Money Versus Happiness

I recently read a article in the Montreal Gazette about money vs happiness that truly intrigued me.

Think about it folks.

No matter who we are, where we came from, where we are going (in life), what are background is, we ALL strive to attain these two key ingredients that are vital for our well being here in planet earth.

But, just how much money does a individual need to be happy? And can a individual be happy without money?

Most people living today will bend over backwards for money, will do anything for a quick buck. But is their a limit that one can set where they will actually refuse a job offer or project just to keep a balance and happy life. After all, what good will it do if you work all day (18-20 hours) and you have no time to enjoy the money that you worked hard for?

Limiting yourself to how much hours per day you work is the key to balancing your life and basically helping you to find some measure of happiness. If need be, you may have to say "NO" to that promotion your employer offered you or those extra hours that they want you to work late into the evening. It may be hard at first to say "NO", but think of the short and long term benefits you'll receive, not to mention a measure of contentment and happiness that will be evident in your life. Some IMMEDIATE benefits are:

- Spending quality time with your spouse and children, thus strenghning your family bond on each other
- Less Stress in your life produces better overall results
- You are more healthier, less likely to get sick.

Being Happy without Money?
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What about a individuel being happy with very little money or resources? While some individuas have succeeded in finding true happiness with very little money, the reality is, especially in today's economic world, that it can be quite a challenge to be happy while living in poverty.

To quote Harvard Psychology Professor Daniel Gilbert, " Wealth increases human happiness when it lifts people out of abject poverty and into the middle class, but it does little to increase happiness thereafter"

Their is no question, to be genuine happy in life today, in this century, one needs some measure of money, to purchase necessary things, take vacations, etc,..that make life worthwhile, but the key is to have a balanced view on money that can help you find some happiness in your life.