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The Forms of True Happiness Pt.1 - Helping Others & The Dangers of Materialism

     True happiness lies within our humanity, not our possessions.  Today’s ever-growing society emphasizes the importance of materialism.  Most of today’s commercials, advertisements, and media will have you believe money, power, and material gain are what creates happiness.  Of course, this is because companies and individuals have an agenda, to sell their products and increase their own wealth.  Although they have the right to do so, to say materialism is the best way to experience happiness is unprecedented.  People are losing their sight on the true values which generate long-lasting happiness; giving back, making memories with loved ones, personal development, etc.  In short, true happiness is something money cannot buy and it comes in many forms.
     There are many people who strive to be rich, believing money is the answer to their problems.  Financial success means the freedom to do whatever, whenever, and with few limitations.  There is no problem in striving to be rich, as people who become wealthy have the opportunity to give back to their communities and personally develop, a form of true happiness.  However, there are those who strive to become rich because they believe money and material gain is the key to happiness.  In truth, money is the root of all evil.  Money causes greed, distrust, and blinds people from reality.  Of course, wealth can resolve many financial issues, but it cannot buy true happiness.  Although you could buy a yacht or a mansion, you could not buy a girlfriend who truly loves you, a family to make memories with or the respect of the public.
     This is why many wealthy people believe money means nothing if there is nobody to share it with.  It is also the reason why many wealthy men and women share their fortune with others via charity, donations, and fundraisers.  For example, when the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire, a wealthy man by the name of Bernard Arnault donated 200 million euros in reconstruction efforts (1).  Arnault did not donate for recognition, power, or financial gain, he did it out of kindness.  He understood Notre Dame was a symbol of culture and cherished by the French population.  He knew he could help and wanted to give back to the community.
     The desire to give back and the satisfaction gained from helping others is a form of true happiness.  The pleasure one receives from helping others is more rewarding than any material object.  Everybody has an underlying desire to give back.  It is in our nature to do so, despite what some may believe.  You may have done so on a smaller scale; bought food for a loved one, donated to a small charity, or maybe you did something nice for your parents as a token of appreciation.  Either way, these acts create the same feeling people like Bernard Arnault experience when giving back to the community.  In short, material wealth does not generate true happiness unless the individual uses it to do so.  Second, giving back to loved ones and the community creates long-lasting happiness which will outlive a mansion or a yacht.  Last and most importantly, true happiness cannot be bought.

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