Is Happiness Dependant on Money?

Money is something that most of us want. We want more and more money and we want to find out how to get farther ahead, which usually means more money and more things which are purchased with the more money. Most of us want a bigger living space, fancier electronics, and more of everything. Maybe a fancier car or a fancier lifestyle. So, is our happiness dependent on money?

The Poorest.
There is a man who often stands on the corner near our house, actually there are several of them, but anyone will do as an example. He probably doesn't have a real home. His clothes are ragged and he often carries a bag with him. He probably doesn't have a car, or at least a very nice car. He carries a sign that asks for money. Sometimes it mentions a need for food. Lots of people give him money, but no matter how many do it he still wants more. Is he being greedy? Most wouldn't think so. However, the real question is, "Is he happy?"

Chances are he isn't very happy. He doesn't have the comforts of life that most of us are happy about. He doesn't have a big comfy bed, or a TV. He doesn't even have a roof over his head. However, at the end of the day, he might actually find happiness in the little things in life. He could be just as happy as you or as me.

The Richest.
It is a lot easier to see that happiness and money don't go hand in hand in the other direction. There are rich people who have more money then they know how to spend and they are often miserable. I read an article awhile back that outlined Brittney Spears' monthly budget which when it was all said and done was about $27,000. I look at my own life and in 2005, my husband and I (together) made about $18,000 for the entire year! We have since done much better then that and this year will probably make about $50,000 a little less then what Brittney spends in two months. However, there is no way that one can watch her party life and think, "Man, that woman is the happiest woman alive!" It just isn't true.

Many rich people are miserable because they have the money but lack other things that are so important in life. They lack friends, real relationships with their friends, and other things that can be great sources of happiness.

Because while money can get us a lot of things that we want,it can't really make one happy. Happiness isn't dependent on money and realizing that can help us find happiness in our own economic position. We can be happy with the money that we have or while trying to get more money as long as we keep things in perspective and we work hard to remember the important things.