Was reading a blog on The Age website this morning. It was reporting on some new research done by some very prominent academics, including a Nobel Laureate on whether there was any correlation between more money and happiness.
I almost can't believe people bother with these studies. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the researchers. It's very valuable research. The trouble is that nobody takes any notice. We eat up the latest fad without regard for the realities of life...
Yep, the research found what we all know already. Money really doesn't make people happier. The correlation between more money and greater hapiness was extremely marginal, and often meant people sacrificed more of their day commuting, and less time socialising (trading a great thing for happiness with a terrible thing).
The point the article, and the researchers themselves were making was, have we got it all wrong? Is our focus on money a waste of effort. I don't get it. We all know this already. What worries me is that the focus on more money, more things, more status will not change if we all believe everything we read, everything we watch on tv, read all the trashy magazines so we can find out more about the stars and try and live like they do, or even just covet what they have.
That's the challenge. It's not about selling all we have perhaps, but it IS about trying not to always say to ourselves I need the latest in everything (something I am working on, but sometimes fail at still...)
Here's a challenge for you. Don't get a new mobile phone until you have a real reason (either it doesn't work, or the plan is too expensive). Don't just get one because you want a new one. Sounds simple? I'm not so sure...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think I'm with Bubs because this is a big big topic with a million variables - it's not the phone for me but the yearning for STUFF. We've learned that simply NOT spending time wandering around shopping centres decreases the lust for STUFF, and we've got old phones but there's heaps of other STUFF. And funnily enough I don't always want STUFF for myself now I'm a mum but I could spend a fortune on STUFF for the kids . . . go figure. Thanks for keeping this at the front of my mind.
exactly! i'm only stiring te pot here of course. dealing in detail can't really happen easily in the blog. and the phone was a good example because of just how quickly things change and how so many people are always looking for the next cool one.
i agree, it's a huge topic. if i make you think, i've done my job!!!
PS - Can you please post on this topic about every 6 months cause I need reminding on this one . . . it's an easy one to get "wrong", or just quietly "lapse" into. I need to be reminded that whilst my 17 year old Barina still gets me from A to B then it's fine. And so long as my house keeps out the rain (and has a kettle and some tea bags) then it's fine too. And I don't really need the latest clothes (or phone) . . . .
Can you put this in your diary for a reminder for me Nath????
i'll try... speaking of which, what about this one... my car isn't 17 years old - it's 24. AND i think it's getting a little on the unsafe side. the suspension doesn't seem to handle corners in the wet as well as it should... surely that qualifies!?!?!
LOL. You win the old car competition Nath! But I TRULY do think that the whole money/stuff conversation is perhaps a lot more important than we often give it credit for . . . it's just all sooooo "insidious" (is that the right word) in our culture and scripture is just so clear on the issue and yet it continues to be a struggle (well for me at least). I have no trouble with people (including me) having money/stuff . . . it's the lust for more or the discontent with our current 'lot' where it all gets blurry and difficult. And it's just so darn acceptable to lust for more . . . I mean my kids are at a Christian school and it's kinda interesting to look at the cars around and listen to the conversations and the lust for STUFF is just so prevalent and acceptable even there. Bigger houses, newer cars, kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, new carpet, faster computers, nicer clothes, more toys . . . And when I visit friends I find myself wishing for a nicer/newer house/lounge suite/dinner service/tv/sound system and oh wouldn't I LOVE an iPOD????? It's just so hard to know where "need" starts and ends and what is acceptable use of money in God's eyes . . . . and I'm sure if you come back to this topic you'll say it a whole lot more eloquently than me. Am I making any sense at all given that all I have are questions and no real answers?
Post a Comment