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Buying Happiness They say it can't be done.
Or can it? 
I finished reading about a University study where people were asked to rate recent purchases that were meant to bring them enjoyment in life. Half were asked to choose a life experience they'd paid for (plays, concerts, travel and dining dominated the answers), the other half were told to reflect on a material purchases (clothing, jewelry and beauty products were the most popular answers). Experiences got more favorable reviews than possessions. 
The accumulation of rich experiences creates a richer life. For me, my experiences living in other countries and cities within the U.S.--and doing it without knowing anyone--have been the most lovely and memorable experiences. To this day, I still keep in touch with friends from those places and I know I gained invaluable insight that continues to help guide me in my everyday life. What about you? Have you ever 'purchased' happiness?  [This message was edited Fri Apr 30 9:23:16 2004 by AnotherLoverToo] | |
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As a matter of fact I have...
She was the cutest pekingese puppy, she gave me 12 years of unconditional love.  ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections... unknown | |
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sag10 said: As a matter of fact I have...
She was the cutest pekingese puppy, she gave me 12 years of unconditional love. Hey, you! Nice talking to you last night!
That phonecall would qualify as a happy experience I bought!  | |
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AnotherLoverToo said: sag10 said: As a matter of fact I have...
She was the cutest pekingese puppy, she gave me 12 years of unconditional love. Hey, you! Nice talking to you last night!
That phonecall would qualify as a happy experience I bought! Awww, tis always a pleasure to talk to you! You make me smile with that happy voice that you have... Love you tons lady. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections... unknown | |
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I think it is possible to buy happiness but its only a temporary happiness, an instant hit that fizzles out pretty quickly. Lasting happiness is much harder to find!
The accumulation of rich experiences creates a richer life. For me, my experiences living in other countries and cities within the U.S.--and doing it without knowing anyone--have been the most lovely and memorable experiences. To this day, I still keep in touch with friends from those places and I know I gained invaluable insight that continues to help guide me in my everyday life.
However, life experiences such as these have no monetary value, they are priceless, I'm not sure if i would even consider them as "buying" happiness. ..I hope i'm making sense 
.... [This message was edited Fri Apr 30 10:02:40 2004 by Lleena] | |
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the money spent on my trip to Europe was definitely
buying happiness!!! and I hate to admit it, but driving my convertible with the top down on sunny days makes me pretty damn happy. There's a feeling of freedom I get from driving down a road with Prince blasting and the wind in my hair. Ahhh..... http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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I've had the most amazing experiences on the total cheap People I've known who love money more than life itself are simply just never happy.
My best friend grew up wealthy and I grew up poor. She gave me the best compliment not too long ago. She said that I was the first poor friend she ever had and that I had, by example of my person, shown her how wrong she was for judging the poor kids she went to school with. She said that I showed her that poor people are people too and helped her to broaden her horizons on accepting people as they are. She said that I showed her how to have a good time on nothing and showed her that the "poor" food I introduced her too was just as good as the expensive meals she grew up with. She used to trip out on some of the things I used to cook, things I learned from my mother, who because we were poor had to stretch a dollar and come up with creative dishes. She now loves those meals
Her complimenting me in that way made me feel so good 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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AnotherLoverToo said: Have you ever 'purchased' happiness?
yes, and those will be the greatest fifteen minute intervals of my life Oh my, oh my. | |
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SENSHY said: AnotherLoverToo said: Have you ever 'purchased' happiness?
yes, and those will be the greatest fifteen minute intervals of my life 
That counts, too!! | |
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sag10 said: As a matter of fact I have...
She was the cutest pekingese puppy, she gave me 12 years of unconditional love. a lil' puppy how cute  | |
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I don't see the difference between the two really. In each case, the fact that you have to "purchase" happiness means that you equate happiness with something other than what you have or where you are, no? | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I've had the most amazing experiences on the total cheap
People I've known who love money more than life itself are simply just never happy.
My best friend grew up wealthy and I grew up poor. She gave me the best compliment not too long ago. She said that I was the first poor friend she ever had and that I had, by example of my person, shown her how wrong she was for judging the poor kids she went to school with. She said that I showed her that poor people are people too and helped her to broaden her horizons on accepting people as they are. She said that I showed her how to have a good time on nothing and showed her that the "poor" food I introduced her too was just as good as the expensive meals she grew up with. She used to trip out on some of the things I used to cook, things I learned from my mother, who because we were poor had to stretch a dollar and come up with creative dishes. She now loves those meals
Her complimenting me in that way made me feel so good
u always amaze me! http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I've had the most amazing experiences on the total cheap
People I've known who love money more than life itself are simply just never happy.
My best friend grew up wealthy and I grew up poor. She gave me the best compliment not too long ago. She said that I was the first poor friend she ever had and that I had, by example of my person, shown her how wrong she was for judging the poor kids she went to school with. She said that I showed her that poor people are people too and helped her to broaden her horizons on accepting people as they are. She said that I showed her how to have a good time on nothing and showed her that the "poor" food I introduced her too was just as good as the expensive meals she grew up with. She used to trip out on some of the things I used to cook, things I learned from my mother, who because we were poor had to stretch a dollar and come up with creative dishes. She now loves those meals
Her complimenting me in that way made me feel so good we call them po' mans fixins' round my way Oh my, oh my. | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I've had the most amazing experiences on the total cheap
People I've known who love money more than life itself are simply just never happy.
