Borrowing money is a way of life for most people. Whether it is for a home mortgage, auto financing or a pricey item purchased on a credit card, most do not mind creating debt by borrowing money, as long as their dreams can be financed right away. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with this, as long as a borrower can comfortably afford to repay their loan or credit debt, it is nonetheless interesting to consider why borrowing money is so popular.

Money and Happiness

Is it true that money cannot buy happiness? If so, why is it that so many people anticipate that it will? What is it about money that makes human beings feel as though, the more of it they have, the better they will feel about their lives? And why does it seem that some of the wealthiest people are also the most miserable and insecure?

Money buys satisfaction, not happiness

Researchers who study the psychology of money, including famed psychologist and esteemed Nobel laureate, Daniel Kahneman, have suggested that people believe money buys happiness because, when they can afford the material trappings of their dreams, even when this involves borrowing money to finance their purchases, such makes a statement to the world that they are productive members of society who are able to accomplish conventional goals that the rest of society is also striving for. It is this nature to compare and measure one’s accomplishments by this preset standard that is the true motivation. Therefore, people equate money with happiness, because their happiness has been defined by what their main social group strives to achieve. In reality, however, psychologists believe that money only buys fleeting satisfaction and not true happiness.

When researchers have delved more deeply into studies relating to money and happiness, they have discovered that people with a lot of money, when asked on a regular basis about their happiness, do not report being happier than people of lower financial rankings. Instead, these studies reveal that people with more money are often more satisfied and comfortable with their lives, but were also more stressed by the day to day demands of their career positions or the activities that they engage in in order to maintain their standard of living. So, while they were more satisfied, this stress actually hampered their actual feelings of happiness.

The media, money and illusions of Happiness

Because most people are bombarded with daily images suggesting that money equates happiness, those who feel like they don’t have enough of it often find themselves obsessed with chasing more money, while creating more debt and increasing their levels of stress. Very few images in the media, which emphasize happiness without a lot of money, exist and, therefore, most people’s minds are trained on obtaining more money while feeling unhappy or dissatisfied when they aren’t able to do so. Such leads to higher instances of people borrowing money that they cannot afford to comfortably repay.

Happiness vs. Satisfaction

Instead, those interested in the psychology of money and its correlation to happiness are encouraged to distinguish between what makes them feel satisfied and what makes them feel happy. Doing so, of course, is an inside job and will vary from individual to individual. While money is necessary for affording basic needs, such as food and shelter, those who earn enough to comfortably afford these are advised to study their own motivations for acquiring more than what they need, such as a larger, more expensive home, and why they are willing to go into debt in order to achieve such. There is nothing wrong with doing so, as long as one can afford to, but if a person is seeking more happiness in the process, they should recognize that happiness isn’t for sale and that the illusion that it is may very well lead them down a dark path of bad debt and bad credit.

If you are thinking of borrowing money, apply HERE!

Most of the time, I’m discovering ways to expand my knowledge and utilize my creativity. Sometimes, creating a world of wonder and victory around your living can eliminate work altogether, and replace it with resourcefulness and delight.

These bullet points are just 12 of many things involving the sentence, “I just hate doing this.”

• Going to work
• Babysitting
• Traffic
• Going to the doctor
• Nothing on TV
• Waking up early
• Being Broke
• Arguing with a lover
• Going to school
• Writing a paper
• Updating your resume
• Speaking in front of large crowds

There are many ways to look at those twelve dreaded activities (or lack thereof) and see the horror in them. But in order to ‘get it’ you must look past the negative and bring out the passion in you. How? I was hoping you’d ask.

Clear Everything Out!

When going into any activity or chore, make sure you clean out the area. I don’t mean this literally, but I do mean mentally. Before going to the doctor, for example, sit down in a straight backed chair (preferably no arms), or lie down on your back. A straight back chair or lying flat on your back insures your spine remains comfortable, and prevents slouching.

Spend about 5 minutes taking deep breaths. There is a correct way to take deep breaths, and I call it correct because it’s the most effective way. You simply breathe from your abdomen as you inhale as much air as possible. While you inhale, your stomach should expand like a pregnant woman’s belly or a balloon being filled with air. Once your lungs feel good and filled, hold it for a count of 4, and then exhale slowly. When done correctly for five minutes, your body will feel relaxed and your mind is cleared. Now we’ll move on to the cleaning process.

Out with the Old and In with the Possibilities

Now that your body is relaxed and your mind is cleared and focused, you’ve entered an alternate state of consciousness. This is a mind-set that most people tap into when they’re in deep prayer or meditation, like monks or when you are sleeping.

Did you know…?

When you are asleep, often times throughout your slumber you experience REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This is the time when you are dreaming. Your mind plays a series of images streamed together similar to a movie. Some of these “movies” are more vivid than others, but all the while, you benefit from every one of them. Your brain gives you, your conscience, something to watch while it decides what events from the day to unpack and store or throw away as unimportant. Interesting brain you have in there.

A higher state of awareness

You’ve reached a higher state of awareness and it feels great. Just as great as receiving emergency payday loans to successfully take your family on a cruise. You float, as if in mid-air, dancing horizontally on an invisible veneer of misty clouds… Okay, well I embellished a little, but not by much.

Now, using the same going to the doctor example as above, bring up past events, images and feelings of visits to the doctor. Let’s say you have a terrible hate for syringes, needles, and cold doctor’s hands. Picture experiencing these incidences from the past and take note of your feelings and emotions while you’re performing these mental exercises.

Next, tell yourself that all of those feelings and emotions of fear and discomfort are nonexistent in you!

Then think of eating your favorite meal, having the time of your life with your friends, pleasing your children beyond controllable delight, or happy times spend with a loved one and take note of your feelings and emotions. After you’ve done this for about 2 minutes, or until you’re ready, say, “All of these feelings and emotions of happiness, love, and delight will replace all of the previous emotions in me.”

This part gets a little difficult, solely depending on each person’s level of fear, discomfort, or dislike, but with constant practice it works. Try to hold on to those feelings and emotions of happiness and joy. Feel the emotion of happiness and joy in your body; did you usually have heart palpitations or a tingling sensation over your body? Focus on any physical as well as emotion reaction to the thoughts of gladness. But now think of those things in the hospital room that frighten or disturb you and hold on to the emotions of joy and delight. At first this might go smoothly, but if it doesn’t just keep trying it. It gets easier.

If you practice this exercise everyday, apply the visual images needed to fit your issue, you’ll be able to go to the dentist and still have a bright and beautiful smile on your face, just like payday loans do.