People think that if they would have money and be able to fulfill their base desires then they will be happy and fulfilled. The opposite is the truth. Such people are the most miserable of all. The source for this is not only mussar sefarim and the like but the life stories of these people.
Take Steve Bing for example. He was a man who inherited 600 million dollars when he was 18 years old [!!!!], was successful in Hollywood making movies, enjoyed relationships with beautiful women - and committed suicide days ago. Here is the story as reported in the media:
Hollywood and business mogul Steve Bing died by suicide following a yearslong battle with depression and financial woes after blowing much of his $600 million fortune, friends said.
Bing, 55, died after jumping from his 27th-floor apartment in LA’s Century City on Monday. He was a notable philanthropist and Hollywood investor, including as a producer for the Sylvester Stallone remake “Get Carter.”
Bing dropped out of Stanford after receiving a $600 million inheritance from his grandfather, a real estate developer. He is perhaps best known for being the father of Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damian, born in 2002.
Bing initially denied he was his father, but a DNA test proved otherwise.
While the Hollywood community remains shaken by his death, those close to Bing say his jet-set life was enviable on the surface — with close friendships with President Bill Clinton and billionaire Ron Burkle and relationships with a host of beautiful women — but in reality he was very troubled.
One friend, who asked not to be named, said, “Steve was the most charming, caring and generous guy you could ever meet. Yes, he liked beautiful women, but it never worked out. He has gone through a dark time for years. He talked about battling mental illness, bipolar disorder. His close friends are devastated about his death but, sadly, not surprised.
The source added, “Steve did have a drug problem, but it was the mental issues that tormented him. He would often disappear for long periods of time. He didn’t have a strong relationship with his kids, and he was sad about that.
“And, as surprising as this sounds, he had financial problems in the end. He made a lot of ill-advised investments. His latest film with Warren Beatty went upside down, and many people took him for a lot of money. People imagine it is impossible to run through $600 million, but he did. He was too generous.”
A second source added, “Steve recently sold his jet, his home, and was very depressed.”
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To be happy one doesn't need 600 million dollars or beautiful women. To be happy one needs fulfilling, committed, loving relationships. One needs to exercise, eat healthy, sleep well and be engaged in fulfilling activities. Money is very important as it pays for food, shelter and other basics but one doesn't need THAT much. The more spiritual a person is the less money he or she needs. A person who has deeper spiritual meaning in his life will be better equipped to deal with the vicissitudes that life inevitably brings. We see a beautiful woman and think that it would great to be her partner but it really wouldn't. Looks matter but a truly fulfilling relationship comes from shared values and mutual love.
Connect to learning and davening, develop a relationship with Hashem, invest in your relationships, give of yourself to others and for higher ideals and you are more likely to achieve happiness.
Everybody is struggling. We have to be constantly engaged in the battle to stay above despair, bitterness, resentment etc. etc. That is our task on earth - Simcha under all circumstances.
"וטוב לב משתה תמיד"!!!!
