[P1 PET]

Sometimes we don't appreciate great things we have in life and tend to forget how fortunate we are compared to other people. This makes me feel like I'm a complete ****. I remember one time I went to a non BMW dealership and told the dealer I don't like BMW brand and it's cars anymore because many of them are on the road which makes me feel less special and exclusive. At that time I didn't realise how obnoxious, stupid, and arrogant I sounded. Meanwhile, there are so many people who can't even afford a cheap old car, cost of insurance or patrol. I feel sad when I see some elderly people and little kids waiting for the bus when raining and weather is so cold outside. I like to stop the car and offer them a lift. Well, the point of this post is to be happy with your life and appreciate what you have. Peace out!!

[BrennanF30]

Hear hear bud!

We're all very fortunate on this forum to be driving a new/fairly new car, never mind something as luxurious as a BMW.

Never ever take that for granted.

Three words are very important in my life and they all begin with 'L'..

Live .... Love .... Laugh

[TouringPleb]

Every day I appreciate what I have. I grew up in a 1950s semi-detached council house. I now live in a 18th century thatched cottage surrounded by fields. My Dad drove a Lada, then we had a W reg Astra until my step-brother wrote if off. All my Dad could afford then was a FSO which was a Polish built Lada and even worse. My Dad never had a brand new car in his time and I drive a new 335d.

I watched my parents fighting and beating the shit out of each other for 10 years, I have a happy stable relationship for nearly 17 years now and he's still my best friend. I have a job I love, we go on 3 holidays a year with weekends away and can afford to eat in nice restaurants without worrying about the cost. I have friends who work equally as hard as me who count every penny and going out is a treat. I have a lifestyle that my father would not have been able to have. I have my health and have never been seriously ill. If we are ill we have private health care. I may not have some of the material possessions some people on here have, the M3 or expensive watches but I'm happy. If you had told the 15 year me that this would be my life, I'd never have believed you.

Every day I deal with people less fortunate than myself both as victims and offenders and every day I'm appreciative that I'm not in that situation. I have some great friends and although I don't have much family left, I know what family I do have love me.

And for all it's faults and uncertainty at the moment, I truly believe Great Britain is one of the best countries in the world to live.

[kzg1969]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I have my health and have never been seriously ill.

or someone you love.

lose either, and you will appreciate what you have

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Every day I appreciate what I have.

Great post and so was the OP.

Appreciating what we have is key to a happy life. Enjoy each day, keep at it, and the rewards will come in whatever form they do.

I was in my late-20s before I moved into a career that I enjoyed, and in my mid-30s before that really started to pay off financially.

Meeting the woman of my dreams took until my late 30s and we've spent the last 5 years enjoying a few wonderful holidays each year and the nice things in life. Married in 2015, lovely new house (not a mansion, but nicer than I ever expected to live in) in 2016. Managed to squeeze a great new car into last year too and the icing on the cake was finding that we were expecting our first baby, due in April.

All of what might be termed the standard things people expect in life came to me a few years later than we all (at least my peer group) expected when we were in our 20s, but that makes them all the sweeter. I fully appreciate that what I have is something many people will never be fortunate enough to experience and I still have a lot to look forward to with fatherhood!

Despite hiccups, life genuinely could not be any better for me and every day I realise how fortunate I am.

I'm also grateful for the nice people that I encounter every day, the friendly checkout girl, the cheery postman, the chatty window-cleaner. All those little human interactions that make society better if we all smile and appreciate each other.

[Rbrown]

Well said!

I did some work in the Childrens Hospital in Glasgow. Seeing some of the kids and there families in there was a very very sobering experience.

[JLR1969]

Recently listened to a study taken over 75 years about what makes true happiness

The one constant across all demographics was

A loving and supportive partner

If you have this then everything else is secondary.

[PurpleTT]

Appreciate what we have now?

Did I ever tell you about the time just after the recession 90s when I had to sell the house and downsize with two young kids as well as sell the Griffith and buy a gold Fiat Punto with CVT! I was out of a job, negative equity, and my former faux existence was coming home to roost.

At the time I was at an all time low, feeling like a failure and embarrassed to socialise etc. Wife was, and still is, a rock. 32 years married now.

Looking back I was oblivious to the fact I was, in fact, doing a damn sight better than very many others.

I'm old now, 53, and can see the context of life and know I'm so fucking lucky to be where I am.

[Broncho]

I'm happy that I actually woke up this morning considering how much I drank last night.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Having grown up in Newcastle, typical inner city council estate and very high unemployment in the 1980's. Then stress and struggles of a newly married couple in the late 80's on quite low pay.

Yeah I can fully appreciate where I am today, some is luck of the draw at times (lost a high number of friends to suicide and car / motorbike deaths), however the rest is a lot of hard fucking work on my part and huge support from a wife and daughter.

While yes we can feel sorry for others, it's wasted unless we consider offering support, this can be through active volunteering or supporting a given charity.

I was lucky enough in my previous job to act as a volunteer at Centre 33 in Cambridge, it provided support, advice and counselling for the under 25's, these could be homeless young adults, people with addictions, mental health issues etc.

Lately it's mental health that is the big one that needs support and volunteers, it's also those problems that are there even when the sun is shining and it's warm outside.

http://www.combatstress.org.uk


For some of those standing at the bus stop, not being able to buy a decent car, a lot is down to them not being willing to put the effort in, to do that extra work, spend 6 hours a night / 7 days a week studying to better themselves. So I do have limited compassion for people, I hate it when people waste, squander chances, opportunities etc just so they can have a social life or hangout with mates etc.

