There is a story that has been floating around the internet for a while that extenuates the point. An American tourist talking to a Mexican fisherman (here). It is a very striking story as to what purpose we are working towards. We just plod along through our daily lives not really looking around and admiring the world around us. We live like paupers all of our lives striving for the brass ring of old age and eternal happiness thereafter. Putting money into our savings account and promise ourselves that when we retire we will be able to do as much travel as our hearts desire. We will have more time to spend with the children and grandchildren. Remember that the goal in life is not the money!
The goal (the point) of life is happiness. We work and have jobs because we believe that the more money we have, the more happiness will be in our lives. Contrary to popular belief, this is true but only to a certain extent. Money does bring happiness, but only in small amounts. The house or apartment brings us happiness because it provides shelter to keep us out of the elements. The 8,000 square foot house does not bring you MORE happiness by itself, just more space (leaving you less time due to cleaning the monstrosity).
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We brainwash ourselves by saying that the house is in a better school district. The neighbors won’t be so close, we will have space to stretch out. These are just excuses that we use to try and convince ourselves that this is the right course of action. We even project these excuses out to others around us and try to convince others that we are not materialistic. I am sure that there are smaller houses in that same school district. Bad neighbors can be had in any neighborhood.
It is the eternal problem with humans. When we receive a good feeling we believe that more of that thought or experience that gave us the good feeling initially will bring us better feelings (or in the case of drugs, the same feeling).
Unfortunately, this is not the case when we do something again. It doesn’t give us the same feeling as the first time, something is missing. It might be slight, but it is there (or not there actually). If you have ever wanted to know the answer to Life, The Universe and Everything, this was answered decades ago with 42 (Douglas Adams). The problem that people now face is finding the question to the answer of Life, The Universe and Everything.
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Now on the other side of the coin I am not recommending that you sell everything that you own. There is no need to join a commune so that you can share everything equally among the other members. It is also unnecessary to live in a one room shack in the middle of a forest.
The argument that is usually made is that “I work hard for the things I have”. I don’t have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is a person that has a mansion for a home and cannot afford groceries. If their mortgage is too much or they are trying to save too much money and not enjoying life in the now than something has to change. The point is not to keep up with the Joneses. Nor is it to have the largest bank account. The point is to make sure that your life is filled with happiness and love in the now.
What do you think is the point for you?
Here is a link to a copy of the Tourist and the Mexican.
Great points about living in the present moment and enjoy the happiness that we have right now. After all, this moment is all that truly exists the rest are just memories or predictions.
Thanks for the comments and you are absolutely correct, we can only live in the present moment. Seneca said it best, “we suffer more from imagination than from reality”
Humans are innately flawed. We chase success based on competition and not contentment. It’s a problem when you’re working so hard to afford all of the things, but have no time to enjoy/ use the things. When that happens, your life is out of balance. I think happiness comes in the little things. The little moments, memories, connections we make with the people we cherish. Good post.
~Cassie
Thank you for your comments! I do truly believe that life is the small moment that we experience! We sometimes get lost thinking that money is the happiness when, in fact, we wanted the experiences instead.
I definitely agree with your points. Money is just a mean, not a purpose. I can recall a time in my life when I was broke and got a job I did not like because I needed the income. But due to my insecurity and the fact that I was getting enough money I stayed there for too long…. until I almost had a mental breakdown and realized that I had forgotten all about myself and my needs. Life is about feeling happy doing what we do right now!
Thank you Tim for this lovely read!
Thanks for the comments! You are exactly correct, we get into a pattern of doing a job and forgetting why we are doing it. This repetition is made worse when the job or task is unpleasant and there is no reason to continue. Society has trained us that money is superior above all and we have to break down that false idol. I hope that you are doing well now and you are concentrating more on your well-being.
I agree! We do need to live life. Saving money and financial security is important but we also need to enjoy life.
Yes! There is a fine line that needs to be walked to make sure that your future is stable but this does not need to be overdone. Life needs to be lived everyday so don’t put things off until retirement when you “hope” that you are still able to do it. Thanks for your comments!
Loved this article, Tim. It spoke to me so much, I have done so many of these things and had others take action before I did it on my own. But no more, I have fully changed now and I look forward to this new me!
I like this article. Money is not everything. The most important thing is happiness. You wrote it beautifully and you are amazing.
Thank you! I really appreciate your comments! I agree with you in that money is not everything. People don’t really want the money, they want the things that they believe only money can buy.