don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Money cannot buy happiness, but it can be used for a down payment. A certain level of financial integrity is essential for the pursuit of happiness. Without a reasonable amount of money, many of the basics essential for happiness are hard to obtain. These include adequate rest, nutrition, safety and creature comforts—like clothing and shelter.

But no, money can't buy happiness. Nothing can BUY happiness or enable a direct and sustainable link to it. A lot of money, for some people, can bring happiness for a period of time—but the happiness won't last long. An example might be winning a lottery or, as is more likely, finding a stash of cash or inheriting a bundle from a distant relative you never heard of. But, then stress sets in as you worry about how to spend, protect, divide and invest your newfound wealth. Before long, you could be miserable, despondent over foolish choices made. Bottom line: A certain threshold amount of money is a prerequisite enabling the pursuit of happiness. The next prerequisite is remaining content with whatever that level happens to be.

At Arizona State University (ASU) on May 13th, President Obama made reference to the controversy that had developed before his arrival about whether to give or not give him an honorary degree. A decision had been made NOT to grant such an award at the time of the commencement address, which the school reserves for lifetime achievements of an extraordinary nature. Many had argued that NOT presenting the president of the nation with such an award would be rude and a bit scandalous. It turned out that Mr. Obama was not one of them. He said:  "I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life. I come to embrace it; to heartily concur; to affirm that one's title, even a title like President, says very little about how well one's life has been led - and that no matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve."

I was rattled when I heard President Obama say that. Imagine—not only did this man graduate from Harvard, serve as editor of the prestigious law review and win a seat in the United States Senate but he managed to beat Hillary Clinton and half a dozen other famous senators for the Democratic nomination for president—and then he got elected! In doing so, he become the first black president—ever. Amazing. And this is not enough for an honorary degree at ASU? Holy Smokes, or something.

This was a reality check for me. I have to tell you—as a high school AND a college graduate who fathered two children neither of whom is in jail and who has produced a wellness newsletter for 20 years, I thought I deserved an honorary degree at ASU. I thought the bar was set waaaay too high at ASU for this honor. And then Barack Obama comes along and agrees that he is not worthy of such an honor. At least not yet.

I have to admit—for a little while, this did not make me happy.

But, soon enough I thought about what President Obama said and I realized he's right—"there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve." Even for me! In fact, I suspect my happiness depends upon it.

The president's advice to the new graduates that evening also said much about what they—and the rest of us, need for happiness, as well as success (though happiness is surely a vital part of success):  "A willingness to follow your passions, regardless of whether they lead to fortune and fame. A willingness to question conventional wisdom and rethink the old dogmas. A lack of regard for all the traditional markers of status and prestige—and a commitment instead to doing what is meaningful to you, what helps others, what makes a difference in this world."

Well, there you go. For happiness purposes, and for a lot of other good reasons, don't focus too much on money and accomplishments. Instead, when the going gets rough, as it is today in our shattered economy, consider what President Obama suggested in closing. Think of moments like these as occasions which force us to "try harder, to dig deeper, to discover gifts we never knew we had—to find the greatness that lies within each of us. So don't ever shy away from that endeavor. Don't ever stop adding to your body of work. I can promise that you will be the better for that continued effort, as will this nation that we all love."

He could have added, and you will be happier in doing so.

Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MENTAL DOMAIN under the skill area of emotional intelligence. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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