Money & Happiness: Are they really connected?
Part I - On Money
» What's in it (money) that makes us happy?
» Why is money associated with happiness?
Let's begin with the popular saying,
"Money cannot buy happiness"
-> this sentence can neither be true or false
-> this is an invalid statement
-> meaning, it doesnt make sense to me
The happiness of a person may depend on:
->one's outlook in life
->one's personal goals
->one's circumstances
->one's expectations: oneself and to others
Like if the goal of a person involves a lot of money but has only little of it, well... it affects. Money can be an obstacle.
Well, another thing, it gives satisfaction.
-Money can expand one's horizon.
Ex. It can let you travel around the world
It can buy those books you've been dying to read in the bookstore
-Money can give you peace of mind.
Ex. If you are religious, talk about Indulgences.
Charity...you know, that Money+love+then-give-it-to-the-poor thing
-Money can make things easy.
Ex. Comfort, lets you buy that comfy chair you tried in the mall.
Can hire you a maid to do your household chores
It gets you that state-of-the-art cellphone
-Money satisfies our basic needs.
Ex. Food, shelter
-You got the idea..
Before we proceed, lemme ask you a question.
Do you really believe the saying that all things are created equal?
» What is Money?
->it is a form of physical representation of a value.
» What is Value?
->the amount of money or other commodity or service, etc.
considered to be equivalent to something else or which a thing
can be exchanged
->desirability, usefulness, importance
->the ability of a thing to serve a purpose or cause an effect
We humans created "value". We put value on almost everything. Yes, it's true that everything has a value. Everything is made for a reason. The only thing is that we classify things by putting "value" into them by putting a price. We classify things as superior, average, and inferior. Anyway, who wants to be inferior? Good thing the caste system in India is gone.
So, are all things then created equal? Yes it is. It is the creation of value and pricing that started it all. Money may makes us happy but it's the source of unhappiness as well.
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PART II- Forget about Money
» Is money really necessary to be happy?
» Are animals capable of love and happiness? They dont have money.
» If Money then cannot buy happiness, what really makes us happy?
Forget about money. It's not the question anymore. As we went through some "evolution", Money has now become a basic commodity next to clothing, food and shelter.
Like,
Without food, we die of hunger.
Without shelter, we die of cold or heat.
without clothing, we die of embarrassment! (kidding)
And if without money, we cant have anything of these, so we die!
If we cannot satisfy our basic needs, we cant be happy. Like, hello, can you propose love to someone with your stomach rumbling? Duh.
Just kidding :P (but true anyhow)
Animals are capable of love and happiness. See how they take care of their young? See how dogs wiggle their tails when they see their masters? They'r happy and they dont even have money. Our love is all they need. If we love them, we care for them. We just dont cut trees if we knew that it's the home of so many creatures, do we? Unfortunately, lol.
It is Love that kept these creatures alive.
If that is so, love is all we need. Love the only thing that makes you happy that is money-free. It is Priceless. Love makes us happy, contented. Love is the source of happiness and contentment.
There's a difference between being happy and contented.
» What is happiness?
-> Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment, fortunate. Outward manifestation is a grin, laughter, shown through strong emotions of excitement.
» What is contentment?
-> Tranquil happiness, satisfied with what one has. Outward manifestation is a smile with a peaceful look that lasts. (Tranquil -> calm, undisturbed, not agitated.)
So how do we differentiate the two?
What we seek is contentment. We can be happy anytime.
We can find happiness everywhere, but we are never contented.
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Part III - So, what makes us CONTENTed?
Stones and diamonds
If diamonds were as many as stones, would it still be THAT precious?
No, it's because we put more value on things that are rare, unique...
Diamonds are rare.
Not everyone has it.
Therefore, it's unique.
It is human nature, the need to be Special.
It's all about Uniqueness and Individuality,
To stand out from the crowd,
To be famous, popular, known.
It can be seen through little things we do.
Like when costumize, personalize things?
The want to have that must-have-limited edition?!
» So it really is that 'common word' LOVE...that can make us content?
Of all the things that matter to us, conciously or subconciously, yes, it is LOVE. For it's the only thing that can make us feel that way. To be loved, to be be the apple of one's eye, to be wanted and special.
It is in love that makes us see ordinary things extraordinary.
"She's different from the rest that's why I love her."
We dont want commonality. We despise it.
"I thought he's different from the rest. Men! theyr are all just the same!"
So what really need that we already have is LOVE. We need love to be happy, we need love to go on with life. It is love that makes us strong, that makes us live another day. The love of life, the love of everything, the reason of our contentment. For it is who we are. We are love.
So let us be true to ourselves. Listen to our hearts.
For within can only be found our truth -
Our innermost desires.
And that is to love and be loved.
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General Conclusion:
Without money, we die
But,
With love, we survive!
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Doink!
Author's Note:
OMG, I cant believe I just ended my 'thesis' with a doink!
And the conclusion! OMG. Grrr...I was trying to talk about money and happiness!! not about love!? See? Love is everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SCARY!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAaAHHHHHHHHhh!!!!!!!
By the way, I got the definition of some of the terms from my Oxford dictionary.
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