I was raised in a financially stable home life. And considering the size of our family, we had it pretty good. All 10 of us were spoiled in our own right.

Once out of the home, however, I encountered my own travesties which delivered me some pretty hard times, resulting in extreme financial misfortunes. Eventually leading me to homelessness and having to face the realities of what that entails.

I have to admit, however, that during that period of my life, I came to some serious terms about what appreciation is all about. And since, have no longer viewed life as settling for what isn't....but rather, thankful for what is.
All those tiny, seeminly insignificant things we tend to take for granted, have since become quite significant to me.
For me, contentment isn't about things obtained, but in the value of how I'm living, (lately not all that progressive, but it will improve). Sure, having nice things and money to obtain them is convenient, but, imo that is not what truly satisfies.

I realize that this has lil to do with the original post....but by reading that I couldn't help but to think about how much gain there can be to a loss, (of course, that varies depending on the individual and circumstance).

NF~ I think it's taken strength to share what you have with us, and it sounds to me that you're on the right path.

Shangrala