You are neither a better nor worse person for the kind of car you drive, the size of your home, or the performance of your mutual funds. Remember what really matters in your life.

Imagine for a moment that today was your last day on Earth. Now, make a list for yourself of all the things that you feel you have accomplished, all the things you are proud of, and all the things that make you happy.

Is your car on the list? Your television? Your stereo? Is your salary on the list? No. What's on the list are the fundamental elements of a satisfied life- your relationship with friends and family, the contribution you have made to others' lives, the celebrated events of your life. Those are the building blocks of your list.

Many of us live day to day as if the opposite were true. Instead of appreciating what is truly important and making that our priority, we collect things and indicators of success without questioning just what success really means.

In a study using surveys and daily observation, the availability of material resources was nine times less important to happiness that the availability of "personal" resources such as friends and family. (Diener and Fujita 1995)

Excerpt from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People by David Niven, Ph.D.