Humans provide me with an endless source of entertainment. In fact, I find them rather comical because they like to believe that they are bright and intelligent and in control of everything, when in fact, the opposite is so often true. And their flaws and failings mean that they are certainly not the happiest of God’s creatures here on Earth. And I guess that we parrots simply have to put up with them and try to do our best to humour them.
Parrots, on the other hand, are usually very happy, and so I’d always assumed that the happiest places on our planet would be where my brethren live in large numbers. After all, it’s our role in life to cheer humans up. So, it came as a massive surprise when I recently heard that Finland has been voted the happiest human country in the world for the nineth successive year. I mean, Finland of all places? They don’t have any parrots there at all. It’s freezing cold and full of midges and mosquitos!
Apparently, the Wellbeing Research Centre based at the University of Oxford surveyed thousands of humans in 147 different countries to determine the sense of wellbeing and contentment amongst their human populations. And there seems to be a simple answer to Finland’s nine year run of success. You see, Finnish culture places a strong emphasis on equality, simplicity and community. And it’s no coincidence that these are all qualities which Jesus championed when He walked the Earth, because He wanted the very best for all humanity.
The U.S.A., meanwhile, only achieved 23rd place, despite it being the richest country on Earth. The study highlighted a striking fall in youth wellbeing that was partly down to the impact and influence of social media. And of course, if you have a human President openly comparing himself to Jesus Christ, then you clearly have a nation on a downward spiral.
I may be a small and simple parrot, but I know that humans will never achieve contentment on Earth while they allow the rich to become richer and the poor to become poorer. Or if they allow their lives to become taken over by their complex systems and gadgets. Or, if they follow a ‘me above everybody else’ ideology causing their sense of community to implode.
Finland isn’t a particularly religious country; it may be that the humans there have stumbled across Jesus’ wellbeing formula completely by chance. But maybe it’s time for the rest of humanity to awaken from its slumber and start to evolve for the better…… So says your favourite little bundle of feathered joy!
“We have flown in the air like birds and swum the seas like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.”
(Martin Luther King Jnr. [1929-1968]: American Baptist Minister and civil rights campaigner until his assassination in 1968).
“Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor.”
(Pope Francis: [1936-2025]: Argentinian-born Pope who served between 2013-2025).
“Being involved in the wellbeing and advancement of one’s own community is a most natural thing to do.” (Clarence Clemons: [1942-2011]: American saxophonist who played in Bruce Springsteen’s band).
“Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.” (Benjamin Franklin: [1706-1790]: One of the Founding Fathers of America, and a prominent statesman and intellectual of his time).
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
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