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Feeling Less Anxious

The Scream

Success and Anxiety

In the last 200 years the western culture has had a staggering increase in wealth and economic opportunity; however, there has not been an increase in level of happiness for many.

Even though many people have become richer than previous generations our anxiety levels have increased disproportionately.  One of the reasons we don’t feel happier even though we are far richer and prosperous than our ancestors is that we don’t understand the psychology of satisfaction.

When do we feel we have enough? Primarily, it is our comparison with other people that makes us feel prosperous and content with our lives.

Comparing our present status with those who were successful in the past does not satisfy our desire for more.  We only feel a sense of contentment when we compare ourselves with people who are similar to us: our friends, co-workers, or neighbors.

Unfortunately, we become resentful of others who are of equal status becoming more successful than us; we have little concern for whether famous people like Steve Jobs, or the Queen of England move further up the ladder of success.

However, the achievement of others who are equal to us instills a sense of humiliation; they remind us of what we don’t have or what we have not yet accomplished.

Though some people from humble backgrounds achieve financial wealth and independence, many people in America with low economic status for instance, view his or her condition and existence as a betrayal of their expectations.

We Expect Success

Many of us do not want to admit that we are tormented when we view our lives in comparison to those who are of higher economic and social status–it does not add to our happiness.

We’re expected to succeed.  In addition, as we witness others who have achieved success, as we listen to their optimistic motivational speeches, view their videos, and read their literature, many of us tend to think of ourselves as “losers”  because we have not achieved as much, or we may believe we have not lived up to our full potential.

Though the rich and famous can be inspiring to us we can’t help but feel a sense of discouragement and anxiety for not having achieved equal success.  At times we can see life as a cruel joke.

Jean-Jacques RousseauA famous philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, explained his concept of being wealthy.  He expressed that wealth is not just having money—wealth is having what we want–wealth is relative to desire.

According to Rousseau, there are two ways to make people richer; to give people more money or to hold back their desires.

As we increase our expectations to achieve more success we tamper with our self-esteem.

If we fail at achieving our success and don’t get what is expected of us we tend to feel less of ourselves—our self-esteem lowers to the point of despair and anxiety.

One of the major problems of our view of success is that many of us see those who are successful as people who earned their success.  On the other hand, if we view those who are successful as getting what is their due, then we might also look at those who are poor as getting what they deserve, as well.

Are the poor people losers?  Did they bring their poverty onto themselves?

Luck, Choice or Divine Providence?

Some religions profess that our wealth is determined by a higher power.   Additionally, business leaders claim we own our destiny—it is our choice.  Others suggest that his or her failure or success is due to luck.

Consider the possibility that there might be more important things in life than status and success.  We might think about the difference between wealth and virtue—whether we are good human beings other than socially important.

Contemplate the chance that there is no connection between a person’s value and his or her worldly status.  We might also consider loving our neighbor, practicing humility and charity, and recognizing our dependence on a higher power.

Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jesus Christ were not financially wealthy, yet their worldly status is unparalleled.

One’s economic status does not portray whether they are a success—one can be financially poor, but spiritually rich.

You might say less is more.

In our current age, worldly values have surpassed spiritual values for many people.

When we view our life as final and when we do not believe in a life hereafter, the pressure to succeed in our current life increases and can be unbearable.

If we believe that all we achieve in this life is all that we will ever become we become anxious and worried.

However, when we envision our life as a prelude of what will become of us in the afterlife the pressure for us to succeed and fulfill ourselves lessens.


About the author: George Zapo is certified in Public Health Promotion and Education (Kent State University). George provides informative articles promoting healthy behavior and lifestyles.

10 comments… add one
  • asummermoon

    Great post George! I admit I used to look at the people I admired and wondered what I was doing “wrong” but I’m learning more and more to enjoy my own path and journey. Truly, when you stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, start defining your own success on your own terms, satisfaction for life isn’t too far behind.

    • Thank you, Asummermoon! We do the best we can, don’t we. Thanks for reading and commenting! I’ll continue to do my best to provide valuable information in my future posts.

      Take good care,

      George

  • afsar

    Good article!
    Many points to learn and to be happy at our present status.
    Thanks George!
    Regards,
    Afsar.

    • Thank you Afsar! It is always good to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Your opinion and reaction is important to me and many others!

      Take good care,

      George Zapo

  • Tina

    George,

    Great article! You had made some good points.

    Tina Bosela

    • Thank you Tina! I hope my thoughts serve you well.

      Take good care,

      George Zapo

  • georgestalman@gmail.com

    It seems quite trivial to expect.

    • Sometimes it’s best not to “expect” too much. The more we “expect” the greater chance we have of being disappointed.

      Take good care,

      George Zapo

  • I really like this post as it applies to all parts of our lives. When our kids were younger the midwife described the modern tragedy of the parents who had nothing to worry about and yet were far more anxious than their forefathers had ever been.

    Having a life plan and just enjoying your individual journey is one element of happiness

    • Thank you for reading my latest blog post and sharing your thoughts, Igor! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on what you gained out of it! I look forward to providing more material to help us throughout our daily lives.

      Take good care,

      George Zapo
      http://www.youtube.com/user/GeorgeZapo

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