[AlfaM]

Originally Posted by P1 PET

I feel sad when I see some elderly people and little kids waiting for the bus when raining and weather is so cold outside...

Originally Posted by Brigand

For some of those standing at the bus stop, not being able to buy a decent car, a lot is down to them not being willing to put the effort in, to do that extra work, spend 6 hours a night / 7 days a week studying to better themselves

Lunatic.

[stefan4]

life I think is a lot about choices with a healthy dose of luck.

but OP, you're right, you'll only ever be as happy as you allow your self to be.

[F30Andy]

I have very dear friends who I grew up with who are doing 10 stretches in prison as we speak.
I have other friends whom have never had a real job in their lives and chose to do things like "street pharmacy" and all associated acts to live a lifestyle better than mine.

Although at one stage I was involved in that world, God Almighty thankfully showed mercy upon my soul and guided me on a path that took me to where I am now.

I am in my mid 30's, have a trophy wife and two awesome children.
I live in a private secure building that no one would know existed unless I point them in the right direction.
I have been employed by the best boss God Almighty could have ever given for the last 14 years.
I have also recently been set up by him as the director of a company doing something which has been my dream for many years.
I drive a £70k car and can afford to have a V10 E60 parked up in the garage as a plaything.
I have access to a massive fleet of cars that includes machinery that the majority of people will never even get to sit inside in their lifetimes, let alone drive.

I sometimes behave in a way which would make me seem ungrateful, spoilt and like I am taking it all for granted.
This is something I really need to stop doing as reading the posts on here makes me realize just how lucky I am to be where I am and to have what I have.

Every day I thank God Almighty for everything he has given me and blessed me with and given me the ability and opportunity and means to do.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

I have very dear friends who I grew up with who are doing 10 stretches in prison as we speak.
I have other friends whom have never had a real job in their lives and chose to do things like "street pharmacy" and all associated acts to live a lifestyle better than mine.

Although at one stage I was involved in that world, God Almighty thankfully showed mercy upon my soul and guided me on a path that took me to where I am now.

I am in my mid 30's, have a trophy wife and two awesome children.
I live in a private secure building that no one would know existed unless I point them in the right direction.
I have been employed by the best boss God Almighty could have ever given for the last 14 years.
I have also recently been set up by him as the director of a company doing something which has been my dream for many years.
I drive a £70k car and can afford to have a V10 E60 parked up in the garage as a plaything.
I have access to a massive fleet of cars that includes machinery that the majority of people will never even get to sit inside in their lifetimes, let alone drive.

I sometimes behave in a way which would make me seem ungrateful, spoilt and like I am taking it all for granted.
This is something I really need to stop doing as reading the posts on here makes me realize just how lucky I am to be where I am and to have what I have.

Every day I thank God Almighty for everything he has given me and blessed me with and given me the ability and opportunity and means to do.

Please tell me you have a small penis

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

or someone you love.

lose either, and you will appreciate what you have

Well said mate

I have just been told my mum has bladder cancer and you can take everything from me, the car, the house, the watch , every penny I have in the bank for any extra time I can have with her

People forget sometimes me included that's it's not the material things in life that make you happy it's who you have around you to share these things

[Kingpin4]

EXPECT NOTHING APPRECIATE EVERYTHING

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

Well said mate

I have just been told my mum has bladder cancer and you can take everything from me, the car, the house, the watch , every penny I have in the bank for any extra time I can have with her

People forget sometimes me included that's it's not the material things in life that make you happy it's who you have around you to share these things

sorry to hear this. Hope that she gets the treatment she needs and the prognosis is good. The treatments have improved massively recently.

I worked hard for a career, had two great kids and a wife who stayed at home to look after them. Just as the kids were ready to flee the nest and make their own way, she got ill and sadly didnt make it. She has missed her son starting work, her first grandchild and now we are planning my daughters wedding - and its only 13 months since she died. Material things are nothing compared to loved ones!

[Kal101]

Lot of interesting sentiment and wisdom on this post which has probably come at a good time for me.

Had quite a few low points in my life where no amount of money etc etc would be able to solve

Notably fat kid 1 getting meningitis at 6 months old spending a couple of pretty awful weeks in ITU not knowing f he would survive or what damage would be inflicted. Fortunately he came through unscathed. Famous quote that always makes me laugh from the consultant after a brain scan" there's a lot of space in his head which I believe is physiological and not pathological "

Not pleasant seeing a little one having fits - even less pleasant is seeing the gawpers for whom this is great entertainment- why I despise rubber neckers so much.

So as above appreciate the less material things in life - money can't replace

Note to self - remember New Years resolution - enjoy life a bit more.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

Well said mate

I have just been told my mum has bladder cancer and you can take everything from me, the car, the house, the watch , every penny I have in the bank for any extra time I can have with her

People forget sometimes me included that's it's not the material things in life that make you happy it's who you have around you to share these things

Wise words dude.

Hope your mum gets better. Remember the key is not to give up hope.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Exactly what my phychiatrist said to me yesterday

Makes a change from " Stop masturbating on my couch you dirty shit !!"

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by Kal027

Wise words dude.

Hope your mum gets better. Remember the key is not to give up hope.

Thanks mate

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

Well said mate

I have just been told my mum has bladder cancer and you can take everything from me, the car, the house, the watch , every penny I have in the bank for any extra time I can have with her

People forget sometimes me included that's it's not the material things in life that make you happy it's who you have around you to share these things

Couldn't have put it better myself. And it's often the closest family members who are going through a tough time, but have to put on a brave face. Hoping your Mum gets the very best treatment. Best wishes.