First of all, my condolences on the loss of your grandmother, she sounded like a reliable and kind person. I was sixteen when my last grandparent died back in October 2000, and you are just a few years older than myself.

With each passing day we acquire bits of wisdom and experience, at least I'd like to think so anyway. I'm a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been.

What have I learned? Oh, many things over the years. Perhaps one of the most important things I've learned is that people will be people and for the most part you cannot change the way they are, so it's best to either accept the situation or quietly move on. Another thing that's important is to always just be yourself regardless of what others may think about you. I know, sounds rather simplistic, right? Yet, based on my observations over the years I've witnessed many bright and other wise clear thinking minds fall in with the crowd and go along to get along. I never bought into that sort of thing, and at times paid quite a price for choosing to go my own way in life, but all in all the choices I've made have been quite gratifying. As the saying goes, you gotta stick to your guns.

The best way to handle difficulty? I think that varies from individual to individual. Meditating (or simply deeper thinking) combined with laughter helps get me by the rough times. Reading books also helps take my mind off of things, at least for a little while anyway. The key there though is to never give up when times get rough, keep fighting on.

Where have I found happiness? In one word, memories. No one can take away the pleasant memories I have of my youth, and even at the darkest of times good memories can help get you through. I think of my father often who had passed away in 2006 at age 63 from a sudden heart attack, and a good portion of the knowledge I have today came from him.

Hope that answered your question(s). Future happiness depends on all of us, each individual plays a part in life. There is no shortage of "ists" "isms" and "ives" in this world, and I can't help think that's a part of what keeps us divided as a species, that urge to identify with something. That however is a whole other topic for another time perhaps...

1 Live life as if there isn't any tomorrow.
2 Do not spend time worrying it accomplishes nothing. Rather decide what you can do regarding the problem and do it.
3 Make sure you tell those you love just that as often as you can and add how proud of them you are.That goes for your spouse also.
4 Managed your time so you can enjoy being relaxed.
5 Do not forget to plan for retirement.
6 try to be pleasant at all times and do not let idiots get you down.
7 always look for the bright side of events and you will recognize them