Wouldn't you rather be happy than rich?

Well, like I said, it is striking the balance between happy and rich that makes one truly happy. Once you are able to find that balance, it is a matter of managing our own expectations on what HAPPY is.

The definition differs from person to person. Your definition is as above. But that may not be the case for some people. There are people who can find joy in doing missionary, volunteering work or some other works which compensate them financially. I have friends who are leaving for mission soon. They are willing to forsake the life here for something they feel will make them happier inside.

**I mean 'don't compensate them financially' Sorry for the typo

ha ha ha ha ha... who wouldn't want to be happy and rich. But if you are only given a choice between the two, which would you choose then? Of course, there will be people who will argue about what kind of food and what kind of roof. To some, a small 3-room flat is comfortable to house everyone is good enough. To others, only a condo or a landed property will do the job. To some, rice and some plain vegetables to fill the stomach is good enough. To others, only a side of abalone is the meal considered complete. Who is to say one is wrong and the other is not? For me, as long as I do not have to worry about providing for my family, I would be happy. Be it food or clothes or a roof over their heads, I would be happy. I do not need a lot of money to be happy. How about you?

Well, your reasoning is very logical too. For when we have monies, enough of it, then we do not have to worry. And when we do not have to worry, we can concentrate on being happy. So from having money, it will lead to happiness in some way. That is why I say every one has a different definition of happiness. Thanks for sharing my friend.

Having grown up in a rich family when my dad was around, and later on became downright poor such that my family has to depend on charitable handouts to survive, I would have to choose to have money. Because I know that as long as I have money and be contented easily, I will still be able with no stress hanging over me trying to make ends meet. For me, I think a cozy small house and enough food every day is good enough. But all of these needs money too. Hehe. I don't want to experience back to the times whereby I have to work 5-6 jobs just to live and I literally survive on maggi mee every single day for that entire year. That is enough to show me that I will be unhappy without money. I do not need a lot of money to be happy like you. But I would like to have more than enough money on me so that I don't have to fret about money at all, which will lead to unhappiness too! There is of course no rights and wrongs to this issue as everybody has their own opinions and their way of lifestyle. So.. this is my way and my opinion, and of course you too, are entitled to yours. =D *Peace out*

thanks for ur kind words, we are trying to make our lives better one day at a time, it's just that we come across these bumbs or obstacles that push us back, but we are hopeful things will get better.

A FULL HD TV!!! And I am enjoying it so much, my wife have to literally peel me away from the sofa just to get the chores done! To me, it is all love! To her, it is a love and hate relationship with the new flat, 40 inches of glorious moving, high definition images!

he he he... you are also a little like me. A simple person with simple needs. A hot meal at the end of the day is enough to put a smile on my face. And to be able to share it with a love one, even better. New purchases? Well, that would really depend on what the purchase is, doesn't it? I am still elated over my last big purchase. Heh heh heh...

care to share what was your last big purchase? maybe it'll do the same for me too.

Like I said, there is a need for a balance between riches and happiness before one can true say that he is HAPPY. There is no happy if one lost his job and is constantly worrying about the next meal. So having enough to survive comfortably, if one is able to appreciate the things he already have rather than constantly lamenting about the things they don't, then they will be able to attain some form of happiness that even the rich cannot buy with money. Agree?

IF one has been thru the period of being poor, only then they will know what's true happiness ^_^ Though money is important, but it's not everything.. There are happy ple whom are poor.. Just compared singaporeans to those poor ple in south africa, who do u think is happier?? haha

Well Kun, I have through the period of poverty, whereby my family had to depend on handouts just to survive, where I had to work 5-6 jobs with only 1 hour of sleep per day just to pay off bills, whereby I had to eat bread and maggi mee every single day for that one entire year! And was I happy? I don't think so. Because I know if I don't work that 5-6 jobs, I will have nothing to eat, no electricity in the house. Comparing African kids to Singapore is a bit unfair. Because it is possible not to have money in Africa and still be happy as the standard of living is low there but it is not possible here in Singapore where everything is about money, when qing does not comes into place. Compare America to Singapore (as both are developed), those with no money has got it better there as they have soup kitchens to go to.. we don't. So how do compare?

