Why Are People So Unhappy?
Jack Lalanne - Smile, Enjoy, Appreciate
Transcript:
"You notice how the people in this great country of ours are so unhappy. You don't see very many smiling people anymore. People have lost the ability to smile. This is right. Next time you walk down the street or you're in a bus or a street car, you'll see what I'm talking about. You see the people with their long faces, they're out of condition, but they have everything. They have all the money in the world, and all these modern conveniences. What's the matter with the people?
Well, this is what I think. People have gotten so far away from the natural way they should be living that they have lost the ability to be happy anymore. What's the good of living? What's the good of making a lot of money? What's the good at having fine clothes and driving a fancy automobile if you're miserable all the time? I am convinced, if you will spend just a little more time trying to eat better, eat the foods in their natural state because we have gotten so far away from our natural eating habits. It's pathetic.
Eat more fresh foods, fresh vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and another thing is to get more physical activity, because we know that this wonderful body of ours cannot be functioning right, it can't be happy, and it can't repair itself properly if you don't give it the right amount of exercise. We also know if you don't get enough exercise, each day it affects your mind. Your mind worries. You have these tensions and frustrations that people have too much, and you're just down in the dumps, and your body is hanging and sagging.
Your face us hanging and sagging. Everything is down. It's not conducive to smiling and being happy, so please, let's get back the way nature intended us to be with a smile on our face, and enjoying all the wonderful things that we have in this great land of ours. Let's appreciate it 24 hours a day."
- Jack LaLanne
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.