I found the answer to happiness

[atlantacindy]

Most people think life is all about what you accumulate

 

1) a husband

2) a nice home, nice car

3) kids

4) tons of friends

5) tons of money

 

But that's all a myth, like a children's story. I have had all of the above except for kids.

 

What I have found what makes me happy is:

 

1) Using my time productively for great causes

 

All material possessions, I have found, simply bog my life down.

 

You know what I have found. People respect me as much, if not more, without material possessions than with them. Materials mean nothing.

[crookster_man]

You would do well to read about Buddhist philosophies. The path to enlightenment and salvation comes through releasing all desires and attachments to the material world. You would find their theories on par to yours, Perhaps it might even inspire you.

[ShadeOfGreen]

Yea I agree. I learned long ago that matierial possesion is kinda fun but is ultimately empty. I live by the motto 'do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life'. This has lead to me being overall caring and giving because I am much happier by the fact that I know what I want. I don't really worry too much because I don't think about money and all the other worthless crap.

[Derek]

Most people think life is all about what you accumulate

 

1) a husband

2) a nice home, nice car

3) kids

4) tons of friends

5) tons of money

 

Yup, that myth is the result of western society's media/advertising consumerism. It is all about "accumulating" as you put it.

(The person who dies with the most toys wins?)

But all those things are ultimately empty, and they don't fulfill the deepest needs of people.

 

As you said, helping good causes is a much better start.

Influencing the world for good may make a bigger mark on things after we've died than becoming a millionaire for oneself.

 

Just look at disfunctional Hollywood types to see that riches don't result in happiness.