What's the difference between living and existing?

[lorraineb]

What do you consider to be the difference between living and existing, and what role do money and finances play in this?

[cschin4]

I think a lot of this simply depends on your outlook in life. On your levels of gratitude and simply learning to enjoy what you DO have. In reality most of us have far more than our parents or MOST of the people on the planet or most of the people who even ever existed. If you have the basic needs of a roof over your head, a daily meal and heat in your home, you are doing far better than many in the world. You can make a decision to find the JOY in every day. And, real joy doesn't come from money or a speed boat or a mansion in France. It is a decision to truly enjoy your surroundings, the people in your life and the good things you do have. I can truly enjoy sitting in my car eating a drive thru meal as much as I enjoy going out to a fancy dinner. I am not a "fancy" person. Watching the birds perch on my window sill is interesting to me. I have learned to find the FUN in every day. To take a moment to laugh.
As for money woes, there are always going to be stressors in life. Nobody goes through life without stress. It is all about how you manage it and only you can determine how happy you wish to be.