They say that money can’t buy you happiness. I say they are buying the wrong things.
Surely money CAN buy you happiness. Let’s take a look at the definition:
happy |ˈhapē|
adjective ( -pier , -piest )
1 feeling or showing pleasure or contentment : Melissa came in looking happy and excited | [with clause ] we’re just happy that he’s still alive | [with infinitive ] they are happy to see me doing well.
• [ predic. ] ( happy about) having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with (a person, arrangement, or situation) : I was never very happy about the explanation | I can’t say they looked too happy about it, but a deal’s a deal.
• [ predic. ] ( happy with) satisfied with the quality or standard of : I’m happy with his performance.
Can I purchase something that brings me pleasure or contentment? YUP.
How about buying something that I’ll be satisfied with the quality of? YOU BETCHA.
Now we can get all huffy puffy about the difference between happiness and true joy…which I believe there is a huge difference, but that’s not what this post is about. This post is about something I’ve recognized as of late.
As I grow into a boy who has to shave more often, I’m realizing that my tastes are changing. While I once jumped from one hot item to another and felt a constant need for that latest gadget or thing that was going to make my life better…I’m starting to see that the things I buy that truly bring me a sense of happiness or contentment are much lower end.
Most of these happy things fall into a “sensate” category, that is, things that are perceived by my senses.
I would much rather smoke a decent cigar, eat quality foods, experience tasty wines, and at the risk of turning in my Man-Card, light some candles up. Nothing is better than setting up an atmosphere to just soak in. Music is a necessity.
These are the things I would rather put my money towards. These are the things that make me happy compared to the latest techno-gadgetry.
EXCEPT ONE.
I have an iPhone. I lusted after this thing ever since the idea of it went public. Finally, after much waiting and whining I found myself to be the proud owner of a 16GB iPhone 3G. I’ve had it for 3 months or so and to be honest I love this thing. It has given me freedom not to worry so much.
As someone who works primarily from home, whenever I was out and about I continually worried about my email inbox. I get a lot of emails from work stuff and from personal stuff and it was like I could never get caught up. If I was away from my desk running errands or the like, I had this foreboding feeling that I was going to miss something important. I realize this is dumb…but, I’m just being honest.
I don’t have that feeling anymore. I can honestly say that this iPhone is the best thingiemabob gadget I’ve ever purchased. And it can call people.
So there. I confess. While I have felt somewhat guilty over owning this thing a few times, it’s worth it. It makes me happy.
I’m curious – What’s the best thing you’ve bought in a while?
Well I didn’t buy it but the best thing I won (well ever) was my camera (Nikon D60).
The best thing I’ve done for myself in a while has been going back to school for graphic design. I finally gave up my parents dream of being a doctor/lawyer… ok even just getting a business degree. I realized playing with graphics on the computer has always been fun for me. I loved it when we first got our computer when I was 8 and I still love it.
So I thats how I’m finding my happy place
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I would have to say our house. Although it has had it’s problems of late, it is a happy place. It is a place for family and friends to gather and live life together. A place to fellowship and praise God for all of our blessings. I love my “God” house, it makes me very happy.
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I’m with Kelly– my house (though we haven’t closed yet– the closing is now scheduled for Wednesday the 17th). It’s ironic that the thing I am most happy to be rid of is our last house, which we ultimately could not afford. We were fortunate to sell it quickly, easily, and were also fortunate to be able to make the payments, though it pretty much wiped out our savings.
We’re thankful to be able to afford this new house, with money left over for giving generously. Not to mention the fact that I LOVE the new house.
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Ryan, my husband, Paul, bought the Google G1 Phone. He’s very ˈhapē with it.
Last year, he bought for me, my Harley-Davidson VROD. I believe you’ve seen pix of me with it. Material things aren’t really what “makes me ˈhapē” though. It’s quality time with the ones I love. That’s just me. If you’ve ever read the book “The Five Love Languages” you’d understand my perspective.
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First, I agree with you on the iPhone. I bought mine about 3 months after they came out, and I couldn’t live without it now. Of course, it means I’m attached at the hip to work, but given my type of work, it’s needed.
Anyway, the best thing I’ve bought recently is my truck. I’ve been driving a little Toyota for years, which was functional, but uncomfortable and terrible in the snow (and given I live in northern New England, that’s not good). But I recently purchased a Jeep Liberty, and I’m in love with it like I never thought I could be in love with a car. It’s comfortable, it has 4WD, it’s pretty, it’s fun to drive…
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Lately, good winter boots and gloves for my kids who needed them. I couldn’t really afford it but the peace that comes from knowing they’re cared for…well, it’s a happy sigh inside, that’s what it is.
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I’m enough of a geek to admit (proudly) the thing that has brought me the most pleasure as of late is kitchen organizers. My pots, pans, junk drawer, large utensils have never looked so fabulous. This, sadly, brings me a lot of peace.
