The Art of Happiness
In reading
'The Art of Happiness,' by H.H. The Dalai Lama, I was reminded of the distinction between happiness and pleasure. True happiness is something we cultivate from within, and therefore it brings a deeper sense of satisfaction. Pleasure is fleeting, and, by that nature, feels like something we need to repeatedly chase in order to experience it.
That's not to say that pleasure is necessarily a bad thing, but it is a danger when the pursuit of it runs our financial lives, when we literally buy into material things as a substitute for getting in touch with what really makes us happy.
Take A Minute:
Are your expenses driven by happiness or pleasure?
Make A Minute:
Pretend that you were going to get rid of any expenses that only brought momentary pleasure. Look at how that decision would affect your overall financial picture and decide if actually getting rid of any of them on that basis makes sense.
Example:
I used to spend an inordinate amount of money at the bookstore because I derived great pleasure from wandering the aisles and engaging in whatever learning process the book provided. However, oftentimes I ended up with books that were only pleasurable for a short time. I determined that my future book purchases would only include those that provided lasting change in my capacity for compassion, service, and artistic expression, and the rest I could borrow from the library. That simple decision has saved me hundreds of dollars.
Answering the call of your happiness takes courage--the courage to turn inward and listen to that still, small voice that tells you where your happiness lies. Develop enduring happiness from within, and I promise you'll be less susceptible to spending for temporary pleasure.