It’s often said that money can’t buy happiness.

Some people debate that.  And, regardless, most of us try anyway.

Cuyabeno Reserve, Ecuador

The Happiness Problem

At the very least, we can buy the appearance of happiness.  We buy things that look good.  We invest in beauty: our physical appearance, fashionable clothes, a new car and niceties for our home.   It seems that sooner or later though, the ‘newness’ wears off.  The joy fades.  The stuff we have, we take for granted.  Now we need something else to lift our spirits, to satisfy that itch, to fill the void.

So we go on buying.

“We try to satisfy essentially psychological and spiritual needs with consumption at a physical level.”  (Vicki Robin, Your Money Or Your Life)

To sustain this lifestyle, we work.  We give up the best years of our life to work – often in an unfulfilling job …so we can buy more possessions that bring only fleeting joy.

Don’t get me wrong, possessions are great – I like them too.  I also believe in work and I like making money.  But it seems silly to exist for possessions.  Especially if you don’t enjoy your work …or your life.

“I don’t want you to destroy your houses and escape to the Himalayas.  The house is needed – but the house is needed for you.  Don’t misunderstand it.  As I see people, the whole thing has gone topsy-turvy.  They exist as if they are needed for the house.  They go on working for the house.  As if they are needed for the bank balance – they simply go on collecting money then they die.  And they had never lived.  They never had a single moment of throbbing, streaming life.  They were just imprisoned in security, familiarity, respectability.” (Osho, Courage: The joy of living dangerously)

A Proposed Solution

Rather than accumulating possessions – spending our money on things outside of our body – I’m finding that, for me at least, it’s better to invest money on the inside of my body.

Once a certain level of comfort has been reached (of course we need a home and to look somewhat respectable!) experiences and memories beat possessions every time.  Memories last longer, and unlike possessions, they tend to become sweeter as they age.  Even what was hard to endure can be sweet to recall.

I can be happy right now just by thinking of some great memories.  And at the end, memories are all I’ll have left.

So, for now, rather than buy a car or renovate my home, I’m saving to cross things off my bucket list, to study with great people and to add to my travel experiences.  I figure that when I get to the end, I’ll cherish memories of sharing great times with great people over the memory of a nice-looking kitchen (even though I’d love to have a new kitchen!).

I also invest in my head.  I invest in learning.  In books and seminars and online courses.  Rather than work a job I dislike, I invest in growing my knowledge so that I can make money doing something I am passionate about.

I invest in my health.  I don’t balk at buying quality food over cheap industrial products.  I’ll pay to see a physiotherapist if necessary – or get a sports massage.  If I didn’t already work in a gym, I’d happily invest in a gym membership.

Compared to the fleeting joy that comes with spending on externals, taken together, investing on the inside of your body:

1. maintaining your health,
2. growing your knowledge,
3. seeking out memorable experiences,

help build a bigger, better version of you.  You become more capable.

In my experience, it helps me lead a happier, more fulfilling life.  And that’s as close to buying happiness as I think anyone can come.

BIG IDEA: Most people spend their money on external things.  This tends to lead to only a fleeting joy.  Successful, happy people who are making an impact in this world prioritise investing on the inside of their body ahead of spending on the outside.

TAKEAWAY: Invest in yourself.  Invest in your health, invest in learning, invest in the creation of great memories with great people.  At the end it’s all you’ll have left.

ACTION STEP: Why not share this article with a friend?  (Highlighting any section of text will open up a box to share that quote on Facebook or Twitter)

Always Keep Reaching!

Mike