Bare necessities

Predictability, simplicity and good ol' peace and quiet are highly underrated. 'Coz when you think about it, all you really need to be happy in your earthly life is a home to come back to at the end of the day (a kitten whose day is made the minute you walk in the door is a plus for some); to do something you love for a living; to enjoy decent health, the occasional cold notwithstanding (health insurance would be nice, I suppose); to have just enough money to meet your daily needs, and a bit more for occasional treats; and a handful of people in your life whom you love, and who love you (for many, God doesn't fall into this category; for me, He does). That, and knowing--for the most part--what the next minute, hour, day, week, month will bring. Almost everything else is superfluous. It's so simple, really. Maybe that's why we take these basic things so much for granted--until, that is, we face the threat of losing them.