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** THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MONEY & HAPPINESS by Graham White **
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Visiting a third world country demonstrates that
Money does not equal Happiness. You can find people with virtually
nothing to their name and next to no income who are happier that some of the
wealthiest people in North America.
Are they simply
unaware of what they are missing out on? How is it that living in
conditions that would fill us with despair that they maintain such a positive
outlook on life?
We live in a
culture of "MORE". We never have enough and there is always
something we don't have that we feel we need. There is a profound peace
that can be learned from those who have very little. They have learned
to be happy with and enjoy what they have.
Upon his release
from jail, Robert took a job working as a custodian for a church. His
experience had been one of having no possessions to call his own while in
prison and he felt called to the service of others. Every year, he
invited 5 or 6 street people to come and live with him and share everything he
had. They lived in his suite and had use of everything he owned for that
year. Because he was used to having nothing, he felt free to share
everything he now had.
He loved his job
and he loved sharing what he was blessed with even more. His joy in life
came from sharing what he had with others. Every year on New Years Day
he would invite the street people he knew to help themselves to anything he
owned.
After hearing about
Robert, I examined my own life. Would I be able to do the same? Of
course not. I had accumulated to many things that were "mine"
to feel free to give them away. How much more true is that of those who
possess even more?
If you own a luxury
automobile, you have to worry about someone stealing or damaging it. If
you own a million dollar home, you have to worry about someone breaking in and
stealing your possessions or threatening your life for money. The more
you have, the more you have to worry about.
I'm not saying
financial wealth is bad. I simply want to point out that happiness does
not come from money or owning things. Happiness comes from having the
things in life that bring you fulfillment. Happiness is a result of
something you contribute, not something you have.
Fear and stress is
a result of not having enough financial resources to pay for the things you
have made part of your life. You have two choices, earn more, or learn
to be happy with less. The majority of clients I work with that have
financial stress simply live beyond their means. This is just as true of
those who make six figure salaries as it is of those who make minimum wage.
Manage
your Perspective. Love what you have.
Manage
your Money. Spend less than you earn.
Manage
your Investments. Make money work for you.
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If you are
currently dealing with a challenge or you are deeply concerned about the
situation of another but don't know how to help, e-mail your question for a
reply with the specific strategies that you can implement in yourself to
encourage them to change.
info@incrediblepotential.com
Graham White www.incrediblepotential.com
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