Column: Money Can't Buy Me Happiness

It is something most people have trouble achieving: living an enjoyable life. Even my own blog is a list of things I want to do, not things I’ve done. Granted, I do not hate my life, but I’d say it’s pretty apparent that I could make it better. Is anyone really ever as happy as they could be?

Aside from the Dalai Lama, I’d say no. There is always something more to strive for. We in the West get caught up in the material aspects of life and never properly progress towards real happiness. Commercials, billboards and product placement shove cars, jewellery, clothes and anything else they can sell down our throats so fast our stomachs don’t even have time to tell us how full we are; full of nothing.

Since we are so caught up with stuffing ourselves, we never have any time to experience real living. I am not any better; nothing on my list has anything to do with getting nice things or buying something expensive. All my goals are things I could have achieved already if I wasn’t always working to buy these things that I don’t really need. Even when I’m not working to buy this stuff, I’m spending time using it so that I don’t feel like an idiot for wasting my money.

Does that sound familiar? I know all the advertising is not solely directed at me. I have seen tons of people with way nicer things than I have who have accomplished nothing more with their lives. Everyone’s perception of success is different. Of course, I certainly hope I’m on the right path.

I once read a book called Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. He said the two best ways to truly improve life are through education and travel. I agree, but I also believe that creation is crucial to self-improvement. If you never create anything, how will you ever understand who you really are? In a writing course, it’s easy for all of us to look through our work and explore our themes, our creative voices and the subject matter that really interests us. Some may say that artistic expression is like a window into the soul.

So far, my blog has been comprised of goals that are deeply rooted in expanding and harnessing my creativity, and furthering my education. I believe that these are key in living a better life. Naturally, there will always be people who insist that money and material possessions bring happiness, but it will always be argued that without anyone to share those riches with, what good are they?

Obviously, some material possessions and money are necessary. Maslow's hierarchy of needs tells us that before love, companionship and self-actualization, humans need food, shelter and safety. We do require certain things that money can buy but that does not satisfy our souls. We need something to strive for beyond big houses, fast cars and flashy clothes.

Is it acceptance? A need for companionship that our society has tricked us into believing we can achieve through the plethora of products paraded around for us every day? In school, were the popular kids not the ones with the nicest clothes, the newest iPods and the best cars? It’s true that people do seek companionship and approval from their peers; this is normal. Perhaps this materialism has bastardized the concept by providing materialistic criteria for such acceptance?

People also strive to be famous. Another attempt at approval from those around you, but how often do we read about celebrities who complain about their fame? It is as fleeting as the collection of material possessions. Perhaps in the beginning these things can make you happy but it is not long before the “honeymoon” phase ends and we all start to question if this is something we really wanted.

I have never questioned whether or not I should be writing, cooking, playing music or attending college. These things seem very natural and logical in terms of the progression of my life, in much the same way that seeking shelter, maintaining my health and staying nourished do. These are the key to happiness, along with travelling which, unfortunately, I know very little about. On the other hand, how often have you bought something you later regretted? I certainly have; clothes, video games, anything. It is that sinking feeling when you realize you spent your money on something you do not need and it is not going to make you happy. The only true happiness comes from learning, travelling and creating, as well as friends, family and love.