I believe the reason why people leave the arts, music, studying history/philosophy, writing, etc, after a certain age, for let’s say accounting and nursing has more to do with money and financial security than anything else.

So now, give each of these young turks an annuity, which pays ‘em an annual salary of an accountant for life, w/o actually having to work as one, then I think you’d see a lot of happy and content people doing what they enjoy.

All and all, if you’ve got your ducks in order (and both oars in the boat), money should enable you to experience more “happiness”.

Reminds me of some survey on marital happiness I read about a while ago; apparently, if a couple is having regular sex, then sex only counts 10% to the overall happiness of a marriage but if the couple are not having sex at all, then it becomes a pivotal issue.

I think it’s the same with money & happiness. If you have enough, then it becomes relatively unimportant in determining your overall level of happiness but if you’re struggling financially, it’ll feature as a central reason for your unhappiness.

While we should certainly aim to dispel the illusion that more money will buy happiness, it’s probably a little irresponsible to suggest that there’s no correlation at all. Enough money does bring peace of mind which is an important ingredient in happiness.

So now goals are bad? OK, go tell your kid that having the goal of being a college grad, or good parent to their kid or saving for retirement is stupid. Just give yourself a hug each day and everything will be perfect.

If your bank account does not help determine your happiness feel free to send it to me.

This is silly politically correct garbage.

saladdin

One day my ex and I were having an argument, and he asked me: “You owe everyone in the universe money, and your whole world is going to Hell in a handbasket. Yet people don’t see you cry very often, and you always seem to be so happy. How can you do this?” My answer, which left my mouth without me thinking about it, was a simple question: “And crying would change what about my situation?”

Upon reflection, and many years later, I’m still proud of that answer. My happiness, by and large, has not been dependent on my outward circumstances. And I think that this fact has enabled me to withstand some very rough circumstances.

What I would love to know is: How do you and your readers insulate yourself from self-pity and powerlessness?

4 Words that are really pretty key. The more someone is concerned about their own desires, the more common they make concern for others the less they will worry about themselves, the more they will be happy.