I recently left a negative comment about Elon Musk on a social media post, and someone responded that I was jealous of him because I didn’t have as much money as he does.
I immediately thought of something Big Bang character Sheldon’s mother said to adult Sheldon, that the kids didn’t beat him up when he was little because they were jealous of him.
And then I thought about the money thing. Is it true, money doesn’t buy happiness? The answer, in my opinion: yes and no.
Money can buy a modicum of happiness when it affords your family a safe and comfortable home. When you can go to the grocery store and buy the food you want without a struggle. When you can afford to go to the doctor’s when sick and can buy your children that expensive Lego set for Christmas.
But does the level of happiness increase as your bank account increases? If true, it would mean Elon Musk is not only the richest man in the world, but he is also the happiest.
I don’t believe more money means more happiness.
I’m exceedingly happy with my current place in life. I’m earning enough money that when I sit down to pay my bills each month, I’m not stressed. I remember a time when sitting down to pay the bills each month was hell—because there wasn’t enough money and something inevitably went unpaid.
Quite honestly, I thank the powers that be daily for the success of my Haunting Danielle series because it has provided a comfortable life. Not an extravagant life, but I don’t want or need an extravagant life.
When someone accuses me of envying Musk for his money, I cringe. There is absolutely nothing about his life I envy, and quite frankly he looks miserable.
Taylor Swift, who is also a billionaire, and who is someone I respect (unlike Musk), I don’t envy her either. I wouldn’t want her life.
Having enough money can enable us the freedom to find our happiness—maybe in the time we spend with family and friends, traveling, or simply relaxing in the garden reading a book. We can freely do those things because we are not worried about paying the rent or buying food.
Having too much money can replace our freedom with responsibility. Now we worry about our children being kidnapped and held for ransom, so we need to hire security. We can’t take a simple trip to Disneyland, because it is too dangerous for someone in our position. We no longer can tell who really likes us—or wants something from us.
No. I’m not jealous of Elon Musk. And frankly, I don’t understand why anyone would envy that man.