"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"

I just love that quote. A dear friend of mine sent that to me this morning. Isn't it so true. I heard an unfortunate story the other day. A father with four children decided to take his life due to financial stress. Can you imagine? At the end of the day-----it just isn't worth it. I have lost a ton of money this year------most of what I saved. It was very depressing, but, you know what? I manage to put a smile on my face every day. I have learned not to NEED a lot. Those that need a lot of things find that it takes a lot more to make them happy. I don't know if this makes sense, but, here is a perfect example.

Ever since I was a senior in High School I lived on my own. My parents were buying a new house and I wanted to stay in the same school district. I made a deal with my parents and moved in with my best friend. I slept on the top bunk and she slept on the bottom. I taught aerobics to make extra money and basically was on my own. I refused to ask my parents for money. Then---I was off to MSU for College. I lived in a cramped ALL GIRL dorm room my first year. My only transportation -------my bike. Then----for the next 3 years I lived with 50 girls in a sorority house. I never knew what I was missing. I was just happy with what I had. Then-----I moved to NYC. If you only knew what my first year in NYC was like. I lived on 7th St. and 2nd Ave. in a barely legal 7 Fl. walk up. I had horrible roommates stole from me, did drugs, had parties------all while I was trying to get my master's degree. Once again-----ONLY MY BIKE. Finally----I got my own place-----the one I recently lost. Here--------was not smooth sailing either. I had my cousin live with me for a year then his best friend the next year. I was just simple. I never complained.

It wasn't until just 2 years ago that I finally lived ALONE. I have to admit-----it was great. But---I knew that my sublet was not going to last forever. Sure enough------all good things come to an end.

If I was a person that needed A LOT to make me happy--------I would be a totally depressed person. In life---------it is should not be just material things that bring your pleasure------but, the Journey that it takes to earn those treasures. I look around a people ---------- they are so unhappy. They work all day and go back to their " so called" happy lives------most of which------are not so happy.

What is the lesson in all this. I am not sure-- to be totally honest. I think you have to find out what is in yourself that makes your truly happy. Once you figure it out----------life can be so much more enriched.