As my friend happily munched on the bonus fortune cookie, i was surprised to find one of the best fortunes (or bits of wisdom) I've ever come across.
"If you don't enjoy what you have, how could you be happier with more." Though not in these exact words, I have often thought about this conundrum. People in our culture routinely look to extrinsic things to bring happiness, though it is proven the highest percentage linked to creating happiness goes to our actions and simple things like changing up our daily routines.
Happiness from buying things comes usually at a high price and is very brief. Then, psychologically speaking, people hop onto the hedonic treadmill and keep feeling as though they need more and more to be happy. Once basic needs are met, what do we really need? What we need is not everything we can possibly own, it's about our mindset.
As far as material possessions, I uphold what the fortune implies: we need to change our mindset and appreciate what we already have. If we cherish what we own, we can find wanting things disappears. Then, when want for things disappears, we have mental energy for learning, creating or helping others; we'll also have money for security or philanthropic endeavors (which in the long run will most likely make you happier with yourself than any possession you could own.
For example, before you go out and buy a pair of jeans, think about the pants you already have. Do you like them? Do you wear them? When I was in the tumultuous time of my life, known as middle school, I thought I had to wear a different pair of pants every day of the month. I wasn't happy with what I had and always felt I needed more. Needless to say, this didn't bring me happiness. Realizing that I shouldn't worry so much about how I look or how many jeans I have would have made me a much happier person.
I don't mean to say I never want things anymore: We live in a world where it's easy to want and consume. However, I notice why I want things and what I hope to accomplish when I do require the things. Often, I find I already have something similar. I also realize that by buying something, I would only gain stress from dealing with having yet another possession.
All that from one little cookie. The fortune didn't change my mind about eating fortune cookies, but it did make me happy that someone out there is spreading such great things to ponder.
For more on intrinsic and extrinsic goals and happiness, I recommend watching the documentary, Happy. It's currently on Netfix.
It is especially interesting to learn how other cultures are dealing with happiness and the "need" for money, fame, and goods. Just lookup Japan and karoshi and you'll see what I mean.
Here's a link to a YouTube video featuring one guy's thoughts on the Documentary and intrinsic and extrinsic values...quite interesting.
Thanks for reading my rant :)