My answer
Does money make you happy? NO! And your refrigerator doesn’t mow your lawn either, simply because that’s not what it was made for. Money isn’t meant to make you happy, but it can make your life more comfortable and give you options.

Happiness doesn’t come from the outside. It comes from within and it is a choice. If you want to be happy, all you have to do is decide to be happy!
How come 80% of lottery winners eventually end up depressed? Because they think that all these things they can buy and do with the money they won will make them happy. And they do, for a little while atleast. Then the happiness starts to fade and they try to ‘boost’ it with another toy. But that too will only give them short term happiness. They get caught in a downward spiral. After a couple of years they find out the money didn’t really bring them happiness. By then there is often no money left. Many lottery winners actually say they would have been better of not having won the lottery!

Is it spiritual to want a lot of money?
Ofcourse, but the intention behind this thought is very important. Do you want to drive a Porsche so everyone can see you have one or do you want a Porsche because you are passionate about fast exotic cars? Do you buy clothes from expensive brands because you want quality or because you want people to see you wear expensive clothes?
The money in your bank account, the car you drive or the clothes you wear don’t make you a better or a worse person than anyone else.

So, it’s ok to want a lot of money, more comfort and options in your life. Just don’t fall in love with the money and the toys. They don’t define you and they won’t make you happy!

Conventional wisdom has long held that each of us is simply born with a happiness “set point” (meaning that some people are constitutionally more likely to be happy than others). That’s partially true – but according to positive psychologists Sonja Lyubomirsky and Ken Sheldon, research now suggests that up to 40 percent of our happiness might stem from intentional activities in which we choose to engage.

Which intentional activities that we engage in influence our level of happiness?

Scientist from all over the world have come to the same conclusion. Positive thoughts and emotions have a great impact on your level of happiness. Meditation is another great way of becoming happier, but the number one way to happiness seemed to be Gratitude. People who life are greatful in their everyday lives tend to be the happiest AND healthiest people!

How can you apply this to your life?

Below I have listed three exercises. If you do all three of them everyday for six weeks, I guarantee you will experience more happiness and satisfaction.

1) Keep a Gratitude Journal

Every night before you go to bed, write down the things you are greatful for. Write down at least 5 to 10 things. This won’t be easy in the beginning, but as you practice all three exercises, you’ll find that this will become much easier. It won’t be long before you will be able to write dozens of things in your journal. How you do this isn’t important. You can make a story of it, or you can just make a list. Whatever works for you …

2) Be grateful for everything

Teach yourself to be grateful for everything in your life. A beautiful flower, clear blue skies, someone who smiles at you, a good meal, … And every time you experience something good or beautiful, you say ‘Thank you’. If you can’t say it out loud, think it.
Tip: Do you remember a time when you really felt grateful? Maybe someone help you out or did you a favour? Recall this situation and feel the feeling of gratitude you felt then. While you feel this feeling, say ‘Thank You’ out loud. If you do this regularly, that feeling of gratitude will be attached to these words. And whenever you say them, you will feel that gratitude again!

3) Be grateful for things that haven’t happened yet

In the morning, before you get out of bed, I want you to be grateful for the incredible day you are about to have, for the fun your going to have with your friends or kids, for that incredibly romantic dinner with your husband,… Be grateful for the things you have planned that day, but describe them with words like amazing, incredible, fantastic, unbelievable,…

These three exercises can have an enormous impact on your life. I challenge you to do them on a daily basis for the next six weeks!

Let me know how it goes!