Money Is Not The Answer With Deaths Pastor Zachery Tims, Russell Armstrong & Hockey Star Hockey Star Rick Rypien

We now know that sex and money are not the answers to happiness. In three days we have learned of the deaths of three famous and wealthy men, one of whom we know definitely committed suicide. These men had in common ingredients most people believe are necessary to lead happy lives. They each had equal amounts of wealth, power and influence.

From the outside looking in, their lives were a fairy tale existence. From watching The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, Taylor Armstrong married to Russell Armstrong, a venture capitalist, provided his wife with an enviable lifestyle. Their only daughter lived her days as a fairy tale princess. Life was complete with luxury homes,luxury cars, limo rides, private jets, shopping and so on. All the trappings of wealth you see in lifestyles of the rich and famous. While details are still emerging on the death of hockey star Rick Rypien, early reports indicate an ongoing battle with depression,says The Globe and Mail. In the case of megachurch Pastor Zachery Tims of Orlando, Florida who was found in a New York City hotel room, drugs were found on his body according to reports in the Wall Street Journal. TMZ reports Russell Armstrong committed suicide by hanging.

All this makes you wonder what goes on in the minds of these men who have everything material life could offer. I have often said money doesn't buy happiness. I lived this personally as I was beaten by my ex-husband while I lived in a house with a swimming pool and a tennis court in my backyard. It's obvious money, sex and power are not the answers to what we are searching for. In our quest to lead fulfilling lives, we pursue these attributes in the belief that having them will mean we will never be unhappy. I must say I have found more happiness living by myself in a two bedroom apartment than in a four thousand square foot home with housekeeper on property, gated entrance and all that.

This brings to mind something I learned years ago from my grandmother. Never envy anyone for anything they have, because you don't know what price they paid to achieve it. Pursue happiness as a state of being not equated with material possessions. In the words of my grandmother, these are indeed wise words to live by.