes I believe, but I have to 45 00:03:24,620 --> 00:03:29,980 Speaker 2: believe as well that they have some accumulation of wisdom 46 00:03:30,140 --> 00:03:34,579 Speaker 2: that we don't have. Look, here is my proof. If 47 00:03:34,620 --> 00:03:38,340 Speaker 2: you are forty five, do you not think you have 48 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:41,180 Speaker 2: deeper insight into life than you did twenty years ago? 49 00:03:41,260 --> 00:03:44,060 Speaker 2: At twenty five? If you are sixty five, do you 50 00:03:44,140 --> 00:03:47,300 Speaker 2: not think you have some better insights into life than 51 00:03:47,340 --> 00:03:50,340 Speaker 2: you did when you were forty five? I mean, I 52 00:03:50,460 --> 00:03:53,700 Speaker 2: just I feel that I am wiser today than I 53 00:03:53,780 --> 00:03:57,100 Speaker 2: was twenty years ago. I mean I just assumed that. 54 00:03:57,140 --> 00:03:59,460 Speaker 2: I mean, I've lived more, I know more about life. 55 00:04:00,260 --> 00:04:03,460 Speaker 2: So here is my question. I picked a nice older 56 00:04:03,500 --> 00:04:08,380 Speaker 2: age of over seventy five, and only you are allowed 57 00:04:08,420 --> 00:04:12,660 Speaker 2: to call right now. I want to know. Now, listen carefully, 58 00:04:12,700 --> 00:04:15,780 Speaker 2: you're already calling, and I'm gonna shoot you. You can't 59 00:04:15,820 --> 00:04:18,100 Speaker 2: call till I'm finished. You don't even know what I'm 60 00:04:18,140 --> 00:04:22,339 Speaker 2: gonna ask. I'd have an idea, but I want you 61 00:04:22,380 --> 00:04:26,580 Speaker 2: to hear it specifically, and that is this. You have 62 00:04:26,659 --> 00:04:31,180 Speaker 2: a huge audience of people younger than you listening. I 63 00:04:31,219 --> 00:04:34,340 Speaker 2: want you to tell them the one thing, and I'm 64 00:04:34,380 --> 00:04:37,420 Speaker 2: only going to allow one thing, and you can have 65 00:04:37,500 --> 00:04:42,540 Speaker 2: your choice of questions. I want the one thing that 66 00:04:42,740 --> 00:04:47,100 Speaker 2: you most regret having done, not morally when this is 67 00:04:47,140 --> 00:04:49,700 Speaker 2: this show is not on morality. I don't want to 68 00:04:49,740 --> 00:04:54,060 Speaker 2: know your sins. They don't interest me. I assume you've sinned. 69 00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:58,660 Speaker 2: Uh uh. I just want to know what is the 70 00:04:58,820 --> 00:05:02,540 Speaker 2: one great And this is one of my questions, but 71 00:05:02,580 --> 00:05:06,300 Speaker 2: you can only pick one. Do you have one great 72 00:05:06,420 --> 00:05:10,900 Speaker 2: regret in terms of your happiness? A decision you made 73 00:05:10,980 --> 00:05:14,020 Speaker 2: you wish you didn't, or a decision you did or 74 00:05:14,060 --> 00:05:17,060 Speaker 2: something you did do and you or something you didn't 75 00:05:17,060 --> 00:05:21,620 Speaker 2: do and you wish you had that would have had 76 00:05:21,780 --> 00:05:25,659 Speaker 2: you believe an impact on your happiness. The other is 77 00:05:25,660 --> 00:05:30,060 Speaker 2: a more general question. What is the greatest one contributor 78 00:05:30,580 --> 00:05:35,180 Speaker 2: to your happiness? Has it been your work? Has it 79 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:39,580 Speaker 2: been having health? Has it been I don't you know what. 80 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:42,020 Speaker 2: I don't think we should use health because everybody knows 81 00:05:42,020 --> 00:05:44,580 Speaker 2: health is important. Forget health, don't call up about health 82 00:05:45,180 --> 00:05:48,300 Speaker 2: because you had very little to do with your health. 83 00:05:48,380 --> 00:05:50,780 Speaker 2: I know you worked out, and that's very important. I'm 84 00:05:51,220 --> 00:05:55,700 Speaker 2: not deriding that, but don't call in and say health okay, 85 00:05:56,180 --> 00:06:01,339 Speaker 2: putting health aside the greatest single source of your happiness. 86 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:05,339 Speaker 2: Now you can call one eight Praeger seven seven six 87 00:06:06,260 --> 00:06:09,820 Speaker 2: because one eight p r A g e R seven 88 00:06:09,940 --> 00:06:14,220 Speaker 2: seven six. If you're seventy five or over, I want 89 00:06:14,260 --> 00:06:18,420 Speaker 2: the rest of us to hear what you looking on 90 00:06:18,660 --> 00:06:21,580 Speaker 2: your life. Don't talk to me about world's life, or 91 00:06:21,660 --> 00:06:25,900 Speaker 2: your nephew's life, or your grandchildren's life, or anybody else's 92 00:06:26,420 --> 00:06:32,540 Speaker 2: your life. Looking at that, what do you believe has 93 00:06:32,580 --> 00:06:36,780 Speaker 2: been the greatest single contributor to your happiness? Or if 94 00:06:36,820 --> 00:06:40,219 Speaker 2: you prefer, what did you do or did you not 95 00:06:40,460 --> 00:06:47,060 Speaker 2: do that you feel has hurt your happiness something you 96 00:06:47,180 --> 00:06:51,580 Speaker 2: wish you could do over again. One eight Prager seven 97 00:06:51,740 --> 00:06:55,940 Speaker 2: seven six. Don't hesitate. This is an invitation to all 98 00:06:56,020 --> 00:07:00,140 Speaker 2: my listeners who are seventy five or older. I don't 99 00:07:00,140 --> 00:07:02,700 Speaker 2: know how many there are, but there I believe you're 100 00:07:02,740 --> 00:07:05,580 Speaker 2: they're out there, and here is your chance to make 101 00:07:05,620 --> 00:07:09,780 Speaker 2: a contribution. For example, I'll give you hints because some 102 00:07:09,860 --> 00:07:12,820 Speaker 2: of this you may relate to some of the ideas 103 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:18,660 Speaker 2: that you might want to a vote on that has 104 00:07:19,140 --> 00:07:23,580 Speaker 2: that has really contributed to you. You might say that 105 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:27,380 Speaker 2: the best thing you ever did that really contributed most 106 00:07:27,380 --> 00:07:31,100 Speaker 2: to your happiness was getting married. You might say it 107 00:07:31,140 --> 00:07:34,980 Speaker 2: was having children. You might say it was working in 108 00:07:35,140 --> 00:07:39,180 Speaker 2: work that was productive and brought you a good income. 109 00:07:39,540 --> 00:07:42,220 Speaker 2: And I don't pooh pooh that at all brought you honor, 110 00:07:42,380 --> 00:07:47,020 Speaker 2: brought you pleasure. You looked every every day forward to work. Remember, 111 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:49,060 Speaker 2: I don't want you to give me the answer you 112 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:51,580 Speaker 2: think I want. I don't want any answer. I want 113 00:07:51,580 --> 00:07:54,900 Speaker 2: the truth. I have no egent. I want to learn 114 00:07:55,340 --> 00:07:58,700 Speaker 2: from you. I want to hear what you would say 115 00:07:59,900 --> 00:08:04,460 Speaker 2: to younger people. Is the single most important contributor to 116 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:09,980 Speaker 2: your happiness or the single most important contributor to your unhappiness? 