As the rich get richer in ways no one imagined a decade ago, it is hard to say what is enough. And enough of what? Are vast amounts of money the ultimate prize? Or is it the power that comes from wealth? Are the wealthy and powerful making life better for anyone else? Are they happy? Somehow we all grew up surrounded with images that wealth=happiness. Yet, many many people are extremely wealthy and miserable. Do you have that secret thought that this would not happen to you? That you would be able to manage the wealth even if most do not?
That same thinking is being chronicled about people who use weight loss drugs like Ozempic or Zep-Bound to take off a large number of pounds. When they get down to their ideal weight, they go off the drugs even though studies show that people should stay on the drugs for life. Many put all the weight back on within a year. Why do the ones who go off think they will be more successful than most other people taking the same drug?
Is being a little delusional part of human nature? You could be a billionaire if you just worked a little harder. Right? Let me ask you, have you ever worked super hard to reach a goal and then when you achieved it, it didn’t make you happy for long? Would being rich, powerful or skinnier make you any happier than you are right now?
Determining for yourself what is enough materially and what else is important can bring you peace. Are you wealthy in friendships? Do you have hobbies you enjoy and do them frequently? Are you involved in your community in a meaningful way? Is your health pretty good? Do you feel grateful at the end of the day?
Studies show that when you live materially a little better than subsistence, being happy comes down to being grateful. Choose gratitude and a wealth of happiness may come your way.
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