Can a rich person be Unhappy??

[Million Dollar Man]

OK So I have known some wealthy people in my life who are not very happy. My uncle was one of them. ALL he ever thought about or did was money. He even neglected his children and wife. Now he is old but never has good times with his sons... never took them to ball games, or enjoyed the finer things in life.

One thing I never understood when I worked for him for some time, Was that when we got him a deal that made him big money, he was NEVER happy. It seemed he was never satisfied. He would just say Oh good what else is there?

I guess making a lot of money and having it does not make you happy. And he was always in an angry and bad mood.

I don't know, I think in the end you should do something that you love that fulfills you and makes you money. But doing work you hate for big money and then not being happy is worthless in my view.

What do you think and why? Can a rich person be unhappy?

[hervens]

I think happiness and wealth and 2 things that are unrelated. Just like you can't add apples and oranges, in the same manner you can't add happiness and money.

Of course it's possible to be rich and unhappy, we hear stories like the one you mentioned all the time.

Also, how do you know your uncle was unhappy? Did he ever tell you that? Just because he looked pissed and angry, doesn't necessarily mean he didn't enjoy what he was doing.

[quiethumir]

Yes. There are celebrities that have it all(physically) but feel empty inside.

It could be because even though to us they may have more than enough money, they're still unsatisfied and want to make more and more. They could also be satisfied with their finances, but are dissatisfied with their relationships.

[Beingist]

Originally Posted by Million Dollar Man

What do you think and why? Can a rich person be unhappy?

Sure. But a rich man can also be very happy (just ask Acting Like Godot )

A "poor" person can also be either happy or unhappy. I honestly don't think material wealth has anything to do with real happiness. In my experience, it's not something that one gains from without, but rather emanates from within.

[quiethumir]

Originally Posted by Beingist

Sure. But a rich man can also be very happy (just ask Acting Like Godot )

A "poor" person can also be either happy or unhappy. I honestly don't think material wealth has anything to do with real happiness. In my experience, it's not something that one gains from without, but rather emanates from within.

Good point. A lot of people attach their happiness to material wealth. "If I get X million dollars, then I'll be happy."

These people can be happy now, but they project their happiness into the future.

That doesn't mean that if I'm happy now, then I can't have a million dollars. I can get a million dollars to help others and enhance my happiness(Let me know if you disagree with this).

[MariconesUnited]

Originally Posted by quiethumir

Good point. A lot of people attach their happiness to material wealth. "If I get X million dollars, then I'll be happy."

These people can be happy now, but they project their happiness into the future.

That doesn't mean that if I'm happy now, then I can't have a million dollars. I can get a million dollars to help others and enhance my happiness(Let me know if you disagree with this).

If you're projecting to find happiness in any specific future scenario, then you're not completely happy and in the moment. Your question seems to imply that helping others makes you happy. There are tons of ways of doing that right now. You don't need a million dollars to do it.

[quiethumir]

Originally Posted by MariconesUnited

If you're projecting to find happiness in any specific future scenario, then you're not completely happy and in the moment. Your question seems to imply that helping others makes you happy. There are tons of ways of doing that right now. You don't need a million dollars to do it.

I'm not saying it makes me happy. I'm already happy. Helping others just enhances my happiness.

[MariconesUnited]

Originally Posted by quiethumir

I'm not saying it makes me happy. I'm already happy. Helping others just enhances my happiness.

I didn't mean to imply that you were unhappy or anything. My point was that I think it's more productive to think about something that can directly lead to an increase of happiness instead of something as elusive and subjective as wealth. In fact, if increasing your bank account brings you more happiness as does the idea of helping others, it would be a better idea of thinking of ways of helping others and having more money as a result. This future projection might paradoxically bring you more joy in the moment

[abcbac]

Being rich or poor doesn't bring happiness. However,money does make life more comfortable and provides you with more resources. It will not bring happiness but neither will being poor.

[RonSouther]

Rich people are the most likely to be unhappy.

They can buy into every "happy" idea that comes along and still happiness is elusive.

The rich are actually the poorest in spirit but are the most ready to be spiritual because they've lost hope in "stuff" and status.

Nothing fails like success.

[Kait]

Originally Posted by RonSouther

Rich people are the most likely to be unhappy.

They can buy into every "happy" idea that comes along and still happiness is elusive.

The rich are actually the poorest in spirit but are the most ready to be spiritual because they've lost hope in "stuff" and status.

Nothing fails like success.

I think you said it best

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Kait

I think you said it best

Thanks! Chasing riches is proof that the person has no clue where happiness comes from.

[quiethumir]

Studies also show that there are more suicide rates among the rich and the poor than among the middle class.