117 00:08:10,460 --> 00:08:14,580 Speaker 2: Maybe you had a lousy marriage, maybe maybe your kids 118 00:08:14,700 --> 00:08:16,980 Speaker 2: turned out poorly, and that is that is the single 119 00:08:17,020 --> 00:08:20,740 Speaker 2: greatest source of your unhappiness. So I'm broadening it. So 120 00:08:20,780 --> 00:08:23,620 Speaker 2: what is the single greatest source of your happiness over 121 00:08:23,660 --> 00:08:26,060 Speaker 2: your as you look back at your life, and the 122 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:31,340 Speaker 2: greatest or or the greatest single source of unhappiness? Because 123 00:08:31,460 --> 00:08:35,380 Speaker 2: not everybody over seventy five is happy? Okay. Not everybody 124 00:08:35,420 --> 00:08:38,860 Speaker 2: over fifteen is happy or over five, So this is 125 00:08:38,939 --> 00:08:44,099 Speaker 2: no reflection on you, all right? One eighth prager seven 126 00:08:44,260 --> 00:08:47,300 Speaker 2: seven six, Do not hesitate? One eight p R A 127 00:08:47,500 --> 00:08:51,819 Speaker 2: G e R seven seven six. Evelyn in Santa Monica, California, 128 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:54,900 Speaker 2: on KR LA ohoops, I pressed the wrong button? Why 129 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:58,340 Speaker 2: did I do that? Alright? Do know that's a very 130 00:08:58,460 --> 00:09:03,020 Speaker 2: tough question. There we go, Hello, Evelyn Hry Right, okay, 131 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:03,780 Speaker 2: how old are you? 132 00:09:04,300 --> 00:09:05,020 Speaker 3: Seventy six? 133 00:09:05,179 --> 00:09:05,980 Speaker 2: You just got in. 134 00:09:07,780 --> 00:09:09,380 Speaker 4: I'll be seventy seven this year. 135 00:09:09,340 --> 00:09:13,580 Speaker 2: All right? That well, everybody will be something this year. Okay, yes, if. 136 00:09:13,460 --> 00:09:16,300 Speaker 4: I live that long, my children and grandchildren. 137 00:09:17,620 --> 00:09:19,580 Speaker 2: All right, let me ask you a question about that. 138 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:20,460 Speaker 5: Okay. 139 00:09:20,860 --> 00:09:21,780 Speaker 2: Are you still married? 140 00:09:22,260 --> 00:09:22,580 Speaker 6: Yes? 141 00:09:23,060 --> 00:09:28,380 Speaker 2: Okay, Now you wouldn't say your marriage. No, So your 142 00:09:28,460 --> 00:09:34,620 Speaker 2: children and grandchildren have given you greater happiness than your marriage, yes, okay, 143 00:09:35,220 --> 00:09:40,460 Speaker 2: So what be you there for now? Putting that question aside? 144 00:09:40,500 --> 00:09:44,300 Speaker 2: I'm just challenging you, that's all to clarify things. The 145 00:09:44,860 --> 00:09:48,380 Speaker 2: what would you recommend to a woman fifty years younger 146 00:09:48,420 --> 00:09:52,860 Speaker 2: than you who's twenty six? What I read given that 147 00:09:52,860 --> 00:09:57,020 Speaker 2: that is if she says, you know what mus Evelyn, 148 00:09:57,340 --> 00:10:00,220 Speaker 2: I want to be I want to be happy. Would 149 00:10:00,220 --> 00:10:01,260 Speaker 2: you say, have children? 150 00:10:02,700 --> 00:10:05,860 Speaker 4: No, I would say get married and have a fairly 151 00:10:06,260 --> 00:10:11,620 Speaker 4: happy marriage. But your children and grandchildren, in my case, 152 00:10:11,860 --> 00:10:14,780 Speaker 4: have given me much more. 153 00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:17,460 Speaker 2: Right, So you would say, all right, I understand. So 154 00:10:17,500 --> 00:10:20,820 Speaker 2: you would say to a young woman, look what And 155 00:10:21,020 --> 00:10:22,860 Speaker 2: I don't want to put any words in your mouth, 156 00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:24,660 Speaker 2: and I have no agenda, but I just want to 157 00:10:24,700 --> 00:10:27,580 Speaker 2: know you would say to a young woman looking back 158 00:10:27,620 --> 00:10:34,220 Speaker 2: at your life, Evelyn, that, my dear young woman, as 159 00:10:34,340 --> 00:10:38,660 Speaker 2: much as you want to be professionally successful, happiness is 160 00:10:38,740 --> 00:10:43,580 Speaker 2: more likely to be derived from children and grandchildren. Yes, okay, 161 00:10:43,940 --> 00:10:46,620 Speaker 2: I thank you very much. Okay, thank you, all right, 162 00:10:46,660 --> 00:10:49,579 Speaker 2: and happy birthday whenever it comes up. One eight Prager 163 00:10:49,700 --> 00:10:53,620 Speaker 2: seven seven six. Come on, folks, there is a I 164 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:56,819 Speaker 2: know that there is a large older audience out there listening, 165 00:10:57,940 --> 00:11:01,020 Speaker 2: and don't be afraid. I want to know the greatest, 166 00:11:01,020 --> 00:11:05,220 Speaker 2: single source of your happiness. As an advice to younger people. 167 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:08,540 Speaker 2: If we don't use you as a resource for happiness, 168 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,819 Speaker 2: we're pretty stupid. I think we'll be back in a moment. 169 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:13,580 Speaker 2: You're listening to the Dennis Prager Show. 170 00:11:14,580 --> 00:11:17,980 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless wisdom will continue right after this. 171 00:11:23,460 --> 00:11:27,620 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom. 172 00:11:27,620 --> 00:11:30,020 Speaker 2: All right, everybody, this is Dennis Prager. This is a 173 00:11:30,060 --> 00:11:33,500 Speaker 2: special edition, so I'm going to use that word just 174 00:11:33,620 --> 00:11:40,060 Speaker 2: cavalierly of the happiness hour. Every happiness hour is devoted 175 00:11:40,420 --> 00:11:42,860 Speaker 2: more normally to a different subject that I offer you 176 00:11:42,940 --> 00:11:46,980 Speaker 2: as an insight into being happier. But today I am 177 00:11:47,060 --> 00:11:50,819 Speaker 2: asking my listeners who are over seventy five. If you're 178 00:11:50,860 --> 00:11:55,740 Speaker 2: under seventy five, don't call. And it is what one 179 00:11:55,860 --> 00:11:59,140 Speaker 2: thing do you believe has most contributed to your happiness 180 00:11:59,340 --> 00:12:03,020 Speaker 2: or what one thing has most contributed to your unhappiness. 