RE: Right Now Are We Living In The Happiest Time Of Our Lives?
This is a great question.
I think people love the struggle and challenges of everyday life even if they don't really realise it at the time.
These ups and downs not only provide contrast in our lives but they make us appreciate every little bit of joy and pleasure more.
They work hard purely because they want to and for themselves. There isn't a whole company full of people relying on what they do.
Once you have lots of money and complete financial security I think it dilutes out the pleasure you get from things. When you no longer need to really struggle and work as hard to get the things you want I think you start to value them less.
I also think when people are still striving they actually have more control over their time. It may seem counterintuitive but they don't have to answer to board members, employees, shareholders etc. In some ways they have more control over the day to day aspects of their lives. They are more "free".
Once people succeed there may be a certain loss of the ability to be impulsive and live in the moment. Having lots of meetings, engagements and commitments may detract from this and seem very stifling.
It is an interesting paradox.
Yeah I think that we as human beings need something to be challenged by. We might not realize it at the time but money won't necessarily bring happiness. I like Jim Carey's quote on the subject when he says "I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer"
As noted country singer Chris Janson says, "Money can't buy happiness, maybe so, but it can buy me a boat"
Yes that's a great quote. I think it's like when you are a kid and there is something really big you want for Christmas. Your excitement is really great just up to Christmas and when you finally get it but soon afterwards you realise it wasn't as great as you thought it was and the idea of it was greater than the actual toy. Being rich is kind of like that except you really lose out on the anticipation part and just cut straight to the disillusionment. That's why you can see some wealthy people dedicate there lives to philanthropy - it gives them true pleasure and they can experience the joys of life through other's eyes.
I agree with this reply completely. Most people that have alot of money and do not have to struggle or go without basic necessities, tend to only value the money after awhile. I feel this is because they know that they can get whatever the material thing is that they desire, so the object of their desire tends to be more for the money. Money is hapiness for some people, without it they are just plain, old miserable.
The other side of the fence has the person trying to attain what the wealthy on the other side already have. Systems of classes has been around for ages, and I really don't feel that a rich man ever stops loving his money more than let's say peace of mind. Supply and Demand mean everything in our society, it's what this country was built off of for sure.
When your money supply is high, you dont need things as much as someone with a low money supply. You are not in demand for alot of different products and services because the money supply is high. In contrast when the money supply is low, the demand for even basic necessities is very high. I honestly feel that living in the moment, is something people with little money can't do, because they are always thinking about the other moments when the bills are due and they can barely pay them.