So I am in the process of taking my own personal inventory today. 

A Little History

four years ago I was what I thought was on top of the world.  I had a wife and 2 great kids and a great corporate job making really good money.  I could buy what I want when I wanted.  I had a nice car, a nice house, and all the toys associated with an upper middle income life in america....

So the owner of the company I worked for comes to me and want me to blame a major incident at work on my boss.... Who was a partner in the company.... He had health issues and was causing this smaller companies insurance costs to go up higher then what the owner wanted...  They wanted a good way to get rid of him.  So I was told either write this memo or your fired.... I refused.... thus helping my boss at the time bridge his health care until retirement age.  I on the other hand had to leave the company...

I thought about it, and decided to start a business.... a pizza shop to be exact... I took my 401k plan and invested in this business.......  Well the price of fuel raised and after about 1.5 years the business failed.... over the following 6 months I lost my car, and my house, and my business.... As it took a long time in the current economy to find work, and when I did the rate of pay was much less then I had become accustomed to (and required to keep my durable goods.)

Then I had the oppertunity to take a equity position with a startup internet company.... which was actually getting a fair amount of success...The owner of that business though ran the business into the ground... anyways I am currently without a place to live, or a car, or much of anything which I can say is mine....

So a bunch of people would look at this next statement as crazy

MY LIFE IS A SUCCESS...

So why do I think this?

well you see I did help that man keep his life and insurance.... success

I still have a great family .... success

I have seen and done many great things (flights on private jets, managed businesses, made great friends.)

I have a place to live - thanks to family and friends .... It's not my own space at this point but at least I and my kids are not in the streets.

I have a car to use - because of a great friendship I have a car I can use at all times

I have great business partners - so coming off the internet business I made some great contacts, and formed some great business partnerships.  We have started our own company that feels like it is poised for some good success.... I still have no money, but maybe in the future so I have hope.

I have the knowledge of these failures in life.... I use them every day to reach for eventual success....

I have everything I really need.

I may not be able to buy the next toy I want, but I can spend the afternoon with my wife and kids.  I may not be able to take my wife to dinner, but I can talk with her about the news.  I may not be able to own much of anything, but I can see the sunshine and enjoy the warmth it brings....

In total if my life stays as it is I would be able to say I am a success, for I have made more connections with people who care for me then I have made enimies.

So when it feels like you are lossing everything important remember to take count of what is good