Are we really supposed to believe that making money and buying nice things makes us happy??? What do you think? Do you think America has it all figured out? "The land of opportunity" could be lack of. This world is restricted in it's thinking. How can we help change this?
2007-04-20 13:31:57 · 22 answers · asked by Dave G 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Yes, it is a very materialistic world. This country does have it's priorities a little confused. Money does have the ability to bring happiness, but if you think about it, it is not the money itself that is bringing the happiness. It is the freedom. We are all searching for freedom. Freedom from worry, stress, sadness. Sadly, money has become such a method of control, that it is now considered a necessity for happiness, because of the freedom that it provides. Freedom from financial stress, and worry. Freedom to enjoy life's little pleasures, because lets face it, there are very few things that are free. There is love, but when you love someone, it results in marriage (money), and a house(money) and kids (money) and bills( money), and food to provide to your family(money), etc, etc. This is how money has been associated with happiness, and as a result, we forget what is actually making us happy. We all want to be free to enjoy life's little pleasures without the strain of the money that is involved.We want to be free to experience life for what it truly is. But money has put a barrier on most of us to be able to do that, and it is sad. I have beleived for quite some time that the world would be a whole lot better place if money was nonexistant, and we went back to bartering and trading, SHARING the Earth's resources. It is sad that it is so hard to break free from the illusion that money brings happiness. It is freedom that brings happiness. And we are not free. As far as money is involved, we are not free. The only thing one can do to acheive freedom is to be free in your mind. Realize that money has no control over your happiness, and remember what it is that actually makes your life joyful. Loosen the hold that material things has over your mind, and learn to cherish the non material things again. Experience life to it's fullest, no matter what your situation is.
2007-04-20 14:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Lindsey H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being "the land of opportunity" has never specifically meant anything than the chance to come to America and, by working hard, attain some happiness and quality of life. This is what immigrants lacked in Europe, where the wealth was in the hands of a few and the masses lived in poverty. And no matter how hard they worked, they remained victims of the powers, problems, and prejudices of Europe. America provided something different, where individual hard work would produce individual rewards.
If making money and buying nice things is what you're after, then go for it. It's up to you to decide what makes you happy. Materialism does seem to be the order of the day in America today, for better or for worse... I dunno... I don't think we're all that interested in changing at this point.
2007-04-20 20:45:46 · answer #2 · answered by BooBooKins 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not opportunity for those who get taken advantage of and are treated poorly, exploited and unfairly compensated by those who gain wealth from the fruits of their labors. There is no way to change it and remain a democracy. Otherwise it would be socialism or communism, and way too many people have and are giving their lives to maintain liberty and justice for all. Even now there are those who are exploiting the events of this past week for their own self-enjoyment. Having a laugh at Americans freedoms and criticizing the trust among citizens, which there has to be to live in a free country. There will always be rich and there will always be poor. There always has been. that will never change. Giving of yourself and having consideration for those less fortunate than you or I or anyone sitting in another country bashing America, is a step in the right direction. If we do our part to be good people and kind to others, and remember that lack of respect for one another is the largest contributing factor to ignorance and the spread of hate and bigotry all over the world, perhaps we can get some people to just stop for a moment and think twice before doing.
2007-04-20 21:43:48 · answer #3 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I do not believe that this all there is to life...us human beings lack the knowledge of love, sharing and understanding. we all worry so much of the little things and we tend to forget the important things like for example: when the sun rises in the morning and the moon comes out at night. the birds get up every morning and sing and the sky is still blue. when you look at the ground the grass still grows green. the snow is still white. My friend just look around and you will see peace in the nature...there is more to life then Money and hard work...just take a walk through the park or near a lot of nature or even just sit on the grass out side in your own yard. Trust me you will start seeing a difference. I do this and it helps me find peace and harmony.
2007-04-20 20:57:41 · answer #4 · answered by carbear22/2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With well over 6 billion people on this planet, I really don't think it's possible to say what makes "us" happy. That's something each individual has to figure out for themselves.
As for how to change restricted thinking, what the world needs is more education, and less indoctrination passing for education.
2007-04-20 21:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by R[̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅]ution 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, the meaning varies from person to person. Some people are very very happy to have lots of things. However, most of the time it's when they started out with little. If you start out with a lot, it tends to mean much less to you.
Life, to me, is not so much about acquiring large amounts of money as it is to be able to do things with that money. In American society, you can't do ANYTHING without money. If you sit around and do nothing, you can be charged for loitering. If you want to hang out with your friends, you have to pay to go someplace (whether it's for gas or for admission). You pay cable bills and electrical bills to watch T.V. or sit on the computer. You pay telephone bills to talk on the phone. You have to pay water bills if you want tap water, and you have to pay a vendor of some sort (store, amusement park vendor, etc) for bottled water. You have to BUY your food, and half the time it's nowhere near good for you anyways.
However, I don't think it's the money that makes life worth living. Life is worth living for the people we meet and the memories we make. In the end, I don't think anybody wants to get to the other end and look back on their life and go: "Oh, gee.....I was such a bum...." But, we spend most of our lives trying to figure out what it is that lets us look back and say otherwise. In the meantime, money is like a quick solution. If you have money, you can go places. If you have money, people tend to like you a little more.
"The land of Opportunity" ideal that was the symbol of America has disappeared over time, and it is wealth and such that did that. The land was once a land that seemed so new and full of possibilities, it was beautiful and held people in awe. They wrote songs and painted pictures that represented the majestic aura America held. But our money bought it all and tore down the trees and built houses, parking lots, and amusement parks.
Of course, money has done a lot for us as well. Without money, we can't afford research for diseases. We wouldn't have all these cancer foundations or revival centers.
It's a double-sided coin. Money can be bad, but it can also be good.
2007-04-20 21:29:18 · answer #6 · answered by dragon0x0soul 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very little evidence points to happiness as being particularly useful to survival of the species. In fact the opposite seems to be the case. Happy people become complacent and soft.
Life is about propagation. If we don't propagate then the effort and suffering and deaths of our ancestors was for nothing. I am thankful that my ancestors were unhappy and built a better society to live in that improves the survival chances of my children. All the money and nice things might make life more comfortable while it lasts but that is secondary.
2007-04-20 20:39:38 · answer #7 · answered by Sanescience 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No , I have travelled to 34 countries and many of them third world ones. Many are very happy but have very little material things , and live in crowded 1 room homes. It`s healthy social interaction and time spent with friends and family that brings much more happiness than material things.
2007-04-20 20:36:19 · answer #8 · answered by Heads up! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
to me, happiness comes from a combination of things, doing the things in life you "need" to do,,,,,, your obligations, and also doing things that bring you pleasure. developing your mind and body, using the gifts you were giving,,,,,,, and giving back to the world,,,,,
the definition of these things can be different for different people,,,,,, there is nothing wrong with enjoying money, and what money can buy,,,,, just like there is nothing wrong with developing your mind and tuning into your spiritual side,,,,,,,,,, but most people will not feel complete if they only pay attention to one area,,,,but at the same time, its totally ok to have a favorite area,,,,,,,
2007-04-20 20:44:58 · answer #9 · answered by dlin333 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only way to attain true happiness is to enter your heart and find your unity with God in unconditional love. Most people seem to live on the level of Law, where ones circumstances in life and destiny are created by their desires through actions in thought,word and deed. to fulfill the law one needs to receive baptism in spirit by a saint with this power,There are many,living and in spirit. Then one accept all desire as Gods will and perfoms all actions in thought,word &deed in service to God. No longer a "sinner".
2007-04-20 21:11:16 · answer #10 · answered by Weldon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