$$$ Vs Happiness....

I am the type of person who doesn't really care how people think about me.  I just do things which I think is right, bring no harm to others and most importanltly, I find satisfaction on what I have done and feel happy with it.
It seems natural that money is very important than any other things in life.  The more money in hands means we feel happier.  We can have what we want and do what we want.  In actual fact, i don't feel it that way. 
To me, having a job which is of your interest and can earn relative income to give you the basic needs of life, having some extra for your leisure, use some as investment and keep some as savings....that's good enough. 
I always tell my children, though I don't earn like business people do, I don't have to worry about the risk of making a lost or stress on not getting good returns for what I'd put in.
I have my own house, a car to drive, eat out if I feel lazy to cook, and most of all, I can spare a little time for GOD.
I don't buy a big house and I am having a house just enough for a small family.  The thing is I am going to fill my home with love, care, peace, understanding and forgiveness.  I don't drive my dream car.  I am driving a car whcih I can afford to buy, after all the main purpose is to bring me to the place where I want to go. 
I bring my family for breakfast in different places every Sunday after mass. 
Our life is no worse than those getting more pay than me.
My monthly income is considered "average" at this age but appear "good enough" or even "better" in the eyes of other people.  I dare to say I can manage my family well even with that "average"earnings.  Besides handling everything in the family on my own, I also contribute to my mum's home stay expenses and she has been bed-ridden for more than 10 years with an average montly expenses of RM3k all in.
I feel proud of myself as till now I have never failed my responsibility as a mother to my children and a daughter to my mother.
My sisters are far better off than me but they always have lots of complaints.  I don't see the luxurious possessions make them happier.  They seem to have everything, but I have a feeling that something is missing. 
My children give thanks to the little things that they acquired, or sometimes going to a place where they have never been there before, you can see the excitement in their eyes.  I feel happy because my children know about appreciation and thanksgiving. 
When my sis see this, they will ask me:  your children are funny ha?  Why are they getting satisfaction so easily?  Err.....speechless
Every parent is the same.  They all hope to see that their children will be successful in life.  I also pray that I can provide the highest education to my children so that they can be successful one day, in their career life and marriage life. 
When both my children told me that they don't like doing science, I feel a little disappointed but then it doesn't mean that not doing science they can't be successful.  It just narrow down their choices. 
A lot of people asking me why I didn't force jane to take Accounting?  better future, earn more money wor..
I don't want her to do something that she doesn't like for the rest of her life just for the sake of me.  I am getting old each day and will be called back home sooner or later.  Young generations still have a long way to go.  I use to tell them:   for whatever you do, be honest to yourself.  Study hard and at least get a degree to earn you a living.  At the same time serve God and you will get unexpected returns.  You may not see it now but you will realize it one day.  I don't mean to say serve God because you are expecting some returns from Him.  Trust Him and serve Him and you will find your life is very much beautiful and peaceful.  Most poeple think that acquiring money and status makes us feel satisfied with life but unfortunately it doesn't.  Most of the sulking, miserable people that we meet in everyday life are rich people.  The misery that these people go through is not because they don't have enough money but due to the fact that everyone seems to have more expectations from money.  Of course money is important to help us live our life to the fullest.  but at the same time, an increase in its inflow does not bring proportional happiness with it.  Are we aware of this?
Let's see things from another perspective, if we can get a chance to become rich and wealthy, why not?
With money we can help more poor people who really face hardship in life.  We can help churches in momentary form other than giving our time and services.  But bear in mind that when we are rich, lets control our money and don't let the money control us and make us lost.
What i say here may not be correct or applicable to all.  I am only giving some true facts that happen around me.  In life, we can't expect smooth road all the way, there are bumps that we have to overcome in order to get through. 
Take up challenges in life.  Whatever happens, we are the one who choose how to react to the situation.

I asked God, "How do I get the best out of life?"
God said,
"Face your past without regrets.
Handle your present with confidence, and prepare for the future without fear!"