View the original post on Musing.io
Money cannot buy happiness. People, generally speaking, are happy or miserable.
Happy people are happy whether they are poor or wealthy. It is a decision you make rather than something that comes from outside of your person.
Unhappy people generally tend to think that if they only had X, or X and Y, their life would be so much better and they could be happy. Once they have X and Y, they realize that they aren’t any happier. So, maybe if they just have Z then they will find the happiness. It becomes a never-ending quest to fill that emptiness, the unhappiness.
With that in mind, money is just the vehicle that many people use to buy those things they think will make them happy. This is why money does not buy happiness. It is because the individual is generally an unhappy person. They would benefit greatly from coaching on how to enjoy life without spending.
The things that matter and bring fulfilment in life, such as having a purpose, spending time with loved ones, having the respect of the community, and other similar things, can be had whether you have much money or very little. These things can be appreciated and enjoyed no matter your station in life.
Having money, for a person who is generally happy anyway, eases many of life’s worries. Having enough to pay bills, buy the occasional gift, to take the children to a movie, have a vacation, . . . these things make it easier for the contented person to focus on the people and things that matter. In this case, money does not buy happiness. Rather, it is a buffer to the unhappiness of diverting attention to trivial matters.