The Connection had a nice program about quality of life and how having things does not make you happy. Clearly, poverty and lack will make you unhappy, but abundance and materialism does not result in happiness and satisfaction with life. I often wonder if people normally feel happy, if it is a natural state. I also wonder what is it that can make people feel more satisfied and happy. My gut feeling is that social communion, health, autonomy, and work (purpose or meaning) are the basic requirements of happiness.
I’ve pretty much found that to be the case.
To continue that thought … Friends and community get me through times of no money better than money gets me through times of isolation from friends and community.