[RT Wolf]

Just so you guys know, you are asking for the secret to happiness. To be happy regardless of circumstances. I was about to write a blog entry about that. I might get it done today, might not. Essentially the idea is thus:

Physical things do not hold meanings in and of themselves. We, using our consciouesnesses, create that meaning and from that meaning (or interpretation), we feel certain ways about it. As someone quite wise wrote, there is a lookup table in our heads. Its not based by evolution, because I don't think Ogg the caveman had to deal with creditors. There are a few things that seem to be evolutionary based, such as a fear of snakes. That means the other option is that these look tables were inherited and influenced by society, parents, etc, and that means that you have the conscious ability to choose different meanings for the same symbols. Failure can mean different things to different people (ie, something to cry about, or something to learn from), just as the physical fact of waking up in the morning and finding your bank balance to be 50,000 dollars, would mean something different to me (hooray!) than it would be to a millionaire (holy crap, where'd all my money go? I'm practically poor!).

Also recognize you always have a choice. Even if it is to live or die. No one can force anything on you. Its the consequences of your choices that are the problem, but you always have a choice. "If I did not have a body, then what worries have I?" Puts things in perspective.

The big secret to happiness? It doesn't need a reason.

Excersize, proper sleep and proper diet help immensely.