some thoughts on being happy

One of the main reasons wealth makes people unhappy is that it gives them too much control over what they experience. Then they (including me) tend to translate fantasies into reality instead tasting what reality itself has to offer. To fight this is an attitude to keep, putting more value on non-material things.

We are constantly told that the way to happiness is through material possessions. “Men who drive this sport car have all the women after them”, “If I could only own a special tool it would make me happy!” What does a man really want? He wants a feeling that his life makes sense. He wants the give-and-take of loving relationships. He wants to feel he has a place in the world and can make a contribution. And he wants the feeling that he is not standing still, but growing in those ways.

Being poor certainly limit our options, but material wealth is an empty seduction. Putting all our energies into capturing wealth may make us rich, but it also can become an addiction that causes unhappiness. I remember a friend who dreamed to be rich and became too focused on becoming one and ended miserably in life now. Well, maybe it's my friend's case but he now realized what is important and what to do. Good thing he moved on already; I tried to tell him that we become much richer in our soul and in our experiences when we take the risks that help us improve our relationships and teach us how to live balanced life, becoming rich financially will just come with a right attitude towards it. He just then smiled and he optimistically reply to me, l'l just then be poor and be happy. But I kid him that, still dream big and be wealthy but don't a miss single moment of life to be fun and happy, then if you are already rich come back to me and share me some blessings. He's now trying and making his life abroad.

I told myself, I will live each moment in ways that fit my true values though I feel defeated sometimes whenever the rebel in me wants to be materialistic but the real in me is being ideal and true. Enjoy life guys while not getting cash advance loan!

Comments

Unknown said…
definitely true...but let's accept the reality that one can measure his happiness through its wealth...
Unknown said…
definitely true...but let's accept the reality that one can measure his happiness through its wealth...
Aethen said…
i disagree that wealth = happiness, maybe success = happiness wherein success = positive attitude + good relationship. Well, maybe it's just my formula to happiness. Hehehe.
OLANOLOGY said…
at some point Aethen, you are right. but for me, happiness is an infinite quest. there are people with wealth and great successes but they are unhappy. for me, happiness is relative to contentment... if one is in the true sense of contentment... happiness follows... thats just for me... im happy im back... hope to meet you soon...
Aethen said…
Kuya Olan, I agree happiness follows after one feels content but the question is what is the measure of one's contentment. well maybe it's relatively measured by life and perspective of a person.

Point: Happiness is a matter of perspective just like life.

Yeah, hope to see you soon, too.

Welcome back!
Abou said…
i want to believe that wealth is not the measure of happiness.

pero bakit ganun, masaya talaga ako pag me pambili ng gustong bilhin.

material boy ba ako?

haha
Oman said…
very well said aethan. if we tend to be materialistic, no matter how much we accumulate, there will always be something missing.
Zerwin said…
"I agree happiness follows after one feels content but the question is what is the measure of one's contentment. well maybe it's relatively measured by life and perspective of a person.

Point: Happiness is a matter of perspective just like life."


True. True enough. ^_^
I would just like to add something religious ^_^

PSALM 23
"I LORD is my shepherd, I shall not WANT..."

^_^
Aethen said…
@Abou - Well does that happiness you feel last long? Happiness from material things perish easily. It’s superficial.

In your case parekoy, pagpinaghirapan mo talaga ang isang bagay at nakuha mo ‘to, kasiyahan na maituturing. Ako din minsan ganyan, sweet effort ends with joy kung baga. Kaya ganun… pero hindi necessary from pera, means lng ang pero siguro. Ganun.
Aethen said…
@Lawstude - We need something more spiritual and fulfilling to fill up what material things can’t provide us. There is more to happiness, to feel Joy.
Anonymous said…
PSALM 23
"I LORD is my shepherd, I shall not WANT..."

Let it be. God bless.
CANDLELIZARDEGG said…
Amen mark...
This is really true...^^

being spiritual is no non-sense.
Aethen said…
For His greater glory. Amen, Gerard! take care bro.
*nosebleed*

hehehe.. :D be happy always and always be happy :D
Anonymous said…
Nyok. Tama! Be happy always sabi ni Jollibee. :D
escape said…
it's not bad to enjoy material things. we just dont have to be attached to it to the point that it becomes more like an obsession.

enjoy aethen!
Aethen said…
I can't agree more, kuya Dong. As long as it will not be an obsession.

Be happy. The world can offer a lot, but even having them all won't ensure our contentment. At the end, what we value defines our happiness.

:D
lucas said…
very well said :)

the society we're in pushes us to be materialistic. but we have a choice to be different.

God bless you.
stan said…
I guess if we stay connected to people we love and who love us, wealth or no wealth, we'll be happy. If fact if we are wealthy, we can use to to bless others and that itself can be a source of happiness. So I'm not against being wealthy.

