And Happy??? Boy, am I ever!!! In fact, maybe truly happy for the first time in ten years. I am slowly pruning away the dead weight in my life!! One of my best friends is a dairy farmer. They are tied to the farm, as the animals need milking twice a day. This means hardly ever eating dinner out or taking long trips anywhere. And yet, I find ways to invite myself over as often as I can. Their life is so modest yet the love that radiates from that family could warm up a hundred cold hearts.
I am learning a lot from them.

Gail, I hope you are doing well and that this Christmas is peaceful for you. I hope the joy outweighs the sadness, which will inevitably be a part of my Christmas this year as well as yours. But you already know that you are a rockin’ lady who will keep on succeeding long after this heartbreak is behind you. I am learning to be one of those, myself. And of course, starting over on a BUDGET is going to keep paving the way to a happy life, too!!

Peace!
Lynda in Harrow

I had the hardest time with this as my children turned into teenagers and clothes, gadgets etc were so costly that they only had a couple of things under the tree that cost the same as the multiple toys I used to buy. I felt so bad for so many years thinking they would be so disappointed on Christmas morning, they never were though as I always got them to tell me one big present they would like and a little present and always made sure I got those 2 things for them as well as a couple little surprises from Santa )

It is very freeing to realize that you don’t really want or need anything – no more “stuff”. That you have Enough.

I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes from Spock on Star Trek:

After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a
thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.

Oh, and Goal 0 Debt: You’re working hard and it sounds like you’re going to reach a burn out point soon. My suggestion: Invite your friends out for a free activity. For example, pack some hot chocolate in a thermos and go out for a winter walk, hike, ice skate, or game of football in the park. Or invite everyone over for a pot-luck. (You don’t even need to supply booze – one person’s job can be to bring some wine). Or do a swap. Or make some homemade treats and brew some coffee and have friends over for a chat. You need some fun and it doesn’t have to be expensive!

We have jobs that provide us with enough money to keep our home running & gas in the car etc. Overall, we are healthy and can’t complain.

I have wonderful life long friends that will be my friends for the rest of our lives. I have enough *stuff* to furnish my home and make me feel good about my suroundings. I’m blessed with creativity that I can share with others.

There are so many reasons to be happy & thankful for our lives.

I don’t need a trip south every year or a fancy car to be happy. I don’t need more jewellery or gadgets, a big house or a fancier kitchen. I won’t lie – I’d like them! lol! But I’m just as content with what I have.
You decide your outlook on life.

Just wanted to share one of my favourite quotes:
Talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it, is your gift to God.

; )

I’m just putting the finishing touches on my “Getting Debt Free” story and today’s comment is so timely. I’ve titled it “I’m 99% Debt Free but Wonder why I still Worry???” money does not buy happiness, but staying the course to debt freedom can have it’s pitfalls. When you regularly say “No” to people for fear of spending a few bucks to have some fun eventually they stop asking, I’m not saying eveything fun takes money but not eveyone is on the same course. We and so close to our goals but old habits die hard and saying “Yes” let’s do it will be hard too do, if they ask again.

I see having enough as having abundance. I have shelter in the form of a modest home, clothing and footwear to suit the seasons that I purchase from thrift stores, nutritious food that is prepared from scratch, and clean drinking water from a tap.

The difference between my life today and what I was as a young girl, is that I had to pump and haul drinking water – no running water. (And an outdoor bathroom) (lol).

So many people in this world, including Canada, don’t have adequate basic necessities of life. This is why I consider having enough as having abundance.

Keeping up with the Jones’ while fostering a longing for the greener grass on the other side of the fence is a waste of time that doesn’t lead to happiness.

I have known people who were very materially wealthy and utterly miserable. They were trapped in an endless cycle of earn, shop and buy. Each time, they exuded the childlike happiness with a new toy and quickly became disenchanted because the “happiness” didn’t last.

I do believe that happiness comes from within once you understand what makes you happy. Too many people don’t take the time to really think about that. One time many years ago, I sat down and wrote a list of things that made me happy, and then ordered them by their importance to me. Today, I would probably write a different list, because my life changed when I got sick. Am I still happy? You bet I am.

Once I went through the grief of adjusting to a chronic illness that delivers a considerable amount of pain and fatigue, I got help to assemble the tools I needed to understand and cope with the symptoms. I didn’t exactly go over the wall, just kind of limped my way around it slowly (lol), but hey, it worked.

Today simplicity is part of what makes me happy. A simple life that I try each day to function as best I can. I used to long distance run and be quite athletic in the past. I don’t live in the past and that also makes me happy. Today, I am very happy if I can do a slow walk, enjoy the birds, fresh air, and chat with a neighbor.

Creativity is another way I experience happiness. It is a slower process now, but just as fulfilling, perhaps even more so. When I slowed down, I could really take the time to be in the moment and appreciate more aspects of whatever I was creating.

My relationship with my husband and a few close friends are part of my happiness. So is the community I live in. I am very blessed and part of my happiness is counting blessings daily. An attitude of gratitude.

When I hired and trained people for a particular company I used to work for, I believed that attitude counted for 99% of an applicant’s ability to do a job. The skills and “how-to’s” could be trained in later. Over and over that proved to be true as I watched people master new skills and become valued team members.

Attitude is the filter through which we see ourselves, our world and others.

Learning is part of my happiness. I have learned so much from your website Gail. Thank you.