Money and Happiness

21/11/2010 by Christophe.

With 10 UK Millionaires “made” by the EuroMillions last weekend, and the recent £113 million jackpot, you’ve probably had one of the “If I win the lottery this weekend, I’ll…” conversations. Most of us probably dream of luxury holidays or bigger houses. Maybe a new car? Maybe you’d give some to your close friends and family? Whatever you imagine yourself doing, I bet you’ve got a smile on your face when you’re doing it, because most of us assume that it’d make us happier.
That’s not necessarily the case, though.

A Canadian couple who recently won £7m on the lottery have admitted that their win was a “big headache” and have given 98% of it away to charity and friends.
Earlier this year someone else who won almost £900,000 on the lottery committed suicide, leaving his family and friends mystified and struggling to find a reason why.

But it seems that it doesn’t just apply to money that you’re lucky enough to win.
Brian Burnie is an entrepreneur who has spent most of his life making huge amounts of money, and giving it away. Earlier this year he sold his Northumberland home worth £16m and moved into a small terraced house. The rest he gave to charity. “You come into this world with nothing, and you leave with nothing,” he says, “what’s important is what you do in between.”

The old adage says that money can’t buy you happiness.

So what is happiness?

Material things are lovely to have, and may make you feel more comfortable with your life. But that isn’t happiness.

Maybe we are not looking where we should. Maybe it’s the smallest things or the smallest signs that are forgotten but still present in our every day life which are the most important ingredients to feel happiness…

So we should maybe stop looking at what we haven’t got and start appreciating what we have….

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