The true cost of happiness

I think that true happiness is a complicated and varied quest that is sought by everyone. But how do you attain it? How does one even come close to such fulfillment? Well one thing that society implants in our heads is money. We are all aware of the phrase "money can't buy you happiness", but these words have become challenged by many.

Several people I've talked to argue that money can buy you things that make you happy; that money is the key to success. Key to red Porsche, to the beautiful home on a hill, to lavish parties and multitude of friends. But this vision isn't everyone's happiness. Not everyone thrives on life in the big cityscapes and fancy cars to feel happy. Happiness to others could be hiking the Andes mountains, singing on a street corner, or simply being around a loved one. For instance, I went to Cuba this past summer, and the people there were the happiest I've ever seen in my life.

Despite many people not having much or barely money, the streets were oozed with content. Everywhere I looked, people were laughing and smiling-- they were making jewelry to sell for $2 apiece and celebrating with friends. I feel like the Cubans were less dependent on money for their happiness because there's so little of it, and it can't buy you everything your desires (which I think is a strong stigma held in the US). Because they weren't so focused on the money, the people were able to seek and gain happiness from elsewhere. And it's because of what I witnessed in Cuba that I don't think money can buy you happiness. Yes, I agree it can buy you objects that make you happy, but that type of happiness is temporary. Solely money can't buy  you true happiness, it can't give that wholesome fulfillment in life that so many search and hope for.

Oi, mis pantalones are flaming!

Lying—not telling the truth (according to google).

Lying—marked by or containing falsehoods (according to Merriam Webster.)

            Alright, these definitions are basically the same. I just wanted to do a cool intro, but it doesn’t really seem to be working out. Anyways, all my liars put your hands up! If your hand isn’t up, then you are a liar, thus your hand should be up. So by that logic, everyone is a liar no matter the size of the lie. And I am no different.

            When I was but a mere child, I told lies here and there, I told lies everywhere. But they were just tiny little fibs. I would tell my mom I cleaned my room when I actually just shoved everything in the back of the closet and prayed she was too tired to check. I told my older brother that it wasn’t me who ate his double fudge chocolate chip cookie (it was very delicious by the way). And I told my sister that I didn’t pull off the head of her Barbie doll.

Although, my favorite lie by far, has got to be the one I told my best friend in 3^rd grade. I still remember it because it was so ridiculous and obviously made up, but she just went along with it like a true MVP. So a little back story, I can do this really weird gravely deep voice that kind of sounds like Liam Neeson (if you’ve never heard it, it’s quite terrifying). It was a normal Tuesday afternoon in the playground when Candy (that’s my bestie, my bestie, my best friend, go best friend) and I were hanging out by the monkey bars. I showed her my Liam Nesson voice, and she was quite shocked and wanted to know how I did it. And of course, out tumbled the lies. I told her about how my father was developing this cool new drug that would allow you to change the octave of your voice and whatnot. I told her I was the first person to try this drug and it worked. And that was my very reasonable explanation for my deep Liam Neeson voice. I consider that to be my most elaborate lie of all time; there aren’t many of those these days though.

As I’ve grown up, I found myself lying less and less. The whole concept of lying just makes me extremely uncomfortable and guilty. I think one of the reasons for this change is because the lying format itself has changed. I used to lie about stealing cookies and candy but now lies would involve schoolwork, meetings, and work. And I don’t like to lie about any of those things because I am fully responsible for myself, and lying in regards to those things make me feel like a second grader. So I’d rather face the judgement than make crummy excuse for myself (which is still a work in progress to be honest). Another reason I don’t like to lie is because of how I feel afterwards. I tend to dwell a lot on things that went wrong in any way, and how that problem could’ve been avoided. Therefore, I beat myself up about lying pretty much all the time. And I prefer not to feel like crap, which is why I try not to lie about things.

But an area I consider a bit gray with lying is people. I don’t want to tell my friend she looks horrid in that dress but what kind of friend would I be if I let her strut around in a horrid dress?! I think that when it comes to lying about trivial things like this and whether or not mom’s new meatloaf recipe is the bomb.com are somewhat okay. I wouldn’t’ want to hurt someone’s feelings or minimize their opinion/excitement on something, so in these cases, I think a little fib is okay.