True Happiness

MONEY may not necessarily be evil but the craving for it certainly is, or so it seems.

Curious, isn’t it. But the incontestable truth is that money is so powerful that it’s arguably the motivating force that drives our world.

In this respect, money ticks all the right boxes – it rules our lives, makes things happen, gets things moving but it can also be abused.

Indeed, many street vagrants in London are said to prefer money than food nowadays in this increasingly deceptive world.

Yet the latest research that money doesn’t buy happiness for Britons speaks volumes of their stressful lifestyle, particularly in the British capital.

Well, London may have everything that money can buy; the best in fabulous food, divine decor, gorgeous gifts, funky fashion, exquisite entertainment. The list goes on.

But when it comes to happiness, Britain is way behind France and Spain which topped the European Quality of Life Index, compiled by price comparison site uSwitch.com.

The findings may come as no surprise to Londoners, whose city of nearly eight million inhabitants has changed dramatically over the past two decades.

And living in one of the world’s largest and most diverse metropolis has its price, even though their salaries are more than £10,000 (RM56,000) above the European annual average.

For the city’s a bewildering place, especially if you’re a first-timer and trying to fit in with more than 200 communities speaking over 300 languages.

Very often, you find yourself the only one speaking English among your fellow bus or train commuters – the rest are spouting a myriad of foreign languages over their mobile phones or with their companions!
Hence, it’s not so much a question of money but more in terms of living a quality life amid the challenges of a melting-pot environment.

Admittedly, money can buy a certain degree of happiness; you can get a decent meal, pay your household bills, wear your favourite clothes or have a great day out.

Likewise, a hungry, homeless person living on the streets can hardly be happy if he doesn’t have even a single quid to buy a sandwich to fill his stomach.

Simply put, money can buy something that may put a smile on your face or let you do the things you love to do.

Of course, there’s a distinct difference between materialistic and true happiness – the latter coming from within and depending on how you perceive it. But then again, money may not make you completely happy, as you’ll probably be surrounded by fair-weather friends who are simply eyeing your wealth.

In fact, there’re plenty of miserable rich people out there – celebrities, film stars and footballers as financial stability does not necessarily guarantee happiness.

Just as you can be alone but not lonely, the richest people in the world are sometimes unhappy, while the poorest the happiest.

For many, true happiness is being in the company of their loved ones or with genuine friends. After all, this is one commodity that cannot be bought or sold.