Does Money Buy Happiness?

We all know that money can’t buy happiness.
Some people realize this early in life, others not until they are on their death bed.
So, this being true, why do we live in a society that replaces feelings and spirituality with material objects?
Most of us have had this talk before with our friends or at least thought about it.
We understand that it is the commercials and magazines that put such strong a emphasis on materialism to sell products to improve outer beauty instead of emphasis on improving inner beauty, but people still go out shopping when they are feeling blue to boost their self image anyway.

According to ShopaholicsAnonymous, we all shop for many reasons but the addict buys to relieve anxiety and unfortunately over time creates a dysfunctional lifestyle and more and more of their focus is on shopping.
The causes of these so-called shopaholics are emotional deprivation in childhood, inability to tolerate negative feelings, need to gain control and perfectionism.
What about when you buy something for someone else?
After treating a friend to a nice meal or coffee they usually say thank you but some people take it a bit further and go on and on about how generous and nice you are.

This topic has been on my brain since I was a little girl.
Being an only child, I remember thinking that I would rather have attention than a new dress.
But I always got the new dress and never complained. But when you’re out with friends and someone offers to pay for everyone like, “First round on me guys!”, it makes them seem like they are a nicer or better person.
I guess a better example would be someone who donates a lot of money to important charities but then go home and hits his wife.
Does money make you a nicer person?
If you are poor and can’t treat all your friends to their first beer of the night then does that make you less of a friend?
If you aren’t a good friend but just have a lot of money then it will surface eventually.

Most people work pretty hard for their money and, especially in the recent financial crisis our country is going through, we should appreciate a friend who is buying us a cup of joe but not necessarily praise them for it.
Otherwise, they will spend more money than they have just to gain that acceptance from a friend when they say, "that was so sweet! You didn't have to do that!"
This issue is an important one because there is a growing trend that material possessions can replace inner happiness.
People don’t wake up and think to themselves, “Hey, I will go shopping today instead of catching up with an old friend or meditate because I don't want to deal with my problems.”

But this is exactly what people do.
Next time you are feeling down in the dumps grab a friend and go hiking, play a game or picnic in the park and remind yourself that there are better things out there than just fancy purses and shoes.(Although, I can’t lie, I do love me a new hot pair of heels<3)

Celebrities Stuck in the Past

Am I in the movie Groundhog Day? Bill Murray made repetition hilarious but in real life, is it really that entertaining to see or hear the same thing over and over and over again?
There is a dangerous fascination these days with living in the past. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the 90's, but some people really need to move on.

First example, Paula Abdul.
If you'll recall just a couple months ago she came out with a single and just announced today that she will be coming out with a new cd soon. What?! She had her time and she needs to move on. She's lucky she's still a judge on American Idol.

Second example, Bret Michaels.
Vh1 has really struck reality gold this time haven't they?
On the reality show Rock of Love, Michaels has a bunch of "beautiful" women come to his house and try to impress him while he finds true love. The show is currently on its third season right now, but instead of being at a house he decided that all of the women should come on tour with him. On tour? Did someone not inform Michaels that, um, he is no longer in the band Poison and that the 80's are very over?!
Although, he is inevitably not finding true love, he is entertaining the whole world with his ridiculous plastered on bandanna and extensions, and the constant make out sessions with these trashy women. It's like a train wreck, you just cannot look away!

The third and final example, 90210.
Not only has this tv show come back, after being off the air for almost 10 years, but the tv network, the CW, is actually calling it "An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama Beverly Hills, 90210." Now, I have not watched the show but is "spin-off" really the right phrase? It's basically the same show and even has some of the same actors from the original that decided to come back.
I'm tired of reruns or "spin-offs". Does anyone have an original idea anymore?

Whether you're an 80's rock star, pop princess or a 90's heartthrob, it may be time to put the mic down and move on, just a thought.

Love Hate Relationship With Public Transportation

While riding the city bus to work this morning I noticed a sign that said, "Traffic Stressing You Out?" So, I answered, in my head of course, "Yes, that is exactly why I take the bus to work and school." The city bus is a great resource, especially during this economy, but there is a little give and take that goes along with it.
You have to be patient. There are people of all sizes, volumes and hygiene levels that you have to put up with for who knows how long.
The worst is the people who smell. I'm not talking about the person who cannot smell her/his own perfume or cologne. I'm talking about the homeless person that is drenched in his/her own urine.
Earlier this week I sat in between two people on the bus who smelled so bad I had to change seats. I wanted to throw up.
This is rare though. A lot of the time people just get on and get off without a problem and you just sit there reading or day dreaming and before you know it you are at your destination, or close to it.
You don't have to worry about if someone hit your car while you were at work/school or if you got a parking ticket.
The city bus in Sacramento, Regional Transit, will actually plan your trip for you and tell you exactly what bus to take and where.
http://infoweb.sacrt.com/
You just put in where you are and where you are going and Vuala!
It's that easy.
So the next time you are dreading that drive downtown or to school try and take the bus and relieve that stress you get from driving that you might not even know you had.
If you are one of those people that doesn't want to do it alone then grab a buddy and do it together.
Don't let traffic stress you out!
And just an FYI, if you are a Sac State student you get to ride the bus for FREE!