[MariconesUnited]

Originally Posted by RonSouther

Rich people are the most likely to be unhappy.

They can buy into every "happy" idea that comes along and still happiness is elusive.

The rich are actually the poorest in spirit but are the most ready to be spiritual because they've lost hope in "stuff" and status.

Nothing fails like success.

I dont think all rich people are not spiritual. Steve, Erin and ALG all strike me as wealthy people with good hearts. I see what you're trying to say but there's a balance to strike between personal ambition and the resentment some must feel from having less. It's tough. People will do a lot of ♥♥♥♥♥♥ stuff to make money. I think making money cleanly and not losing your soul is possible. I've been stuck judging rich people far too long and I'd like to make some good money now. I've invested a lot into my career and my dreams and I want to make more money now, to fuel my dreams. I don't think there's anything wrong or unspiritual about that.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by MariconesUnited

I dont think all rich people are not spiritual. Steve, Erin and ALG all strike me as wealthy people with good hearts. I see what you're trying to say but there's a balance to strike between personal ambition and the resentment some must feel from having less. It's tough. People will do a lot of ♥♥♥♥♥♥ stuff to make money. I think making money cleanly and not losing your soul is possible. I've been stuck judging rich people far too long and I'd like to make some good money now. I've invested a lot into my career and my dreams and I want to make more money now, to fuel my dreams. I don't think there's anything wrong or unspiritual about that.

Are you're dreams really about being happier tomorrow than you are today? If so, then your dreams are spiritual and unnecessary. All the joy you could ever have in life is here and now, not tomorrow in a realized dream.

I wasn't judging rich people, just observing that most seem to be hankering for more or for the next and the next and the next.

I don't know how easy it is to keep your soul in business since most of the economy is driven by people chasing happiness. So businesses are looking for ways to provide that relief to people and hope that they come back for the next "happy fix".

I'm not anti-rich or anti-business. I'm just realizing that happiness doesn't come from anywhere except in being myself.

[MariconesUnited]

Originally Posted by RonSouther

Are you're dreams really about being happier tomorrow than you are today? If so, then your dreams are spiritual and unnecessary. All the joy you could ever have in life is here and now, not tomorrow in a realized dream.

I wasn't judging rich people, just observing that most seem to be hankering for more or for the next and the next and the next.

I don't know how easy it is to keep your soul in business since most of the economy is driven by people chasing happiness. So businesses are looking for ways to provide that relief to people and hope that they come back for the next "happy fix".

I'm not anti-rich or anti-business. I'm just realizing that happiness doesn't come from anywhere except in being myself.

Oh trust me on this, I know exactly what you're saying. Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now has been a big influence on my life. What I'm saying is that I think this approach can discourage one from following his or her dreams and ambitions. And I think it's good to explore those dreams. Self-realization.

There was a blanket statement in that post I quoted that made me think there might be some resentment towards the rich. It's important to check within to see if that inner happiness might actually be some disguised form of resentment, for lack of a better word. In other words, is there some form of wanting to rise above others in that ''I don't need anything or anyone in my life that I don't have today''?. Is it a deep truth or is it the ego trying to get what it wants without having to work for it?

I just want to make it clear also that I'm talking in universal terms. I'm not targeting you or anyone in particular. In fact I'm pointing the light at myself. To answer my question I think I've been doing a bit of both, depending on the circumstance. More to do with my inner state of mind I suppose.

Open question: How/where does one find the drive to follow one's dreams if one is perfectly still, perfectly happy?

[BillieAnn]

Happiness is not related to money. Except when you don't have : D: D

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by MariconesUnited

Oh trust me on this, I know exactly what you're saying. Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now has been a big influence on my life. What I'm saying is that I think this approach can discourage one from following his or her dreams and ambitions. And I think it's good to explore those dreams. Self-realization.

There was a blanket statement in that post I quoted that made me think there might be some resentment towards the rich. It's important to check within to see if that inner happiness might actually be some disguised form of resentment, for lack of a better word. In other words, is there some form of wanting to rise above others in that ''I don't need anything or anyone in my life that I don't have today''?. Is it a deep truth or is it the ego trying to get what it wants without having to work for it?

I just want to make it clear also that I'm talking in universal terms. I'm not targeting you or anyone in particular. In fact I'm pointing the light at myself. To answer my question I think I've been doing a bit of both, depending on the circumstance. More to do with my inner state of mind I suppose.

Open question: How/where does one find the drive to follow one's dreams if one is perfectly still, perfectly happy?

No resentment to the rich....just my observation.

