Money Cannot Buy Happiness&&Happy New Year

Seeing as today is the last day of 2010, I thought I would end the year with a light-hearted story to make you feel better about yourself, and I have come across the perfect story.


A Canadian couple, Allan and Violet Large, who won $10.9m (£6.7m) in the National  Lottery in July of this year, have given away nearly 98% of their winnings to the people in their lives who do not get much recognition for what they do. Some of these places included Fire Departments and even the hospital at which Violet received cancer treatment. But the most inspirational thing about this story is that the Large couple were not rich themselves, but instead stated they were 'happy with what we got' and adding 'you can't buy happiness'.


This is a very poignant statement, as it is thrown around a lot, as many people have different beliefs about it. My belief is that you cannot buy happiness. You may have the best sports car, and a 52" 3DTV and a 20 storey mansion under your wing, but you could still be miserable. The things in life that mean something are non-material, and it is only these things that can make us truly happy.
Sure, having all the newest rad things would be cool, and you would be very lucky to have them, but take away these things and you are just like any other person, with the need to be loved and wanted, and the need for happiness.


Considering that the vast majority of people believe they don't have enough money, if you feel you have enough, you can consider yourself one of the richest people in the world, no matter how much is in your bank account. Think about this, and ask yourself how much is enough?


Also, Happy New Year to all you guys, hope 2011 is an inspiring year and that you enjoy yourself.
xoxo ryan xoxo

Life Has No Smooth Road.

So, I am sitting here at quarter to nine in the evening, and I'm thinking, 'what can I start my blog with?'. now obviously, there are many ways of inspiring yourself, may it be a song with meaningful lyrics, or by watching a celebrity who is also this inspiring. but then I came across this quotation:


Life has no smooth road for any of us; and in the bracing atmosphere of a high aim the very roughness stimulates the climber to steadier steps, till the legend, over steep ways to the stars, fulfills itself. 
W. C. Doane


Now, this really struck me, and made me realise the absolute truth of it. And what I gained from it was this, my advice to you for today; life is going to be hard, there is no easy way out unfortunately. You have to just go with it, and going with this more challenging and rough way of life, will be incredibly rewarding in the end, though you may not see it now. 


Don't take the path to gain nothing, just because this path is easier, take the more challenging path, and gain a lot. 


This is probably very relevant to me, because in school, I seem to just go with the flow, I don't make an effort to fulfil my potential, I take the easy road in school, and I shouldn't. Which is why I urge you to stand out, make a difference, if your not like the rest of your peers, well hey-ho, look at it the other way round, they are not like you, take the hard road and succeed in life. You will be grateful later in life if you do.
xoxo ryan xoxo