...happiness doesn't lie in the objects we gather around us. it lies within us.

an excerpt from 50 things that really matter...

big homes. luxury cars. diamond bracelets. digital TVs. exotic vacations. extravagant trips to the spa.

these days, we're surrounded by such symbols of wealth. and if we aren't among the lucky few to enjoy these prizes, we feel left out, stressed, perhaps even unworthy or depressed.

why?

these aren't the things that really matter in life. not by a long shot.

what matters most are the simple pleasures so abundant that we all can enjoy them; the plain values that define us as good people; the emotional connections with friends and family that fill our souls with a sense of purpose. after all, happiness doesn't lie in the objects we gather around us. it lies within us. to find it, all we need to do is open our eyes.

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since i have taken a look back, now  will take a look forward. this upcoming year a few of the things i want to focus on are taking intrest in the things in life that really matter and the people in life that really matter. i know i do this a good amount already, but it is something that is very important to me. 

there are people in my life that care about me very much...and let me know often that they truly do care. but then there are others that act like they care, but really don't. the ones that don't speak a word to me to my face and then magically try and buy their way back to me.  it doesn't work that way for me. those are the people i can't bother with. and i can't let them bother me.

there are things in life that really should matter more than i allow them to matter to me. i am sure at some point or another i should sit down and write myself a list of those as to then let things come more into focus. i already try and take each day and sometimes moment with reason knowing that these moments and days aren't given to everyone. but i am wanting to find those things that at one point probably did matter a lot to me and then just got lost.