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A good amount of time in complete silence. That makes me very un-stressed which in turn makes me immensely happy.
I have recently read a quote that has perplexed me a bit but I’m learning ot understand it’s deeper meaning. It reads
There are two ways to be unhappy in life. One is in not getting what you want the other is to get what you want.~Eckhart Tolle
Here are few more I like:
You cannot always HAVE happiness,
but you can always GIVE happiness.
~Proverb
Half of the world is on the wrong scent in the pursuit of happiness. They think it consists in having and getting and in being served by others. It consists in giving and in serving others
~Henry Drummond-Just be happy 1913
And lastly
We must be purposely kind and generous or we miss the best part of life’s existance. The heart that goes out of itself gets large and full of joy. We do ourselves the most good by doing something for others. ~Horace Mann
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just bought my macbook pro… It was so special I had to blog about it!
http://amongtherealm.com/2008/12/11/its-happy-macbook-pro-day/
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My Blackberry! As a sahm, I honestly think it’s helped to keep me sane (to be able to txt and talk with friends.) I’m also really into music, so having my iPod touch (a gift of a couple years ago) has also helped me stay sane – I’ve got music playing all the time!
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I haven’t bought for myself in ages. I can’t even remember the last thing I picked up just for me. It seems that I’m too busy doing for others to worry about my needs. Plus, I have everything I could ever want and I certainly have everything that makes me “happy”.
As far as your glorified ‘phone’ goes – I despise them. This may be one of the biggest things that makes me UNhappy! My beloved has a blackberry for his work (I realize it’s not an “iPhone” but we all know it’s the same darned thing. Most nights I wish I could smash the stupid gadget into a million tiny bits. The dumb thing controls our life. It seems like there’s not a moment’s peace when the stupid thing is turned on. If it’s not buzzing and ringing he’s checking his email anyway, just to make sure he doesn’t miss something.
What did we ever do before we had all this ridiculous technology? Before cell phones and email and wireless web access? Oh that’s right….we LIVED. Teenagers weren’t dying in car accidents because they were too busy texting their friends instead of driving. We had family time. We ate dinner without a zillion distractions. We could go on a date and actually hold a conversation that involved eye contact. No texting, no rude phone interruptions, no incessant buzzing, no email – just people having a life. And you know what, all those “things” that we are so desperate to miss out on now seemed to wait just fine before.
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I bought myself a camcorder on Black Friday…and last night I recorded my kids’ Christmas program. I can share this with family far away.
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I didn’t buy it myself, it was a gift. But wow, what a gift. I’m talking about my Kitchen Aid mixer. Everytime I use it, I love love LOVE that thing. I live in a tiny old duplex, with old ugly tile countertops and an oven just slightly larger than an Easy Bake. The mixer is by FAR the best looking item in there.
Comment to Snobound: I’d respectfully suggest that your issues with technology are really issues with the people that use them. I have family time, eat dinner with my 14 year old son every night, go on dates with my boyfriend, have dinner out with my friends — all without the “rude” phone interruptions. Perhaps you need to set some boundries in your life and speak up.
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For me it’s a toss up…last year I bought myself my camera (canon XT) and I love it.
This year I purchased a new car and although it was a pain to buy the peace that comes from knowing it’s not going to break down or die is priceless.
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My Garmin GPS.
I get lost allll of the time and never know which direction im driving in or supposed to be driving in.
This nifty little gadget really comes in handy now.Although sometimes the ladies voice letting you know where to turn can get a little annoying. It was still a good purchase.
I also have the AT&T Tilt. I love it because it had a full keyboard so I can text away.Im thinking now that I should have waited for the Iphone to come out but this phone will do. It has Microsoft Windows on it and Bubble Breaker! I love that game!
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My dog (who is curled up on my lap)is the best thing I have purchased, although technically what I paid was a donation to the rescue but there was money exchanged. He is the epitome of joy, and he reminds me to just be joyful.
Yes, I am the crazy dog lady!
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I’m not a gadget person. I don’ have an iPod (gasp!),I have a basic model phone, don’t have a fancy car (by choice)and my computer is a few years old.
What I do love and buy are things that make my home life easier….like flavored coffee creamer and easy release aluminum foil. Yeah, I’m pretty low maintenance!
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My TV, I know that seems really petty. But it is a 32 inch LCD Sharp Aquos. I have wanted it for so long. Now that money is short I can sit and browse my dvd collection and its like seeing them for the first time. Did I mention the matching Aquos blue ray player, ahhh I want to run home and watch tv.
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Oh…let’s see. The best thing I purchased recently wasn’t for me. Would that still count? I bought my husband a steampunk pocket watch that we’ve both been ogling for about a year. It just looks so cool.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11288097
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My laptop. I bought it a while ago but I love it so much! It’s more than paid for itself. I use it for work, for freelancing, for playing games, for EVERYTHING!!!
