You'll Be Shocked To Know That Money Buys Happiness...

But you will be even more shocked when you discover that it's not the type of happiness that you've been longing for all your life. Here's why.

The first thing you should know is that happiness shows up in two forms. The first being a superficial pleasure - I'll call that 'Superficial Happiness'- and the second being a deeper state of well-being, flourishing and profound joy. I will call this type 'Grounded-Happiness'.

Happiness derived from superficial pleasure is dependent on interaction with external factors, for example, the likes of shopping, receiving gifts, prestige leisure activities, VIP treatments, collating assets, etc. Interestingly, the brain is wired to produce high dopamine levels in response to the interaction with these external factors. This spike in dopamine levels is however only intended to be short-lived, so normal levels are restored after a short while, preparing the body for a future dose [1]. This is not an under-performance on the brain's part, but rather an efficient function of making sure equilibrium is maintained throughout the body, which is key to maintaining overall wellbeing.

Superficial Happiness - True Grounds Coaching.

Expecting Superficial happiness to be sustained long-term is the same as expecting pigs to fly; things are just not set up that way.

Contrarily, Grounded Happiness is experienced through the discovery of inner peace. Being rooted from within, it is able to be long lasting and sustained for a long term. This type of happiness is powered by profound joy and a deep sense of satisfaction that greatly transcends superficial things. Unlike Superficial Happiness, this type of happiness cannot be derived from interaction with external factors but rather the absence of them. A detachment from the outside world must first occur before one can tap into this reality.

A recent study carried out in 2024 showed that the life satisfactory level of 3000 people from 19 different countries of low income was equal to, or even exceeded that of people in wealthy nations [2]. Yet somehow, the general notion still remains that wealth is the key to true happiness.

Misunderstanding Superficial Happiness for Grounded Happiness results in an endless cycle of unrealistic expectations which in turn creates a conducive breeding ground for chronic frustration, insecurity, unfulfillment, anxiety and even depression [3]. No matter how much money is exhausted on external factors, the only happiness that can ever be derived is Superficial Happiness because Grounded Happiness can never be obtained with money. It's no wonder why these are some of the common predicaments (U)HNWIs battle with endlessly, with some even losing their life to it.

Although the general public are programmed to believe Grounded Happiness can and ought to be obtained through superficiality, it can be safe to admit that (U)HNWIs are the ones who greatly suffer from this deception. Having obtained the conventional perceived characteristics of success - wealth, riches, fame, status etc. - they are hit with the rude awakening that there is still a sizeable void within them echoing their emptiness. And no matter how much money they throw at it, it will never be filled until an inner discovery yielding inner peace is achieved.

So from now on, understand this - money buys you the type of happiness you desire, but can never buy you the type of happiness you require.

To find Grounded Happiness, you must search within.

References:

1. University of Pensylvania Health System - The Pursuit of Pleasure: The Normal Versus Addicted Brain -https://shorturl.at/R9L6S

2. Jooyoung Oh et al. - High life satisfaction reported among small-scale societies with low incomes" (2024)

3. The Balance Rehab Clinic - The Rich People and Depression - https://shorturl.at/eJ4xe