181 00:12:03,220 --> 00:12:07,180 Speaker 2: That's just as important for me to know, So please 182 00:12:07,300 --> 00:12:10,380 Speaker 2: please hear me carefully. That's what I want to learn 183 00:12:11,060 --> 00:12:13,780 Speaker 2: because this notion, and I believe this. When I was 184 00:12:13,820 --> 00:12:17,860 Speaker 2: a kid, I never understood this fascination with youth. I 185 00:12:17,980 --> 00:12:21,340 Speaker 2: understand it physically. Of course, youth are more beautiful. It's 186 00:12:21,380 --> 00:12:24,500 Speaker 2: just the way it is. But but beyond that, what 187 00:12:24,660 --> 00:12:28,180 Speaker 2: is the fascination? There's not much to be learned. Presumably, 188 00:12:28,220 --> 00:12:31,220 Speaker 2: if you've lived life, there's something to be learned from you. Okay, 189 00:12:32,660 --> 00:12:38,459 Speaker 2: let's go two. Dave in Cleveland, Ohio on w c 190 00:12:38,540 --> 00:12:40,500 Speaker 2: c D. Hello Dave Dennis Prager. 191 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:42,620 Speaker 5: Hi Dennis, once again, great show. 192 00:12:42,860 --> 00:12:43,260 Speaker 2: Thank you. 193 00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:46,740 Speaker 5: How old are you You're about seventy seven. Okay, you're 194 00:12:46,740 --> 00:12:50,420 Speaker 5: really a bright light on the radio. Anyway, what I 195 00:12:50,460 --> 00:12:53,300 Speaker 5: think is attributed most you know, to my happiness, you know, 196 00:12:53,340 --> 00:12:55,660 Speaker 5: and I think a lot of people you know, like me, 197 00:12:55,740 --> 00:12:59,180 Speaker 5: will say the same thing as keeping the Jewish shabbith properly, 198 00:12:59,460 --> 00:13:02,060 Speaker 5: you know, like I'm stating from business, you know, from driving, 199 00:13:02,140 --> 00:13:05,300 Speaker 5: from media. Being able to have one day to completely 200 00:13:05,340 --> 00:13:08,860 Speaker 5: reconnect with God and family. This is the main thing 201 00:13:08,900 --> 00:13:11,500 Speaker 5: that is you know, kind of kept me shane and 202 00:13:11,580 --> 00:13:15,060 Speaker 5: kept my family and I committed to God in Tolrah. 203 00:13:15,260 --> 00:13:17,180 Speaker 5: You know, it's worth more than you know, all the 204 00:13:17,260 --> 00:13:19,060 Speaker 5: money in the world, you know, to just have that 205 00:13:19,140 --> 00:13:21,620 Speaker 5: one day a week where you mh you know, put 206 00:13:21,620 --> 00:13:25,100 Speaker 5: ashide all the mundane matters and business pressures and and 207 00:13:25,260 --> 00:13:27,740 Speaker 5: changing the world pressures and just kind of you know, 208 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:28,540 Speaker 5: connect to God. 209 00:13:28,580 --> 00:13:29,820 Speaker 2: And do you do you have children? 210 00:13:30,340 --> 00:13:30,540 Speaker 7: Oh? 211 00:13:30,620 --> 00:13:31,180 Speaker 5: Thank are you? 212 00:13:31,380 --> 00:13:33,500 Speaker 2: All right? Let me ask you. And it's really it's 213 00:13:33,540 --> 00:13:36,180 Speaker 2: almost unfair when I'm about to ask you, because I 214 00:13:36,260 --> 00:13:38,980 Speaker 2: have asked people to isolate the thing that most contributed. 215 00:13:38,980 --> 00:13:40,740 Speaker 2: And by the way, I resonate a great deal with 216 00:13:40,780 --> 00:13:43,740 Speaker 2: you on this, But I am curious if you could 217 00:13:43,780 --> 00:13:47,140 Speaker 2: have and and if you say it's an unfair question, 218 00:13:47,220 --> 00:13:50,180 Speaker 2: I'll accept it. But if you could have have had 219 00:13:50,380 --> 00:13:52,980 Speaker 2: only the Sabbath and no children, or only children and 220 00:13:53,060 --> 00:13:56,500 Speaker 2: no Sabbath, what would you have opted for just in 221 00:13:56,580 --> 00:13:57,500 Speaker 2: terms of happiness? 222 00:13:59,980 --> 00:14:03,500 Speaker 5: That's a good question. I'd have to think about that. Look, 223 00:14:03,580 --> 00:14:06,660 Speaker 5: even if I think if you could control it's a 224 00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:09,060 Speaker 5: tough question. You could control keeping the sabbath or now, 225 00:14:09,100 --> 00:14:11,300 Speaker 5: but you really can't control having children or that. That's 226 00:14:11,380 --> 00:14:15,100 Speaker 5: you know, right, God holds the key to the womb, 227 00:14:15,140 --> 00:14:15,780 Speaker 5: as they as. 228 00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:18,540 Speaker 2: That is a very it's a very wise answer, Thank 229 00:14:18,580 --> 00:14:23,100 Speaker 2: you very much, day very wise. I appreciate that a lot. Alrighty, 230 00:14:23,500 --> 00:14:29,380 Speaker 2: let's go to Alice in Redondo Beach, California. Alice, how 231 00:14:29,380 --> 00:14:33,420 Speaker 2: old are you? Hey, Alice? How old are you? 232 00:14:33,500 --> 00:14:35,460 Speaker 8: Getting married and respecting each other? 233 00:14:36,380 --> 00:14:36,500 Speaker 2: All? 234 00:14:36,580 --> 00:14:36,700 Speaker 7: Right? 235 00:14:36,740 --> 00:14:40,460 Speaker 2: Well? How old are you? Alice? Eighty two? Getting married? 236 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:43,860 Speaker 2: And we're so marriage your marriage? Are you still married? 237 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:46,460 Speaker 8: My husband passed away about four years ago. 238 00:14:46,580 --> 00:14:48,500 Speaker 2: I'm sorry to hear that. How long were you married? 239 00:14:50,100 --> 00:14:51,540 Speaker 8: I have about fifty five years? 240 00:14:51,620 --> 00:14:55,780 Speaker 2: Fifty five years and that was the greatest single source 241 00:14:55,820 --> 00:14:56,940 Speaker 2: of happiness in your life. 242 00:14:57,340 --> 00:15:00,180 Speaker 8: Well, I think the other When you respect each other, 243 00:15:00,260 --> 00:15:01,580 Speaker 8: the rest comes naturally. 244 00:15:02,420 --> 00:15:05,820 Speaker 2: Now you're telling me how it works, and that's another question. 245 00:15:05,940 --> 00:15:09,540 Speaker 2: But if you were saying you're in terms of happiness, yes, 246 00:15:09,580 --> 00:15:14,180 Speaker 2: your marriage of fifty five years for the benefit of 247 00:15:14,300 --> 00:15:17,980 Speaker 2: many people younger than you. Did you ever have fights 248 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:18,620 Speaker 2: with your husband? 249 00:15:20,780 --> 00:15:24,820 Speaker 8: Uh? Well, you've had arguments, but never fights really? 250 00:15:25,180 --> 00:15:28,420 Speaker 2: Uh huh. Did you ever have a period of time 251 00:15:28,620 --> 00:15:32,420 Speaker 2: where the uh it was not particularly passionate? 252 00:15:34,820 --> 00:15:36,900 Speaker 8: Uh? 253 00:15:37,660 --> 00:15:38,900 Speaker 7: Not really really? 254 00:15:38,940 --> 00:15:42,540 Speaker 2: So you had so fifty five years you were in love. Yes, 255 00:15:42,940 --> 00:15:46,580 Speaker 2: that's terrific. And what and and well, I guess you 256 00:15:46,620 --> 00:15:48,500 Speaker 2: said you say the secret was respect. 257 00:15:50,300 --> 00:15:52,380 Speaker 8: Yes, I think that's that's the basis. 