This often quoted phrase is so overused and jaded that even though we know that it is true, we tend to ignore it. We want to believe that there is an easy way out of being unhappy and believe me overcoming your emotions and teaching yourself to be happy can be more difficult that earning some bucks!
The idea is to understand that happiness cannot be achieved by anything external irrespective of whether it is money or any other material things. Happiness is something that is inside of you and not outside, and accessing it just requires a little bit of training.
Of course money IS important to help us live our life to the fullest. But at the same time, an increase in its inflow does not bring proportional happiness with it.
There is one simple thing you can do today, which people often forget, that is extremely important toward bringing more happiness into your life. And that is to start to exercise an attitude of gratitude daily with every little thing that occurs.
For example: I walk outside to my car and it may be cold. Instead of cursing the cold, I am grateful I can feel the cold on my body. I am also grateful that I own a coat as some people do not. Also I am grateful I have my legs and that they can walk. And lastly, I am grateful that I have a car to drive and that I have somewhere to be, that people are expecting me and that I am important in some small way, even if it is just to drive to work or take my children to school. I am grateful to the people teaching my children and grateful I have children and that they are healthy and happy and learning a lot.
If you can take every negative thing and turn it around to a state of grace and gratitude, your life will change in a heartbeat.
If you get cut off in traffic, be grateful that you have a car and grateful that you did NOT get hit by that car, that your Higher Self, or God or the Universe (or however you believe) kept you safe. Be grateful that you have an opportunity to forgive that person and love them, as they must truly need it. I wave at people who do stupid things in traffic and I smile at them. I forgive them mentally and send love their way. Maybe this helps them in a small way? Maybe it does nothing for them at all? But it does help me and my attitude, which is key to my personal happiness, right?
If you get sick, be grateful we live in an industrialized society where we can buy cold medicine to help us feel better. Be grateful there are people there, doctors and nurses, that are willing to help you. Be grateful for the experience of giving them an opportunity to be of service. Be grateful for the people who also get to be of service to pray for you, in the event that your illness is dire. Be grateful for the experience of being human and having a frail body so you can understand to a greater extent that you are a SOUL after all, a spirit having a human experience. That you are greater than your body, greater than you can ever imagine. And be grateful when you get well again, the polar opposites in this world (ie, sickness and wellness, darkness and light) help us to understand what we prefer and what we need to focus on.
As you end your day and have to cook, be grateful you have food as 75% of the world’s population goes to bed hungry each night, and be grateful for your dishes, your table to eat on, your ability to clean up after yourself, and be grateful that you have dishes to clean. Whatever you have, be grateful for this!
Put your focus on gratitude every single day and you will become a happy person, full of life and light.
Remember that every single thing in your life, even the tiniest things, are an opportunity for spiritual and personal growth and an opportunity to feel grateful on a deep level.
So, does money bring happiness? It can, as long as your desire for money takes a back seat to that deeper meaning, that deeper feeling of gratitude daily and only then will you be a happier person overall! And much more successful in your life too as a direct result.
