Debbie, what is the news on your horse situation?

I have received help to catch up with my board from some loving people and a few horse rescue agencies. The farm owner is on my butt every month to check on my payment status, because I can only pay at the end of the month for the current month now, and even that is hard to come by without help from my mother, who is not well to do. I don't have much more time to go on like this.

I am trying to free lease my younger horse with the option to buy. That means they will use the horse for a while and assume responsibility for her monthly expenses, hopefully like her, and want to buy her. If that situation does not work out I will consider giving her away, in hopes that I can still hang on to my elder horse. I really can't afford my animals without a job. My options are pretty tapped out.

Thanks for asking, Jilly.

Debbie, I am so glad your rescue groups are helping out. I know how terrible it feels to struggle to feed your companion animals! I really am rooting for life to throw you a bone here. It's time for something unexpectedly good to happen for you. I think something will. You are due!

Jilly....thanks for your kind words.

My deceased boyfriend's father is in the hospital and had to undergo major surgery. He is almost 87. His 86 year old wife can barely walk so I have been taking her to the hospital almost every day for the past few weeks (I live in their in-law apt). So my time is not my own for a lot of my day, because I am caring for her, running her errands that used to be done by her husband, and pushing her in a wheelchair around the hospital. That cuts into my job search time, and I desperately need to find a job. They have been good to me, so I really need to help them, but like how it so often goes my needs are being put last right now.

The horse rescues helped in the early part of the year and I won't ask again for assistance. Too many horses need help and I appreciate what they have done for me. I am getting close to placing one of my horses soon, and I hope I can keep my other one. It is tough because I am truly out of options and I feel like more of what I love is slipping away from me.

I am not feeling sorry for myself, but yes, I am due for a little good luck. Thanks again, Jilly.

I wanted to reiterate to anyone who is reading along that thre is NOTHING shameful about being poor. You can live a very full, richly experienced and happy life without amassing money or consumer goods.

I actually think it's easier now than in the last few generations to live better on less income. What do you guys think?

Happiness is an inside job.

The support and information you provide is so helpful to one looking to live a richly experienced and happy life.

Jilly,

I think since the financial crisis of 2008 nearly everyone's perspective has changed. Consumerism and materialism seem to have diminished and people show more respect for each other, regardless of their economic situation.

Yes, so true, Jilly. In fact, in a happiness study, the happiest people did not live in the wealthiest countries of the world.

There are completely fulfilled and happy people among ascetics, like nuns and monks, who take vows of poverty.

Most of us are unhappy when we compare our statuses to those of the rich and famous. We confuse our wants with our needs, and many of us need to redefine what a true need is.

People think I am nuts because I do not work just for the money. In fact, yesterday I made the decision not to substitute teach anymore. I love the children but do not love the work. I thought I don't want to waste a single minute of my life doing something that brings me angst. My sister is angry because she says I need the money. Hey, I have food, clothing, shelter, technology, etc. just not at the level others here in OC think is the "best."

I am content and grateful. I don't think about cash. I think about what I need and want, and it comes into my life. My life is filled with the joy of experiences and discovery--not yearning for what I do not own.

Lori, I admire your attitude. Jilly, a warm place to live in winter gives a lot of satisfaction so other lesser things are not a priority.

Thank you, Susan. But at my age, I fully realize that we don't take much with us when we move onto the next phase of existence.

It seems silly to gather what we will not take. I gather what I will bring with me: knowledge, experiences, feelings, memories.