My best friend grew up wealthy and I grew up poor. She gave me the best compliment not too long ago. She said that I was the first poor friend she ever had and that I had, by example of my person, shown her how wrong she was for judging the poor kids she went to school with. She said that I showed her that poor people are people too and helped her to broaden her horizons on accepting people as they are. She said that I showed her how to have a good time on nothing and showed her that the "poor" food I introduced her too was just as good as the expensive meals she grew up with. She used to trip out on some of the things I used to cook, things I learned from my mother, who because we were poor had to stretch a dollar and come up with creative dishes. She now loves those meals
Her complimenting me in that way made me feel so good I just skimmed this post, but I agree: poor people suck! | |
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2the9s said: SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I've had the most amazing experiences on the total cheap
People I've known who love money more than life itself are simply just never happy.
My best friend grew up wealthy and I grew up poor. She gave me the best compliment not too long ago. She said that I was the first poor friend she ever had and that I had, by example of my person, shown her how wrong she was for judging the poor kids she went to school with. She said that I showed her that poor people are people too and helped her to broaden her horizons on accepting people as they are. She said that I showed her how to have a good time on nothing and showed her that the "poor" food I introduced her too was just as good as the expensive meals she grew up with. She used to trip out on some of the things I used to cook, things I learned from my mother, who because we were poor had to stretch a dollar and come up with creative dishes. She now loves those meals
Her complimenting me in that way made me feel so good I just skimmed this post, but I agree: poor people suck! How do you think I got so rich!  2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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AnotherLoverToo said:
Have you ever 'purchased' happiness? Yeah last year when I went to New York... I'll be stopping now. | |
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madartista said:[quote]the money spent on my trip to Europe was definitely
buying happiness!!! and I hate to admit it, but driving my convertible with the top down on sunny days makes me pretty damn happy. There's a feeling of freedom I get from driving down a road with Prince blasting and the wind in my hair. Ahhh.....[/quote LMAO! Not today, though! ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections... unknown | |
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sag10 said: madartista said: the money spent on my trip to Europe was definitely
buying happiness!!! and I hate to admit it, but driving my convertible with the top down on sunny days makes me pretty damn happy. There's a feeling of freedom I get from driving down a road with Prince blasting and the wind in my hair. Ahhh..... LMAO! Not today, though! That darn April snow just won't quit, huh?? Soon enough!!! http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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sag10 said:[quote] madartista said: the money spent on my trip to Europe was definitely
buying happiness!!! and I hate to admit it, but driving my convertible with the top down on sunny days makes me pretty damn happy. There's a feeling of freedom I get from driving down a road with Prince blasting and the wind in my hair. Ahhh.....[/quote LMAO! Not today, though! Thats it! I'm coming to Denver! We can both have the wind in our hair! | |
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Lleena said:[quote] sag10 said: madartista said: the money spent on my trip to Europe was definitely
buying happiness!!! and I hate to admit it, but driving my convertible with the top down on sunny days makes me pretty damn happy. There's a feeling of freedom I get from driving down a road with Prince blasting and the wind in my hair. Ahhh.....[/quote LMAO! Not today, though! Thats it! I'm coming to Denver! We can both have the wind in our hair! WoooooFUCKINHooooo! ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections... unknown | |
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sag10 said: Lleena said: Thats it! I'm coming to Denver! We can both have the wind in our hair! WoooooFUCKINHooooo! Yay!!! It'll be a party!!!! http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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I think experiences are the key. Having worked hard and saved money to travel, attend concerts, go dancing, see plays, etc. has brought me immeasureable happiness in my life. I'd probably be happy even without those things. But I know I'm happier with them too. |
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I totally agree, CarrieMpls. I think the major difference for me with experiences vs. things is that usually with experiences, I"m interacting with others in a social manner and/or experiencing a new landscape (geographic or internal). Also, with experiences I'm quite often presented with novel situations that require some creativity. All of this, in my opinion, allows me to become a more evolved/aware person than perhaps I would be just gazing at me "things". | |
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CarrieMpls said: I think experiences are the key. Having worked hard and saved money to travel, attend concerts, go dancing, see plays, etc. has brought me immeasureable happiness in my life. I'd probably be happy even without those things. But I know I'm happier with them too.
I agree totally! It's the experience of sharing with a friend or loved one that rates highly for me as well. | |
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AnotherLoverToo said: I totally agree, CarrieMpls. I think the major difference for me with experiences vs. things is that usually with experiences, I"m interacting with others in a social manner and/or experiencing a new landscape (geographic or internal). Also, with experiences I'm quite often presented with novel situations that require some creativity. All of this, in my opinion, allows me to become a more evolved/aware person than perhaps I would be just gazing at me "things".
But isn't what you're describing just a commodification of experience? | |
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Sure, I've bought things that have brought me lots of happiness. . .plane tickets to Indianapolis and Slovakia, my undergraduate education, violin lessons (well, my parents bought those), lots and lots of music. . .
I think that purchasable experiences like those can make for a happier life. I think posessions rarely do. You've got it exactly right.  | |
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freakin' slow computer edit [This message was edited Fri Apr 30 19:15:43 2004 by tackam] | |
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Items I have purchased that made me happy:
Plane, Play, Movie and Concert tickets Books CD's My Jeep (because it's the first thing that's really MINE, not loaned or bought for me, it's a symbol of accomplishing something by myself, for myself) Jewelry My camera (because it allows me to share what I see and how I see it with those I love) and of course.... many many many pairs of SHOES! In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular. |
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u don't hear rich people complaining  | |
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Mizzunderstood said: u don't hear rich people complaining
unless the cavier wasn't fresh | |
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