Has anyone read 'A Christmas Memory' by Truman Capote? It is a story about a poor little boy Buddy somewhere in the middle of the nineteenth century. Buddy normally gets nothing for Christmas but hand-me-downs from relatives and a subscription to a religious magazine. He does however receive a prized kite from his special friend one year. And he is thrilled and happy at the thought of going out on a warm windy Alabama morning and flying his kite.
A small part of the story is also about how he was offered money for his Christmas tree but he declined. He believed that theirs was the best and nothing could ever replace it.
But that was then. Times have changed. Stories have changed. Lives have changed.
Today I learnt an important lesson. That Money can buy happiness. It always has. Not completely and at all times. In fact like they say, the best things in life are all free. But Money Can buy happiness. Most of the times.
The relationship between money and happiness, it would appear, is more complicated than the romantic entanglements of any of the Desperate Housewives. Guess what? Not quite. Its a simple math really. A directly proportional equation even a fourth grader can solve.
That`s the lesson I learnt today. And one I`m not likely to forget in a hurry.
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17 comments:
Since you mention Desperate Housewives, did you watch this Sunday night's episode? A lot of it had to do with money and happiness - and at the end, one of the housewives (Gabriel) realizes that she doesn't need money to be happy - and one other housewife has suddenly achieved money and fame, and is in trouble because of it.
I thought your post would end with something expensive you received that made you happy - but I'm confused now!? This subject is very complicated and I don't think I've made up my mind about it yet.
I never understand why people undermine the importance of money in our lives. But I also think that while money seems capable of buying happiness for us, that happiness is only temporary.
We live in capitalistic economies where everything is driven by money.
Money may or may not bring happiness, but the lack of it can definitely cause problems...
The way I see it, having money reduces one other thing to worry about. So, obviously one less thing to worry about = a more worry-free life = more happiness. How much more, I don't know and it's relative. A lot of people say money brings complications, but I think those complications will exist otherwise too.
But I do think it caps off. The whole diminishing returns funda. When you have only $1000 bucks, the next $1000 bucks will mean a lot more and bring a lot more happiness than when you have $10000000000000 and you get $1000 more.
It's like I'm giving a lesson in economics - so I'll stop now.
Anyway, I am hoping you got pots of gold and you are happy :-D
According to the dictionary "Happiness is an emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy." So I guess some green can definitely help in attaining this state! But can it be the only solution to sadness? Well a Look at the Ambanis will make us think otherwise!
Anon
Money can never buy happiness, it can give us only temporary gratification.happiness is a state of mind and it is alway inside us and not to be bought.
Money makes our life smooth, removes the hurdles and gives us pleasures.
Can money get me love? No, we cant force anybody to love us thru money.
I always believe we get happiness thru either our deeds or people and both are not connected with money.The people who come with money do not love us or care about us.
I think people try to undermine the importance of money in their lives coz it makes you sound idealistic...but in reality, it does matter...It can give you happiness and satisfaction!
I am not undermining the importance of money, money is im portant for existance, in hindi it is said--paisa bahut kuch ha,par sab kuch nahi ha..means money is very imp. but its not everything. We need money for our basic needs, but after that we need something else..actually its a very complex issue, cant be done in a comment.
It's true money can buy happiness - but it's the happiness borne of a comfortable life and in cases of celebrities, over-indulgence. But it's like a vicious circle - if one is rich and has gold, s/he years for platinum - in a while that's not enough either and sights are set on diamonds - it never ends!
A helathy body, a sharp mind, a clean heart and a restful slumber at nights are some of the things that ususally eludes those who chase money and worship at the alter of mamon. Just my two cents. neway, wishing you and your family subho bijoya :)
Hi Friend
Should a person like 'Truman Capote' influence our thoughts? Please come on.
I have realised after going through those complicated equations that indeed money can not buy Happiness.
Take my suggestion. Don't change the definition of happines. Instead try to create and welcome the environment.
All the Best
Manish
Agree with Renu while adding tht money does help in keeping our lives stress free....but just imagine if a person had a health problem & all the money he had in the world cdnt help him extend his life or if he had a wife who doesnt love him ....all his money cannot buy her love.
We can stay in a hut & be happy or in a mansion & be sad...Happiness has to come from within!!!!!
I think you need both money and happiness from within.
While one way to look at it is that money cannot buy everything, it is also true that lack of it can make people unhappy. Even if the husband and wife are truly in love, if they continue to face monetary problems, they will be stressed out, unhealthy and hence unhappy. Everything has it's place in life and we cannot live with just one of them. We need both at different levels at different times to be happy.
But on reading your post it seems you are a bit disappointed...hope you are feeling bette rnow :)
I'll agree that more money CAN mean more happiness. But it's never that simple. E.g. for me,
1) it has to be money I deserve and rightfully own. Not an envelope picked off the street.
2) Money earned makes me happier than gifts.
3) Money that will keep coming in rather than a one-time. I hate spending out of savings.
4) Money is one of the factors where happiness is concerned. According to me, us middle-class folk should be happiest. Not facing the constraints of waiting for one's next meal or living in a shitty place, yet not consumed by the enormity of one's own riches.
Right now I'm actually pretty happy - enough money to get by and save up for an occasional gift or indulgence. But I also know people who'd think the money I get isn't enough for a college-goer!
I'm curious to know what prompted your opinion.
I once read:
'Money can't buy you happiness, but it can help you look for it in peace'- Don't remember who to credit it to.
Good luck with money...like blood, it should stay in circulation though.
money can`t buy me love..remember the song..but it can ease out a whole lot of problems..we all need it in substantial amounts..
people who say money cant buy happiness dont kno whr to shop ;)
umm reminds me of the song Ka-ching by shania twain.. pasting the lyrics here for you :)
We live in a greedy little world--
that teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly--
then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We've created us a credit card mess
We spend the money that we don't possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So it's shoppin' every Sunday at the mall
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store
[Chorus:]
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
It's such a beautiful thing--Ka-ching!
Lots of diamond rings
The happiness it brings
You'll live like a king
With lots of money and things
When you're broke go and get a loan
Take out another mortgage on your home
Consolidate so you can afford
To go and spend some more when
you get bored
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store
[Repeat Chorus]
Let's swing
Dig deeper in your pocket
Oh, yeah, ha
Come on I know you've got it
Dig deeper in your wallet
Oh
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store
[Repeat Chorus]
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
You'll live like a king
With lots of money and things
Ka-ching!
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