Can't Buy Happiness

Unhappy and unsatisfied people pay self-help gurus millions of dollars each year in the hopes of becoming wealthy. They don’t pay all that money to become happy and satisfied with their lives. They throw good money after bad in hopes of getting rich and living “the good life”. What makes it such a sad situation is that most of them fail, and none of them really need to do it!

Regardless of how it’s packaged – and I’ll admit it’s packaged attractively – the solution that is usually offered really comes down to making internal changes. It almost always comes down to changing the way we think and feel about our situation, about events that occur, and about the people with whom we interact.

It sounds simple, but it’s certainly not easy, which is why we spend millions and millions of dollars each year to learn how to do it. What I find disheartening is that where we really should be starting is at a local place of worship. When we talk about changing thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, we’re talking the language of faith and spirituality. And the basic help that we need on such a journey is available for FREE!

Sure, you can donate all you want, but most places of worship aren’t going to charge you a membership fee or monthly dues. They’re also not going to lace every sermon with barely veiled plugs for their latest audio program, ebook, or success symposium. Most worship communities don’t list “profit” as their number one goal. In fact, most worship communities only focus on donations so that they can afford the resources necessary to share their message with as many people as possible.

If you find yourself feeling unhappy or unsatisfied, don’t drop $49 on yet another audio program to listen to in your car. Instead, take a trip to your local place of worship, whether it is a church, synagogue, or temple, and get involved. Attend worship services, but also find out about prayer groups or various ministries, and become active in the faith community. That will take you much further along your journey to happiness than any product you get from a self-help guru. You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth saying again: you can’t buy happiness!

Train hard and pray harder,
Brandon Jubar