i think that most people have a skewed view of where their happiness is. people work and work to get to the point where they can take time off and have things they want and spend time with people. all the money and all the things they acquire are never enough. that's why capitalism is so successful. no matter how much stuff you have, there is always something bigger or better or prettier or more advanced or newer that has just come out.

i think it is pretty clear that no matter how much you make, it never seems enough. people win the lottery and end up with a lot of stuff, but not fulfilled. they end up creating foundations or charities to give some purpose to their life, or they end up just spending it all on statues and cars.

and how many people, once they have amassed enough money to live very comfortably stop working and enjoy other parts of their life? and if their work is that rewarding, how many people in that position take a pay cut or work for free to help that cause and remain fulfilled? i would imagine very few if any. and i would also imagine it is because their idea of where their happiness is, has nothing to do with their personal life, and everything to do with what they can do or earn at work.

i am not attempting to insinuate that earning money is frivilous, or that a fulfilling job is not important. rather that neither will bring any lasting happiness or fulfillment, and will only leave one with an addiction of sorts. a capitalist addiction that most people deny they have, and in the cycle that they deny they want to be part of.

my response is that it is how one chooses to live, and the person one spends their life with that allows tranquility and contentment.