Taking some time out and getting away for a few days – there’s nothing quite like it. Leave the chores behind, ditch the work and dive into some new places, or reconnect with some old favourites. It’s the anticipation of stepping out of the daily routine, and I, for one, eagerly look forward to it.
We get it; life isn’t always perfect. But when you are on holiday, there’s a different kind of patience, a willingness to roll with the punches. Maybe it’s the friendly hotel staff, a helpful local pointing you in the right direction (when Google seems to be insisting you go the opposite way), or the sheer delight of accidentally exploring new sights. These are the moments to be treasured and should overshadow the occasional hiccup – be it a delayed flight, a long queue, or a sudden rain shower catching you without an umbrella.
Let me share a slice of a journey I took recently. Picture this, it’s the end of a full day’s sightseeing and hiking, and now I’m relaxing, looking at my photos of the day, on the 45-minute ferry ride back to the harbour. I’m contemplating the rest of the evening and where I was might go for dinner.
I was happily dreaming away, when I unintentionally found myself eavesdropping on a group of much older and well-heeled travellers. They were also heading back after a day of sightseeing they were returning to their colossal cruise ship (I had looked at it with wonder earlier in the day), it looked like a floating palace! Yet, for the entire 45-minute journey, they did nothing but grumble. Not just about the current cruise, but ones dating back to 1998. Rich and Grumpy? Bingo.
Now, the eternal question: does money buy happiness? Depends on where you stand in life. A while back apparently the magic number was $70,000. In today’s world maybe not so much. Money undeniably makes life easier, reduces stress and adds a layer of comfort. But let’s not mistake comfort for happiness – a lesson my fellow travellers clearly missed.
Your ‘happiness bar’ rises with your bank balance, there’s no doubt about that. But here’s the catch – so do expectations. And when reality falls short, happiness takes a hit. It’s the law of diminishing returns.
If you’re a natural grump, no pile of cash will naturally change that. On the flip side, if you’re naturally generous, you’ll find ways to spread that goodness, regardless of your financial standing.
Making money? Absolutely fine. It’s a journey of growth, a canvas to express your potential fully. But where’s the finish line? When do you say, “Okay, that’s enough”? It’s a personal puzzle, changing with every life stage.
So, circling back, happiness is a choice. Embrace the now, let go of the hiccups, and figure out what your version of ‘enough’ while enjoying the journey.
*Lynda Moore is a Money Mentalist coach and New Zealand’s only certified New Money Story® mentor. Lynda helps you understand why you do the things you do with your money, when we all know we should spend less than we earn. You can contact her here.
8 Comments
Now, the eternal question: does money buy happiness? Depends on where you stand in life. A while back apparently the magic number was $70,000.
They are unlikely to be reading this, but I wonder what a retired couple who have only their state pension to live on-while renting- would make of it? Perhaps they might say $70,000? If only...
Individuals and businesses cannot make money, that is the myth of taxpayer dollars. Only the government has the authority to create our currency and its private sector agents the banks who can only create money as credit and which is then backed by the governments currency in the payment system through the central bank.
Money undeniably makes life easier, reduces stress and adds a layer of comfort
Does money really make any of things? Some have more than enough and don't live any "easier" or with less stress. Some have all the comfort in the world and it's still not enough.
Some have/earn significantly less than your magic number and are some of the most living with ease, kind, generous, happy people around.
Many of the stresses, dis-ease are outside of money's power. One could suggest that the means of earning ones money has a greater impact, the environment and working conditions. Happiness is one of those mysterious emotions, a myth peddled to the materialistic, consumerist masses. It would appear many here are more likely to be upset by paying taxes, the price of their portfolios, other people wasting their own money, etc etc rather than being "happy" with what they have.
Rather than happiness, because it's just as fleeting as sadness, as anger, as grumpiness, etc the real aim might be contentment. Not so easy in the modern world with so many external forces all clamouring for attention.
A great book to read "Hiding in Unnatural Happiness"
Take someone homeless, needing private medical treatment, and without adequate access to food and heating. Then ask yourself would money make their life easier or would it help to provide the bare minimum of essential needs to live. Try looking up Maslow's hierarchy for once. Anyone asking 'does money make things better' obviously has never faced a loss of an essential base need, they have never suffered knowing that the solution to the suffering was within reach if only they had the money for basic housing, food, heating and essential basic medical treatment being denied to them. We have many people in NZ denied access to housing, denied the essential surgery to enable them to live without crippling disability and those denied adequate funds for decent healthy food for them. Yet we deny them even a basic income to live on. Come off the high horse and experience a living death filled with blood, bile and trauma instead of being arrogant selfish narcissists writing articles that only seek to serve one's own ego.
Lookup Maslow's hierarchy and learn something for once. Anyone asking 'does money make things better' obviously has never faced a loss of an essential base need, they have never suffered knowing that the solution to the suffering was within reach if only they had the money for basic housing, food, heating and essential basic medical treatment being denied to them. We have many people in NZ denied access to housing, denied the essential surgery to enable them to live without crippling disability and those denied adequate funds for decent healthy food for them. Yet we deny them even a basic income to live on. Come off the high horse and experience a living death filled with blood, bile, pain and trauma instead of being arrogant selfish narcissists writing articles that only seek to serve one's own ego.
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