Q: I envy individuals who have a positive outlook and are happy with their lives. I am much less so — I often find myself in a negative mindset. I have no living relatives, and most of my lifelong friends are gone.

What makes me most unhappy is that during my lifetime I have accumulated too much stuff. Much of it has been gifted to me by generous relatives. Many items are valuable, but I find that taking care of them, worrying about possible theft and no longer using or needing most of them makes me feel more like a prisoner. But I keep them because of sentimental attachment.

These concerns, combined with others like paying my bills, my eyesight problems and even losing my car keys make me really frustrated. How can I convince myself to take action and simplify my life so I can become happier?

A: It's difficult to offer advice without knowing more about your health, your assets and your financial situation. However, I can tell you that we've all had some of the same experiences you mentioned, such as forgetting and misplacing items and making late payments. You might try making a daily to-do list. One of the to-do's can be going through those items and getting rid of some. Keep your list short enough so it is practical to finish in a timely manner. Many of us in our age group possess a strong work ethic and need to accomplish things, and we feel guilty if we don't. Really think about what makes you happiest and focus on adding some of those activities to your to-do list. — Doug

ALL POOCHED OUT?

Q: I've been living by myself (although in a retirement community) for the last seven years, but I haven't felt lonely until recently. My wonderful schnauzer, Benny, died three months ago after a long life. My home now feels very empty, and I miss having the companionship.

Ideally, I would find another dog to love, but I'm afraid that it would outlive me, and that would be one more thing for my family to deal with after I've passed.

Can you think of a solution that would work for me, but would also be viable in the long-term for my family?

A: There's definitely a reason dogs are called man's best friend. Dogs are excellent for satisfying our desire for companionship and can be much more agreeable than people. When you're used to having a dog, you really feel the lack when they're gone.

To avoid the age worry, your best option might be to adopt an older dog rather than a puppy. There are additional benefits to an older dog, as well. Puppies tend to have much more energy, so a mature dog might suit your needs better. Many animal shelters struggle to find homes for older pets, so you would likely have many options.

Regardless of the dog's age, it's difficult to predict the future. You may want to discuss this topic with your family, since they could become responsible for the dog. Consider asking for their input on breed, size and other factors. Hopefully they'd end up loving the dog as much as you do! — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.