In the past, success has been often defined in material terms such as money. Today, with the downturn of the economy, many people are looking for something more. In order to be truly happy, more and more are choosing to become more socially conscious, honor their deeper values, and utilize their strengths.
One motto that has driven American Society for many years is "More is Better." Yet many have found that once they have enough for their basic survival and comfort, the additional emphasis on money and position does not bring happiness to many people. Indeed, research shows that focusing on money and position at the expense of personal fulfillment and meaning lead many to suffer from depression and anxiety.
This has been clearly shown in epidemiological research. In almost all Western countries, once basic needs are met, continued affluence does not lead to happiness. Instead, it has lead to epidemic levels of depression (Seligman, 2002).
What motivates this continuous drive for more? Many times it is motivated by feelings of inadequacy, scarcity, and lack. When this happens, individuals often measure themselves by an invisible yardstick that is external to themselves. If more is better, then what I have is not enough, but the "more" that is supposed to make things better still is not enough. As long as we are measuring ourselves by what others have or think, we will never have enough.
The problem is that this motivation comes from a negative root, and, according to the Law of Attraction, "like attracts like," resulting in continued strife. Once we become aware of a negative root, we can choose to release it, and create a new path.
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