Happiness

This week we learned about what it really takes to be an entrepreneur in terms of relationships, time/balance, and money. What struck me the most was what I read in, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Cautionary Tale” from the Acton Foundation.

It was interesting to read that the secret to happiness was that we are already quite happy. I didn’t realize studies had been done to determine the likelihood that our happiness level is largely determined by heredity and that,  “Despite sometimes desperate attempts to chase happiness, most of us will spend all our lives oscillating around our pre-set level of happiness.” It also made sense to me that there are decisions we can make to determine our overall happiness such as where we choose to work and to live. Also, there are things that are going to happen that will cause unhappiness in our lives that will be out of our control.

We learned in our other reading that balance is not always possible in the life of an entrepreneur and when it can be achieved it is a constant struggle. I think remembering that we are already quite happy can help through the times of struggle. I also think it is important to know that there are some things within our control, such as what we are doing for a living. If the life of an entrepreneur is not making us happy, we can change that.

Below are the answers to the questions that needed to be answered after reading the article, “Attitude on Money” by Stephen W. Gibson

• What is your attitude toward money?

I agree with Gibson in that money is a necessary part of life. I believe that we must do what we can to obtain what is necessary keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I believe in inconspicuous consumerism, or the idea that we don’t need to flaunt the money that we have with the things that we buy. I believe that once we have obtained what is sufficient for our needs we need to help others.

• How can your view of money affect the way you live?

I think this quote from the article sums up how our view of money can affect the way that we live, “Money usually does not make bad men good and good men better. Money can make good men better, but on the other hand it usually makes bad men worse.” If we see money as a source of power and status, we might make poor choices in order to obtain it and then how we choose to use it when we have it. If we see money as a way to sustain life and to help others, we can do a lot of good with it.

• What rules are recommended for prospering?

Rule 1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him

Rule 2. Keep the commandments; that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.

Rule 3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.

Rule 4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters. Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity.

Rule 5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.

Rule 6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.