I see dreams needing to be explored so that they can be dropped. A dream usually is just the next great idea of getting happiness in the future. Ok, go for it and find out that getting the dream wasn't the holy grail.

Having realized self a new kind of dream happens...And it's a vision and not a dream per se. It's a desire to give unconditionally to life, to people, to nature in some way that makes live better. Now that's a real dream but comes after finding oneself, finding the inner fountain of joy, no longer needing hopes and dreams to escape today's misery.

If the mind is convinced logically that the dream equals happiness, good luck saying no. The bubble will burst on it's own and when the person runs out of dreams then he's finally ready to learn and grow, and to stop trusting logic as though logic is truth.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by BillieAnn

Happiness is not related to money. Except when you don't have : D: D

YUP!!!!

Then you're stuck in the daily grind trying to survive and there's no room left for a spiritual life. Who can comtemplate life when there's no food in the belly? I can't....I can't do anything until I get food.

Of if I have the flu....who can't comtemplate? My mind is so wrapped up in pain and misery.

[MariconesUnited]

I see what you're saying Ron. To be honest I'm close to that survival point right now. At least I know it's just a temporary situation. I suppose that would explain why I'm having a harder time being ''happy in the moment'' right now. Just a lot of bad influences in my life right now. Luckily there's some good to balance out the bad

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by MariconesUnited

I see what you're saying Ron. To be honest I'm close to that survival point right now. At least I know it's just a temporary situation. I suppose that would explain why I'm having a harder time being ''happy in the moment'' right now. Just a lot of bad influences in my life right now. Luckily there's some good to balance out the bad

That's why I was saying the rich are in the best position to become spiritual because the survival needs are more than met, all the money and toys haven't been the promised happiness and now they have run out of ideas...now in their misery their minds open up to the truth, but rarely in society is there someone that can point to it.

The organized religions and the shrinks have the market cornered but with weak results and usually more damage.

[sharshar89]

To test your theory you might want to transfer 1 million to me.. I'm willing to be your case study.



Just kidding.

[Rick L]

Originally Posted by Million Dollar Man

I don't know, I think in the end you should do something that you love that fulfills you and makes you money. But doing work you hate for big money and then not being happy is worthless in my view.

MDM,

Isn't that the real question? We're on the planet for a very short time, why dedicate your life to misery? Money is important. Having enough money to live comfortably and to leave a legacy is also important. But at what personal "cost"?

Most people to to a job to make money to live. What if we lived to do what we love and, as the Law of Attraction says, the money will follow. Wouldn't you rather work with someone who LOVED what they were doing rather than a grumpy old fart who was only interested in himself and his money?

We should all identify what we are passionate about and then make money at what we love. This is exactly what I'm dedicating my efforts to helping others understand.

Thanks for a great subject, MDM!

[gene2009]

Probably your uncle works for money and not the money works for him

[abcbac]

Money makes you happy to a certain point. As long as it meets you basic needs. However,after that money doesn't matter.

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by abcbac

Money makes you happy to a certain point. As long as it meets you basic needs. However,after that money doesn't matter.

Then after the needs are met, it can be used to express oneself to the world creatively vs. what usually happens where the money is used to buy one elixir after another because of his lost soul.

[Weaver]

Too much of anything is just as bad as too little...

Eat lots and lots of food, become overweight. eat little to no food at all, become underweight. both unhealthy, both make the body "unhappy". but if you only eat just the right amount of food that your own body needs, then your body will be at its highest good, it would be healthy and happy.

Once all needs are met, happiness will be found. when i say all needs i mean all. physical, mental, practical, verbal, emotional, material, spiritual and any other that i can not think of...

[Frisky]

I have made enough money so I can semi-retire now, even though I'm still fairly young. Here's what I learned about wealth:

Money (by itself) cant buy happiness, but neither can poverty.

If you're a miserable, insufferable cunt then money can only make you a very comfortable, miserable, insufferable cunt.

If you are generally happy then having lots of money can greatly increase your happiness. So in a way, money can indirectly buy happiness.

Does all that make sense??

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by Frisky

I have made enough money so I can semi-retire now, even though I'm still fairly young. Here's what I learned about wealth:

Money (by itself) cant buy happiness, but neither can poverty.

If you're a miserable, insufferable cunt then money can only make you a very comfortable, miserable, insufferable cunt.

If you are generally happy then having lots of money can greatly increase your happiness. So in a way, money can indirectly buy happiness.

Does all that make sense??

Makes perfect sense....the key is if you are happy. Money is the tool to either chase happiness which is a miserable way to live, or to express happiness which is love.

Money isn't the source of either happiness or unhappiness.

[thehawkman]

5 Reasons Money Can Buy Happiness | Cracked.com