These words are included on hundreds of websites…from those promoting health & nutrition; to personal blogs; to religious based organizations.

But it doesn’t matter who is sharing these words, please note just how true they are.

As we grow older, and hence wiser, we slowly realize that wearing a $300 or $30 watch is the same as they both tell the same time.

Whether we carry a $300 or $30 wallet/handbag, the amount of money inside is the same.

Whether we drink a bottle of $30 or $3 wine, the hang over remains the same.

Whether the house we live in is 300 or 3,000 square feet, the loneliness is the same.

Whether we watch TV on a 70-inch monster screen or an 18-inch portable, the shows are the same.

You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.

Whether you fly first or economy class, if the plane goes down you will go down with it.

It doesn’t matter if you drive a car with a sticker price in the six figures or an old, beat-up clunker that you couldn’t pay someone to steal, if you wreck it, you wreck it.

Therefore, I hope you realize when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven & earth; that is true happiness.

And there are friends and true friends. The latter is someone who came into your life, saw the most negative part of you, but will not leave you. A true friend is also someone you’ll find when you fall down; they’re the ones who pick you up, who don’t judge, and you had to fall down to see them. When you get up again, remember who your true friends are.

There are five undeniable facts of life:

#1: Don’t educate your children to be rich. Rather, educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things and not the price of things.

#2: Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise you have to eat medicines as your food.

#3: The one who loves you will never leave you because even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find one reason to hold on.

#4: There is a big difference between a human being and       being human. Only a few really understand that.

#5: You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage!

And always remember that if you want to walk fast, then walk alone; but if you want to walk far, walk together!

Last, but not least, the best doctors in the world are, in order, sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self confidence, and friends. Maintain them in all stages of life and enjoy a healthy life!

Cal Bryant is Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. He can be contacted at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.