Doing charity is indeed a happy event that can add towards your happiness index. But to do charity does not only mean giving money. There are many ways to do charity without the need for a lot of money. You can always try your hand at volunteering your services to help charity organizations. You can always try you hand at providing help in charity events. Not every about charity is money. Time and effort spent to help in caring for the people in the charity organization is also a form of charity. Time and effort spent to either reduce cost or raise funds for the charity is also a form of charity.

Yes I know what you mean and I was doing most of them......g9iving hand for those needy and yes, a little of monetary things as much as I can. What am trying to emphasize here is the choice between richness and happiness and I would say if i have to choose one of them I'd like to be rich. I can of course do charities in some other forms but I guess i can be more helpful if I can extend monetary help.

That is really noble of you! I can really respect that!

If everyone can think like you do, the world would be a much more peaceful place to live in. Imagine, everyone trying to see the good in every situation. They will then not be so angry or emotional so easily. And when that happens, the person will not be so violent as well. Cos when he sees the good in something, he will be more or less calmed. Many wars would not be fought. Many fights avoided. If only everyone were to think like you, we would all be a happy lot!

That is a good one too. Yep, you got it correct. Wouldn't you rather poor and happy than rich but unhappy? is about right on what I wanted to ask. Happiness IS a mindset. And how happiness is defined is based on the individual's perception of what is happy. To some, having money is happiness. So when you have riches, you are happy. No confusion there. Thanks for sharing your views edujccz!

Yeah, that would be ideal, wouldn't it? And if you ever attain that state of mind, you would be richer than the richest person in the world!

Well, in this case, the riches referred to in my discussion is physical money. It is good that you are healthy and you have loving, healthy children as well. Those are some riches that even some rich people cannot afford to buy, even with all their riches. To be able to appreciate these kind of finer things in life, that is what life is all about. Thanks for sharing that valuable nugget of info my friend.

Yeah, I tend to agree with you too. And appreciating what we already have. From material things to relationships with people. That is the first step towards happiness. Thanks for sharing your views with me my friend.

ha ha ha ha ha... having faith in god is a good thing. But I also believe that faith in god can only do so much. We must also take action when opportunity arrives in order to achieve miracles that god wants to do. Religion is but a direction in life. A prayer is a compass that points us in certain direction. Whether we take the first step towards that direction where the answer to our problem lies, ultimately lies with us. So, being happy or rich is the same thing. Whether we can become happy or become rich depends on the actions we take.

I guess it would be a balance between the two that will bring ultimate happiness to a person. One where the person is able to appreciate what life have to offer without having to pursue money all the time to know that he is already self sufficient without the need for more. I guess the Chinese saying of earning more, spend more, earning less, spend less is really true. When you earn more, you will naturally spend more to attain and maintain a certain level of happiness. When you earn less, you learn to live with less and accept the fact and live within your means. You still can be happy with what you have. As long as we know how to strike a balance between the two, there should be no problems with attaining happiness.

Like I mentioned in my earlier replies, there must be a balance between money and happiness to maintain a certain level of happiness. If one is not able to even survive, constantly worrying about the next meal, or when the debtors are gonna come knocking on the door, then what happiness are you talking about. So the balance must be struck before happiness can be attained. But to attain that hapiness, one do not need to be rich to achieve it. Just enough to not worry about money, and many people would be happy already.

hmm,.. well at least you could try without asking money for someone. and make sure to settle every debt you had. i guess, it all start with your choice. it you don't debt for someone, then a happy life follows. money isn't everything as well as fame. we should learn to be happy without having so much trouble with regards to it.. hehe.. thanks.

ha ha ha ha ha... who wouldn't want to be happy and rich. But if you are only given a choice between the two, which would you choose then? For me, as long as I do not have to worry about providing for my family, I would be happy. Be it food or clothes or a roof over their heads, I would be happy. I do not need a lot of money to be happy. How about you?

Actually, in my article, I was just comparing the two. But you are right, I did not put any restriction on the selection. I too would have chosen what you have selected. Happy first. And secure that happiness first before I pursue the riches. It never hurts to have both. But given one choice, happy would have been given priority.

Yes, you are right. Some things cannot be bought no matter how much you have. And those are the things you treasure if you have them. Things like family love is priceless if you have it. Treasuring and appreciating it is much better than all the riches in the world. Thanks for sharing that thought my friend.