Thank you for those who congratulated me on my birthday!!! I'm doing well still. I went to work even though I was tired all day. I feel better now. I met one of my lovers yesterday. We ate out and had fun. It probably explains the reason I was tired all day today. hahahaa Anyways, I am feeling ok now. I am happy and am alone but not lonely. I have so much to do and this keeps me preoccupied. I am trying to look good for myself. Thus, I walk daily for exercise. I eat well too- salads and chicken. I occasionally eat ice cream. I put my hair in curlers and wear makeup. I feel better about myself when I look good. I look ok nothing great. I try to look attractive because I feel good about myself when I do. I also try to have good hygiene because I don't like to smell. I take a shower daily. I feel good about myself and enjoy life. I don't smoke nor drink. I never have so I don't think I'm interested in picking up the habits now. I am old but don't feel that old. I think how one feels is important to one's mental stability. I had terrible acne scars and now my scars are still there but my face has changed. When I was younger, my scars affected my mental state. I felt bad about myself. And, with a mental illness, my scars did not help me with my self-esteem. Now, I wear makeup to minimize my scars and a healthy lifestyle has affected my appearance. I believe my improvement in my appearance has made me feel overall much better about life. Weird. I don't know the reason for this. As a result, I try to look good for myself and for my mental stability. I also take better care of myself now by exercising and sleeping well. It helps, I believe. Happiness is not about appearance, of course, but a state of mind. I am happy. I feel happy about myself and my life. I am not rich nor a beauty. But, I am happy with what I have. I have a broken mind but am doing well with medication. I am poor but enjoy what I can with do within my means- looking at nature, walking in parks, eating out occasionally, etc. I used to think money could buy happiness. But, after becoming homeless and having absolutely nothing, I appreciate the little things in life now. I am grateful for my life and far from perfect. I am happy not because I look ok but because I am healthier overall now than I was before. I feel my mental health due to taking my med daily has affected not only my mental health but also my physical health and appearance. I feel blessed. I feel the pain others have from suffering from severe mental illness. I have been there myself and hope that everybody who suffers such pain will be strong to endure it to find the light at the end of the tunnel of pain. I think nothing in life lasts forever whether it be pain, suffering, or life itself. Thus, we must live for the moment and find that true state of happiness before it is all gone. Death is permanent and may last forever. But, life is not permanent. Let us all live life to the fullest and enjoy what we have and appreciate our God-given life. We are here for a reason. No matter how small and insignificant your life may seem to you- you are important to someone and precious. Nobody is born as an island. We all our born to someone and have parents/ family. I truly believe this. I am not religious but do believe that God has a purpose for each one of us. I believe my purpose is to make others happy and to help others to see that people with mental illness are fully capable of living independently. It is not much. But, I feel blessed to have recovered somewhat to the point where I can be happy about myself and my life. I hope this helps. Hugs and smiles!!