“It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” – George Lorimer
Happiness is an emotion, and not something that can be purchased with money. Now, you could say that money has a way of manipulating emotions, like fear and greed, but you can’t flat out buy it! There’s a largely held belief by many people that money can buy happiness. And although that may seem true, the one thing that is for sure is that money can make life more comfortable.
By making your life more comfortable and enjoyable you will naturally find moments of happiness in how you are able to experience life. So even though the amount of money you have has a direct effect on how much more comfortable your life can be, happiness is relative to each individual in how you perceive the things that make you happy.
This is Why Money Can’t Buy Happiness
In other words, happiness is an attitude that is formed from within yourself. It’s an emotion that comes from the inside. And it manifests itself on the outside through the words you speak and the actions that you take. True happiness comes from within no matter how much money you have. If you think money is the answer to your happiness, you will end up disappointed every time.
Yes, money will allow you to buy moments of happiness. But once those moments are gone, you’ll have a tendency to feel empty and unhappy. If you think that money will give you the ability to buy all the things you want to make yourself happy, you’ll quickly have neither. Don’t get caught up in the idea of money solving your unhappiness. Start from within and the money will come.
“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can be used to provide short lived moments of joy. The reason it can’t be bought is because it’s an emotion that comes from within yourself. Although it’s true that the more money you have the easier it is to find those moments of happiness. But money can’t buy happiness solely on its own, because it takes an adjustment of attitude to truly find it.
The thing with using your money to give you moments of happiness is that you need to spend it in the right way. Using your money to buy experiences is a better use of your hard-earned cash than buying material items. But make sure you’re spending it on the types of experiences that you truly enjoy. Not on what other people say you should enjoy.
Another way you can use your money to buy moments of happiness is to spend it on things that will allow you to have more free time. Having enough money also relieves anxiety and stress from the financial pressures of providing for your basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. Which…if we’re being honest about it, does make it easier to be happy.
Being able to give to charity or help others in need is also another way having money can be your source of happiness. Having money can also help treat health issues that would otherwise not be treated adequately without having the appropriate financial resources. So even though money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness, it does allow you to experience the things that make you happy.
“Happiness does not lead to gratitude. Gratitude leads to happiness.” – David Steindl-Rast
Can money really buy happiness? Maybe money can allow you to buy moments of happiness, but not happiness itself. There’s a misconception that money can buy happiness. But here’s the thing, you can’t put a price on happiness because happiness is not tangible. Happiness is a mindset, an attitude that you develop through the way you respond to the world around you.
Happiness comes from the inside-out, not the other way around. Being more aware of your feelings and reactions and making a conscious effort to find gratitude in even the smallest of things will allow you to find happiness. It’s not easy at first, but just like physical exercise it takes a lot of effort in the beginning. And as you slowly strengthen your muscles the easier it gets.
Just like your physical and emotional efforts, the same is true for your mindset. It will be difficult in the beginning to make that conscious effort to stop the negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. But the more you “exercise” your mind in that way, the easier it will become. It’s not a process that happens overnight, but it can be achieved with patients and practice.
So, you know that money can’t literally buy happiness. But you also understand that money is a big factor in how you experience life. And in those experiences which money can buy, you will find your moments of happiness. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking money is the answer to happiness. With that way of thinking, you’re sure to have neither. Find happiness from within and you won’t be without!
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