The western world seems to under a collective though, that big achievements equal success. We all push ourselves forward with the feeling that if we arent moving forward we are failing. If we start with a definition of happiness, the chances are that it will help us to achieve that as a goal.
The reason that pretty much anyone does pretty much anything, is because we want to it make us feel good in the long run. When it really comes down to it, there are two basic emotions, feeling good and feeling bad, and we all want to feel good because, well, who would want to feel bad? Assuming youre still with me, Ill continue. The desire to feel good tends to attach itself to the desire to go out and get new things. We believe that if we drive better cars and have nicer things that we will feel better, but lets be honest, weve all gone out and bought something and then the good feeling that comes with owning it isnt really what wed hoped.
We are pre-programmed to believe that material goods will lead to happiness. If that is the case, why are so many millionaires miserable? Why are so many around the world who live in squalor still happier than you are?
It is because what we base success on is a flawed vision. We all tend to compare our own success to that of the most successful people we know, which of course will make us feel bad, but if we were to compare our situations and success to that of most people in the world, the chances are that youre doing very well.
Success and wealth can be measured in different ways. Contentment is a blessing that very few possess, but it is an attribute of the most successful people I know. To be happy with your lot in life is the fundamental goal of us all. Foolishly we all believe that if we had more stuff then we would be more contented and thus happy. What actually happens in the majority of instances is that when you accumulate more, you then have the added stress of protecting all your stuff as well as not losing what you have gained.
So basically, if you arent happy and contented with the comparatively small amount of possessions you may have now, then having more isnt going to make you happier. To strive for true wealth and contentment in the future, it is the attitude of being happy with what you have that you develop now that will make the difference.
The reason that pretty much anyone does pretty much anything, is because we want to it make us feel good in the long run. When it really comes down to it, there are two basic emotions, feeling good and feeling bad, and we all want to feel good because, well, who would want to feel bad? Assuming youre still with me, Ill continue. The desire to feel good tends to attach itself to the desire to go out and get new things. We believe that if we drive better cars and have nicer things that we will feel better, but lets be honest, weve all gone out and bought something and then the good feeling that comes with owning it isnt really what wed hoped.
We are pre-programmed to believe that material goods will lead to happiness. If that is the case, why are so many millionaires miserable? Why are so many around the world who live in squalor still happier than you are?
It is because what we base success on is a flawed vision. We all tend to compare our own success to that of the most successful people we know, which of course will make us feel bad, but if we were to compare our situations and success to that of most people in the world, the chances are that youre doing very well.
Success and wealth can be measured in different ways. Contentment is a blessing that very few possess, but it is an attribute of the most successful people I know. To be happy with your lot in life is the fundamental goal of us all. Foolishly we all believe that if we had more stuff then we would be more contented and thus happy. What actually happens in the majority of instances is that when you accumulate more, you then have the added stress of protecting all your stuff as well as not losing what you have gained.
So basically, if you arent happy and contented with the comparatively small amount of possessions you may have now, then having more isnt going to make you happier. To strive for true wealth and contentment in the future, it is the attitude of being happy with what you have that you develop now that will make the difference.
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