by Ms. Marie

Created on: May 19, 2010   Last Updated: May 20, 2010

To define happiness is to reveal one's inner self.  Your definition of happiness describes how you see the world, what you value most, and your emotional being.  For many people happiness is based on their success, possessions, and monetary status in life.  For others true happiness comes from inner peace, love, compassion and family.

The latter is far more valuable and rewarding.  Those who seek happiness in things or status quo often end up lonely, tired, and sometimes depressed.  Why does this happen?  Well, if you do not have healthy human interactions and are not focused on giving and receiving love you end up feeling empty inside. 

Material things and financial security are needed to survive in life, you need shelter from the elements, food to eat, and you need money to afford even the most basic neseccaties.

What happens when a person's definition of happiness is solely based on things rather than people and human life is this; they become less compassionate and more competitive. 

It is good to want to climb the ladder of success, achieve educational goals, and be financially secure; however, it is unhealthy if this becomes an obsession.  Many a people would agree, this mindset leads a lot of folks to live beyond their means. 

There are couples that never see eachother or spend quality time together because they spend more time at their jobs than realistically is needed.  Some parents are so wrapped up in their work and careers that they often, unintentionally, neglect their responsibilities at home.

On the other hand there are those who believe that their family is far more important than getting a promotion or even making more money; unless of course they are in dire need of a raise in order to provide basic needs.  

They may not have two or three cars in the driveway with monthly payments, a five bedroom home with four bathrooms and a three car garage, but a person who has an older model car that is paid for, rents their home, and spends quality time with their spouse and children is often very happy. 

Many wealthy people live alone in huge million dollar mansions and live day to day trying to fill a void in their lives; but the void cannot be filled with things.  Many mainstream folks live in small homes, but wake up each day feeling a sense of purpose.  

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