Opinion: We Hold A Double Standard When It Comes To Money And Happines

Everyone knows money can't buy you happiness because it's the cliche that doesn't shut up. In times of financial instability, we're told everything is going to be OK because happiness can't be purchased and it doesn't matter how many green bills you have in your pocket or sitting in the bank.

I've heard some people say to that, "Well yeah, but it's easier to cry in a Porsche than it is in a box." True, my friends. Quite honestly, I think they're the ones who have it figured out—the people who truly think that way. Because with that mindset, you're already admitting there will be battles that shake you down to your core and leave you scared, bruised and vulnerable, but knocking out the monetary barrier that does get in the way of so many lives must carry some weight.


When the top looks down at the bottom, I imagine there are some mixed feelings. "Sure," they'll say. "I have all this money, but what am I accomplishing?" I sense a genuine feeling in someone who has the wherewithal to make a practical, meaningful assessment of themselves and the general public. Obviously that doesn't encompass the thoughts of every rich guy you know, but that sort of honesty does exist.

When the bottom looks up at the top, that's when the cliche comes. But why? Is it because occasionally we'll hear of a new Hollywood star going to rehab or committing suicide? We learn of masked feelings among the wealthy, and it makes some of us feel better about where we are in life. I guess if that sort of thing gives you a sick high on your own well-being, whatever. Not only does that show your inability to find happiness within yourself, it shows you find reassurance through the hardships of others.

But I'm done with that; we're talking about a double standard here. I thought for sure the death of Robin Williams was going to expose it so mightily, but I didn't see or hear completely what I expected. I think the fact still remains, though: We hold a double standard when it comes to money and how it relates to happiness.

On one end, we say money can't buy happiness. But when we hear the unhappy tales of those who have good money, instead of restating the thesis and getting on with it, many people jump to a new argument, saying something like, "How could that happen? They had so much money!"

It's as though money can't buy you happiness until you're unhappy. Or at least that's what some of us think. We're all guilty of it in some capacity. Let's lower the scale. When your rich friend talks about problems, even if you don't say it out loud, you're thinking, "What in the world? Don't talk about your problems, you have money."

We've created this rule that states money is independent from happiness, but money should be shielding you from unhappiness. It's a very twisted game we play, really, and I think it's grown to the point that most people don't even recognize it. For whatever reason, it's completely OK to use money against those who have it in whatever way necessary, even if there are blatant contradictions in our thought process.

I know, as a society, we are obviously full of flaws. But this particular shortcoming in our thought process is easily reversible, if only we would give it a moment's thought.

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