Although it's the most cliché saying, "money doesn't buy happiness," it still seems as though our world runs upon this theory.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, argue all you want that society's focal point in life isn't getting more money. But, think about it for a second. Why are kids so ashamed to wear hand-me-downs? Because they think they don't hold the worth of new ones. Why do we thrive on the idea of college students studying Law or Nursing (which, if you are doing it because it's your passion, hell yeah, you go!) but cringe if they say they're majoring in Art or Philosophy? Because those degrees will get money, while the others won't. Why do you go to a job you hate every day? To get your paycheck. Maybe you don't even see it, because we've gotten so used to the thought of success equalling money.
Well, here I am, living proof that money does not grant you happiness. It has not, and never will, be the secret to having a fulfilling life.
Throughout my entire life, my family has never been considered rich or poor. We definitely cut it close a few times on the poor side because life happens sometimes, and you get through it. For a long time in my life, it seemed as if my family was working paycheck to paycheck just to uphold. Which can sound scary, I know.
But the best part is, is that you wouldn't even be able to tell just looking at/being around us.
My siblings and I grew up with the basic understanding that what matters in life is family, friends, and your well-being. If all three of those were aligned, you were considered living the good life. Which, is why it was so difficult to see that my family had been struggling. We held our heads up high and laughed with every ounce in our body because we were not afraid that our financial state would determine our state of happiness.
I've never felt for one second that due to my family's financial state, that I was being held back. My siblings and I were still able to join any sports team we had wanted, got Christmas gifts every year and always had food on the table (even if it was off-brand). No, we didn't get the annual family vacation or had the newest and coolest clothes, but that didn't matter.
What did matter was teaching us what was really important in life.
My parents ability to raise us without having a ton of luxuries resulted in them showing us the power of love and support. And with that, lead us to understand what happiness meant.
Through my family's up and downs in the financial world, the value of care and compassion has not altered. My parents provided my family with exactly that, and created a happy life for us.
In no shape or form am I saying that those who have money are fully unable to understand the components and life I've explained. And with that, there are others out there who experience life with a lot less money that we did as a family.
But no matter the amount of income that's coming to your home, remember what's important.
You do not need money to be happy.
