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Want to Feel Rich? Lucky You, There is a Great Way!

Being rich is not just about having a lot of money, but also about spending that money on things which are out of reach of the majority. That luxury car you like so much but can’t have is very comfortable for sure, but part of the package is to feel exclusive.

However, maintaining that exclusivity is harder than you think. Imagine being in a rat race whereby you are working hard to get ahead of the people in your circle. If someone buys the latest model Ferrari, you must have the new Lamborghini.

Being rich is not just about having a lot of money, but also about spending that money on things which are out of reach of the majority

Of course, the problem does not lie in the existence of these luxuries or if someone owns them. The trouble lies in the mindset which compels the rich to ensure they remain at the top of the social ladder. Psychologists compare this phenomenon to walking on a treadmill: no matter how fast you run, you will not get anywhere. If your ultimate goal is happiness, then money can certainly not buy it for you albeit up to a certain income level, as has been substantiated in numerous research studies.

The Importance of Money

While many of us would say that money is necessary to fulfill everyday needs and wants but is not the ultimate purpose of life, it’s ironic that we spend most of our waking hours in pursuit of earning it.

That is why any discussion concerning money is highly stressful, earning a lot of attention by the general public. Think about it. If there is an increase in working hours, we are not very bothered as we would still be paid in overtime. But if there is an increase in taxes and a possibility of losing money, then there is a hue and cry.

Understanding Happiness

The debate about what constitutes as happiness has been going on as part of humanity since the days of Aristotle, one of our most beloved philosophers. He split the human mind in two distinct units, one concerned with everyday moments of happiness and sadness, while the other is concerned with something more sustained and long-term.

He termed the latter state of mind as Eudaimonia, and it envisioned a state of mind that transcended beyond the momentary happiness we seek on a daily basis. It appealed to a deeper state of consciousness which is unique to human beings in the animal kingdom.

The debate about what constitutes as happiness has been going on as part of humanity since the days of Aristotle

The True Riches

Although many claim that having money provides the opportunity to experience happiness, and it may seem to work for them as well, you can experience a deeper and sustained state of happiness without having to spend a lot of money. What matters is not the amount of money you have, but how you spend it. If you spend on trivial things such as shoes and clothes, and your goal is only to show-off the wealth you own, then your happiness is dependent upon other people.

But, instead, if you spend on having amazing experiences around the world, or even in your own neighborhood, that would lead to a deeper state of contentment. According to studies, whenever you take a vacation or experience something different, most of the time it is the people you are with who make it all worthwhile. Think about all the family vacations you used to take as a kid, or the road trips you took with your friends in college. The reason why you still feel a longing for those kinds of experiences is because in those moments you experienced true happiness.

Another way to feel rich is to give to others. No matter how much you have, when you start helping out those in need, you automatically realize how wealthy you are compared to a lot of people. Being rich is a relative concept.

You may be rich in a third world country but barely make ends meet in the UK. So when you increase your interaction with those who are in need of help, you start feeling rich yourself as you realize how much you truly have compared to so many others. Plus, you would be helping people out which is a great act in itself.

Feeling rich is all about understanding and accepting the true worth of all that you have, and being thankful for it.

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