As indicated by Will Smith, happiness is inward not money. In a recent interview, the Hollywood icon shared significant experiences into his growing relationship with money and the quest for satisfaction.
Known for his successful career spreading over many years to the present, Will Smith shed light on the extraordinary journey he has gone through, especially in his perspectives on wealth and happiness.
Smith was having a discussion with ‘Complex’ when the issue of finances came up. He revealed why he shifted from the tenacious quest for wealth to a more definite comprehension of its importance.
At 55, the movie star humorously dismissed inquiries about his reported net worth, emphasizing his detachment from such monetary metrics.
“I don’t even know, man. I don’t discuss such things,” Smith commented.
He described himself as being in a “downsize phase” of life, a departure from the earlier accumulation-focused mindset, characterizing himself as someone “who’s had money, lost money, then had it again, bigger than you ever imagined.”
Reflecting on his journey of financial ups and downs, Smith articulated a newfound perspective:
“The first half of my life was gather, gather, gather, the second half of my life is gonna be give, give, give.”
Smith’s submission extended beyond monetary matters to encompass the elusive concept of happiness. Drawing from personal experiences and observations, he said he has now realized that: material wealth alone cannot guarantee contentment.
“I never understood, like, when, you know, you see people who will be rich and famous and, you know, they always have that moment somewhere around 50 where something changes,” he shared.
Recalling several moments in his life, Smith highlighted the emptiness that accompanies the saturation of material desires.
“But what happens is you just realize none of it can make you happy. Once you’ve bought everything you want and there’s literally nothing on earth else that you want to buy, I just wish that was a gift that everybody could have because there’s nothing that material can do to satisfy you.”
Smith reckons that true happiness cannot be derived from external sources. Smith accepted the fact, for now he fails to derive happiness from any external source, which is kind of scary to him.
“I’m in that phase of my life that can actually be scary. When you realize that no relationship, that no money, that no kids — there’s literally nothing that can make you happy”.
“That happy is internal, full frontal contact with your dark knight of the soul and you reconcile that you gotta make happy in here,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of internal satisfaction. “You gotta make happy in here with none of that stuff. You have to take happiness to the people you love. You can’t try to get it from them,” Smith added.