I am so happy with my Dell Vostro laptop.
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I recently invested in 3 Wusthof knives. I have been married for 26 years and never had decent knives to use in the kitchen. I LOVE them – they make my food preparations a happy and enjoyable chore.
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My family LOVES music! We just bought the Rush Snakes and Arrows Live DVD – should be here in a few days!!! It’s wonderful to buy something the whole family enjoys – means more time together enjoying each other and that is a happiness worth spending money on
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Well, it’s been a while since I bought it, but I don’t often buy things for myself. A set of tiger’s eye jewelry. It’s a necklace and matching earrings, and I really just love it, and it makes me happy every time I wear it. I love how it feels, and how it looks, and how it goes with so many of my outfits.
And to eclecticdeb – I love my Kitchen Aid mixer, too! Mine is 10 years old, and on its last legs because I use it so much. I seriously wouldn’t want to bake without one.
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My Samsung Juke phone and my subscription to Verizon VCast Rhapsody. I’m in music heaven.
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Three things that in truly love that were worth the money…in this order
1~laptop
2~ipod
3~blackberry
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ps…oh I almost forgot…Moneypenny…my GPS
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A vintage Kodak Duaflex II. It’s an old film camera that I use for through the viewfinder photography. I love taking photos with it and my digital camera. It’s made me love taking photos again.
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My Nikon D80.
I will be even happier when I get some lenses!
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I love my SMARTcar. It is economical to run ($14 worth of diesel will get you close to 400 km), very well made (a joint venture between Swatch and Mercedes) and just the cutest vehicle on the road. My husband and I lovingly lobby for who gets to drive it each day. It’s a perfect date car – as it only seats 2 people.
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Tech stuff does not interest me- I don’t even own a cell phone. I relate to enjoying the simpler things and creating an atmosphere though. The coolest thing I have bought for myself lately is knitting needles and yarn so I could teach myself to knit. So far so good.
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I would have to say the family’s iMac. We just got rid of our old P.O.S. PC, and good riddance.
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I never did day what the best thing I’ve bought is did I?
It’s my telephoto lense. I can get some of the most amazing football and baseball shots of my boys with it and although I paid a pretty penny for it the pictures in my opinion I just can’t put a price on. They’re invaluable.
But that I-phone is pretty darn scchweeet!
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I very seldom buy anything for myself, but a few months ago I bought a Keurig coffee maker. I’m the only one in the house who drinks coffee, and this thing is fantastic! It can also make hot water for my youngest daughter’s oatmeal, hot tea, etc. It’s also cut my Starbucks bill almost completely out since I can leave the house with a good cup of coffee to take to work with me.
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i bought a krups panini maker – let me tell you, it’s amazing. we even made dessert with it – peanut butter & chocolate sandwiches. i’m telling you, the best. and i got it on sale, plus $25.00 coupon. love that!
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A white dishpan, one of those suction cup things that go in the bottom of your sink also white, a red paring knife and a black paring knife, a spatula, a slotted spoon, a colander, and 2 red wash cloths for a homeless guy who sells Seattle’s newspaper, Real Change, in front of the store I shop at. He just moved into a low income apartment with his cat and told me he didn’t have anything. I’m gonna get him a few more things next payday. This made me feel incredibly happy and not because I’m some philanthropist or anything, but because I’ve been homeless and it really sucks and also I’m selfish and I like to make myself feel good. He moved into his place 3 days ago and now it’s 29 degrees and snowing in this temperate town. Just in time! Also, when I gave him the bags he asked what the dishpan was and I said a dishpan and he said What’s that? so I explained it to him. I love this about him. I didn’t know you could buy hangers at a store until I was 35 years old so I totally understand where he’s coming from.
pax
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ps. I’m afraid that above post sounds all self righteous and shit. Especially considering I’ve been lurking around here for a while and not posting. It’s true that I’m selfish though and just wanted to feel like a good person. sheesh.
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The best thing in the past month was a pizza and a coke. Beats the crap out of dahl bhat and water.
For those that don’t know what dahlbhat is, click here –>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahl_baht
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Kitchen-Aide. I’ve been married 28 years and I’ve always wanted one. My husband cooks way better than I do and he’s always wanted one too. Bought one this year at a after Thanksgiving sale. We love it!
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I was thinking about your lead-in. About how you can’t buy joy, but you can buy happiness… Not to be too contrary but I’d argue that happiness, even from super cool material things like shiny iPhones, comes from appreciating what you have, so in that sense you still can’t “buy happiness” because if you can’t appreciate your blessings, nothing you can buy will make you happy.
But maybe I’m just argumentative because I’m wishing I had an iPhone too.
I like your blog!
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