[vanzorn]

A few years ago I came across a comic[0] that stated "Serotonin and Dopamine are technically the only two things that you enjoy," which had an surprising impact on the way I look at happiness. I'm still processing the idea that on a fundamental level, joy is just a chemical response.

Long story short, I'm trying to focus on fulfillment, scaling the Maslow pyramid[1], and accept that happiness may or may not be a byproduct.

Money seems almost always necessary for the journey, but I have no idea if it gets you past the first few levels of the hierarchy of needs. Direct observation shows me that it can help a person acquire the trappings of all five, but I'm not convinced about the authenticity of self-actualization or esteem based on materialism.

[0] http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/index.php?date=013111 [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs