Money Buys Happiness or Does It?

In a recent article by Malcolm Ritter, an Associated Press science writer (Sunday, Nov. 26, 12:59 p.m. EST), psychologist Ed Diener of the University of Illinois says it's a myth that there is no relationship between money and happiness and economist Andrew Oswald of the University of Warwick in England says, ''There is overwhelming evidence that money buys happiness.''

The article cites a study of people with household incomes from $20,000 to $150,000. Those who earned more were allegedly happier. To refute this notion, Ritter writes, ''Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner and Princeton economist, and colleagues recently declared that the notion that making a lot of money will produce good overall mood is ‘mostly illusory'.'' Psychologist Richard E. Lucas of Michigan State University says it's not clear why those who have more money are happier.

So, does money buy happiness? We know money can buy cars, houses, boats and plasma TVs. We know where to purchase these items. Where do we go to purchase happiness? Is there a happiness store? If there were a happiness store, what would you purchase? Would you buy a ''peace of mind''? Would you buy a ''balanced lifestyle''? Would you buy happiness for someone else? Would you buy a healthy life? Would you buy security?

The real questions are: What makes you happy? Will merely having money make you happy? How much is your money really worth? It appears that people who have money are happier, but we need to consider the definition of happiness.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary offers three meanings of the word happiness. It is first defined as prosperity. Merriam-Webster defines prosperity as ''the condition of being successful or thriving; especially economic well-being.'' The second definition is ''a state of well-being and contentment: joy.'' Joy is defined as the ''emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.'' The third definition offered is ''felicity, the quality or state of being happy.''

Let's first discuss security. Security can bring happiness. Security will be defined here as having a home, a car or other means of transportation and a job. Most financial articles, books and gurus recommend having six months to one year of savings, equivalent to your yearly salary. I personally don't know many people who have ''extra money,'' let alone six months to a year of savings. Many people have jobs, living quarters and the ability to travel; yet they are not happy. These folks always want more--a bigger dwelling, a better car and more money. We can agree that security can bring happiness to some, but not all.

Let's take a closer look at money. Who do we know who has a lot of money? Movie stars and athletes. These folks seem happy. They have big cars, big houses and flashy, exciting lifestyles, yet they seem to waste their money on drugs, alcohol and other addictions that compromise their health. Maybe they were happy for a while, but after some time they lose purpose and become bored (or have poor money management), and instead of looking for spiritual growth (understanding one's purpose in life) they turn to alternative ways of seeking excitement.

How many people do you know who have houses, cars, high-paying jobs and wealth, yet are taking antidepressants and are (or should be) in therapy? We think that we would be happy if we had all these things; why aren't they? Is it something inside each individual or is it the individual's perception of life? It is important to note that some people truly have a chemical imbalance that can cause symptoms of depression and require medication for management. Regardless of their economic situation, they would require psychopharmacological assistance.

So the real question is, what is the value of your money? The answer is, your money is only worth the value of your health. If you have a lot of money but are ill or in pain, you would probably give up all your money to be healthy or pain-free. Just ask any patient who suffers with a chronic disease or any parent who has a child suffering from a terminal illness. They would give up all their money to be pain-free, or for their child to be free from disease and pain. Your money is only as good as your health.

Out of all the definitions of happiness, I agree with the third: felicity, the quality or state of being happy.

It is my opinion that happiness is a recognized perception. There is a saying that if you put all your junk (unhappiness) on a table and someone comes by and puts all his junk (unhappiness) on the table, you would most likely look at his junk and be willing to take yours back. If you think you are unhappy, you should pay a visit to a cancer ward, a prison, a seizure clinic or a psychiatric hospital. You will quickly recognize how happy you really are, and who knows, you might even feel thankful and lucky.

Happiness is recognizing all that you have, whether it's a little or a lot. Happiness is recognizing you are healthy or can become healthy. Happiness is recognizing that you can change your life. Happiness comes from the inside, from the source of life, not from the outside by purchasing material goods. Happiness is recognizing that perception is 100% true. Happiness is having a purpose in life. Happiness is the ability to love, not hate. Happiness is recognizing that helping someone without expecting anything in return is one of the greatest gifts.

A quote by Joseph Addison, an English politician and writer, says it best: ''Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.''

In my opinion, money does not buy happiness. Happiness is a thought process. It is something we create.

To the readers of this article, I wish for you a life filled with happiness, and I hope your happiness will spread to others and become a pandemic.

Dr. Michael J. Kaye has been a practicing Chiropractor over the last 18 years. He holds a post-graduate degree in Rehabilitation. His practice focuses on treatment for the chronic and post-surgical patient. He has published articles on post-surgical knee rehabilitation; and chronic myofascial pain syndrome. He has developed a web site www.frompaintopersonalgain.com devoted to health, wealth and happiness. His coaching site is www.coachinggps.com Contact the author, Michael Kaye , at mijokye@comcast.net.