“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do,so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor,catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” — Mark Twain

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The Lamborghini’s on Wall Street, the Louis Vuitton bags that celebrities wear, the mansions that “successful” people live in. The list goes on.

We’ve fooled ourselves into believing that the sole recognition — no, definition — of success & happiness comes from the type of cars we own or the number of zeros in our bank account.

In a society that idolises the pursuit of happiness, carrying out a life where one’s destination is to find joy through material goods is not only ineffective, but it’s a never-ending journey.

The key to happiness is not spending our time & money acquiring goods.

The key to happiness is spending our time & money experiencing life.

MasterCard had it right.

It’s the priceless experiences in life that makes us happy at the end of day.

Experience Defines Us

Every experience brings with it a mistake or triumph, and often a realization about who we are as individuals. Experience helps us clarify how we think, who we want to surround ourselves with, and ultimately an understanding of what makes us happy in life.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.
It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln

Experience Stays With Us

When we think back to our fondest memories, what are they?

For me, it’s not the gifts I received for Christmas or my birthday. It’s the context surrounding the gifts — the people at my birthday party, the smell of the hot chocolate on Christmas morning. It’s the first time I learned how to ride a bike with my brother, and the time I went on my first (awful) date. This is what puts a smile to my face to this day.

Here’s the main caveat to investing in materials — they have expiry dates.

Experience can be relived. Experience has emotional longevity. It can be improved in our minds as we continue to grow and progress in life. It stays with us and they are lessons we can use everyday for as long as we live.