Ridiculous human thing

Why do people appreciate their blessings at the affliction of others? Are we not supposed to be thankful for what we have without having to look at the misfortune of  our brothers? When someone losses his house, his love ones, his job..don't have car, computer or other material possessions, some would say "thank you Lord, i am glad i am not like him, or that I have more than what he has and that I am so blessed"...Isn't that ironic.  To me, I look at it as something selfish and insensitive.  With that kind of thinking, are we not already turning
away from the real essence of praising and being simply thankful to God?.....Other people may have lesser of what we think we have more but they maybe living a life to the fullest while we live in bucket full of emptiness.  

Physical possessions or anything with temporary value is not a guarantee that we are far better than those who have lesser.  As we get older, we will come to a point of realization that happiness, contentment and peace is more valuable than anything else.  As a matter of fact, our life alone is the most precious gift we could ever have...   Is that not a blessing from God and something to be thankful?