Money , Happiness & Money.

Happiness – its more than satisfaction. The dimensions for happiness may be different for different people. But one is sure, everyone wants to be happy. What makes you and me happy? One of the most important things that can make us happy is money.

Money can buy happiness. No doubt in it! It’s only a human instinct (inspired by spirituality/religion) that money cannot bring happiness. But that’s not true. Those people who believe so are unhappy when they lose money.

You can have comfort, afford luxury/celebrations, safety & security, better living conditions & life style, social status and a lot more with it. These all things make life so easy and beautiful. But the thing is, we are never satisfied. We always ‘want’ more; keeping all we have intact. We want more happiness and so we go for more money. This is because we always think that if we just had a little more, we would be more happy. And when we achieve that, again the same thought [ RESET].

Can’t say it’s not good, it’s the way to find a lot of new things and experiences.

It’s natural that we compare ourselves with others, mostly with those people who are a little above us, and we want to be a little above them and achieving this makes us feel important. And this feeling of importance and success give us happiness. So my point : ‘money is the root of all evils’ is purely untrue.

A major advantage of being rich/ having much money is that you got so much choices.[like, if you have only Rs. 100/- and want to buy a footwear your only option is a slipper. in case of some Rs. 5000/- the range of choice is large]So, that choices of your tastes make yourself well satisfied and happy. And also this choice enables you to live the way you want.

We are happy when the’ wants’ are fulfilled while we are only satisfied when the ‘needs’ are met. And that’s why rich people are happier.

Okay, now don’t misunderstand that this is the only way of happiness. When I was in school and college I was not earning a penny, but I was happy. There were other things which made me feel important in the social circle and personally. Now I am unemployed and have got nothing to feel important, which makes me unhappy though all my ‘needs’ are satisfied. What I am saying is money is an essential part.

Now, the other side; I understand from some survey results that after world war 2, the economy of US has been increasing and so the per capita income. But the happiness level of people has not shown an increase. In Japan too, the increase in per ca pita income was seven fold! , but the happiness level remains unchanged.[-reading from the map!-] So there is a saturation level for the ability of money to bring happiness.

The feeling that I am wealthier and superior induce some unfair consequences like distress and disbelief. And in the process of making money, we usually forget to consider the other ingredients, which are equally or more essential, for making life beautiful and meaningful. And sometimes we put out of your mind the real purpose for making money… its life that’s of ultimate importance… and living…

So money is no way an evil stuff and it will not spoil your life. It makes you happy, provided you know what ‘happiness’ mean to you.

cheers,

tressy.