Can Money Make You Happy?

​You may have heard the term ‘money doesn’t bring happiness.’ This might sound patently ridiculous to someone facing eviction thanks to a job loss, or someone struggling to pay medical bills.

It might sound ridiculous to someone struggling to find enough to eat, or being crippled by college debts. No matter how free-spirited you are, everyone has to accept that the world runs on this golden resource, and without it the comfort of our societies would crumble relatively quickly.

However, the main question - does money make you HAPPY, is one worth considering. This is because often there are those who seemingly have everything who struggle with intense existential issues and depression. Money is not a guarantee for happiness, but the following attitudes can inform this nuance further:

Yes, It Can

Well, let’s face it. Our troubles might be troubles, but getting away from them could be easier if we can simply hop on a plane to Norway and see the Northern Lights at the drop of a hat. Not worrying about having to work would be nice. Ensuring that you can indulge in your wildest dreams and those of your family would likely bring you closer together. You might win Mega Millions with lottosonline.com, or come into a vast wealth that was otherwise unknown to you or your inheritance keepers. You might have heard the phrase ‘yes, money doesn’t bring me happiness, but I’d rather be sad in my Ferrari.’ While this sentiment is amusing and lighthearted, and maybe even true, that doesn’t negate the fact that:

No, It Can’t

If you’re sad in a Ferrari, you’re still sad. There are layers of spiritual and emotional tuning that everyone, no matter the size of their bank balance, must contend with. For example, someone begging on the streets of a civilized society will no doubt come into an income stream (if small,) but the tendency to spend that on wasteful behaviours can keep them in that cycle. It might see easy on the surface to say ‘if only they got their act together!’ but as you say that you know the situation in more complex. People are oriented to who they are and their troubles regardless of their bank balance. Also, winning money can be less satisfactory than someone who has earned it. It all depends on your point of reference.

Well, It Might

Money is money. It isn’t good or bad on the surface, but it’s people that make it so. There is the true capacity for amazing things with it at your side, but only if you’re mature and put together enough to handle it well. Otherwise, it simply becomes a short-lived and relatively pleasant idea with no full grounding in reality. It’s always possible you might come into money, and this must not be taken for granted. However, a good character will largely determine how you use it, and the wholesome, sustaining nature of your enterprise. Working on yourself and your emotional core enough to keep you the same person with and without the money could be considered the ideal.

If you do come into money, this idea should hopefully ground you enough to enjoy it, and use it ethically. That attitude could potentially save your dignity if blessed enough to come into this advantage.

Belle ​
​Xoxo