Happiness is often misunderstood. We chase it through money, possessions, and external milestones, believing these will complete us. But true happiness is rarely about what we have. It is about how we feel, how we live, and how deeply we connect with people and life itself.

Look at children. They find joy in the simplest things. A game with friends, a laugh, or even pretending to take a selfie with a slipper, as seen in the picture above. Their smiles are wide even while standing barefoot on a dusty path with no fancy gadget or possessions. There is no pressure to prove anything, no constant comparison, no fear of missing out. Their happiness comes from being present, not from having more.

As investors, we often forget this lesson. We equate success with bigger portfolios, higher returns, and accumulating wealth. But wealth without happiness is empty. Money is a tool, not the destination. It is meant to give us the ability to live the life we imagine. Yet, many of us end up becoming prisoners of money, constantly chasing more without pausing to ask why.

True wealth is the ability to smile, no matter the market condition. It is the freedom to spend time with family, to pursue passions, and to live with purpose. When you see money as a means to build a meaningful life, it stops being a source of stress. It becomes a partner in your journey.

Happiness is not in the zeroes of your portfolio. It is in the moments you create, the people you love, and the life you design.

The question then is: How are you using your money to design the life you have imagined?