There is a constant message that permeates our lives through the various media channels that exist, whether it be TV, radio, magazines or some other such format, that tries to convince us that happiness can be bought. This message comes from adverts trying to persuade us that what that company is selling will make us happy. The problem is that the thing that they are selling is designed to break or become outdated or will become out of fashion.
The whole consumerist culture is based on the lie that happiness can be bought. We fall for it and buy something to make us happy, and it does for a little while, but soon we want another hit of happiness and we buy something else. This mindset comes directly from the companies advertising, which uses social status as a tool to take people’s money. And the sad thing is that our economy is largely built on this cycle of buying and buying again and again. A very large proportion of the things we buy we do not need. We want them but we do not need them.
The thing is that happiness is actually free, it is a mindset rooted in contentment with what we already have. Happiness is spending time with people you love, doing things you love to do, creating things, helping people and especially helping others be happy. These are all things we can do. Happiness is largely a choice of how we view ourselves in relation to other things and other people. If I tell myself I need a new car to make myself happy, I will work at doing things I don’t like to raise the money to buy the car, and then I will constantly worry that the car will be damaged or will break down, etc, etc.
Things do not bring happiness, how we view them does. This also includes relationships. It boils down to what you value. Knowing this will be a good start.
The Fullfilment Project 