'I love the caves and have been to many of the local caves in the area. Misty Dawn Durossette, another transplant, just loves what the area provides in outdoor activities. A purpose for one's life seems to be a factor in one's happiness.įor Debbie Adams her children and grandchildren are her joy. Something Bertalotto summed up as staying busy and having a reason to get up every day. Interesting to some may be that the top answer to 'What is your greatest joy?' was getting to go to work. Gerri Bertalotto, a feisty woman who decided to run a general store out on the prairie lands of eastern McDonald County, had to think if she had any worries and decided she didn't. McGhee stated that his biggest worry was getting hurt and not being able to provide for his young family. When asked what their biggest worry was, a couple stated worrying about their kids and grandkids in this day and age. Teresa Ezell, of Lanagan added that she never feels scared when closing up her business, but they do make sure their waitresses are escorted to their cars out of courtesy. None of the residents felt that where they lived and worked was unsafe, in fact the concern never really crossed their mind. McGhee is reported by those that work with him as being happy 24/7.Įach felt that their health was adequate to do the things that need to be done each day and that your health is one of the most important things related to independence. Three of the respondents rated the importance of laughter at a 10, but all five said that they laugh or are happy every day. All pointed out that it didn't matter where you lived the economic situation was a concern all over the nation. However, each agreed that the economy for the area was a concern, but most didn't let it make them miserable. Jim Bob McGhee, of Southwest City, said, 'I know I can go anywhere in the four-state area or further and I can call any of my friends or family to come help me.' Each one stated that they felt they had adequate support systems to fall back on if need be. Most pointed to meeting people and being active with work they enjoyed. In order to get an accurate picture of the McDonald County residents' level of contentment, random subjects answered probing questions into just how folks feel about living in Missouri.Įvery person interviewed stated that they liked what they do every day. 8 in the most miserable state category from the Gallup survey.

Several local residents were surprised and some even shocked to hear of the state's ranking as No. However, the opposite is also true when considering the scope of what makes a person feel happy. It appears that the bulk of the burden falls on the shoulders of city leaders up to the halls of the capital to keep people happy.

Information gleaned by the Gallup organization shows across the board agreement that strong leadership is the key to improving residents' sense of well-being. Six critical areas for a good sense of well-being were identified to gather the information across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The five points discussed in the Gallup and Health-Ways survey were ranked from 0–10 in the following areas: Purpose, Social, Financial, Community and Physical. But is there something more here that the 'urban' folks are missing? Now it's no secret that McDonald County often gets a bum rap for being the hillbilly county of southwest Missouri. Now it's unclear whether residents knew they were miserable or not, but the quest to really find out how McDonald County residents feel about their state was necessary in an unofficial survey to find out just how happy (or unhappy) these Missourian's are. Kansas just fell in the mid-section ranking of neither best or worst. Neighboring Arkansas beat the Show-Me state to take sixth place in the most miserable category, while Oklahoma came in at ninth. 8, supposedly becoming more miserable in 2013, than in 2012 when it was ranked No. According to a recent study released by the Gallup Poll and Health-Ways Joint Well-Being Index Survey, Missouri ranks in the top ten most miserable states for 2013.

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