IMHO it&#x27;s that our goals are not for things that are fulfilling.  The &quot;American Dream&quot; is a house, two cars in the garage, a couple of weeks of vacation, money in the bank, looking forward to retirement, clothes, iPhones, etc.<p>None of that brings happiness.  Sure, having the necessities is important.  But there is very little happiness in a $50K car over the $10K car, but that extra $40K had real costs -- it took a lot of effort, stress, time, etc.  So over and over we trade effort, stress, time, etc for things that don&#x27;t bring happiness.  After a while, we&#x27;re just weary of life.<p>I don&#x27;t know what the solution is exactly.  It definitely revolves around relationships with people.  Helping them.  Listening to them.  Cooking for them.  Raising them.  That is where fulfillment and joy are found.