258 00:15:52,740 --> 00:15:55,860 Speaker 2: By the way, how have you fared since your husband died? 259 00:15:58,100 --> 00:15:58,300 Speaker 9: Ah? 260 00:16:01,180 --> 00:16:03,940 Speaker 8: Well, I'm just going from day to day. 261 00:16:05,340 --> 00:16:10,020 Speaker 2: Let me ask you a question. Does the do the 262 00:16:10,060 --> 00:16:15,020 Speaker 2: memories of fifty five years with your beloved husband? Do 263 00:16:15,180 --> 00:16:19,700 Speaker 2: they bring you some peace? Or it doesn't mean anything 264 00:16:19,740 --> 00:16:21,100 Speaker 2: when you haven't empty house. 265 00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:29,940 Speaker 8: I don't know if it brings peace. Really, you get 266 00:16:29,940 --> 00:16:30,500 Speaker 8: a little. 267 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:34,340 Speaker 2: Lonely before you do. And that's why I'm In other words, 268 00:16:34,380 --> 00:16:39,100 Speaker 2: I'm asking, do memories add up to happiness or is 269 00:16:39,140 --> 00:16:41,940 Speaker 2: it only the present that matters in terms of happiness? 270 00:16:42,220 --> 00:16:45,900 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, they certainly do. They certainly do. One final question, 271 00:16:45,940 --> 00:16:50,060 Speaker 2: do you have children? Yes, but in the sum total 272 00:16:50,060 --> 00:16:53,060 Speaker 2: of things, you feel, as well as as your children 273 00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:56,060 Speaker 2: may have turned out, it was marriage that brought you 274 00:16:56,100 --> 00:17:00,580 Speaker 2: the greatest happiness, even more than children. Would you repeat 275 00:17:00,620 --> 00:17:04,540 Speaker 2: that again, in looking back at your life, is as 276 00:17:04,580 --> 00:17:07,820 Speaker 2: well as your children may have turned out, it is 277 00:17:07,859 --> 00:17:11,939 Speaker 2: the marriage that brought you your greatest happiness. Yes, okay, 278 00:17:11,980 --> 00:17:15,699 Speaker 2: thank you so so much. Appreciate that. I'm asking people, 279 00:17:15,780 --> 00:17:19,259 Speaker 2: only those over seventy five years old, to tell me 280 00:17:19,340 --> 00:17:22,300 Speaker 2: what is the single greatest contributor to their happiness in 281 00:17:22,340 --> 00:17:26,819 Speaker 2: life or the single greatest contributor to your unhappiness. The 282 00:17:26,820 --> 00:17:30,940 Speaker 2: phone number is one eight Praeger seven seven six. That's 283 00:17:30,979 --> 00:17:34,739 Speaker 2: one eight p R A G E R seven seven six. 284 00:17:35,500 --> 00:17:40,539 Speaker 2: Katherine in Phoenix on kk NT, Catherine. 285 00:17:40,379 --> 00:17:41,580 Speaker 10: Yes, Hi, how old? 286 00:17:41,739 --> 00:17:44,580 Speaker 2: How old are you? Eighty eighty years old? 287 00:17:44,699 --> 00:17:46,099 Speaker 10: And what can I can't believe it? 288 00:17:46,820 --> 00:17:48,979 Speaker 2: No, I know it is unbelievable. I agree with you. 289 00:17:50,260 --> 00:17:52,659 Speaker 2: I totally understand what you're saying and I'm far from 290 00:17:52,659 --> 00:17:56,340 Speaker 2: maybe what what does which do you want to answer? 291 00:17:56,379 --> 00:17:58,739 Speaker 2: The greatest source of happiness or unhappiness? 292 00:17:59,060 --> 00:18:00,539 Speaker 10: Oh, happiness for sure? 293 00:18:00,780 --> 00:18:01,499 Speaker 2: And what was that? 294 00:18:01,899 --> 00:18:06,779 Speaker 10: It is my marriage, my relationship with my husband, my 295 00:18:07,340 --> 00:18:11,939 Speaker 10: present relationship with my husband of fifty six years, which 296 00:18:12,060 --> 00:18:16,859 Speaker 10: is as we sit on many many mornings reading some 297 00:18:17,020 --> 00:18:21,059 Speaker 10: devotion and talking about it and probing each other's minds 298 00:18:22,179 --> 00:18:25,779 Speaker 10: and trying to figure out what's going on inside of 299 00:18:25,859 --> 00:18:32,179 Speaker 10: us in the world. I don't know, we say, what 300 00:18:32,219 --> 00:18:35,259 Speaker 10: would we where would we be if we didn't have this? 301 00:18:35,260 --> 00:18:38,059 Speaker 10: This has made us grow together, But we didn't have 302 00:18:38,139 --> 00:18:41,899 Speaker 10: that whome we were. We didn't know what we were 303 00:18:41,939 --> 00:18:44,899 Speaker 10: going to have when we got married. We just knew 304 00:18:44,899 --> 00:18:46,419 Speaker 10: that we were going to get married. But we were 305 00:18:46,699 --> 00:18:50,939 Speaker 10: getting married for life fifty six years ago. And I 306 00:18:51,060 --> 00:18:54,219 Speaker 10: just looked a picture of us cutting the wedding cake, 307 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:57,980 Speaker 10: and then I have another one of us just taken now, 308 00:18:58,219 --> 00:19:02,139 Speaker 10: and I look, are these the same people that got 309 00:19:02,139 --> 00:19:06,619 Speaker 10: married fifty six years ago? And now look at us? 310 00:19:07,699 --> 00:19:08,300 Speaker 6: But we are. 311 00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:13,139 Speaker 10: One of the most blessed couples that I see in 312 00:19:13,219 --> 00:19:16,940 Speaker 10: my relationship. Feels like, was. 313 00:19:16,899 --> 00:19:19,619 Speaker 2: Your marriage always this happy or did you have any 314 00:19:19,939 --> 00:19:20,580 Speaker 2: rocky moments. 315 00:19:21,859 --> 00:19:27,460 Speaker 10: We never had any seriously rocky moments. But we were 316 00:19:27,540 --> 00:19:31,739 Speaker 10: the typical people who, well, you just live life because 317 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:32,780 Speaker 10: you get it day by day. 318 00:19:32,780 --> 00:19:35,980 Speaker 2: And we have five children, and so you would say 319 00:19:36,060 --> 00:19:38,659 Speaker 2: too that your marriage has been a greater source of 320 00:19:38,699 --> 00:19:40,740 Speaker 2: happiness even than your wonderful children. 321 00:19:41,020 --> 00:19:42,540 Speaker 10: I have to say, that's right. 322 00:19:42,979 --> 00:19:45,580 Speaker 2: Wow, Thank you so much. This is a great hour, 323 00:19:45,659 --> 00:19:50,340 Speaker 2: and I hoped it would be one eighth Praguer seven 324 00:19:50,459 --> 00:19:55,019 Speaker 2: seven six. Those of you over seventy five, your greatest 325 00:19:55,020 --> 00:19:57,780 Speaker 2: single source of happiness or unhappiness as you look back 326 00:19:57,820 --> 00:19:59,339 Speaker 2: at your life. I'm Dennis Prager. 327 00:20:00,820 --> 00:20:02,700 Speaker 1: This episode of timeless Wisdom. 328 00:20:02,859 --> 00:20:04,139 Speaker 2: We'll continue right after this. 329 00:20:09,659 --> 00:20:13,260 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom. 330 00:20:13,899 --> 00:20:15,539 Speaker 2: All right, any of my friends, you're listening to the 331 00:20:15,580 --> 00:20:19,580 Speaker 2: Dennis Praguer Show, The Happiness Hour, an hour every week 332 00:20:19,619 --> 00:20:22,259 Speaker 2: at this time. I voted to the subject of happiness. 