1. It's relative income that's important. As I've noted previously, money is relative. It turns out we don't mind so much about our actual level of income, so long as we're earning more than other people around us. Unfortunately as we earn more money we're likely to be surrounded by richer people so we often end up failing to take advantage of the positive comparison.
2. Material goods don't make us happy. Acquiring things like houses and cars only have a transient effect on happiness. People's desires for material possessions crank up at the same, or greater rate, than their salaries. Again, this means that despite considerably more luxurious possessions, people end up no happier. There's even evidence that materialism make us less happy.
3. People don't shift to enjoyable activities when they are rich. People who earn more money don't spend their time enjoying themselves, they spend their time at work, in activities likely to cause them more stress and tension. This may be because of 'the focusing illusion'. When people think about earning more money they probably imagine they would use the money on recreational activities. In fact, to earn the money, they have to spend more time at work, and commuting to and from work.
Does money really bring happiness? - I would have to say no, but in today's materialistic society many think they will be able to use money to buy happiness.
Far too many people think that new pair of shoes, new car, new house, bigger bank balance will make them happy, and for a short while it does, but then the effect wears off and they start looking for the next object of desire to buy. Or when they get what they wanted all of a sudden it doesn't fit the bill and they now want the newer model car, the more expensive trainers, the flashier jewelry.
Something I have always noticed is the amount of effort needed to obtain something always makes it much more special and you are happier you have it. For many years I was lucky enough to have a company car, every couple of years it was replaced by a newer model and I hardly paid them any attention. As far as I was concerned a car was just something to get me from A to B, it was my mobile office. Then when I left my job for one that didn't have a company car and had to buy my own car my attitude changed completely. All of a sudden I spent time cleaning it, I was careful where I parked it, in short I really valued it even though it wasn't a new car or very sporty, it made me happy because I knew it was mine and I knew how hard I had to work to get it.
What really makes us happy is spending time with the ones we love, the affection of a pet, a walk on the beach, a beautiful sunset, a glorious piece of music, quiet time reading a book, laughter shared with family and friends, the feeling of a job or task well done, quiet words of praise or a thank you from some one you have helped. Happiness always comes from within it is not something you can buy in a store, or be handed to you in an expensive gift wrapped box.
When I look back on the 50 plus years of my life the things I remember most are the special days spent with family and friends. The times when we had fun together, had holidays, helped each other or just chilled together. The Sunday afternoons when we all met up for a picnic in the park; the trip to a nearby town to visit a friend; and the impromptu party that just happened when some friends called round with their German exchange visitors.
Money buys physical ease and comfort not happiness. We all need to remember happiness is a journey, not a destination. The best time to be happy is right now, for tomorrow has already gone and no one is sure if tomorrow will ever arrive. Appreciate what you have and those you love, and happiness is already yours.
Thank you very much for the entry. Although the article's content contains nothing new to me it just supports my established view about happiness.
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