What is more important, status, monetary wealth or hapiness? Second Edition
Random Thoughts May 1st, 2009Yes yes I know the topic has been covered before on this site! BUT BUT BUT I just read an article that made me rethink the whole issue…
The article basically demonstrated how people were reaching their 30 somethings and finding they were unsatisfied with their lives! BOOM! People are constantly being told what we need to be ‘happy’ - a new Mercedes will make you happy, a bigger turbo will make you happy, a big house will make you happy, a secure job maybe?? Who knows. All I know is that you could have a Mercedes with a big turbo parked in the garage of a big house which you earned by working in a secure job yet still be unhappy… You may replace the constant wanting of materials for a want to end the ‘meaninglessness’ of your life.
I guess as a human, it is so simple for us to believe we know exactly what we want to be happy. We convince ourselves that material objects or positions of status will be the exact booster we need to feel well rounded and have long lasting happiness. Yet at times we may achieve these goals and still feel unfulfilled. Some people may possibly say that once you start a family, you will have the fulfillment - although I have worked with many people with mental health issues who felt the same way! Now they have children and are not exactly ‘happy’, nor are the children.
I think a lot about materialism and feel this has something to do with it. We are always being marketed to and are submerged in brands and products. A lot of our ambitions stem from material acquisition. Would we still be constantly wanting if we remove the materialism? I think our want for brands and other marketed goods would be replaced with a want for actualisation and deeper process needs. So why do we want? Even if we want nothing we still want not to want, because to want to want you would automatically be ‘wanting’!
Another system I think about is wanting what we think cannot have. Is this simply a question of achieving and actualisation? Or maybe the lust for an experience we have not yet had?
I dont think the want for materials is where it ends. We want relationships - particular types of relos and we want certain feelings to come from these relationships.
We want the feeling and fulfillment we hear is so grand about spirituality and religion. A relationship with God, which I guess is simply another type of relationship.
I think I am getting carried away with this stuff - I hope it all makes sense to you respondents out there! Feel free to question anything that strikes you as ambiguous or silly!!
May 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am
firstly to the question itself.
What is more important, status, monetary wealth or Hapiness?
Writing from somewhat of an optomistic perspective, I believe that both monetary wealth and status are human needs created due to the essential needs of a human beeing to seek hapiness.
I would even be as extravigant to say that the closest thing i can muster up to the ever taunting question
What is the meaning of life?? is to find hapiness and share it with others!
If we as human beings sought, no need to find hapiness then there would be no need to be overly wealthy. for what is the point of having a ferari if you have no one to show it off two or take for a ride.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Yea man Im 100% with you… I think at the end of the day most people would answer the question the same, although in reality it seems peoples priorities do not reflect their answer. Cognitive dissidence!! I rekon ppl start out trying 2 achieve hapiness through cash n status and achievements but get carried away and end up UNhappy!!
June 14th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Simple answer. Happiness, money cannot buy u happiness, but it can buy u a good time. People want material shit because they think it will make them happy. You can be happy and be bankrupt and be a no one. It is true however that money and status contribute to happines to an extent. Better and more comfortable life style. The key 2 hyappiness is self acceptance and a reason for living. Religion can help as can setting goals n shit. Find a purpose in life, something productive and positive.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I say happiness is achieved when you perceive that you have positively fullfilled a want. Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote; “Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”.\
The problem is that most people won’t always know what they want.
status? status is our own perception that the world recognises us in a certain way. status therefore is subjective and less important for those with lesser egos than others.
Anyway I read your post as the same old, tired question of will money make you happy + a little self actualisation thrown in. I guarantee you have a ticket for the 90 mil lotto draw this week - enough said.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Thanks for the feedback mate… Nice quote too!
It is true there must be many other articles like this, although with questions as big as this and so much to be learnt from other peoples wisdom, I dont mind adding another article to the list.
Anyway I read most of your post as same old keyboard warrior bullshit. I guarantee you masturbate to porn stars every night. Enough said.
-Ray
July 26th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Ahaan… I will follow.