333 00:20:22,340 --> 00:20:24,580 Speaker 2: I've written a book on it. I've lectured around the world, 334 00:20:24,619 --> 00:20:28,379 Speaker 2: in fact, on seven continents, even Antarctica. Yes, indeed you 335 00:20:28,419 --> 00:20:33,859 Speaker 2: can see me addressing penguins there on the subject of happiness. Now, 336 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:37,379 Speaker 2: my question here is to only people over seventy five, 337 00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:41,100 Speaker 2: and that is what has been the greatest source of 338 00:20:41,139 --> 00:20:44,059 Speaker 2: happiness in your life or the greatest single source of 339 00:20:44,139 --> 00:20:48,219 Speaker 2: unhappiness in the hope that people younger, even much younger, 340 00:20:48,739 --> 00:20:51,020 Speaker 2: might want to hear one in the final analysis will 341 00:20:51,020 --> 00:20:54,220 Speaker 2: bring them happiness in life. Let's go to some more 342 00:20:54,260 --> 00:20:57,259 Speaker 2: of your calls, and let's go to a mail this 343 00:20:57,419 --> 00:21:03,100 Speaker 2: time Leo in Los Angeles on eight seventy k RLA. Hello, Leo, 344 00:21:03,820 --> 00:21:06,419 Speaker 2: puzzivayach picrasnas basibo. 345 00:21:07,699 --> 00:21:13,899 Speaker 11: I'm twenty eight backwards, gotcha, and I've enjoyed my career 346 00:21:13,939 --> 00:21:21,379 Speaker 11: as a probation officer, parole agent and clinical social worker. However, 347 00:21:21,540 --> 00:21:26,459 Speaker 11: my greatest source of happiness is really my attitude. The 348 00:21:26,580 --> 00:21:30,299 Speaker 11: glass is always half full, and I'm always involved in 349 00:21:30,419 --> 00:21:34,300 Speaker 11: new things. Currently I'm involved in being a radio cartoonist. 350 00:21:34,580 --> 00:21:37,499 Speaker 11: You know what that is? No, I can't draw, I 351 00:21:37,540 --> 00:21:38,539 Speaker 11: have to describe it. 352 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:41,979 Speaker 2: Ah, very cute, Leo. Have you been married. 353 00:21:42,340 --> 00:21:45,820 Speaker 11: I've been married. It'll be fifty fifty. 354 00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:48,580 Speaker 2: Four years, right, But you you wanted to single out 355 00:21:48,580 --> 00:21:51,259 Speaker 2: those other things. Is the greatest sources of your happiness? 356 00:21:51,659 --> 00:21:54,659 Speaker 11: Yes, okay, my friend, my marriage has been happy. 357 00:21:54,820 --> 00:21:57,220 Speaker 2: No, I understand, but I'm asking for the biggest one. 358 00:21:57,300 --> 00:21:59,340 Speaker 2: Thank you. Leo. I'm trying to go fast. I want 359 00:21:59,379 --> 00:22:02,260 Speaker 2: to get as many people as possible, to get some 360 00:22:02,340 --> 00:22:04,859 Speaker 2: sort of cross section, and at the end I will 361 00:22:04,899 --> 00:22:08,179 Speaker 2: try to make some draw some conclusions, if there are 362 00:22:08,219 --> 00:22:10,899 Speaker 2: any to be drawn from what I will have heard. 363 00:22:10,939 --> 00:22:14,979 Speaker 2: The number again one eight Prager pr a goer seven 364 00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:17,299 Speaker 2: seven six. You got to be over seventy five or 365 00:22:17,379 --> 00:22:24,699 Speaker 2: seventy five actually, And let us go to Phoenix again. 366 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:29,540 Speaker 2: And Carolyn on KKNT, Hello, Carolyn Dennis Prager, Hi, Dennis, Hi, 367 00:22:29,659 --> 00:22:30,340 Speaker 2: how old are you? 368 00:22:31,100 --> 00:22:34,539 Speaker 9: I'm seventy six, right, And I have the regular things 369 00:22:34,580 --> 00:22:38,379 Speaker 9: to be very happy about. When was I went to 370 00:22:38,459 --> 00:22:41,619 Speaker 9: your last talk and I'm the crazy redhead who'll die 371 00:22:41,659 --> 00:22:42,499 Speaker 9: until she dies. 372 00:22:43,419 --> 00:22:46,820 Speaker 2: But oh yeah, that's great, But you're a live. 373 00:22:46,659 --> 00:22:47,500 Speaker 3: Wire, right. 374 00:22:47,619 --> 00:22:51,100 Speaker 9: But all my things are regular, the family, the religion, 375 00:22:51,540 --> 00:22:54,139 Speaker 9: everything like that I'm pleased with in my life. For 376 00:22:54,300 --> 00:22:58,179 Speaker 9: what I have to say is I've had kind of 377 00:22:58,219 --> 00:23:02,100 Speaker 9: a two edged sword. I really love spontaneity, and all 378 00:23:02,139 --> 00:23:04,899 Speaker 9: my life I have never been as spontaneous as I've 379 00:23:04,899 --> 00:23:08,580 Speaker 9: wanted to be. Now, since I'm older, I realized the 380 00:23:08,699 --> 00:23:13,299 Speaker 9: value of touch and a compliment and a hug, and 381 00:23:13,379 --> 00:23:16,659 Speaker 9: I regret not doing these things in my life when 382 00:23:16,659 --> 00:23:21,220 Speaker 9: I've been too grateful to articulate. A hug and a 383 00:23:21,260 --> 00:23:24,379 Speaker 9: path or something like that would have spelled out my 384 00:23:24,540 --> 00:23:28,899 Speaker 9: feelings far better than just trying to articulate, which I'm 385 00:23:28,899 --> 00:23:29,299 Speaker 9: not good at. 386 00:23:29,379 --> 00:23:32,900 Speaker 2: Uh huh. So you you feel that you have constrained 387 00:23:32,939 --> 00:23:37,299 Speaker 2: yourself physically, yes, too much over a lifetime. 388 00:23:37,580 --> 00:23:39,219 Speaker 9: Yes, And I'm trying to get and. 389 00:23:39,139 --> 00:23:41,699 Speaker 2: That and that is a That is your major source 390 00:23:41,739 --> 00:23:44,979 Speaker 2: of happiness today is acting on how you. 391 00:23:44,939 --> 00:23:47,939 Speaker 9: Want to act, just exactly, in other words, being more 392 00:23:47,979 --> 00:23:51,499 Speaker 9: spontaneous and realizing the value of attack. Were you married, 393 00:23:51,820 --> 00:23:56,139 Speaker 9: Oh yes, thirty nine and a half years. 394 00:23:54,979 --> 00:23:57,460 Speaker 2: And and your and what happened? Divorce or death? 395 00:23:57,659 --> 00:23:59,460 Speaker 9: No? No, he had lung cancer. 396 00:23:59,580 --> 00:24:02,220 Speaker 2: Uh, I'm so sorry. Do you have children? 397 00:24:02,419 --> 00:24:02,580 Speaker 5: Oh? 398 00:24:02,619 --> 00:24:06,219 Speaker 9: Yes, I've got three gorgeous daughters. Right, that's a grandchildren. 399 00:24:06,540 --> 00:24:10,619 Speaker 2: But you you have chosen to pick, uh, to choose 400 00:24:10,659 --> 00:24:13,619 Speaker 2: as your greatest source of happiness, the freedom to act 401 00:24:13,699 --> 00:24:15,899 Speaker 2: on how you feel now. 402 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:19,419 Speaker 9: Yes, And I regret right now not going to your 403 00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:22,219 Speaker 9: last speech. And I was so impressed with you. I 404 00:24:22,260 --> 00:24:25,619 Speaker 9: wanted to give you a big hug. The boot came 405 00:24:25,699 --> 00:24:27,100 Speaker 9: up again, and I thought, oh. 406 00:24:27,139 --> 00:24:30,580 Speaker 2: Oh, that's amazing all right, Well, next time I'm coming 407 00:24:30,659 --> 00:24:32,940 Speaker 2: back and you'll give me another hug. Bless you, Carolyn, 408 00:24:33,020 --> 00:24:38,899 Speaker 2: Thank you. Alrighty Jim in Denver, Colorado, Jim, I'm kN us. 409 00:24:38,939 --> 00:24:39,820 Speaker 2: How old are you? Jim? 410 00:24:40,979 --> 00:24:48,379 Speaker 3: Okay, my greatest happiness is that I never did strive 411 00:24:49,379 --> 00:24:50,859 Speaker 3: to be the richest kid on the block. 