Today we live in a world where material possessions seem to dictate our happiness. We believe that our joy comes from our gadgets and our nice clothes and cars. But these "things" simply just leave us even emptier than we were before. We've all heard the age old saying that the best things in life are free, but what does that mean exactly? The best things in life cannot be bought, but they can be felt and experienced.

The people in your life are one of the greatest gifts you will ever receive, and they do not cost a single cent. Friendships warm our hearts and fill us with joy more than any inanimate object ever will. The thing about good friends is that you don't have to do much, simply being in each others presence is enough. If you have good people in your life honestly the rest does not matter. As human beings we need relationships to survive, we crave affection by nature. Think about all the late nights, the heart to hearts, the lunch dates, the beach days, all of these moments of joy surrounded by people you love. Friends are priceless, and so is the happiness they bring you. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't trade my friends for anything in the world. I'm a firm believer that people come into our lives for a reason. Our friends have our backs and help us grow in ways that we could not by ourselves. No amount of money, no expensive thing, could ever replace the company of good people.

Beauty is unfolding all around us, but we are often times too focused on our phones or laptops to see it all. The way the ocean waves kiss the sea, the way the sun rises and melts back into the horizon every day, the change of the seasons. All of these things take place in the world around us and so many people fail to appreciate it. Going to the mall and going to the movies are great and all, but nothing makes my eyes light up quite like a summer sunset. Nothing makes me smile like the suns rays and summer air brushing against my face. The world is a beautiful thing to waste. Go for a walk, take a swim, hike a mountain or just sit in silence and let the beauty consume you. Find time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life that are absolutely free.

Beautiful sights and beautiful people are life's greatest treasures. Money cannot buy happiness. Happiness comes in the company of the people you love and laughing until you cannot breathe. Happiness comes from finding people who understand you and love you unconditionally. Happiness comes from embracing the world around you. Spend more time focusing on what life gave you rather than what you can buy. When I'm old I don't think I will look back and remember those designer shoes or that shiny new laptop, but I will remember summer sunsets and raising hell and making memories with the people that shaped me into the person I was meant to be. Life is short, and tomorrow is not promised, so instead of becoming consumed by the superficial world we live in today, try to enjoy the little things.The best things in life are free, but yet they are the most valuable.