What's More Valluable?

Our Western Society has been tending towards the valorisation of material wealth for a few hundred years now, but it was not always thus. There was even a time when material wealth was something, upon which others frowned. Nowadays, our Society tells us wealth is the means to happiness. You and I were very likely born in this context of valorisation of wealth and we take it for truth, when in fact it doesn't necessarily have to be so.I know more than one person who values wealth far below other things. Some regard honour and character as their most prized possessions, and would gladly sacrifice their financial health on behalf of these two characteristics. Other people have a strong need to be loved and/or desired, and they value those things above money. They'll often give away their wealth to achieve the attention they require. Then, there are those altruistic few who covet simply to aid their neighbour. They'll live simple lives and give up the constant 24/7 working hours many of us choose to maintain in exchange for the opportunity to be where they are needed, and thus feel happy. Finally, there's even one chap I know, a physicist, who values his free time to play board games and only works six hours four times a week.These people more often than not won't make as much money as the average ambitious workaholic executive, nonetheless they are no less happy. Are they wrong to give up material wealth? Our Society would think so, but how can we dismiss the fact that these people achieve a kind of happiness many of our rich citizens never do? We cannot.There has to be a greater sense to one's life than to 'make money to spend money'; specially when one gives up so much to make all this money the media tells us we need to spend in order to be happy. To me, it doesn't add up. Most of us wakes up, goes to work, shops on the way home or during lunch, watches the tele, goes to sleep and wakes up the next day to make more money so we can spend it to achieve happiness through a vacation trip somewhere or a new car or another type of 'toy' of some kind. Can't we find a shortcut to happiness? Can't we simply live it out? Of course we can! So why is the accumulation of wealth beyond the basic needs of a man so essential to our Societies? I'm quite positive it is not so the average bloke can achieve his happiness.Don't take me wrong, I'm not against the accumulation of wealth as a means to do something, nor am I against travelling during vacations (I even like it). But is it the only way to happiness? Not by a long shot! I've learned a lot by looking at how some of the people I mentioned above live their lives. They work alright, but just enough to make a living. The extra money some of us prize so much and see as a way to fulfilment, they don't make. Funnily enough, it seems not to weigh so much against their happiness, when they are living it out on a daily basis.