412 00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:53,139 Speaker 2: Uh huh. Never. 413 00:24:53,780 --> 00:24:58,540 Speaker 3: Never. No, I worked all my life. I retired at 414 00:24:58,580 --> 00:24:59,300 Speaker 3: fifty five. 415 00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:04,780 Speaker 2: What did you strive for? If not to be rich? 416 00:25:04,859 --> 00:25:05,940 Speaker 2: What did you strive for. 417 00:25:05,979 --> 00:25:09,379 Speaker 3: Instead to be satisfied with what I had? 418 00:25:11,459 --> 00:25:14,899 Speaker 2: Right? And you were, Oh yeah, and what you had 419 00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:18,459 Speaker 2: was you're talking in terms of work, now, yes, So 420 00:25:18,500 --> 00:25:21,259 Speaker 2: would you say work has been your greatest source of happiness? 421 00:25:21,500 --> 00:25:24,179 Speaker 3: No, being satisfied with what I have. 422 00:25:24,379 --> 00:25:26,899 Speaker 2: Period in any area, in any. 423 00:25:26,699 --> 00:25:31,060 Speaker 3: Area, I see, I never needed five pair of shoes 424 00:25:31,139 --> 00:25:35,579 Speaker 3: or three automobiles, uh huh. And my family always for 425 00:25:35,659 --> 00:25:36,420 Speaker 3: the while. 426 00:25:36,540 --> 00:25:39,019 Speaker 2: That I was man. So in other words, it's attitude. 427 00:25:39,859 --> 00:25:40,539 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's my ow. 428 00:25:40,699 --> 00:25:43,580 Speaker 2: Okay, So it's another man voting for attitude. We'll be 429 00:25:43,659 --> 00:25:48,459 Speaker 2: back the Dennis Prager Show Happiness Hour. Hey, folks, Dennis Prager. 430 00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:52,580 Speaker 2: Here this this edition of the of the Dennis Prager Show. 431 00:25:52,580 --> 00:25:56,939 Speaker 2: Actually the Happiness Hour is actually dedicated to young people. 432 00:25:57,139 --> 00:26:00,019 Speaker 2: Even though I'm only allowing people over seventy five to 433 00:26:00,100 --> 00:26:04,179 Speaker 2: call in, I want you to hear, for whatever it's worth, 434 00:26:05,179 --> 00:26:07,979 Speaker 2: what has been the sore the greatest source of happiness 435 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:10,259 Speaker 2: or the greatest source of unhappiness? And none of you 436 00:26:10,300 --> 00:26:13,459 Speaker 2: are calling on the greatest source of unhappiness? I think 437 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:16,419 Speaker 2: partially because people don't want to, and I understand that 438 00:26:16,739 --> 00:26:20,459 Speaker 2: entirely don't want to focus on that or believe there 439 00:26:20,459 --> 00:26:24,299 Speaker 2: are unhappy. By the way, it doesn't make you unhappy 440 00:26:24,340 --> 00:26:27,259 Speaker 2: that there is a single greatest source of unhappiness. You 441 00:26:27,340 --> 00:26:31,579 Speaker 2: may still be relatively happy, but I would like to know, 442 00:26:31,859 --> 00:26:37,019 Speaker 2: looking back on a whole large number of years of living, 443 00:26:37,699 --> 00:26:40,780 Speaker 2: what might have been your greatest, single source of happiness 444 00:26:40,859 --> 00:26:43,419 Speaker 2: or unhappiness. By the way, one could argue there is 445 00:26:43,459 --> 00:26:47,219 Speaker 2: no one single greatest that there three things are tied 446 00:26:47,300 --> 00:26:50,499 Speaker 2: for first. But I still, as unfair as it might be, 447 00:26:50,699 --> 00:26:55,259 Speaker 2: I am asking for number one. Alrighty, let's go to 448 00:26:55,459 --> 00:27:01,300 Speaker 2: Marie in Cleveland on WCCD, and Marie Dennis Prager. 449 00:27:00,979 --> 00:27:02,899 Speaker 12: High Well, thank you for your program. 450 00:27:02,979 --> 00:27:04,460 Speaker 2: Dennis, thank you. How old are you? 451 00:27:04,899 --> 00:27:09,259 Speaker 12: I'm ninety okay, and I think that my ability to 452 00:27:09,300 --> 00:27:14,420 Speaker 12: cope with hardships was the biggest thing in my life. 453 00:27:14,619 --> 00:27:17,459 Speaker 2: So again we're hearing a vote for attitude. 454 00:27:17,739 --> 00:27:20,779 Speaker 12: Yeah, it's much easier to cope with the hardship. You 455 00:27:20,859 --> 00:27:23,219 Speaker 12: have a half full glass rather than half empty. 456 00:27:23,699 --> 00:27:26,619 Speaker 2: That's right. So you always tried to see the blessings 457 00:27:26,619 --> 00:27:27,060 Speaker 2: you had. 458 00:27:28,300 --> 00:27:30,059 Speaker 12: God didn't give it to you if you didn't. If 459 00:27:30,379 --> 00:27:31,859 Speaker 12: if you weren't able to cope with it. 460 00:27:32,340 --> 00:27:34,539 Speaker 2: Uh huh. So what did you have to cope with? 461 00:27:34,580 --> 00:27:38,459 Speaker 12: For example, well, my death and my husband and left 462 00:27:38,500 --> 00:27:39,820 Speaker 12: me with two kids to raise. 463 00:27:40,260 --> 00:27:42,379 Speaker 2: How old were you at the time. 464 00:27:42,619 --> 00:27:43,820 Speaker 12: In my early forties. 465 00:27:44,739 --> 00:27:48,899 Speaker 2: You became a widow in your early forties, right, wow? 466 00:27:48,979 --> 00:27:51,859 Speaker 2: And you never remarried, Well, I had. 467 00:27:52,020 --> 00:27:55,540 Speaker 12: I had seen a neighbor who had remarried and the 468 00:27:55,580 --> 00:27:57,939 Speaker 12: problems they had in their life. I figured I couldn't 469 00:27:58,659 --> 00:27:59,820 Speaker 12: hand that to my children. 470 00:28:00,699 --> 00:28:03,459 Speaker 2: Do you wish in retrospect that you had remarried? 471 00:28:04,859 --> 00:28:05,179 Speaker 8: Well? 472 00:28:05,340 --> 00:28:09,099 Speaker 12: If I had? If that would be hard to answer, 473 00:28:09,139 --> 00:28:16,699 Speaker 12: because I never anyone showed any interest. I plucked them off. 474 00:28:17,739 --> 00:28:22,420 Speaker 2: Do you know why for that reason? You just concluded 475 00:28:22,500 --> 00:28:25,979 Speaker 2: that it would be better for your kids not to 476 00:28:26,020 --> 00:28:27,579 Speaker 2: bring another man into the picture. 477 00:28:28,060 --> 00:28:33,659 Speaker 12: Because Dennis. I was like an old mother. Hen. Yeah, Well, 478 00:28:34,260 --> 00:28:38,219 Speaker 12: any anybody would dare to criticize my kids? 479 00:28:38,260 --> 00:28:38,620 Speaker 11: I would. 480 00:28:39,459 --> 00:28:40,580 Speaker 12: I would really jump. 481 00:28:40,340 --> 00:28:43,499 Speaker 2: All over the uh huh. So you've been a widow 482 00:28:43,540 --> 00:28:47,700 Speaker 2: fifty years. Right, Well you have girlfriends? 483 00:28:47,979 --> 00:28:48,099 Speaker 3: Oh? 484 00:28:48,180 --> 00:28:50,300 Speaker 12: Yes, I was a girl scout later. 