What's been happening over at your side?
stan said…
I just have to add this. While typing out my previous comments, there's this song I'm playing that talks about happiness and being content AND I've just put up a Chinese MTV literally translated - "I want Happiness" on my blog a few hours ago! THis concidence is uncanny. Haha.
Aethen said…
Hi, Stan! Welcome back!

Just to clear the point of this blog post: Happiness is not all about money. I'm not against being wealthy also. Haha.

Happiness is relatively defined by the person's perspective and level of contentment. Yan!
Aethen said…
@Lucas - Yeah, our environment affects our survival and is a factor of determining our needs and wants. To be different is to be strong and "right".

God bless you too bro.
Aethen said…
@Stan - Cool. The Chinese MTV's message on your blog blends with this post. I'll try to embed and attached it to this post. Yep coincidence is very uncanny.

Have a great day saint!
bulitas said…
i guess it's all a matter of perspective, reflective of the person's morals and ideologies about wealth and happiness.

true, for a certain degree, material wealth makes us happy, but only for a limited time.
our innate insatiable trait to acquire whatever material things that we want in this world makes happiness via material wealth problematic.
material wealth can only make us feel satisfied for a certain period.

but hey! money is not the only thing worth pursuing in this world.

methinks that its the simplest of things and the contentment of the human heart that gives us the most happiness that we could ever want.
=)
Anonymous said…
Yes, bulitas, it's true- happiness is relatively dependent to one's perspective of it.


material wealth do makes us happy sometimes but yes for a limited time. well sometimes practicality is confused with material happiness, yes it's a insatiable trait that helps us somehow to survive in this world. It will be fine as long as material wealth will not become an obsession.



"but hey! money is not the only thing worth pursuing in this world." Yes, there is Love.

"methinks that its the simplest of things and the contentment of the human heart that gives us the most happiness that we could ever want.
=)" What's contentment then? how is it measured? Well, these are some of the questions to be entertained if you are measuring happiness. Is there a yard stick to measure it?

:D
Allen Yuarata said…
Our scarcity with material things make us ambitious.

It's best to live a simple life and do whatever things that make you happy.

I was blog hopping and found this beautiful post. Good day!
Aethen said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
ang taray ng mga linya!!!

sobrang napaisip ako dun ah...

at napasabing,


oo nga noh...
Aethen said…
Hi Allen Yuarata!

There is no really scarcity with material things, limited maybe but that does not make us ambitious because being ambitious is not negative if your attitude towards it is positive.

yes, live a life of contentment and simplicity.

thank you for visiting. balik ulit.
Aethen said…
Hi ewik! Mataray ba? napa-isip din ako nang naisulat ko ito eh. tama ba 'tong sinasabi ko? pero sa huli, napasabi din ako, oo nga noh...

hehehe.
Anonymous said…
very well said bunso......
wiLfRed said…
whoa! buti ka pa mayaman.. ako LUPA! lols..

anyhoo, kaw naman nagko-control ng kung anumang gusto mo sa sarili mo. it's your choice, ika nga.

just choose to be happy. bow.
Aethen said…
Hi Cielo! It's been long since the last time I heard from you. How are you and blogging? Miss you. :D
Aethen said…
Wilf, mayaman ka dyan! Pulubi ako, LUPA rin. Tama! Choice yan! Choose to be happy! Musta ka na?
OLANOLOGY said…
aethen... i love your header.... can u make me one.... hehehe.....
Aethen said…
Sige kuya gagawan kita pero pag nakahanap ako ng oras. :D
lucas said…
mukhang busy tayo ah? wala ka kasing bagong post... hehe! :P

thanks for the drop :)
Aethen said…
sobrang busy lucas. have to meet so many deadlines and it's killing me. hay.

soon. I'll be back. :D
stan said…
I like to think that as long as we stay rooted to our family and whatever supernatural beliefs we cling to, being successful and if that leads to riches, it's a great blessing. We can use the latter to bless others too. While yes, wealth corrupts, it need not happen if we cover our bases right.
Aethen said…
I am always happy to hear thoughts on happiness from other people. It really presents many perspective regarding it. Being happy is really relative but still I want to hold on the values and beliefs that strongly molds me to be a happy person even in a gloomy day.

I hope you get some views that will positively motivate you to be happy and healthy in all aspect.

Smile. Believe. Live. :D
Anonymous said…
i agree with you, after what we are looking for is loved and to be love.
I wanna sharing my happiness with someone i love.
Anonymous said…
amen to this entry. hehe. it pays to think of what's better sometimes, at least. hehe. ayu2.
Anonymous said…
i agree, really.

continue dreaming aethen! stay happy. :)
Aethen said…
@Success With Women

spread love and leave money behind.
Aethen said…
@beans

yes, reflect sometimes on simple things in life. we find answers from thinking what's not only better but for what's the best.
Anonymous said…
@Rea

dream. live. inspire others.

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