“No matter how educated or wealthy you are, if you don’t have peace of mind, you won’t be happy.” -The Dalai Lama
For many, happiness depends on their bank balance but few can be happy irrespective of that. Then there are those who struggle to be happy even when they have all the money in the world. Why does this happen? Judging by the state of things, you might as well think that the popular cliche – money can’t buy happiness – is true. But let’s find out, shall we?
All that glitters is not gold
You think that having a prestigious education is the gateway to success, you strive to get all those degrees and accolades thinking it would find you a good job with good money. And that guarantees happiness in your mind. But when you don’t have that, you can’t help comparing yourself with others who have seemingly achieved it all.
Well, whenever those comparisons hound your mind, remember that appearances can often be deceiving, and this is no different. Having wealth does not shield you from the unrest in your mind. A person can be rich in every sense of the word and still have his share of struggles. But if your mind is free of intrusive thoughts, jealousy, and discontentment, you will be happy even in modest circumstances.
If you’re still not convinced, here’s a little question – do you think billionaires are the happiest people in the world? If you compare the stress level they have, you might find a content monk to be happier than them. Sure, you need money too, and no one’s denying its value. But don’t make it your ultimate priority, save some space for your mind.
It’s your choice
At the end of the day, being happy or unhappy boils down to the choice you make. There is only so much the outside world can offer, you need to be the one to make the final call. If you choose to be content, peace will follow you. You can calm the turmoil in your mind and finally make room for happiness.
Wealth and prestige may buy you the ticket to a roller-coaster ride, but it depends on whether you decide to hop on the ride and have fun or cling to the edges and sulk. No one or no amount of material wealth can compel you to be happy. Unless your mind is at peace, happiness won’t follow suit.
So, it’s time to be aware of the present moment you are living in and feel grateful for being alive. If you think this every day, even for a few minutes, you will find your stress slipping away. Choose inner peace over outside influences and get ready to bask in happiness.