485 00:28:51,100 --> 00:28:52,580 Speaker 2: No, do you have girlfriends now? 486 00:28:52,820 --> 00:28:52,980 Speaker 9: Oh? 487 00:28:53,020 --> 00:28:56,940 Speaker 2: Yes? So they have played a strong part of your 488 00:28:57,020 --> 00:28:58,900 Speaker 2: life in not being lonely. 489 00:28:59,260 --> 00:29:03,180 Speaker 12: Oh I'm not lonely. No, I haven't been lonely. I've 490 00:29:03,219 --> 00:29:07,859 Speaker 12: been active. And I took custody of my grandson when 491 00:29:07,900 --> 00:29:08,979 Speaker 12: he was eleven months old. 492 00:29:09,420 --> 00:29:10,700 Speaker 2: Oh. Really, you raised him too. 493 00:29:10,860 --> 00:29:13,020 Speaker 12: I raised him. He was a handicapped child. 494 00:29:13,500 --> 00:29:13,980 Speaker 2: Wow. 495 00:29:14,219 --> 00:29:17,019 Speaker 12: And they told me not to that he would to. 496 00:29:17,340 --> 00:29:20,259 Speaker 12: Authorities told me I should put him in an institution. 497 00:29:21,060 --> 00:29:21,500 Speaker 2: Wow. 498 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:27,900 Speaker 12: And I refused. And he's doing quite well. You're living 499 00:29:27,940 --> 00:29:31,180 Speaker 12: in a group home and he goes to a chartered workshop. 500 00:29:31,580 --> 00:29:32,260 Speaker 2: Huh. 501 00:29:32,300 --> 00:29:34,740 Speaker 12: And we're hoping that we can get him out into 502 00:29:34,780 --> 00:29:36,460 Speaker 12: the community in another year or two. 503 00:29:36,940 --> 00:29:40,060 Speaker 2: Huh. Well, you're a great woman, Marie. 504 00:29:40,340 --> 00:29:42,219 Speaker 12: No, I'm just doing what God gave me. 505 00:29:42,500 --> 00:29:45,020 Speaker 2: Well, all right, I'm allowed to say it. You can't 506 00:29:45,060 --> 00:29:48,180 Speaker 2: say you are a great woman. Thank you. A vote 507 00:29:48,180 --> 00:29:51,700 Speaker 2: for attitude there. Let's go to Howard in Ogden, Utah 508 00:29:51,780 --> 00:29:53,779 Speaker 2: on KLO Howard? How old are you? 509 00:29:55,020 --> 00:29:55,979 Speaker 7: How are you doing? Dennis? 510 00:29:56,700 --> 00:29:57,300 Speaker 2: How you doing? 511 00:29:57,979 --> 00:30:00,540 Speaker 7: I would just like to say, with the single most 512 00:30:00,580 --> 00:30:03,979 Speaker 7: stay this may be quit far the happiest throughout my 513 00:30:04,140 --> 00:30:07,499 Speaker 7: life has been giving to charity and giving to the needy. 514 00:30:08,620 --> 00:30:11,100 Speaker 2: That's the single greatest source of happiness in your life 515 00:30:11,219 --> 00:30:12,499 Speaker 2: was giving charity. 516 00:30:13,140 --> 00:30:16,180 Speaker 7: Absolutely, Dennis. I can't think of a better thing anybody 517 00:30:16,219 --> 00:30:19,740 Speaker 7: could do to see somebody in need and be able 518 00:30:19,780 --> 00:30:23,580 Speaker 7: to benefit that person. And I do have a single 519 00:30:23,739 --> 00:30:27,499 Speaker 7: thing that just caught me the most discomforted, unhappiness of 520 00:30:27,580 --> 00:30:30,339 Speaker 7: my life, and that was during a period of my 521 00:30:30,500 --> 00:30:35,860 Speaker 7: life where I had mixed up political issues and I 522 00:30:36,020 --> 00:30:40,020 Speaker 7: listened to different concrete about fifteen years ago. 523 00:30:40,219 --> 00:30:44,620 Speaker 2: Npr Okay, I know you're bluffing me, but gave you 524 00:30:44,620 --> 00:30:47,620 Speaker 2: a great deal of joy. Let's go to Newark, Ohio 525 00:30:47,979 --> 00:30:51,739 Speaker 2: WHT and Chuck. Hello, Chuck, Dennis Prager. 526 00:30:52,620 --> 00:30:55,459 Speaker 13: Yes, Dennis, your program is the best I've ever heard. 527 00:30:55,580 --> 00:30:58,979 Speaker 13: But the greatest joy in life is having one of 528 00:30:59,020 --> 00:31:02,860 Speaker 13: those blessed marriages. And I'm one of nine, and all 529 00:31:02,940 --> 00:31:07,620 Speaker 13: nine of us have been married over fifty years. 530 00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:10,380 Speaker 2: Had one of those blessed marriages. And what say that again? 531 00:31:10,540 --> 00:31:13,819 Speaker 13: All of my eight brothers and sisters and all of 532 00:31:13,860 --> 00:31:14,900 Speaker 13: them been married for. 533 00:31:14,820 --> 00:31:19,340 Speaker 2: Over fifty years. That's astonishing, it is. So that's the 534 00:31:19,420 --> 00:31:22,580 Speaker 2: single greatest source of happiness in your life. Marriage, absolutely 535 00:31:23,219 --> 00:31:24,340 Speaker 2: even more than children. 536 00:31:24,700 --> 00:31:28,340 Speaker 13: We have four children, ten grandchildren, but the marriage itself 537 00:31:28,420 --> 00:31:32,499 Speaker 13: is still the greatest source of happiness. The other just 538 00:31:32,620 --> 00:31:33,220 Speaker 13: ad to it. 539 00:31:33,780 --> 00:31:36,100 Speaker 2: Did you ever have tough times in your marriage? 540 00:31:36,739 --> 00:31:39,900 Speaker 13: Never had tough times. We've had hard times financially and 541 00:31:39,940 --> 00:31:43,140 Speaker 13: so forth, but never had tough times thing we never 542 00:31:43,180 --> 00:31:47,819 Speaker 13: ever did. We'd argue, but we never got nasty or 543 00:31:47,820 --> 00:31:53,020 Speaker 13: called each other's names and never allowed it in our household. 544 00:31:53,739 --> 00:31:57,620 Speaker 2: That's terrific. Chuck, God, bless you, thank you, thank you 545 00:31:57,780 --> 00:32:02,420 Speaker 2: very much. Alrighty one eight Prager seven seven six. Let's 546 00:32:02,459 --> 00:32:05,980 Speaker 2: go to Ellen in Van Nuys, California, on eight seventy 547 00:32:06,060 --> 00:32:08,260 Speaker 2: k R la Ellen Dennis Prager. 548 00:32:08,780 --> 00:32:12,780 Speaker 6: Hi, Dennis, Hi, I am eighty five years of age 549 00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:18,219 Speaker 6: and my only Well, I guess you could call it 550 00:32:18,219 --> 00:32:21,660 Speaker 6: a regret more than I guess it made me unhappy 551 00:32:21,660 --> 00:32:22,820 Speaker 6: that I didn't have more children. 552 00:32:23,060 --> 00:32:23,980 Speaker 2: How many did you have? 553 00:32:24,700 --> 00:32:25,259 Speaker 6: Just one? 554 00:32:25,940 --> 00:32:27,340 Speaker 2: Why did you only have one? 555 00:32:27,459 --> 00:32:30,700 Speaker 6: Well, in the beginning, I wasn't sure the marriage was 556 00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:34,340 Speaker 6: going to last, and then after that it just didn't happen. 