Does Earning More Money Always Make You Happier?
Most of us believe that earning more money will bring us happiness. Although this might be true in many ways, it is also very tricky depending on what you think happiness is.
I have a friend who, like myself, is a Mexican-certified lawyer, and he later became a US-certified attorney in Texas. He earns a lot of money and just bought a ten-thousand-dollar puppy dog. You may think he is pleased with all this new money, right? I don’t think that’s the case because I know he drinks too much, and barely spends time with his family, and I believe he is at a high risk of a heart attack or stroke. I have known my friend for many years, and he is unhappy despite all the money.
You see, many people are caught up in a false paradigm; they are willing to sacrifice their health -or even their lives- being unhappy and stressed to retire at 70 and then live their life and dreams.
Stressed couple sitting on kitchen at night and looking on few money banknotes left.
You see, many people are caught up in a false paradigm; they are willing to sacrifice their health -or even their lives- being unhappy and stressed to retire at 70 and then live their life and dreams. One of the problems with this way of thinking is that when they retire, they are so sick that they can’t live their lives or dreams. I believe that you can live your life and fulfill your dreams every day and still earn enough money to retire peacefully. Going back to my lawyer-friend: Do you need to buy a ten-thousand-dollar dog? Do you need to work yourself into disease and be so unhappy to earn money you will spend on medical bills because of your worn-out mind and body?
Stressed serious Asian male employee feel pain eyestrain working on computer. Tired man suffer from headache bad vision sight problem or company financial crisis at desk in the office.
I was about to follow in my friend’s footsteps just before the pandemic. As I said, I am also a Mexican-certified attorney. I was to go through a master’s degree in law school and pass the Texas Bar Exam, and I was already counting the money I would earn. However, during a trip to Houston to visit my friend at his home, I could see myself in him. He was worn-out, drinking beer as if it were water, grumpy, and saying things like, “I don’t drink water during office hours because going to the toilet to urinate is a waste of time.” I mean, can you imagine that trauma? It scared me. I saw my future in him, and I said the hell with it; I am not doing that to myself. It would be a surefire way towards depression. I don’t buy expensive dogs, and I adopted one that loves me just the same. Of course, some people feel happy living their lives as my friend does. Others like myself run scared of such a lifestyle. I like life simple. What is happiness for you? Would this stress you? Any answers and viewpoints related to this question are purely subjective.
selective focus of money in hand of happy businessman
The National Library of Medicine published interesting statistics and viewpoints available here.
However, the question remains: Will making more money always make you happier? What is your answer?
By Gary A.
