Sarah and David were two friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. Sarah was always ambitious and hardworking, and she eventually became a successful lawyer. David, on the other hand, was more laid-back and preferred to pursue his passions, which included playing music and writing.

Sarah was very proud of her career and her financial success. She had a big house, a fancy car, and all the latest gadgets. However, Sarah was often stressed and unhappy. She worked long hours and was constantly worried about money.

David, on the other hand, was much happier. He didn't have a lot of money, but he didn't need it. He was able to live comfortably on his music and writing income, and he had a lot of free time to pursue his passions.

Sarah and David often talked about their different lives. Sarah often envied David's freedom and happiness, while David often admired Sarah's success.

One day, Sarah decided to ask David for advice. "How do you stay so happy, even though you don't have much money?" she asked.

David smiled. "I'm happy because I'm financially independent," he said. "I don't need to worry about money, so I can focus on the things that are important to me: my music, my writing, and my friends and family."

Sarah was surprised. "But you don't have a lot of money," she said.

David laughed. "Money isn't everything," he said. "It's important to have enough to live comfortably, but it's not the key to happiness. Happiness comes from within."

Sarah thought about what David said. She realized that she was focusing too much on her work and her money. She was neglecting the things that were truly important to her: her relationships, her passions, and her own happiness.

From that day on, Sarah decided to make some changes. She started working fewer hours and spending more time with her friends and family. She also started pursuing her passion for painting.

As Sarah focused more on the things that were important to her, she became happier. She was no longer stressed and worried about money. She was finally living the life that she wanted.

Sarah learned that financial independence is more than just having a lot of money. It's about being able to live the life you want without having to worry about money. It's about having the freedom to pursue your passions and spend time with the people you love.

And most importantly, financial independence is about being happy.