(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Whenever I mention my job to people who don't know me, they tell me "You must be happy. They get chatting to me and then that one question always comes into conversation. "How much do you earn?".Don't get me wrong, most of the time I'm a happy young adult, and grateful for the money I personally earn. I'm working my way up the professional football ladder at Fulham FC. However, When personal tragedies find a way into your life, Money can't buy you out of the situation your in.

My youngest brother was diagnosed at an early age with Pulmonary fibrosis; it causes the lungs to stiffen, it makes breathing difficult and has very few symptoms. Myself and my family are a very rich family and we we're able to provide him with the best health-care possible. We we're told by the doctor's that my brothers type of condition was rare, and ultimatley fatal. Late in 2011, my brother passed away. My brother was a promising young footballer, even with his condition & tried not to let his condition get the better of him. He never let his condition get the better of him, or tried not too, and he knew himself his time was running out. Even on his death-bed, he was smiling, he told us he was at peace and he left us. To say he's in a better place hurts me; He isn't in a better place. A better place for me, Is at home with me & my family watching the football and having a laugh.

We had money to provide for him, his happiness had no limits, but I have ultimately slumped into a form of depression for obvious reasons. I'd pay all the money in the world to get my brother back for 20 minutes. My older brother, myself and youngest had a very close relationship. We only ever argued of fifa, and we're able to discuss things openly with each other.

Stories like this make you realise money cannot buy you happiness, only make your life more comfortable, and although my story is an extreme case of money vs happiness, it is still frequently asked. Another added case of Money vs happiness is professional sportsmen and women dropping into depression. These player's are at the top of there game, yet a large majority drop into the state of clinical depression. They have families and children, which in essence should make you the happiest person alive as you can provide easily for them. So why drop into depression? This question can never be anwsered properly.

My state of depression is not as severe as some, I'm not on tablets or any form of anti-depressant. I realise I am extremely fortunate to be in the position I'm in, with a rather lavvish lifestyle & a large wage. I play football every single day, it's my passion, it's what I love, It's what I do best. I honestly couldn't be happier in the sense of my work place. I return home to the most humble of families every day, and the best girlfriend I could of asked for in such a difficult situation, but ultimatley there's one person in my life missing and that one person was my shining light.

He was an inspiration not only to me, but to others around him. His condition was something he dealt with as if it we're flu, although every Wednesday night he was taken into hospital for a two night stay. He would then leave hospital on a Saturday to play football with his academy team. Some feat, some inspiration. He slept in an oxygen tent for the majority of his life, making his pain a little less painful. He would wake up every morning as if nothing was wrong.

If you think this is too long to read, then so be it, but if you read it all, I respect you & thank you for your time.

This thread has thrown up some interesting answers and I'm still coming to grips with the loss of my brother. My contract has been advanced, I'm earning 33% more than what I was when I first wrote this. In the next 2/3 years, People in the UK will be seeing me on TV without a shadow of a doubt. Money hasn't bought me happiness, Sure it's helped me with what I need, the best gym equipment, a fairly fine car, and a good independent living, But happiness is in the heart not in the cheque book.

Watching a documentary on the world's biggest plum Karl Pilkington summed up my question quite nicely, although he didn't directly answer it. He was asking 'oes Intelligence make you happier?' to which every single 'Intelligent' person he asked said "NO" Indefinitely. If I can find the video link, I'll be sure to post it.

[video=dailymotion;xdmwe7]https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdmwe7_karl-pilkington-satisfied-fool-part_fun[/video]

Karl takes a Mensa test; He visits Jermaine Grey, intelligent woman. The question begins at 04:00