I wish everyone could become rich and famous so they could realize it’s not the answer. — Jim Carrey
This truism has been quoted dozens of different ways, yet it all boils down to the same message. Money and fame don’t buy happiness. Most of us understand the idea on some level, but we’d love to try it out just to make sure, so we ignore the advice. In pursuit of fame and wealth, we sacrifice our health, relationships, and well-being in order to work longer hours, get more done, and seem more important.
After all, quotes like this come from people with plenty of money, so it’s easy for them to say, right? We can point our fingers and call them hypocrites, or we can consider that they come from a place where they can make these statements with confidence. Their life experiences support this message.
Most of them spend their entire life chasing wealth and success, only to realize that it was never the answer after all, and now they’re screaming out for help, feeling trapped, and telling everyone not to follow the same path.
Still don’t believe me? Think about Robin Williams: A respected comedian across the world that made millions of people laugh. Kate Spade, a famous designer who sold millions of bright and colorful handbags. Anthony Bourdain, a famous chef, and traveler, known for international cuisine. All three of these people had it all; they were respected in their fields with plenty of money to be set for life, but they all struggled with depression and ended their own lives.
So what should we do instead? Take care of ourselves and realize what really matters in life. No matter how much wealth and fame we acquire, we are nothing without our health, both physical and mental. We need to be proactive instead of reactive with our health so we can live a life that serves us. This means getting rest before we’re sick, eating healthy before gaining weight, and getting the help we need before we feel like there is no way out. As the old Chinese proverb goes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Create habits that will help serve you and cultivate a healthy lifestyle for many years to come.
Humans are pretty resilient, but we are bad at guessing what will make us happy. Once we get a little more wealth or money, we are happy for a little while, but then we settle back down to our original baseline of happiness. Think of wealth like a drug. People depend on it for happiness, but the more money we acquire the more resilient we become to the outcome. It’s a negative cycle. Health, on the other hand, improves all aspects of our lives. Exercise improves our health and makes us feel happier. Meditation helps us feel calmer and focused. Eating healthy foods leaves us feeling more energized and in a better mood. These scientifically backed statements create positive implications in other areas of your life, unlike money which tends to just leave us with feeling empty and with a desire for more.
We all need money to buy food and pay the bills, but don’t let it rule your life. Remember: your happiness and holistic health are a priority, regardless of what anyone else has to say. Macklemore, another world-respected artist, sums it up quite well:
If you don’t love life, the check won’t correct yours. — Macklemore
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