Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Success, Wealth, and Happines

Success, wealth, and happiness are probably the three most common words used when people describe what they want in life. How can one measure happiness? It could be from being successful and wealthy, but chances are that's not what makes someone genuinely happy. Happiness is a short lived emotion that does not last forever, but instead, a temporary feeling that comes and goes.

Being successful and wealthy is no guarantee that someone is going to be happy for the rest of their lives. Reaching success and remaining successful is very time consuming and working long hours to receive that huge paycheck at the end of the month can get lonely and stressful. Not being around friends and family can impact happiness. According to a new psychology movement the happiest people surround themselves with family and friends. 

I think that the three are centered around priorities. Different people have different priorities and somethings are more important to them than others. If material items and being wealthy are all they're concerned about, then on their own personal scale of happiness they would be considered content with their life. Some people prioritize family and being with loved ones over wealth and success. If they had to work long hours to be wealthy they wouldn't be happy with that. 

Then there's that cliche quote that "money can't by happiness" and the thought that people who believe money can buy happiness are shallow. They're not shallow, they just may have other beliefs and priorities than others. Deep down we all know that money can at times make us feel happy, and success whether it's getting an A on a test or getting a job promotion can as well. But the happiness felt is not permanent. The way to achieve permanent happiness is by realizing what is important to you in life and putting that first.


Articles I thought were interesting:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-12-08-happy-main_x.htm

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S15/15/09S18/index.xml?section=topstories