I have always been of the school of thought that money can’t make you happy. I am changing that school of thought.
I have come across so many circumstances over the years where if I had the money, it may not have directly made me happy, but it would have facilitated happiness. I know someone who recently entered into rehab with the help of relatives that had the money to pay for it. I have a son that has been suffering with addiction almost his entire adult life. He has had to be resuscitated 3 times over the years; just in the last 3 months he has needed resuscitation twice in a period of 3 days. Thank God people were around him and were able to administer Naloxone and call an ambulance. Now if I had $300 a day I would have been able to get him into a comprehensive rehabilitation program. The public system has long waiting lists and if an addict has to wait 2 to 3 months to get into a program it may be too late! In this case money can definitely facilitate happiness. By getting the help my son needs so desperately it would eliminate a lot of stress and worry. Seeing him healthy and happy would definitely make me happy! Granted, not everyone is going to want help whether is a well-structured program for $300 a day or not. My son is in a good place currently, but it’s day-by-day and I am always dreading receiving a call from his group home.
What about the person that so desperately needs psychological help and can’t afford it; do you think money to pay for a psychologist would facilitate happiness? I think if a person is ready willing and able and does not have the money to pay for a psychologist, it is very difficult for them. I have seen it firsthand. There are services provided on a sliding scale, but again long waiting lists and not always the best or experienced psychologists. Some therapies are never free.
The elderly person who can’t get around and does not have the financial means to purchase a walker, a cane, their medication, even their next meal. I am sure they would be happier if they were able to be mobile and not have to worry about medication or their next meal.
What about that homeless person you walk by every day? You don’t know their story so you can’t judge! But don’t you think money would make them happy? Obviously there are many issues surrounding homelessness, none of which have a simple solution other than, be kind! And if you don’t want to hand them money then donate to local shelter or organization.
I could go on for days….
The point is; money itself is not going to make you happy but what money can enable you to do can definitely make you happy.
Money can also do the opposite; just take a look at all of the rich and famous that have died by suicide, have ended up broke and homeless after having so much fame and fortune, have struggled with addiction or died of an overdose. Again, I could write many pages on this too! If you are looking to fame and fortune to make you happy, it won’t happen!
At the end of the day, money can definitely facilitate happiness and greed will make you shallow and empty.
Let me know your thoughts?
The Age of Understanding 