The person who said money can’t buy happiness wasn’t completely right. Money can, indeed, be a major factor in your being happy.
Even the Bible proves it…
Ecclesiastes 9:7-8, the bible says, “7. Go ahead — eat your food and be happy; drink your wine and be cheerful. It’s all right with God. 8. Always look happy and cheerful.”
When you go to Ecclesiastes 10:19, it says, “19. Feasting makes you happy and wine cheers you up, but you can’t have either without money.”
If the bible encourages me to be happy by feasting but it takes money to feast. Then, money is indirectly a factor in my being happy.
There is no direct link between money and happiness. So, they can’t equal each other.
One established fact you should know is that money does not equal happiness. It is the proper use of the money that may bring about your happiness.
That is, money has no direct link with happiness but indirectly contributes to you being happy if properly use for your fulfillment.
For example:
You can’t be happy if your landlord is knocking at your door for house rent.
But you will be happy when you get some money to pay the rent.
So, it is not getting the money for rent that makes you happy, but actually paying the rent.
Because, it is possible after getting the money for rent that you lose it to armed robbers.
In that case, having the money in the first place is of no use if it won’t solve the problem needed.
You will still be happy if someone else paid the rent for you without even giving you the money at hand.
So, it is the problems you solve that makes you happy, not the money itself.
Money is just a tool for use. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ask those whose relatives died of illness even when they have enough money to spend.
The money was there, but it could not solve the problem at hand.
Also, various studies like the one conducted at Princeton University stated that your happiness increase as your income increase.
I refused the result of this study.
Your happiness did not increase because your income increase. Instead, it increase because you could solve more money related problems and take up new challenges.
Nothing makes a man feel more fulfilled than solving challenges on the path to his purpose.
The more problem he solves, the happier he becomes.
Would he have been able to do this without money? Probably not. But was money able to help him solve the problem? Yes.
It is the reason you see older entrepreneurs still happy while their mates who retired as top executives are not.
The entrepreneur challenges himself to solve problems daily using his resources (one of which is money. But the retired top executive is at home watching TV.
They may both be at the same net worth, but the entrepreneur will most likely be fulfilled than the retired executive.
So, if you think hoarding more than enough cash brings you happiness, I am sorry to disappoint you. It doesn’t work that way.
Some find happiness with their money by donations and supporting charity works.
Whichever works for you, do it.
What are you doing with the money you are making? Are you using it in ventures that promote your happiness?
But then, how do you define happiness? To you, what does it mean to be happy? Only you can tell.
To crown it all, please ensure you make your money legitimately and stay happy.
Remember the words of Aristotle.
Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.
Aristotle
