The gold in one's heart is far more precious than the gold in one's purse. -CONFUCIOUS-
"Contentment is natural wealth; luxury, artificial poverty." - Socrates (B.C. 469-399)
My last post and the comments that followed it got me thinking about the one of life's big questions, "Can you buy happiness?"
Of course my immediate response was, no, of course not, not real happiness. But then I thought a little more and as I've so come to learn, it's not a black and white world, and this issue certainly has its gray areas. And actually, there are some things that relate to happiness that money most defintely can buy.
MONEY CAN BUY:
Peace of mind
Food
Clothing
Safety
Security
Adventure
Relaxation
Travel
Education
The ability to help others in financial need
MONEY CAN'T BUY
Peace with oneself
Health
A pleasing personality
Friendship
Intelligence
A healthy sense of self
Natural talent
Wisdom
A good sense of humor
Love
A life well-lived
But on the flip side, money can buy a plethora of things that are harmful to one's body and soul. And there are some things that you can get for free that can prove to be harmful, as well.
What am I leaving off of either list? What can money buy? What can't money buy?
Can you buy happiness?
8 comments:
Money can buy friendship! That's why I have so many friends.
Money cannot buy you complete happiness... My mother is a perfect example of that. She is married to a wealthy man, who takes her on wonderful, exotic trips to far away places, he buys her diamonds and pearls, but she is absolutely miserable. She chooses to stay married because it - the man and the money - gives her security. To each his own, I guess; it makes me sad for her though - life is too short to be so miserable.
Great post Jason. Puts life in perspective.
Like 2 weeks ago I saw a man reporting a study he had been working on about the world's happiest people and countries.
He said that money can buy you happiness, but only up to a certain sum of money. Any amount beyond that total had no affect on INCREASING one's happiness. The prime happy sum of money ... $15,000.
My thoughts after reading this are that money absolutely, positively buys happiness. But happiness is really cheap. As long as you have SOME PLACE to live and SOMETHING to eat and some SOAP, you are capable of being happy and loved. (The soap part makes it possible to be loved) Beyond that, money can't buy you higher degrees of happiness. You have to find those higher degrees within yourself.
Deep thoughts by McKenna Gordon.
Okay, I guess I essentially said exactly what Kira said. Well, then I'm validated. :)
I don't think it can buy you happines, but it sure helps ease stressful situations...bills, a place to live, etc.
I sure do like it when we have enough money to travel, too. Traveling makes me happy, you need money to travel...maybe money CAN buy you happiness! Hmm...
Guess I'm undecided ;) JLo
I know of a person who was once heard saying, "I owe the IRS 4 million dollars and I only have 3!" Money problems exist everywhere and living within your means is the true secret to financial happiness.
I know that I am happiest on a new pair of shoes day!
I've come to realize (in my long 26 years on earth) that it is VERY much worth it to spend money on things that will allow you to have more time or rest. For example, I'm suppose to bring 5 lbs of fajita meat to church tomorrow but I'm definitely going to call a Mexican resturant and go pick it up because that means that I get a little extra rest tonight!
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