Quote #69: Gary Billotti

"Hi, my name is Gary Billotti, and I am a retired senior citizen here in Midland. I am also a member of the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition. Besides being a great song, this line always makes me step back and think about what I've got in my life. It's so easy for many of us to get on the change treadmill and keep looking for what is better, or bigger. The ""grass is always greener"" is another common saying that comes to mind. I realize that is something that many of us do as we work (struggle) to "succeed" in this world. The problem is that achieving ""success"" in our society is so often tied to financial success and/or personal prestige. To me, there is nothing necessarily wrong with that, but it doesn't often account for the things in life that simply make us happy. Personally, an example of this in my life has been lost friendships and family relations. I've been very fortunate to retain some very strong friendships, even throughout the multiple moves we've made so I could climb the corporate ladder. However, a move out East took us away from close friends and family for several years. We missed family gatherings and getting together with our close friends, many of which we grew up with. It took a loss of a family member to realize we needed to get back. In hindsight, I probably should not have made that move. Fortunately, we re-established our relationships with friends and family. Stuff happens, and it always will, so I think the appreciation and gratitude for what I've got is enough "success" for me. This has been brought to you by the Midland Area WellBeing Coalition. Find out more about us at Midlandareawellbeing.org"

Joni Mitchell