557 00:32:35,300 --> 00:32:42,180 Speaker 6: But I have one son. He's not married yet. A 558 00:32:42,180 --> 00:32:44,940 Speaker 6: bad experience in the beginning, and he didn't want to 559 00:32:44,979 --> 00:32:48,420 Speaker 6: try again. But I'm blessed with him. He's a very 560 00:32:48,459 --> 00:32:50,300 Speaker 6: good son and he's a very devoted son. 561 00:32:50,420 --> 00:32:53,380 Speaker 2: Right, So you wish you had more I wish I. 562 00:32:53,340 --> 00:32:56,060 Speaker 6: Had more word right, all right, so much for myself, 563 00:32:56,540 --> 00:32:59,100 Speaker 6: but for him because when I go, huh, I see 564 00:32:59,219 --> 00:33:01,900 Speaker 6: he won't have any siblings, and you know well, and 565 00:33:01,940 --> 00:33:02,620 Speaker 6: that bothers me. 566 00:33:03,580 --> 00:33:06,019 Speaker 2: Don't let it bother you that much. If they have 567 00:33:06,140 --> 00:33:09,220 Speaker 2: friends that they're okay, don't don't don't aggravate yourself over 568 00:33:09,260 --> 00:33:11,580 Speaker 2: that one. When we come back, I'm going to give 569 00:33:11,580 --> 00:33:13,380 Speaker 2: you some of my thoughts on what we've heard. It 570 00:33:13,459 --> 00:33:16,660 Speaker 2: is a very fast hour. I must say. We will 571 00:33:16,660 --> 00:33:19,779 Speaker 2: be back one eighth Praguer seven seven six Did Dennis 572 00:33:19,780 --> 00:33:21,220 Speaker 2: Prager showed the hand? Pinis hour? 573 00:33:22,380 --> 00:33:25,700 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 574 00:33:31,260 --> 00:33:35,900 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Fragger's timeless wisdom. 575 00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:37,820 Speaker 2: All right, I mean, I'm gonna offer you a few 576 00:33:37,860 --> 00:33:41,180 Speaker 2: thoughts here in the remaining moments of the Happiness Hour, 577 00:33:41,260 --> 00:33:45,059 Speaker 2: and they'll forget coming up is, of course that the 578 00:33:45,180 --> 00:33:48,660 Speaker 2: terrific hour each week of whatever is on your mind. 579 00:33:49,620 --> 00:33:52,700 Speaker 2: I have asked people over seventy five calling in from 580 00:33:52,700 --> 00:33:55,459 Speaker 2: around the country, what has been the greatest source of 581 00:33:55,459 --> 00:33:58,340 Speaker 2: happiness or unhappiness in your life? Never did this before. 582 00:33:58,380 --> 00:34:01,940 Speaker 2: It's an interesting hour, and I wanted young people to 583 00:34:02,020 --> 00:34:05,180 Speaker 2: hear their responses. After all, everybody wants to be happy, 584 00:34:05,219 --> 00:34:09,419 Speaker 2: whether you are five, fifteen, forty five, eighty five. That's 585 00:34:09,420 --> 00:34:11,580 Speaker 2: what people want and they should want it. It is 586 00:34:11,660 --> 00:34:16,260 Speaker 2: important to be happy, but there is no you learn anything, 587 00:34:16,300 --> 00:34:18,339 Speaker 2: but you don't learn how to be happy. No one 588 00:34:18,420 --> 00:34:22,300 Speaker 2: is teaching kids that anymore because we don't give them wisdom. 589 00:34:22,300 --> 00:34:25,580 Speaker 2: We give them facts, and we don't teach them what 590 00:34:25,700 --> 00:34:29,820 Speaker 2: will bring them happiness. And so this was of course 591 00:34:29,900 --> 00:34:32,379 Speaker 2: no scientific poll, and I would love to have a 592 00:34:32,420 --> 00:34:35,700 Speaker 2: scientific poll, but I'd like to construct the questions, if 593 00:34:35,739 --> 00:34:39,260 Speaker 2: that's okay with the pollsters. But some of the things 594 00:34:39,259 --> 00:34:41,299 Speaker 2: that I would like to share is because I'm looking 595 00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:43,779 Speaker 2: at the list here and there, the lines are full again, 596 00:34:43,859 --> 00:34:46,979 Speaker 2: and you know, Peggy eighty one, I love people, and 597 00:34:47,020 --> 00:34:49,939 Speaker 2: people respond to that and that's kept me happy. And 598 00:34:50,020 --> 00:34:54,580 Speaker 2: I understand that Jessislav in Chicago is eighty four. He's 599 00:34:54,620 --> 00:34:57,979 Speaker 2: an Auschwitz survivor, the Nazi death camp, and he says 600 00:34:58,020 --> 00:35:01,140 Speaker 2: helping others makes me happy because I was saved by others. 601 00:35:02,020 --> 00:35:04,739 Speaker 2: Bennett is eighty and in Los Angeles says study and 602 00:35:04,900 --> 00:35:08,219 Speaker 2: education have kept him happy. Of course, we've had votes 603 00:35:08,259 --> 00:35:11,180 Speaker 2: for marriage, the women in particular, but men have mentioned 604 00:35:11,180 --> 00:35:16,779 Speaker 2: it too, and a couple of very quick things. I 605 00:35:16,819 --> 00:35:21,499 Speaker 2: think we're raising a generation, particularly of female that will 606 00:35:21,540 --> 00:35:25,980 Speaker 2: be unhappy because we have told them that what is 607 00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:30,299 Speaker 2: most important is their professional life, and that's not what 608 00:35:30,339 --> 00:35:33,060 Speaker 2: people are voting for when they look back on their lives, 609 00:35:33,140 --> 00:35:36,180 Speaker 2: even though that can be very important and very contributive. 610 00:35:36,299 --> 00:35:40,940 Speaker 2: I believe that, no question. But when a girl dismisses 611 00:35:41,060 --> 00:35:43,580 Speaker 2: marriage as oh, maybe I'll do it one day when 612 00:35:43,620 --> 00:35:47,420 Speaker 2: I'm ready, she is making a terrible decision with regard 613 00:35:47,460 --> 00:35:51,259 Speaker 2: to her happiness. In my opinion, I think men are too, 614 00:35:51,339 --> 00:35:56,339 Speaker 2: but it's specific especially true for women. Children were not 615 00:35:56,500 --> 00:36:01,540 Speaker 2: voted by and large, and children can bring great happiness, 616 00:36:01,540 --> 00:36:04,620 Speaker 2: There's no question about that. But I say in my 617 00:36:04,700 --> 00:36:08,460 Speaker 2: speech is on happiness, children have a much greater ability 618 00:36:08,460 --> 00:36:13,539 Speaker 2: to bring you unhappiness than to make you happy. That's 619 00:36:13,620 --> 00:36:16,460 Speaker 2: just the way it is. If your children are happy 620 00:36:16,660 --> 00:36:19,419 Speaker 2: and you're not happy, you'll still stay not happy. But 621 00:36:19,460 --> 00:36:21,860 Speaker 2: if you're happy in your children are not happy, they'll 622 00:36:21,859 --> 00:36:26,779 Speaker 2: make you unhappy. So the final analysis, a biggest perhaps 623 00:36:26,819 --> 00:36:29,940 Speaker 2: the biggest issue is what so many of these older 624 00:36:29,980 --> 00:36:34,460 Speaker 2: folks have said. It was their attitude toward life. And 625 00:36:34,580 --> 00:36:37,499 Speaker 2: my friends, that's exactly why I devote an hour every 626 00:36:37,540 --> 00:36:41,420 Speaker 2: week to the subject of happiness, because in the final analysis, 627 00:36:41,660 --> 00:36:45,779 Speaker 2: happiness most comes from your decision to be happy and 628 00:36:45,819 --> 00:36:51,140 Speaker 2: how you look toward life and your philosophy about life. 629 00:36:50,819 --> 00:36:56,380 Speaker 2: You make you happy more than anybody else. Don't go away. 630 00:36:56,380 --> 00:36:58,140 Speaker 2: You're listening to the Dennis Prager Show. 631 00:36:59,739 --> 00:37:04,019 Speaker 1: This has been Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Visit Dennisprager 632 00:37:04,100 --> 00:37:07,620 Speaker 1: dot com for thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses 633 00:37:07,660 --> 00:37:12,339 Speaker 1: in classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles.