Money Might Buy Happiness, But It Will Be Short Lived

A few days ago I was journaling about the misplaced notions behind financial independence. I have argued that financial freedom has little to do with wealth and is more akin to living in the moment and appreciating what you have, similar to the philosophies of Buddhism  and Stoicism. That "long haul" of living life as-it-is keeps desire in-check. And if you think about desire, it's really just a thought about a reality that doesn't exist.  Sure ,we can make desire's happen through work. But if you can find contentment in the current state, then you have to ask of the exercise of desiring things is worth the effort.  Cars, houses, shiny things, they all lose their luster after the novelty wears off. Walking on a cool morning and watching the sun rise can create the same amount of awe and happiness, and it won't cost you a cent. That is the the heart of the FI movement, whatever accumulation of wealth happens as a result is just empowerment over your own path.