Happiness and Materialism
Most people do not think wisely. All through their lives they are like race-track greyhounds running after a rabbit decoy. When the chase on the rabbit ends, everything disappears. This is much like the nature of sensual happiness in the wonderland of materialism. As soon as the desired object is attained, the happiness is ended and there rise a new desire.
Getting the object to appear not quite satisfying is a chase itself.
When we lose something, remember the following advice: “say not that is yours and that is mine, just say this came to you and that to me, so we may not regret the fading shine, of all the glorious things which cease to be”.
Wealth is not something for you to accumulate for craving’s sake. It is intended for your welfare as well as of others. Try to make the world around you a better place to be with instead of continuously crave for more.
Wisely use your wealth to reduce the sufferings of the poor, sick and the aged. Fulfil your responsibilities to the people around you, your country and religion. When the time for you to leave has come, imagine what peace and bliss they could bring as you recall past good and selfless deeds you have done.
To seek wealth through gambling is like expecting a passing cloud to shelter us from the sun. on the other hand, to aspire for prosperity through diligent work is as secure as building a permanent shelter against sun and rain.
“Your property will remain when you die. Your friends and relatives will follow you up to your grave. But only good and bad actions you have done during your life-time will follow you beyond the grave”.
Fulfilling dreams of wealth may sound magical, but fear and worry lie in wait for such magical to wear off. A wealthy lifestyle brings its share of mental disturbance. With an abundance of ill-used wealth, simple things in life like friendship, trust and confidence which are taken for granted in humbler situation become impossible to attain.
When lifestyle begins to bring you insecurity, it requires wisdom to put oneself on the right track again. Riches have their trade-offs, the happiness of owning them is diminished by as much fear and worry about losing them.
For our personal happiness we should acquire wealth righteously. “Bless are they who earn their living without harming others”, says the Buddha. Happiness cannot be for life and meaningful if wealth leaves sorrow and suffering in its wake. Wealth flouted arouses envy but well-conducted wealth earns respect.
Your wealth can only edify your house but not you. Only your own virtue can edify you. Your dress can adorn your body but not you. Only your good conduct can.
Ultimately, it is bliss to know that happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. The world may not be what you want it to be but you can tune your heart to find happiness within it. It is only when you have suffered for doing good that you can rise above others in understanding and personal happiness.
If you want to look for happiness, let us stop thinking about gratitude or ingratitude and give for the inner joy of giving. Ingratitude is natural, like weeds. Gratitude is like rose. It has to be fed, watered and cultivated, loved and protected.
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