It is not as elusive as you would think to be happy even if you have no money and it is found deep inside you and called contentment. This covers a wide variety of wants versus needs. If you are content within yourself there is no envy for what someone else has. There is no wishing I could have that and there is no stress from not having it. This is the way I live my life where I can be truly happy for those that do have all they want in life and very content with what I have.
This contentment does not come easily and you'll find you have to work on it but once it's accomplished you'll have something worth more than money; you'll have peace of mind. We all need a certain amount of money to live and that is a fact but how much past this do we really need. We have a roof over our heads, we have food on our tables, and we have clothes to wear, all be it, that we may not have a mansion, dining by candlelight each night or designer clothes we still live pretty good lives. The question is how to arrive at a point where this is enough and we can be content with what we have.
To start with you can practice every time you enter a store to shop. There are so many items to look at and buy but as your hand reaches out for that item ask yourself if you really need it. Ten chances to one you don't. Think of the things you have at home that is not used up yet. This will help you make your decision. Everyone likes new things but do we honestly need them. Don't let your heart trick you into thinking you do. Now is the time to pass the item and leave it where it is. This is something I do every time I go shopping you will be surprised at how little you leave the store with.
If you are tempted to want everything you see advertised then throw out the flyers and the catalogs. What you don't see you can't want for. I told you this would not be easy but this is a wonderful exercise. Flyers are designed to convince you to buy. They can be your worst enemy when you're looking for contentment. This journey may not be easy at first but it is so rewarding. Get rid of the flyers without a glance and you are removing the stress of wanting immediately. Soon you won't give flyers a second thought as you drop them in the garbage bin.
If you're tempted to buy something new for your home look around your home first and practice your wants instead of needs lesson. Maybe a flat screen TV would be a wonderful addition to your home but be honest is the 32 inch TV you're watching really that bad, it is working and you'll see the same picture on your 32 inch as you would with a flat screen. This is just an example of wants versus needs. Wants and needs can be seen on a daily bases from your garbage mans point of view when perfectly good items are thrown to the curb just to satisfy wants.
The examples of wants versus needs can go on and on. There are so many ways to reach contentment such as watching a movie from your collection that you haven't seen for a long time, setting your dinner table with some nice flowers from your garden and candlelight, putting on your best clothes and walking through the park on a summer evening. The opportunities are endless as the wants disappear and the needs come to the forefront. The peace you find in your heart will be worth more than all you could buy with money. When you can be honestly happy with someone else's good fortune then you know you have arrived at your destination.
Contentment and happiness are infectious and can be passed along free of charge. This is the best gift you can give to your family and friends. It will be so good counting what you do have other than dwelling on things you may think you want. As time goes by things get much easier and you will be content with what you have. Wants will disappear and money will take care of itself as you walk away from spending unnecessarily. Contentment will take over your whole being and happiness within yourself will shine through. It's a goal that is obtainable and you really can achieve being happy even if you have no money.