As I look back over my life I realize that I have been pretty fortunate. Yes, I have had ups and downs much like everyone. However, as I have told my children, when you have bad times they will end and it will make the good times much more appreciated.
Is having a huge fancy house the most important thing in life? Many people think so. I feel that if I have a roof over my head and a decent place to live I am happy. My wife and I rent a small apartment.
Is a fancy car the most important thing in your life? Many people like to put on a show and have that feeling that it makes them look important. I own a KIA, it gets my from point A to point B and that is all that matters to me. I have no desire to own a super fancy expensive car.
Is a large bank account the most important thing in you life? It would be nice to have more money in the bank, but I am not obsessed with it. As long as I can pay the bills and have a little money to spend I am happy.
Is a high paying job important to you? I used to think so and I had jobs where the money was great. For example I used to work for General Electric. I worked 7 days then 2 days off, worked 7 days then 2 days off, worked 7 days then 3 days off. The down side was I had to work holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's unless it was my scheduled day off. The money was fantastic, but the jobs that I enjoyed the most paid the least. I was a maintenance man in a library and again in a church. Those jobs made me happy and I wanted to go to work. I finally realized as I got older that money isn't everything, your health and happiness is.
Is family and friends important to you? It is very important to me. This December I will be married to a wonderful woman for 46 years, I have a son and a daughter that mean everything to me. I have 5 grand kids and 1 great granddaughter. I have friends that have shared their lives with me. We can talk about anything, true friends.
The most important things in life that matters is that you have good health and that you are happy. If you work at a job, but you aren't happy then think about a change. Life on this earth is to short as it is, so be happy and enjoy life.
Taking a nice walk in the forest with my wife and my dog Cookie means a lot more to me than going to a fancy party. Happiness that is what life should be about.
Copyright Larry W. Fish 2016
