The High Cost of Happiness

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

Someone I love very much just asked me that question this week. It is the kind of question kids ask one another at sleepover parties at four in the morning after bellyfuls of popcorn and pizza. As a kid the answer was more wishes, a pony, superpowers or a million dollars. I wished to go to heaven, but I’ll save that story for another blog.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately. What’s the price we pay for happiness? What are we doing in hopes of happiness? Are our relationships suffering because of it? If we really could have one wish and get anything we wanted, what would it be? Would we be happy once we got it? How would we live our lives differently?

Well when this person asked me the question, I immediately thought to be loved. I hadn’t planned the answer; it was just what I thought of first. What makes us happy? Is it the maximum amount of pleasure and the minimum amount of pain?

I recently read an article (“But Will It Make You Happy” by Stephanie Rosenbloom) in the Times about what makes people happy...

• Material goods and their accumulation won’t bring you happiness.
  Eventually you’ll stop feeling the “high” from the purchase.

• Spending money on an experience produces longer-lasting satisfaction,
  so take a vacation or spend your time and money on a hobby or activity.

• As far as money is concerned, the type of purchases we make,
  the frequency and even the timing of those purchases make a difference
  on the happiness we receive from them.
  

• People overwhelmingly agreed that we are more interested
  in creating memories than we are with “stuff.”

Maybe strong relationships lead to happiness. Maybe the next time you’re feeling down, you don’t go shopping. Maybe the next time you are feeling down, you call a friend or a family member and spend some time connecting to others in a meaningful way. There will always be things to buy, but your friends and your relationships are a much better investment. Especially when it comes to your happiness. Think about it. What is happiness costing you?

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